[Hatching] Wounds Healing

[Zen]

Ever watched the silver Impress. He'd skimped over Ever. But he'd found his lifelong match in none other than Orren. Ever hadn't really spoken to Orren. In fact, all she knew was that she'd spoken to Amisi and Senar.

Oh, Senar. The poor boy. He looked pale. That set Ever into giggles. Why would Senar be afraid?

Oh yeah... man-eating dragons. Ever flexed her fingers with memories. The hand didn't hurt anymore. And she'd long ago forgiven the green who'd given them to her. But now at the hatching she felt a pang of remembrance. A pang of bad memories. The last hatching was bad, of course, but this one might yield something better.

[Cansi]

Tekaine simply nodded to the woman's not-quite-orders. They sounded more like suggestions, but the advice was sound, and it would be followed. Unfortunately for him, the nod coincided with the shoulder clap, and for a moment his eyes felt like they were about to leap from his skull. Then the woman was striding toward one of the new weyrlings, and the inmate was able to look back at the latest hatchling on the sands- a sweating gray maybe? It was hard to tell, even from this perspective.

The guards nearby weren't bothering him, and watching the silver Impress was more than enough to distract him from the icky taste in his mouth. He leaned forward in the seat, making gentle rocking motions that seemed to help soothe his stomach. Not that it was acting up horribly, now that he was sitting on his arse. He should feel guilty, being all comfortable and relaxed while the others were out there standing.

Guilty.

Guilt.

And just like that, Tekaine's chin started to quiver. He clenched his teeth and inhaled hard enough to mask a less manly noise that was most likely struggling to escape just then. Bad boy. Don't think. Just look.

[Inkwell]

Orren watched the progress of the small, shiny silver with interest. He was prancing, wiggling, so excited. Orren could definitely sympathize with that. With every baby that hatched, he himself was getting more immersed in just how amazing this hatching was. Even if he didn't Impress, just being here had been pretty electrifying. The hatchling seemed to think the same thing; he seemed to be determined to bask in the moment and greet everyone, Candidate or no, even poor sick Senar.

But it wasn't Senar that he flopped down in front of. It wasn't Senar who's eyes suddenly burst with rainbows. It wasn't Senar that looked, dumbfounded, down at the little silver, mouth slightly open in a most undignified expression of shock.

I like your stories, Orrenmine! But I am not gray. Your Afilith is much too shiny to be a gray. Oh, shards, the little silver was talking to him, Afilith, his Afilith was talking to him, and... smiling at him? This one must open his eyes, though! How else will one see the world?

"He... um... he says you should open your eyes," Orren relayed the message to Senar. "Afilith, I mean. The shiny gray. Silver." Then he knelt. For a moment he just looked at the pudgy, grinning dragonet before him, and then his face broke into a matching grin and with a very unmanly squeal of delight he scooped the tiny silver into his arms. He dimly heard his name -- someone in the stands congratulating him, no doubt. As well they should. Afilith was beautiful and perfect and adorable and friendly and, really, everything Orren had hoped for in a Bonded.

You smell good, mine. Like food. The silver wriggled. I am hungry You can tell me your stories after I eat, yes?

Haha, yes. Yes yes yes. Even while you eat, if you like. Orren looked around, spotting where the buckets of meat were being held by waiting drudges. He stood and Afilith wiggled out of his arms, instead gamboling along around his chosen's feet, obviously delighted at the prospect of food. Orren took the offered bucket with a nod of the head in thanks to the drudge -- it was crazy, to think he'd practically been one of them just twenty minutes ago.

"Hi," Orren offered to Ralvyn by way of greeting, settling not too far from him with his own bucket of meat and beginning the messy but rewarding task of transferring that meat from the bucket to Afilith's stomach. "And congratulations, by the way!"

[Spiffy]

Shea flailed and - was caught. Pulling on T'di's supporting arm he managed to right himself. "Phew, thanks! I nearly went over then," he said thankfully to hid friend.

He gave the bluerider a strange look at his concerned inquirey though. "I'm fine!She just made me jump is all. Ooh look there she goes. She's impressed!"He gave a wmall whoop as T'di kept talking. He puzzled over the question for a sec. "I dunno. Shouldn't think so. That'd be a bummer, being a candidate for so long and then missing the hatching for five minutes of dippy tummy," he said with a sympathising frown for the kid in question, one of the prisoners he didn't know.

"Oh look, La's taking care of him. He'll be fine." He'd be fine with La, Shea knew. Shed been there when Ral had patched him up once, quite recently actually. They were both good healers, and Shea wished Ral all the best with his new dragonet, and a white no less! He'd have to make a point of meeting him (it?) soon, not that he would be able to keep Kitath away from the little mite for long. And if all went well, he may even get to teach them himself soon!

He was distracted (again) by T'di fluffing his hair.

"It looks great!" He agreed, enthusiastically. "I wonder if there will be any more new colours."

He turned back to watch the blue, giggling when the egg rolled on its tail and the resulting gray (grays were small and so cute) got a funny look from him.

Of course, he couldn't resist squeeing, loudly, at the ensuing cuddle-fest. "Look, look!"he said, tugging in T'di's elbow and pointing frantically, "so adorable!!" He cheered with the rest as the blue impressed.

Then "Another gray! Look, he's dancing, how fun!" He said as the new dragonet cleaned his feet off. Then the light caught him, and he... Sparkled? "Wait, metallic? A metallic gray!" Yes Shea, well done.

He watched the progress of the new dragonet with rapt attention. "Oh my days, he's heading to Lostris!" He exclaimed, seeing the silver bounce over to where his sister and dragon were watching. He saw Lostris go ridgid as the silver nudged her, the reaction from Kitath even more hysterical. The huge green was watching the silver intently, head lowered and following its progress so much that she narrowly missed headbutting Lostris, eyes wide and whirling quickly with interest.

But then the silver moved away, no evidence of rainbows in his eyes, and Shea drooped. "I thought he was about to choose her," he said, dejectedly, even though his big sister wasn't a candidate and was an invalid besides. But she had touched the eggs, hadn't she? Semith had wanted her to.

But then the silver did impress, and Sh'lon couldn't fail to be happy for the new weyrling. He liked Orren, he told good stories and made nice food! That he'd impressed lifted most of Sheas sadness. Maybe another of the eggs would be for Lostris, there were plenty left.

As if attracted by thoughts of shiny things, in popped Glitter, the blue settling on Shea's shoulder and trilling happily. A sparkly grey, excellent. He was, afterall, a sparkly blue himself! He peered curiously at the silver, eyes whirling gently green with interest.

[Evadne]

Lostris was well and truly distracted from duty. The charm of the silver had ensured that. Her one consolation was that so many others seemed likewise charmed and therefore might be less likely to notice her lapse. The cheers and hoots coming from the observers brought a brief but brilliant grin to her face; it disappeared quickly once she realized she was doing it.

"Heartbreaker," she commented, referring to the silver. Or perhaps the newly bonded pair as a whole. Her gaze lingered on them a moment longer and then she turned back towards the trees.

Carefully, with an eye on not tipping over, she reached up to curl her fingers under Kitath's chin. If the green didn't retract her neck, she'd soon find herself on the receiving end of a companionable chin-rub. "I can hear Shea from here," she murmured to the dragon, a glint of amusement sounding in her voice. There was a pause. Then, just as quietly, "It's good to hear him happy again."

[giftwrapped]

The fact that Serdek had moved closer to Orren meant that when the silver came over, she went momentarily rigid, watching the little creature with an expression that was somewhere between hawklike interest and fear. But the fat little dragonet went to the young man who had been narrating to the seated boy, and he moved off the Sands. Serdek stood quietly for a moment, then glanced over at Senar. She probably should have said something. But....what was she supposed to say. Their commentator was gone and Serdek wasn't entirely sure where to go from there.

So for the time-being, she stayed silent, returning her gaze to the Sands and clasping her hands behind her back.

---

"You're the one who said he was fat," Kas remarked with a laugh in his voice, shooting a sly sideways glance at the guard and offering her a vague smile. But she was distracted with the dragon, and for now Kas simply returned his gaze away from the Sands. The dragon that had distracted him (it was definitely silver; Lostris had confirmed it) had been sweet enough, but Kas wasn't here for dragons, and the momentary flare of hope had been silly. The eggs had known what he was here for, and Kas shook his head. Best not to forget it, lest something bad happen and he be too distracted to help!

[puppetmaster]

The Primitive Hatchling continued to nudge eggs even after the silver hatched. He allowed himself a moment to croon a greeting to his semi-clutchmate, then returned to his duties. It seemed he would not stop until he'd said his hellos to every egg in the clutch.

There was something very focused about the dark dragon. No amount of noise from the candidates or the stands made him glance up. He paused only once, when he'd grown close to his parents. As with the silver, he stopped then, crooning a quick hello before returning to his round.

He was nearly done with his rounds when he reached the Misty Garden Egg. He nudged it. Churred. Nudged it again. Crooned, rather loudly. His third nudge could only be described as forceful. There was no answering rock from the egg. No answering anything. His eyes showed the slight yellow with distress.

He looked to Semith then, making a questioning sound. If they conversed, no one else heard it. But he backed away from the egg. The Primitive Hatchling nudged his last two clutchmates, and finally turned his gaze to the candidates.

His easy gait quickly brought him to the line. He eyed the candidates with every sign of polite interest, giving little croons of hello to anyone who looked particularly nervous. Reaching the last of the candidates, he wove his way carefully past, not the first of his clutchmates to do so.

But, for a change, he did not bump into Kaskirk, though he did offer the man a quick leg rub before moving on to his actual target.

LostrisMine I found you. I am sorry I took so long. I had to check on my clutchmates first. They are well, except for one that isn't there. Did I do a good job, Mine? Should we eat now? Or is it not time? He looked to Kitath, then. Hello, greensister! Thank you for looking after mine.

Name: Habilith

Art Type: Prehistoric cave art.

Hex Code: 222222

Appearance: Habilith is one handsome young dragon. For a gray, he's huge, as big as a mid-sized green. He's broad in build, not lean and quick like some of his fellows. No, Habilith is hopeless when it comes to speed. This one's all about strength. With his wide wings and muscled shoulders, he can easily support to full sized riders, even three if he's not expected to do it for long.

In color, Habilith is so dark a gray as to near black. He's not a fancy dragon, his hide near uniform in color. He does have a blaze of pale gray on his muzzle, and a slight lightening of color near his talons, but he's otherwise simply a very dark gray.

Personality:

Simple. It's a good word for Habilith. He's not a dragon for nuance or subtly. He doesn't always pick up on social cues, or anyway, he happily ignores the unplesent ones. Habilith's world in a nutshell? There's good and there's bad. Good mean honor, it means justice, it means being helpful and kind. Bad? Well, Habilith doesn't believe in bad people. Even criminals are good sorts, who've made poor decisions and are now learning the error of their ways. Oh, there may be a few rabid canines who need to be put down for the good of society but almost everyone can be won over with respect and kindness.

Two virtues, which, by the way, Habilith absolutely embodies. Hopefully, his rider gets a kick out of doing good deeds because Habilith will do his best to be Good at all times. That's Good with a capitol G. Habilith is so good that lower case letters just don't do him justice. He's the dragon who will be flying old ladies across the street. He'll be the one helping prisoners by hauling stones or burning weeds. Indeed, it may be difficult at times, to get him to pay attention to his actual duties, as he's distracted by anyone who utters the magic word, 'help'.

Social to the extreme, Habilith will know everyone in the Weyr. Though he's terrible with names, he's excellent with faces. He will always recognize a 'new' person and be eager to introduce himself. And he's got a knack for remembering things like people's personalities, their occupations and crimes. It's just those sharding names he struggles with. Oh, and things relating to him. Don't ask the poor dragon what he had for breakfast. He's aware, on some level, that not everyone likes him, but he refuses to really acknowledge it. They're good'uns, deep down, and he'll win them over in time. He means it, too. Habilith never, never gives up.

Stubborn? You bet. And once he's decided on a course of action, nothing can sway him from that path. He's utterly fearless. Rampaging pack of whers, violent bronze dragon? Habilith will stand them down and calmly, simply, determinedly, explain that he must complete his mission. He might get eaten, yes. But he'll go down reasoning! The one place where that confidence ever wavers is where his rider is concerned. Everyone else may be 'good at heart' but to Habilith, his rider is a paragon of virtue. He'll constantly be trying to prove himself to them, needing praise and reassurance lest he become convinced he's somehow not been 'Good' enough to please them.

Habilith's favorite phrase? "My rider says that..."

Why Me

There was once a time when Lostris wanted to be a hero. Well, she better be ready to find that dream again because Habilith is determined to be just that. Honorable and bound to her duty, she'll be able to ground the much more trusting (oh, lets just say it, naive) Habilith. In turn, Habilith will appeal to her very best nature, and pull her out of simple obedience into the sort of adventure she once dreamed for herself. Habilith's rider is his role model and always will be. He chose Lostris because she embodies those traits he most wants in himself. And so, she must be careful, because every word that falls from her lips will be gospel to her young dragon.

[Zen]

Ever's eyes focused on the gray then. Was he making his rounds? That was... well, that wasn't strange. She'd seen dragons doing that before, she knew. This one stopped at one particular egg and stopped there for a long time. With a strange thought, she wondered if there was something wrong with that egg. She hoped there wasn't. Had she touched that egg at the touching? She didn't remember. Was whatever that was growing within that egg... was it gone now? Was whatever was in the egg, was it gone?

Ever was so focused on what had happened between the gray and the egg that she hadn't really noticed that the gray had moved away. He was dark, the gray, perhaps that's why he hadn't stuck out to her. She was used to seeing the light hides of the gray. Only applause alerted her to the fact that the gray Impressed.

The applause also snapped her out of her reveries. She managed two halfhearted claps before the silver caught her eyes again. A silver. And a purple. What would hatch next? She wanted to know, and wanted to know what had happened with that egg....

[nozomi]

The very second it became obvious Lostris had Impressed, Siata started making noise. When the little creature ambled up to Lostris and the green dragon, she clasped a strong hand on C'ross' arm, eyes widening under the floppy hat. And once it showed through that he'd Impressed her*, that hand tightened and Siata made noise.

More precisely, she started to yell. "FUCK YEAH!" said the Smithcrafter in her loud bellow, free hand snatching off her hat. She waved it in the general direction of her friend, only continuing on with the clamoring. "FUCK YEAH, LOSTRIS! CONGRATULATIONS! ROCK ON!"

Ha ha, get it, he's a gray. Rock on.

It took a long moment for her to shut up, and she shoved the hat back on as her eyes hurt like a mother. That stupid-wide grin stayed quite firmly in place, all sorts of glee coursing through the woman. She looked to the bronzerider, rocking back and forth on her feet.

"Look! Lostris! She Impressed! Cheer with me!"

... Siatask's loud. Siatask's give Big Ugly's attack in chest.

LOSTRIS IMPRESSED OH MY FUCK

So? Ax-woman now ugly's. Stupid. Siatask's stop.

... FFFFFF.


*Noz is posting unaware of how Lostris will react, so this may be edited once Evadne posts <3

[Evadne]

"Nothing wrong with fat," Lostris said. And that was the last thing she said for quite awhile.

She'd set her mind to ignoring the sands and that included the sounds of approach behind her. Kitath was on watch, after all, and even hungover she still trusted Kaskirk to raise the alarm if something were to go sideways. When Habilith rubbed against her fellow guard, the only warning she had that things were amiss was the odd ripple of rainbow at the corners of her vision.

It didn't remain at the corners for long. There were no more trees before her; there was slate, or something like it. No, not slate. Softer than that. Vibrant and alive, as was the voice that entered her mind. Not Kitath's. She could never mistake that voice for the green's.

LostrisMine I found you. I am sorry I took so long. I had to check on my clutchmates first. They are well, except for one that isn't there. Did I do a good job, Mine? Should we eat now? Or is it not time?

As she'd been with the silver, she was rendered speechless. To a level beyond that though. Even her mind was silent as she stared down at the little grey. And then with careful deliberation, she stretched her injured leg egg and sank to her good knee to be closer to Habilith. The canes were set down and forgotten, her hands going to that beautifully dark hide. Like water on sun-baked stone, she reckoned.

He was looking at Kitath, speaking to her, but she slowly turned his head and stared into those eyes. Every movement was glacial in speed if not in temperature.

Finally, finally, she spoke to him. Silently, and without realizing the tears in her eyes. You have nothing to apologize for, little man. You did wonderfully. You're here and we'll get you something to eat.

But I've made you leak, Mine? Habilith was distracted by his hunger pangs and tipped his muzzle up, nosing at the streaks that ran down the woman's cheeks. I'm sorry.

"No," Lostris said aloud, her voice thickened, "I'm not crying. You shouldn't be sorry." Then her arms curled around his little head and hers bent until she was pressed against that perfectly shaded hide, the tears hidden. If no one can see them, they don't exist.

Food would wait a moment. Habilith, his eyes lidded, silently concurred.

[puppetmaster]

So, Habilith found his bonded, and all was well in the world. Perhaps Misty Garden's wasn't about to hatch, but that didn't mean others weren't close behind their clutch-mate. Water Vessel in particular started to move quickly, the round egg squirming all over the Sands. While others still reeled over the silver, and the guard Impressing, the small egg rolled forward and damn near exploded.

Shell pieces did not fall like knives among those watching the Hatching, but rained down around the itty bitty maroon dragon sitting in the middle of the mess. She chirped a piping greeting to the rest of her clan, pale purple feet wriggling even as she made no move to get up at just that moment. Another chirp, and the purple leaned backwards in an attempt to get a sight of the gold behind her, and her sire. Balance did not seem to be this little creature's forte, proven when she tumbled back and over with a startled squeak!

The purple stumbled to her feet, eyes swirling confusion, and shook out the dizzyness. She sneezed when a bit of goo got caught in her nose, one leg lifting to rub it free. Very well, then! Once more, cheer replaced the previous grump, forgotten, and the Dew Drop Hatchling started to frolic gaily with the unhatched eggs around her.

What Candidates? What Impression? She bounced instead of worried, a small creature of glee near to her much-larger siblings. And she continued to chirrup, a little 'what's this?' as she continued her game of invisible tag.

[Spiffy]

If Shea had cheered loudly when Orren impressed, he damn near brought the roof down for Lostris.

Most of what he was shoutint was unintelligible, scattered with "Lostris!" and "wooo!" He was tugging fiercely at poor T'di now, shouting something along the lines of "Lostris impressed! See??? My sister impressed a gray!!!" Eventually he got himself so wound up he just flung his arms aroung T'di in a tight embrace.

Letting go suddenly, he made as if to move away toward where his sister was sitting in the sand, when a voice in his head held him in check. You stay right where you are SheaMine. I will look after Habilith and His, your sister. But I want to see her and say congratulations! You may do so when Habilith has been fed. Until then it is Habilith's time with His and His alone. I am sure he will be pleased to meet you later. Shea grumped a bit at that, but quickly turned his attention back to the hatching, still fizzing with excitement.

Kitath, who up until then had been quietly crooning her appreciation of the chin scratch Lostris had been giving her, now lowered her head down to The little gray. The pleasure is all mine, little brother. You have made a fine choice. And please inform your rider that I would be happy to assist her off of the sands so that she may feed you. Pfft Kitath, ever the polite one. She had, however, returned to her old habit of not speaking to other humans, particularly now that this human had a dragon whom she did not want to impose upon, as it were.

[lithle]

This will be a good class, L'vey. They will do well.

Faeth was curled behind where the feeding area was set up watching as each new pair joined them. Purple, white, silver, blue, green, gray. The collection of little ones was all but a rainbow. She was humming still, encouraging the remaining eggs to hatch, but her humm had gained a note of added joy with each new baby.

"Congratulations to all of you," L'vey said, walking carefully between pairs, making sure everything was going well. "Orren, see that your lifemate doesn't talk you into stuffing him."

Chubby dragon or no, overfeeding was a danger. "Ralvyn, take care, we will have your Master look him over after the hatching."

A white. What did he know about whites?

About as much as he knew about silvers and purples, but they'd make it work.

Another purple had hatched. So small! Would they even grow to a size that could be ridden? He glanced to where the gray had impressed. "Kitath, do ask the gray if his rider needs us to send assistance.

Little one, your lifemate is injured. Would you like us to send a guard to help her up?

[firebird]

Senar stood where he was, unsure of what to do. First the man next to him had been telling him about the silver dragon. Apparently it had just Impressed him? That would be good; the other man had seemed like a nice guy. But then there was nothing. When he peered blearily from his pained eyes he couldn't see the other man, but that didn't mean much in his current condition. He could only see little flashes of movement, in any case.

Something was chirping. Was that another hatchling? Hopefully it wasn't one that was rambunctious or careless, or both. He had heard about hatching maulings, and he wanted to avoid becoming a victim of one himself if he could. But Senar couldn't see well right now, only try to listen to the crowd and determine when the noises grew worrying. It was a bit nerve-wracking, to be honest.

[tuathade]

The silver had Impressed! Lucky man with his adorable, chubby new bonded. Did R’vyn know him? He looked familiar – a cook or something, but Ral didn’t know that many people except for regular visitors to the infirmary. That was just… how he was. He got absorbed in his work. Things distracted him. People who needed help distracted him.

Well, that was going to have to change. It was a new start, a new chapter in life. He was going to make friends with his fellow weyrlings if it killed him. FRIENDS WITH EVERYONE FOREVER. Dexeth nudged him encouragingly. That’s the spirit!

…Not that he really knew where to start. He offered a handshake – non-bloody hand, not the one covered in meat juice – to the new silverrider as Dexeth trilled a greeting to Afilith. “Congratulations to you too! He’s – he, right? – a handsome fellow. I’m R’vyn.” Good, he’d remembered to use his own honorific. That was… a start. A step in the right direction, right?

L’vey’s voice caught his attention, and he nodded when addressed. “Yes, sir.” Dexeth would need looking at; his wings in particular seemed a bit underformed, and those fragile little limbs… Not that it mattered. His dragon was perfect/i]. The most perfect of perfect dragons. Just needed a little extra attention and care, that’s all. Hence the dragonhealer rider! Nothing could bring R’vyn’s mood down now.