The Luck of Dragons [E] (Archith's Fourth Hatching)

[dr3amwe4ver]

Oh, oh, oh! The queens had noticed her! The queens were talking to her! Adorith purred in delight, even though the queens were clearly not enthusiastic about her display. But before she could answer them, the golden queen reared up and attacked her. Squealing, Adorith jerked backwards, pain exploding along her wide.

What are you- Then came the command. LEAVE. But she'd only just got there! She didn't have a chance to mingle, or get to know the males, or-

Adorith! D'lan's panicked thoughts punctured her indignance and her head swung towards him, faceted eyes swirling orange with alarm. Stop. By Faranth's egg, stop! He felt her pain like it was his own, amplifying his anxiety into near hysteria as the guard grabbed him. Kaya. He blinked. Why had he called Rilora Kaya, the name of his foster mother back in Igen? Oh, shard it all, he wasn't in his right mind. He shouldn't be there. He shouldn't have come. With a dry mouth, D'lan glanced over at the other Igenese officials, shrinking beneath their disapproving glares.

"I'm-I'm sorry," he mumbled to Rilora and the guards. "She didn't mean- I wasn't-" His entire body started to shake as a panic attack hit him. He gulped down great breaths of air, finding it difficult to breathe, and pulled himself away from the guard. "I'll leave. I'm going." And with that, he turned and practically sprinted from the sands, sweat streaking down his face. Bugling in alarm, Adorith shot from her perch and flew from the Sands after him, leaving the rest of the hatching in peace.

[dr3amwe4ver]

There was a loud bugle overhead that rang through Aislin's ears, distracting her from the dragonets. Her head shot up as people in the stands screamed, and her heart hammered in her ribcage. There was a green twirling and diving through the air, seeming quite pleased with her display despite the displeasure of the queens. As April whimpered at her side, Aislin patted her hand absently, lips pursed. It was disgraceful to disturb such a ceremonious occasion with that ridiculous display. Disgraceful!

She nodded her head in satisfaction as gold Archith dealt with the errant green. "Serves her right," she said, wondering what rider couldn't keep their dragon in check. At that moment, there was a loud crack and Aislin glanced back at the clutch. Her eyes widened. The most beautiful dragon she'd ever seen emerged, shaking its wet little head. It was all the colors of a sunset streaked with black. What kind of dragon was that? She knew all about the Rainbow Mists colors, having been raised in one of its holds, but she'd never seen this before. Was it a mutation?

Then, a voice entered her mind that changed everything.

Aislin, I need your help with all this.

Disbelief flooded Aislin's senses as she turned and caught the gaze of the young Cloud. There were two thoughts that overwhelmed her as the rainbow color of Impression swirled through those tender, loving eyes. One: she hadn't Impressed the Queen. Two: she didn't need the Queen, because she had Xlyinath.

"Oh." Aislin gasped as hunger wracked her middle, making her stomach clench. "Of course, dearheart. Let me." Kneeling with all the grace of a lady, Aislin settled her wings gently on Xylinath's back.

Xylinath's sides rose and fell as she heaved a sigh. Thank you, mine! That's much better. Now, about food-ooo! Noticing the mutation for the first time, Xylinath turned to face her, causing her overly large wings to sag against the sand once more. What's that? Let's go say hi!

"Wait!" Aislin grabbed Xylinath's snout and pulled it towards her, forcing the Cloud to stare into her eyes. "We need to feed you, first. Then, you can go make friends."

Xylinath purred in contentment and nuzzled her rider, love and affection flowing through their bond. The strength of it took Aislin's breath away as she scratched the pale eyeridge, knowing her life would never be the same now that Xylinath was in it. If you say so, mine!

[T'ren]

The entire hatching was a blur, and this one was more overwhelming than others she'd attended in the past. Niylah's eyes followed those impressing and proudly leaving the sands with their new bonds. Was it possible hers was here too? Unhatched? Her eyes turned to view where the nest of eggs had been, and worry made her brows furrow.


Then, from the back of her mind somewhere a voice echoed, Niylah! There you are, at last!The small voice called, and Niylah turned her head to view the white-green prancing towards her. Eyes welling with tears, Niylah dropped to her knees, wrapping her arms around her sweet, sweet little dragon. She could feel the dragons unease deep within her own stomach, making her far more anxious than she'd been. Oh, I'm Rivith. Completely starving by the way. Can we go? Please? Rivith spoke, revealing her name and as she complained of hunger the anxiousness in Niylah's stomach turned to gnawing hunger. She nodded, blinking back her remaining tears and rubbing the cheeks of her newly impressed bond. Yes, yes right away we can get you something, love. She responded, nodding her head. She stood, motioning her hand for Rivith to come along too, and they made their way to feed the ravenous dragonet.