|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 10:57 am
Elae barely kept back a squeal at the sheer adorableosity of the mewling Bronze. How adorable was that?! It was far too cute to stand! Heh. Except she was Standing, wasn’t she? Her delight only grew as the striped Bronze found his way towards Cil and immediately buried his head in those robed knees. She waved at her friend but didn’t feel hurt when she was ignored. It was rather easy to overlook a girl when one had one’s hands full of dragon. Her surprise was complete when Raena found herself with a little Blue.
“Wow… I never pegged her as anything other than straight,” she whispered to Nan, knowing that if anyone knew anything, it would be the Nose. “Did you ever think anything about her? Although she has that Blue flit…” but flitts didn’t depend on sexuality or gender to Impress. Even Elae knew that much, despite her tendency to let her mind drift off during lessons. “I never got a ping from her.”
A little disappointing, since Elae liked to think she had a decent feel of such things. Ah well. Maybe she was just one of those girls who leaned so far to males that female-attraction might as well not exist at all.
She actually did let out a little squeal at the terrified Green dragonet, a fact that the little girl probably didn't appreciate. She was already terrified enough.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 10:59 am
Ennrik tuned Mal out. His stomach's last heave had come much too close to being successful. Not that he had anything in his stomach, but he knew that made no difference. He would throw up bile if nothing else. He had never hated his body more than at that moment. Yes, it was humiliating to go through this every time he tried to perform, but now he was ruining one of the most important kinds of events on Pern. Gathers were important, but if a Harper failed it made no lasting difference. What if he somehow managed to be the reason a dragonet couldn't find his or her bond?
That last thought made him open his eyes and train them on Mal. They were a trifle unfocused, and he was fairly certan Mal would notice, being that he was perceptive and already dividing his attention between Ennrik and the Hatching, but it would have to do. The swirling, dancing black spots weren't going to go away.
"Mal," he said softly and distinctly. "You're going to want to move at least a metre away from me."
Mal would probably interpret this as a warning that he was going to be sick - which was a distinct possibility. In reality, though, Ennrik didn't want to be the reason Mal failed to Impress. He didn't know much about a dragon's sense of smell, but he knew dragons could sense humans' thoughts. There was a slim chance Ennrik's profound wish to be alone might drive away any dragonet that came nosing around looking for Mal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 11:02 am
Goodness greens! Gar felt a twinge of pity for the one with the frightened eyes. Poor thing! At least it had found its person...The terrified noises it was making nearly broke his heart. Still, attentions couldn't linger long, and soon enough he looked back around to see the other green sauntering directly for the boys. A brown swerved past her and claimed a boy, another weyrbrat near Gar's age. Surely this was the clutch for all those left standing so many times before. With only the green fully wandering now, Gar focused on it. Where was it heading with such a sultry walk?
Faranie nearly was bowled over by the frantic green, and she glared quickly at it before looking away. She much preferred the other green, the one with the killer walk. Too bad it was headed for the boys...She spied Gar at the front of the pack and gave him a clear look. 'What're you doing, thinking you're getting so close to the eggs, hm?'
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 11:06 am
With those Impressions, the Jackal Egg broke open, and another green dragonet graced the Hatching Sands. This one drew herself up with great dignity and fixed a crafty gaze on the candidates, weaving on unsteady legs towards the boys. She was quite thin, and nearly lost her balance a few times. But her instinct drove her to Impress, and she searched for the one that would give her what she wanted, her eyes shining with intelligence. Getting her way was very important to this green, and the one she picked must be perfect. She choosily looked over a few of the boys, her face fixed in a draconic sneer, and then found Riordan. Oh yes, she thought, he was perfect.
Mine, she spoke a little harshly. Your Coatlicueth is terribly hungry, and she demands to be fed this very instant. I cannot wait. Do hurry up, mine.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 11:08 am
Nandeli nodded enthusiastically at Elae's words. "I know right?" She whispered back, "I totally thought she was Standing only for the gold like most of the girls here, but if she didn't get that I thought she'd get a green. I'd have never put her on a blue in a million Turns!" Her new friend was right, though, about Raena having a blue flit. Maybe that had been some kind of foreshadowing as to what dragon she would Impress. It didn't sound like any kind of reliable prediction method, but that didn't mean Nan wouldn't use it. If it failed, she always had back up.
"But look at Cil with his little bronze! They're so cute together!" She stifled a giggle, glancing over at the young man once again. Who would have thought he would have ended up with a bronze? Still, she had nothing but good wishes for him. He definitely deserved it. Like her, he too had stood several times and failed to Impress. It was only fair that he find a dragon that was suited for him.
Watching the green from the Jackal Egg, Nan leaned over and whispered, "Some of these greens look like they're going to be trouble!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 11:26 am
Riordan just watched as the little green he'd thought rather silly and cute.... made her way right to him. His heart melted at the green before him. She was his... his own Coatlicueth. And she was perfect!
Of course, mine. Food. My tummy is empty. The little green's eyes whirled with her hunger and the boy smiled. "Food, yes... C'mon." The young green nudged him with her head, urging him to move faster. That food wasn't getting in her stomach while they stood here and stared at each other.
R'dan was going to have his hands full with the little green. But she was his Coalicueth and that was all that mattered.
---
Greloren watched as the little green Impressed to another boy. He was kind of glad she hadn't wanted him. She looked like she could be mean... but at least she hadn't hurt someone like that first green had...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 11:35 am
Hesendek wasn't exactly sure what to make of Mo, trying to protect him like that. He didn't want her to scare them away, though he sort of doubted a dragon would be deterred so easily. It was much more likely she would get hurt if she stood in the way between him and a dragonet. Hadn't she seen what happened with that first green?
Hesendek shook his head, watching as the green walked by them with purpose and sighed. He looked at Mo. She didn't look that disappointed, not at all. He tipped his head, wondering what she was thinking. Didn't she want one? The candidate shrugged and straightened himself. He should be confident! He was a good lad, he could definitely Impress. They could both definitely Impress.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 11:37 am
As a matter of fact, that was exactly how Mal took the warning. He took a step back sharply, but reconsidered. If Ennrik was really going to be sick, he figured, then the Harper wouldn’t be here right now. He would’ve made a beeline for the exit of the cave. Someone as stage-shy as Ennrik wouldn’t risk throwing up in front of a crowd after all. That was the sort of thing that would attract attention. Then again, there was probably a rule against leaving the Hatching before it was completely over… ah well. He could always try to steer Ennrik towards the back of the Grounds, where the attention might not be so focused.
He didn’t worry too much about making his chances of Impression worse. From what he had seen, if a dragon wanted someone in particular, they didn’t mind working through a crowd to get to that person. “Come on. We can move towards the back, Ennrik, if that would make you feel better. Although, not many people are looking at you. The crowd is made up of friends and family of Candidates, you know? They’re only going to want to watch their own kids.” Mal’s mother, of course, wasn’t in the audience. But maybe Ennrik’s folks were. Maybe they could help.
“I know she was really hoping for a Green,” Elae offered. The merchant-girl wasn’t sure what she hoped for. Definitely not a Gold though, not in a million years! Nan probably already knew that since it wasn’t something that Elae had made any attempt to hide. Ha! Even if she had attempted to hide it, Nan would’ve sniffed it out eventually. “Ohh… they’re still hugging! How cute is that?”
A few more minutes passed.
“…Do you think someone should poke Cil and remind him to feed the poor thing?” she laughed a little. But, even as she spoke, the hug was finally broken off so the new Weyrling could feed his lifemate. The little Bronze was still making noises, although it was more like a hum now. It was a marvel that the toddling creature didn’t vibrate as he walked. “She looks like less trouble than that first Green,” she whispered back. But Nan had a point; the Green who had sashayed over to the boys was certainly trouble. Elae had seen walks like that before in human females and they were always trouble.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 11:53 am
Isonth made to get up and move toward her frightened sister as she tore off in fear, but La tightened her grip around the dragonet's neck. No, no, not right now. It wasn't a good time to go after them, no matter how much her little dragonet wanted it.
But Mine, she is frightened, Isonth insisted, trying to tug away even as La exerted all her physical and mental restraint on her. She can't be left like that!
"Don't worry," La murmured softly, tugging in the opposite direction of Isonth's impressive pull until the dragonet settled slightly and turned her eyes back to La, expression one of concerned sadness. "Don't worry. She'll be all right," she murmured, stroking Isonth's muzzle and waiting to see if the new little one's bonded could calm her new dragonet. Isonth turned back to watch the other hatchings, eyes wide and head slightly cocked, ready to move in should anyone need assistance.
La noticed this, and didn't loosen her grip.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:21 pm
Jahangir watched excitedly as egg after egg hatched another dragonet. His hopes that one would pick him had not yet come to be but even if he didn't impress this time he had plans to join the next one and the next one until such time as he did impress or he was too old. He hoped he didn't reach the age limit without impressing but it did happen and it could easily happen to him.
Music flowed in his mind as the dragonets found their bondeds and he knew a song would come out of this experience at least, if nothing else.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:41 pm
More and more gasps were aroused from the candidates and the audience, as more and more dragonets hatched. Brynne was struggling to see over the crowd of Candidates before her, though frowned as they seemed to part, hurriedly dashing to either side. Before she knew what was happening, a small cowering bundle had crashed into her, before quickly hiding behind her. And suddenly...she was complete. Her mind exploded with frightened words, and fear flooded her mind from her Dragon's thoughts. Her Dragon. Her Ixtabth.
Confusion and surprise was soon passed over as she turned quickly, wrapping her arms soothingly around the Dragonet and embracing her gently, making soft noises to try and calm the frightened creature. She attempted to press a mental feeling of calm and safety onto the Dragonet, although even Brynne with her stubborn will found it difficult to completely put Ixtabth's terrified mind to rest. "Hush, little one. No-one will hurt you here."
A strange calmness - a fondness, almost - crept into Brynne's voice as she soothed the Dragonet, swirling yellow-orange eyes fading to a more red in colour, though the shuddering didn't stop. But Mine, it's so scary! Protect me, please! spoke the scared Ixtabth, burying her head deep into Brynne's armpit. The female couldn't help but smile, stroking the top of the beast's head in a slow, soothing rhythm, remaining exactly where she was. "I'll protect you, Ixtabth. I promise."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:46 pm
Mathyn had watched all the dragons hatch with interest, and as they bonded he longed to be apart of the pairs. The blue had taken a long time looking before choosing a girl, and the greens seemed to know exactly who they wanted. Mathyn's heart was beating fast as he waited in the heat, this was so intense!
running a hand through his hair he stayed put, towards the back of the group waiting. Was there a dragon here for him? If there was not he had many more turns until he would have to stop standing for a clutch, but he wanted so desperately to show his worth with the first clutch he would stand for. He looked at all the unhatched eggs in wonder.
"This is so amazing, my heart is pounding in my chest like I'm winning a race," he said to no one in particular, but aimed his voice towards the boys that were left.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:58 pm
Abhijanya watched in wonder, songs thrumming through her as the dragons hatched. The urge to run never left, but neither did the desire to stay, and perhaps earn that coveted gaze from one of the hatchlings. A new green hatched, and it seemed the clutch was true to standards, more greens than anything. Everything here seemed insistent, from the heat of the sands to the hum of the watching dragons. It was enough to set everything in you to fear.. Janya made a fist, humming an old tune to keep herself calm. Few of the dragons seemed to actually be violent.. Perhaps there really was nothing to be afraid of..
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 1:07 pm
As bond after bond was formed, Lahar felt himself slipping slowly away from the eager agression and back into his normally apathetic observation. None of these dragons were his, and while there were still eggs left to hatch, his patience was dwindling. It wasn't his turn yet, nothing more...but he had done everything correctly. He was washed up, well fed, posture proud and pronounced. He stood near the front of the lines, mind open and heart ready. You don't decide, my dear, the dragons do... Oh, that wise Mother of his...his feet were feeling the harsh burning of the sands by now, and his brow began to trickle. He dabbed gently at the moisture, quietly observing, shaking away his arrogance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 1:29 pm
Keira watched in fascination, though her mood was tinged with dejection. This was the moment everyone looked forward to, though there were some here who had a slight fear in their eyes. That was a smart thing. Even though these little dragons were small in stature, those claws and teeth could terribly maim someone. That was why Keira stood calm. Fear shouldn't be shown. She was giddy, watching the eggs shift and shake with the creatures inside beating to get free. She felt gooseflesh rise on her arms as dragonets strode forward toward the person who would be their Weyrmate for the rest of their lives. The look of exultation and excitement...and love, it really made Keira happy. This wasn't just a stroll along the path for these people. This was a bright future, where Pern's skies would once again ring with dragonvoice.
She smiled, quieting her tumultuous thoughts, her eyes watching everything with a smile on her face. Even if it was not her time to be chosen, being here, on the hot sands where so many eggs had hatched before, one could not help but be awed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
