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 Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 4:24 pm
B'tar: "I don't think they could have..." B'tar sounded breathless with surprise, and he stood, craneing for a better view, Primaths flash of jealousy flashing through his thoughts. An Atype. At Benden.
She is dying. He'd caught the girls words, which were riviting in their subtle and powerful significance, so desperate in her actions.
I would have come for you, if that had been you. He thought to Primath, who was slightly soothed by this, though her thoughts were still huffy and angry, feeling as though every place was doomed to be invaded by the much discussed, much made over, Atypes.
I never would have needed to. she grumbled.
Was it a second white for Benden? That seemed almost like too much to anticipate, with such an otherwise tiny clutch, but it was impossible to know. He wondered if it was perhaps another clutching crimson, a thought that earned another flash of irritation from Primath. She didn't like the idea of another fertile female at Benden, not with everything that it felt like she might have been.
And he was right. It was a crimson. The telltale 'She' had been right, and he gripped the railing with interest.
I want to go see.
I don't! Primath snapped, jealously, though she was slightly mollified by the general air of uncertainty and disquiet the brilliant crimson had evoked.
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Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 4:36 pm
Lukah covered his mouth to keep from making a sound. Shards, did that girl know how close she came to a gruesome death? Surely she was too possessed. He sensed the Queen's displeasure echoing through the crowd with a quiet ire. Damn these old weyrs. Their dragons were as closed minded as their human counter parts. If that egg had died the girl would have died with it; that, at least, should have mattered to someone. ------- Winderick felt sick to his stomach. Now that it was over he couldn't bare to stick around for long. When the boys' ranks started to disintegrate Winderick quietly stepped aside, meeting Gale at the entrance way. He looked deeply fatigued, even a little frightened. So that was the true power of Impression. He always felt a little nervous about relinquishing his single mind to join with another, but he never imagined the bond could be so intense. The experience left him with a lot to think about.
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Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 4:43 pm
S'raid was rocked back into his place in shock, staring unobtrusively at the Crimson dragonet that had just Impressed to Aislin. Was it Fate that had given Benden a Crimson, when they had taken one from Trine? It was... in a way, about as fitting a punishment as could have been dealt out, but there was no way that Trine could have contrived for this to happen. Coincidence was... an incredible thing. Suddenly, he felt like laughing. He felt like laughing at Kestril and her puppet. They had only gotten what they had deserved, after all.
But had Aislin, and her new companion gotten what they deserved? They were in a Weyr full of dangers, faced with difficulties that their peers would not have to undergo. For a moment, he contemplated pitying her. Alumanth's killer was one of Benden's own. There would be pressure, much pressure on the new pair of weyrlings. Theirs would not be an easy road. ... But at that, his heart hardened again, his expression carefully blank. She was strong. She would make of this what she would.
If she did not come out of this intact, it was not because he had not prepared her for it. Galvanth gave a noise of protest, and S'raid went to his Bronze, placing a hand on his muzzle. "Galvanth, let it be." If she asked for help, perhaps it would be offered her, but in the meantime, there was one thing that was assured. She had Impressed. She would still be a dragonrider, even though in the coming Turns she might well come to be known as Yarith's shame.
I want to go to them, Galvanth said, giving a faint warble as he watched the pair. Not now. There will be the Hatching Feast, and perhaps she will have time to seek you out there. Or after. It mattered very little. He felt a faint swelling of pride, which he ruthlessly quashed, and then the amusement of before. Yes, it was indeed rather humorous that Kestril and Yarith had brought this upon themselves. Would proud Benden learn her lesson?
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Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 4:50 pm
K’la closed her eyes, sighing in relief as the Impression was made. There was no blood spilled at least. That was really all she’d hoped for – the avoidance of death in this scene. It was too much to embrace though, this immense broach of procedure. She, with many others, turned away from the girl and new crimson. “Yvoth.”
The green dragon had been humming continuously, right up until the moment the crimson had been smashed free of the shell. She was indifferent to the politics of the affair, and was pleased to humm at the little egg even as many of her fellows had broken off the thrumming. Now, summoned by spoken word and though, she tossed her head happily, thrilled at the sight of so many baby dragonets (and green ones too!) on the sands, before jumping from her perch to go and collect her rider.
K’la gave B’tar a friendly nod and brief smile. “Thank you for sitting with me, B’tar.” She glanced back, almost catching sight of the crimson, but reigned herself in from that and gave her fellow greenrider a proper curtsey. Better not to speak of it. “Best go and prepare for the feast – I’d expect it to be tomorrow.” Before, she had expected to fly down and find and congratulate Kadayon, to eat with him and dote, but the final frightening note of the hatching had sobered her somewhat. She would visit him briefly and then leave him to his dragon. They would want to be together as much as possible in the next few days, and she could try and reserve her affection for the feast.
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Zhac frowned, no with displease, but worry as the scene unfolded. “They’re going to have a very rough time of this now,” he predicted quietly. It had been impossible to wish for anything but the crimson to break free when the girl had been throwing herself at it so pathetically, but now…. “At least they’ll have one another,” he added hesitantly.
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Galeia glanced back over the emptying stands, the faces turning away, the uncomfortably shifting gazes and muted murmurs. “Good for you, girl,” she said, watching the crimson and the new Weyrling cling to one another. She felt something very close to hate for those slithering away from the pair, and she wanted to stay – but she had other hurts to care for. Her feet were sore (thankfully not blistered since she was accustomed to running about barefoot), her limbs tired, and her spirit… Even if she’d expected to go to the Harper hall after this hatching, it was still another thing to have failed Standing once again, even knowing it would not bother her in another sevenday. She might have stayed for the stranger yet, out of stubbornness, out of the need to bring about greater change, were it not for Winderick.
She met him at the archway and wondered if he were as tired and worn as he looked. She knew he had an aversion to being touched casually, but this wasn’t a casual moment. She laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, one of fellowship rather than pity. They would have a long talk alter, she was sure, but for now she only asked about his chest and asked if he wanted to go to the infirmary.
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Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 4:50 pm
There was disappointment in the air, but not a bit of it seemed to touch the astonished Aislin. She was covered from head to toe in muck, but that didn't seem to bother her one bit as she threw her arms around Saazeyth's neck. While Kestril seemed nothing short of furious, Saazeyth's eyes whirled with joy at the brief attention she received from Yirath before the queen followed her rider's exit. To Aislin it was an insult, but the young crimson seemed to take even that small recognition as something to be proud of.
“Of course you would have,” Aislin whispered, resting her head gently against that of her dragon. Her dragon. The very thought filled her with joy, the panic and fear and hopelessness pushed aside. The tears in her eyes were those of joy, now, and Aislin could not have been more proud. She didn't mention that Saazeyth had nearly died, that she likely would have died had Aislin not intervened, for even she believed that the little crimson would have found a way to defy death all on her own. They were together now, and nothing would be able to stop them. Aislin watched Kestril go, and looked up to a mix of shocked faces, disgusted frowns, and a few rare, supporting smiles.
They will understand, Saazeyth said, sensing her rider's worry. While Aislin watch Kestril's retreating back with a furrowed brow, Saazeyth was picking herself up and shaking her wings clean. Even covered in sand and goo, nothing had ever seemed so beautiful to Aislin as the strange little Benden Crimson did just then. From the confidence in her word, Aislin knew that Saazeyth believed every word. Her rider's anger with the visibly disgusted goldrider did not seem to affect the crimson, who was boldly charging over towards the feeding tables. We will show them, after I eat! I am very hungry.
Aislin trailed after, and fixed her gaze on whichever 'loser' had been left to tend the feeding, as though daring him to be the first to snub them. Together they left behind the mess that the hatching had made, two sparks walking back into a powder keg.
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Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 5:30 pm
Canoake crossed her arms and did her best to stay out the way as some of the other dragons hatched. More greens. Never a bad thing to be a green but there was no real power, no real chance to move ahead in life. Sighing, she saw the blue break free of its shell. Then the brown moved off and Impressed. What scandal would that have been if it had Impressed to a girl! Shoving aside some of the other girls, she grew frustrated at the one egg that had rocked then stopped. Two beautifully colored greens were now hatched and pacing the Sands. Canoake could not help but smile at the one green who seemed to boss her clutch mate around. This was the one, she remembered now, who had given her a true sense of pride and accomplishment. If only the dear had been a gold. Still, no crying over a cracked shell. Suddenly, the bronze was out. Thank the First Shell! Benden hadn't been cursed with that silly red dragon's death. Why was everyone suddenly moving in the way and shoving her back? Snarling, she stumbled back and tried to brace herself. This was no way to act! Really, panic the dragons and they go /between/. And then some one was hit by the larger green. Such a cumbersome looking thing. Canoake laughed, well if he got in her way. By now, she had been pushed almost to the back. Not fair! She deserved to be up front and again, shoved her way through. And then, Kadayon Impressed the Blue! Oh, K'la would be so happy for her son. Hmm. She would have to remember to go say hello to him later. Finally! And then the big green Impressed to a girl she had no clue who she was... Hmmm... Not good. There was no reason for her not to know these nine riders after it was said and done. She moved back up close enough to see the bronze go to a boy she vaguely remembered, Antigonos. OH yes, she would have to get to know him. And he was very easy on the eyes. Finally, the other green was left. She inspected the girls one by one and Canoake smirked. If she had been the green, she would have milked her audience for all that they were worth. After all, this was the creature's one shot at shining on its own. Dragonflight Pern The green hissed as the Bronze bugled and surged forward, utterly annoyed to have attention pulled from her. Sweeping a girl down and cutting across her with a growl, the green reared up and bugled, flapping her still-wet wings. Ah there! A gem among the ash! Making for the girl, she crooned ever so lovingly at Hers. Come away from the dullards, Canoakemine, and shine with your Tatath!Tears formed in her eyes. Tatath. Her Tatath. With every bit of dignity, though a silly grin crossed her face, Canoake came over to the green and crouched down to her. Stroking her face, she spoke softly. "Somehow, I knew it would be you. But that is alright, I promise we will both shine bright. Let's go feed you." Canoake turned just in time to see the drama of some girl a few Turns older than her and the unhatched egg. Really? What would she do? And then.. "A red! Well, doesn't that put us in our place..." She laughed. Not a very friendly laugh, as Tatath and herself walked off the Sands.
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Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 7:35 pm
Keela continued to watch with interest a even more andmore greens spilled out onto the Sands, and finally even one bronze. Each dragonet found Theirs and all seemed to go smoothly until the end. There was only one egg left, and from the way it pitifully wriggled in its shell without being able to break free it was clearly a runt. Hm, such a shame, the greenrider thought to herself, watching apathetically as it continued to roll a bit on the Sands.
That wasn't the end of things however, and the ebony-haired rider watchedin mild surprise as a Candidate sprinted forward toward the egg, crying out that it was dying. "Oh?" She leaned forward in her seat to observe the spectacle, watching as the woman rammed herself into the egg and gave it the help it needed to crack open. When the female dragonet inside was reveiled, Keela had to try very very hard not to laugh aloud.
What is so funny, Mine? Taith asked, sounding borderline irritated as she eyed the new crimson in distaste. It is naught but a runt.
A runt that, if it makes it to adulthood, will be near the size of a brown, the greenrider reminded her. Ah, Taith-love, your memory is so poor, but trust me when I say that with recent events considered this is a terribly ironic twist of fate. Even without having been there herself, the greenrider knew well of the catastrophy at Trine (surely most everyone had heard), and for them to have ended up with a crimson of their own was much too hilarious. Punishment, surely, but almost oddly appropriate. The question she had now was, would they keep her, or transfer her over to the runt-happy Weyrs? The next Turn or so woud be rather interesting indeed...
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