Eleven Steps from the Finish Line [Temperanth's Hatching]

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

L'van had acquired, by means of a few quick glares and some shoulder-work, a seat which was perfectly placed. It was only his right to have an unobstructed view of the Hatching and Impressions, after all. He'd looked around briefly for his sister Eira, but he hadn't been able to spot her before the Hatching began. After the start of the Hatching, he'd been too busy watching dragonets and Candidates to waste the time looking for her.

The Hatching opened with a brief squabble, and couple of Candidates got bumped into by dragonets, but it was definitely shaping into a much calmer Hatching than the one in which he had Impressed Thoth. His thoughts on the matter were idle, his gaze kept returning to one Candidate -- Andromedae. Very pretty woman, really, although her bloodline...

L'van started, coming forward in his seat so that he sat on its very edge. A dragonet -- probably a hazed Aurora -- was standing right in front of Andromedae, its rainbow eyes proclaiming Impression. L'van had to throttle a cheer.

[shapeshifter]

Andromedae felt a sudden burst of pride in her chest. The Black Hazed Aurora stopped in front of her. In that moment, it happened.


Hunger burned in her stomach whereas excitement and fulfillment exploded inside of her body. The sweet voice was heard at once,
[smear:17999b]Oh, there you are Andromedae. This is[/smear:363341][smear:363341] good. I have become hungry, you will[/smear:ca99ce][smear:ca99ce] feed me. I am, of course, Ziaveth. Come.[/smear:363341][smear:363341] We need not waste a moment longer here.[/smear:6654b5]


Ziaveth... she said softly, tears of happiness forming in the corners of her ice blue eyes. She cupped the dragonet's head in her hands and planted a kiss on the tip of her nose.

Come my dear one, we must get rid of this hunger.

The little dragonet crooned in agreement.

It was then she saw L'vin. She motioned a wave, with a 'Come on' mouthed at the end as she walked with her little one, her chest puffed out and a grin on her face.


R'niaan heard more cheers as more impressions were made, drawing his attention to see the Black Hazed Aurora and her newly Impressed emerging from the Sands. He greeted them with a bucket of food, "Welcome, new Weyrling." He said, looking at the Black Hazed Aurora, such a little beauty!


[smear:17999b]I am such a beauty, aren't [/smear:363341][smear:363341] I? Everyone will love to[/smear:ca99ce][smear:ca99ce] look at me. My beautiful haze at that![/smear:363341][smear:363341] I shall be a beauty for everyone to behold.[/smear:6654b5]

Oh, conceited already. Andromedae was so proud.

[Breeze]

Fedri went still as the Aurora stopped in front of him, her claws digging into the sands before a voice spoke in his mind. [smear:4c9693]Greeting F’ri, my rider. I am Esheth, and I am[/smear:33d790] [smear:33d790] most pleased to make your acquaintance.[/smear:219462] She bowed her head slightly before continuing. [smear:4c9693]Would you be opposed to getting me[/smear:33d790] [smear:33d790] some food? I am quite hungry.[/smear:219462] F'ri broke out in a grin, kneeling and holding out his hand slightly to the dragon, as if to shake hands in greeting. Esheth briefly stared at his hand, before she understood the idea, offering her tail to shake instead of one of her forelegs.

Of course I will get you food, F'ri smiled as he straightened, moving to where he had seen the candidate that had impressed the brown go to retrieve food. He glanced at the bucket, contemplating exactly how much he should feed her, before simply taking a small handful and beginning to feed Esheth. "Here you go, food as promised Esh, just-"

[smear:4c9693]My name is not Esh, F'ri,[/smear:33d790][smear:33d790] my name is Esheth.[/smear:219462] She corrected politely, before beginning to eat.[smear:4c9693]Thank you for the food,[/smear:33d790] [smear:33d790]we will find you something to eat soon.[/smear:219462] She finished off the handful, and F'ri moved to obtain more, stopping briefly to observe the White launch herself into the stands, eyes widening and eyebrows lifting in surprise. F'ri broke into a grin as the White impressed to a girl, much to her surprise and the surprise of those around her.

How extraordinary it is, He thought, before observing the impressions of the Black, the queenly hazed Aurora, the Purple and the Flame. It is also nice they that are all finding who they are meant to be with. The little Black is interesting though.

[smear:4c9693] I gather it is[/smear:33d790][smear:33d790] not something you see often.[/smear:219462][smear:4c9693] Would you mind getting[/smear:33d790][smear:33d790] me some more food?[/smear:219462] Esheth questioned, looking up.

"Of course, sorry Esh-Esheth," F'ri corrected himself, focusing all of his attention back on the dragonet. She was very polite, and he felt the need to respond in kind, although her name was a bit of a mouthful for him, and clearly she didn't take to nicknames. He smiled slightly as he began to feed her, it would take some work, but he was very glad to do the extra bit of work for the Aurora.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

L'van hesitated for a couple seconds, then shrugged and walked out of the stands. It wasn't particularly hard, almost everyone else was still seated, and he was tall and broad enough that most people would clear out of his way fairly easily.

"So, what's her name?" he asked, coming up beside Andromedae. He wished Thoth could be here, but what with the new Weyrling pairs and the tables needed for the meat, there just wasn't room for a fifteen and a half foot shoulder to rump dragon.

[shapeshifter]

Andromedae turned to L'van, "This is my Ziaveth." She felt pride as she said her dragonet's name, "I knew I would Impress. She may not be the Queen most girls hoped for, but she's my little Queen."

At that last sentence, the Aurora spread her wings to reveal her beautiful colors and her dark haze swirling about her hide. She held her chin up proudly and nudged L'van's leg, hoping for a scratch.

[smear:17999b]Andromedae-mine,[/smear:363341][smear:363341] is this who you[/smear:ca99ce][smear:ca99ce] get this tingling feeling from?[/smear:363341][smear:363341] I thought only I made you feel like this?[/smear:6654b5]

Andromedae was astonished, forgetting dragonets can feel every feeling that you have in your body. She blushed and replied with, Between both of you it's a different tingling... She couldn't believe her precious one had just called her out like that.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

L'van smiled and bowed slightly to Ziaveth. It was, after all, the proper thing to do when meeting a lady. Failure to do so would reflect badly on oneself and one's family, which would never do. After all, it wasn't Ziaveth's fault that the Weyr leadership refused to treat the Hold's grievance with proper respect, any more than it was Thoth's fault.

So she Impressed. All to the good.

All to the good? L'van queried, granting Ziaveth the requested scratch.

Good, Thoth repeated firmly. You are happy and relieved, therefore it is good.

L'van started slightly, rocking his head back and widening his eyes. Thoth was right; he was relieved. Taking a deep breath, L'van allowed his smile to form. Why not? He was relieved.

[Shoki]

The Darkblue made his way, looking at the female candidates with great care. He seemed very serious, not about to let anything slip through his claws. Each candidate was to be considered, and not a single one would be left out. However, he stopped quite suddenly in front of one of the female candidates, his eyes going to rainbow colors before he could even properly get his thoughts together. Like lightning striking, it was done, and he had found his place.

Saphierah, Mine, I would like to be fed. I am Wontroth. He wanted to say so many other little things, but he let the pride of impression sink in.

The Sunset found her rider and both of them went off the sands to get some food. That left the two male dragons on the sands, the Blue and the Gray. Not sure about the males, the Blue wandered back over to get a good look at them. As he walked by Maelinne he suddenly hopped back a little, as the Gray squirmed out from behind the female candidates and made his presence known.

I HUNGER FOR FLESH! His mindvoice boomed ominously before he rolled onto his back and looked up at Maelinne. Haha, that’s a good one, don’t you think? I’ll have to remember that one for later. He righted himself quickly and shook off the sand he had gotten on himself. A bit more seriously he gazed up at her once again and spoke with more gravity. Well, Maelinne mine, you are mine. And I am yours, until the day I die. I am Saith He was quite happy about that.

During all of that commotion, the Blue found his rider and had gone off with them. Temperanth, was just endlessly pleased. They had all impressed safely. Finally! A celebration was in order! Hedara’s mind reached to the Queen and reminded her that the hatching feast would occur, and it would be later that day. Which meant…

Let us both take a bit of time to sleep.

Temperanth was amused but didn’t disagree. For once, they were as worn out as the dragonets would soon be. It was time for a well deserved break.


---


Name: Wontroth
Color: Darkblue (m)
Personality: Wontroth puts up a gruff, no nonsense exterior. To most it looks as though this Darkblue is all business, and is only occasionally a little bristly. He will be serious in completing tasks he is assigned and won’t procrastinate in the slightest. However, underneath all that is the secret desire to be spoiled. He wants to be allowed to play and treated like the best dragon out there. Though he won’t show it to all but his best friends, he loves attention and praise, and a few words can make his day go from okay to spectacular.
Hex: 252052
Adult Length: 24 feet
Impresses: Saphierah


Name: Saith
Color: Gray (m)
Personality: This Gray isn’t depressed at all, at least not normally. Saith might be a touch pessimistic, but he is only despondent when the situation calls for it, not before. He does however have a morbid sense of humor and can be a bit creepy on occasion, generally on purpose. He likes to spook people he has attachments to and will often invent stories to that end. It’s almost impossible to scare him, even in legitimate danger. He seems to have missed out on the traditional gray empathy, and instead has an impressive sense of when he is being lied to. To that end, it means he often knows who is truthful and who isn’t, but almost never why that is the case. Saith will no doubt be haunting ISW, but all for good fun.
Hex: 3a3835
Adult Length: 19 Feet
Impresses: Maelinne

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Rallin exhaled slowly. Hatchings were always fun to watch, but they were extremely emotionally charged too, and even a relatively unflappable fellow such as himself felt a relief at the end. Not a bad relief, or even a relief with the sense of "finally" included, just... the calm lassitude that accompanies the end of running through strong emotion to emerge with soul cleansed.

Of course, some people were more effected by that then others, as Rallin observed, glancing over to where T'ruk had fallen asleep, his head pillowed by Rallin's shoulder. The boy's three firelizards had curled up one atop the other in a sprawl across both the human's laps.

"He out?"

"Like a turned glow."

Between them, Gillian and Aurelav shifted the firelizards out of the way, while Rallin shifted around and picked T'ruk up. They made a funny pair, for the boy was taller than Rallin by easily an inch, though Rallin was still broader through the shoulder. It was a measure of how tired the young rider and his pets were that neither boy nor firelizards so much as twitched during the process.

[Kaya]

Maelinne noticed the various heads turning to watch something. She barely had time to comprehend the cluster of dragons before the White was flung up into the sands. She gasped, watching the little one go sailing. She ended up in the arms of one of the spectators. Strange, but good! She would get to meet someone who was as disoriented as she was, certainly.

If she Impressed.

If they were nice.

No! She would wait here. She stomped one foot into the sand and looked on ahead at the dragonets. She would present fairly and no matter the outcome she would have tried her hardest.

As more and more dragonets Impressed the activity seemed to dwindle. The scuffles had settled, more and more humans and dragons left the Sands. But there were still little ones observing her. A cute little Blue, perhaps-

I HUNGER FOR FLESH!

A curdling scream flew from Maelinne's mouth. Breathing heavily she looked around with jagged movements. Something rolled in front of her. What in Faranth's name-?

Haha, that’s a good one, don’t you think? I’ll have to remember that one for later, came the pleased, smooth voice. As he shook the sand off him Maelinne realized the voice was coming from no other. Her rapidly beating heart screeched to change direction from fear to the joy she felt, the love emanating from this bizarrely humored beast.

Well, Maelinne mine, you are mine. And I am yours, until the day I die. I am Saith.

Her mouth opened, hesitated, grew into a grin, and then she hugged him.

It was Saith's turned to startle, but he felt the strange and good feeling coming from the girl he had chosen. He felt her heart racing in his mind and against his neck. Well?

"Saith." The word felt new on her lips. "Saith," she tried again. "...you scared me." She was grinning.

Did scared humans grin? Perhaps his did. It was off-putting. He liked that. He liked that very much. Your Saith demands the offerings of prepared flesh. Let us go, and he turned to walk towards the group of other dragonets. They would be among the last. They would have food for him. They would.

"Ah...hah. ....that's funny, Saith. ...right? You're kidding, right? ... ... right? ...ehn," Maelinne followed, puzzling, perplexed. The confidant grey tail lead the way as she trailed behind. Silence. It unnerved her more than any reply he could give. No one else screamed. Maybe they had been expecting the blunt references to the foodstuffs dragons ate?

The wash of Saith's amusement propelled them both. The beginning of a beautiful...something.

[shapeshifter]

Saphierah at this point had been watching the DarkBlue and Grey dragonets, wondering which one, if one at all, would choose her. It was then she saw the rainbow in the eyes of the DarkBlue as they connected with hers. This warmth spread through her body, along with the normal burning hunger that dragonets are born with.

Saphierah, Mine, I would like to be fed. I am Wontroth.

She and Wontroth both expressed happiness in their faces, their bodies, and their linked-in minds. She was now at Ice Stone Weyr for good, no longer apart of the steamy south. She enjoyed the bitter cold of the North.

Saphierah scratched the eye ridged of her DarkBlue and said, Lets go my love. They made their way to where the rest of the new Weyrlings were feasting, grabbing a bucket of meat from R'niaan as he greeted them, and Wontroth began to chow down.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Andromedae smiled at L'van, "So, now that we are both Riders, I guess one day we will be competing for positions in the Weyr, huh?" She winked, hoping one day she could be a WingSecond, knowing Wingleader positions were normally held by Kings.

She looked down at Ziaveth, who was busy staring at L'van,
[smear:17999b]Andri-mine,[/smear:363341][smear:363341] he has such a calm[/smear:ca99ce][smear:ca99ce] feeling about him.[/smear:363341][smear:363341] Why does he seem so, so calm and collected in such a happy time for us?[/smear:6654b5]

He's already Impressed to a DarkBlue; he knows our joys, but not our joys my lovely one.

Ziaveth made no response, only let her eyes swirl a normal blue-green in contentment and acceptance for Andri's answer.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Hunter looked down at her little Tinidrith, Well, now that you are oiled...bed time? She said and the little one crooned happily, and sleepily, in response. Just then, Hunter had Tinidrith tune in as the WeyrlingMaster began to speak.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


R'niaan stood and looked at all the new Weyrlings, "Welcome to Weyrlinghood. You are now all Riders to beautiful little dragonets that will grow into bold and bright dragons!" He said with a smile on his face. Even to this day, Bamath could only pin point Yuki for R'niaan constantly having a smile on his face like he did. Bamath was watching all the little ones romping about with their mines; such a wonderful sight.

R'niaan continued his little speech, "Once you all have fed and oiled your dragonet, you may escort yourself to your Weyrling Barrack's room and take a nap with your little one before the big Feast this afternoon. You will need it; Impression is very exhausting."

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

L'van laughed. She just might have a point; he was willing to concede that much, even if he privately doubted that there'd be all that much competition. Besides, it would be pretty cool to be 'Seconds in the same Wing. He started to say something along those lines, but fell silent and stepped back slightly as WeyrlingMaster R'niaan started to speak.

You should depart to help with these wing-strengtheners, and then to make ready for the feast. Thoth observed.

L'van nodded. It was a habit he still had, even knowing that Thoth could not see him. "Andromedae, Thoth calls. I will see you at the feast." With those words, he turned and jogged off, angling towards the fastest route to where Thoth was waiting.

[Jay Kitten]

Luna had been almost entranced by the Hatching once it really go going, he watched as many of the dragons scurried about, almost chaotically as they searched for their Riders, but all of a sudden, the Black-haze Aurora Hatched, and everything grew calm. Most of the dragonets fell in line behind that one dragon, and he watched as they cooperated, tossing the tiny white dragon into the Stands. He was so surprised by this that he reeled in his seat, the proximity that he held to the dragonet now was worthy of note, and he began to scrutinize the dragon, taking in it's appearance. He could almost smell it from here, that odd scent of egg and dragon, just barely wafting against his nostrils as he sat in quiet disbelief. It had been a long time since Luna had even so much as seen a dragon, but he should have expected as much coming to a Weyr. Soon, though, the initial shock of that dragonet in the stands died down, and gave way to a clear pondering of his tasks that lay ahead.

He had a lot of research to do, that was for certain... But this Hatching was holding his attention for the time being, keeping him from leaving to go set his things up.

He watched as one of the dragonets stared at itself in the ice. What was he doing? He had never heard of a dragonet doing such a thing, and he wondered if it's mental faculties were okay. But that wasn't his place, now was it? He wasn't a Healer, wasn't a dragonrider, he knew little to nothing about these wonderful creatures. That isn't to say that he didn't want to learn about them, but in all honesty, he decided he had better things to do.

He stood up, shuffling down the line of people toward the main isle, going to leave. There was so much noise, so little room to think here, he had to clear his mind and focus on what it was he needed to be doing. Hatchings were great, but it wasn't his job to sit here and watch them. His mind was so preoccupied, he didn't even notice that just below the ledge, on the Sands, a little, pale purple dragon was following along, watching him.

Oh, L'na! she called to him, a look of worry spreading across her face as his attention seemed divided. L'namine, can I get up there? Or you down here? I... I am Rinneth! L'na kept walking, rubbing his chin. He had heard her, but so drowned out was she by his own thoughts and the words spoken around him that he barely even registered the fact she was speaking directly into his head. I do want to get to you soon... L'na! The name wasn't one he recognized, and he moved to leave, finally into that center isle as she grew desperate watching his back turn. That just wouldn't do, this human was the one she had chosen! Suddenly, with a massive burst of energy, she jumped as high as she could, scrambling at the rock, her claws causing sparks at one point as her little legs moved as quickly as they could to keep her from falling back down.

The sudden screech of claw on rock managed to catch his attention, and he turned around, in time to see her mount the top of the ledge, her eyes bursting into a chaotic rainbow as she leaped toward him, forcefully bursting into his mind all at once, flooding him with the most indescribable feeling of his life, even as she toppled onto his body, knocking him hard against the stone of the stairs, drawing a large gasp of pain from him, the look on his face one of complete shock. But there she was, over him, arms holding down either side of his shoulders as he was all but pinned in place.

As that rainbow faded away, he was left dumbfounded, staring into the face of a dragon.

"Wha... What just happened?" he asked, his mind clouded completely, like he were coming down off some new drug he had never even heard about. One of the Riders in the Stands moved to help him, laughing all the while.

"Impression, m'boy, the most wonderous of feelin's!" Rinneth took a step back willingly as he helped the man to his feet, clapping a large hand on his shoulder. "Now get 'er fed, else you have her eatin' on you!" With that he gave him another pat on the shoulder, this one quite forceful and directing him back down toward the front of the Stands. A few of the other Impressed Candidates were heading off the Sands, directed by Weyr staff, and he figured that was where he was supposed to go, his feet shuffling slowly as Rinneth started to hop about him.

I thought I'd never catch you! the dragonet cried, bumping her head against the back of his legs as he walked. She was so... Excited, and he felt her mind press against his own for a moment, a great deal of affection flooding through him. He couldn't even tell if it was her's or his, or both, but it grew from there, until it was both of them feeling it. Rinneth...

That name was wonderful.

Who would have thought him capable of such a thing? He had come here to study stars, but he had a feeling that wouldn't be all he would have to study now. She was pouring through his mind, absorbing his very being into her thoughts, picking him apart. He could feel it, but he didn't even care to stop her. She was... Part of him. It was indescribable.

The look on his face for the next few minutes stayed the same, that wide-eyed shocked expression, even as he was helped out of the Stands, across the blistering Sands and toward food for his Love.

She went ahead without him as soon as food was in sight, all but diving onto a bucket as he watched her, taking a seat and leaning on his hand. Today... Was a good day.