A Small Hatching

[Kandarra]

T'rin sat near the hearth where the seven eggs he and Rhia had found were warming in the basket of sand. Since a couple of days ago, when they had shown signs of being hardened enough for hatching, he had stood watch there with Micra as much as possible. The green flitt had been reluctant at first to spend so much time inside, but with much coaxing, treats, and attention, the bronzerider had gotten her to stay, even though at the moment, she would prefer to be out in the midday sun.

But now, she snapped to attention, starting to hum a high note. T'rin's eyes widened, and a grin spread across his face. He felt no need to send word to Rhia, for her flitt would sense the imminent hatching as well.

"Fresh meat, please!" he called, eyeing a young drudge who had figured out the circumstances and motioning for her to get a move on. "And quickly!" He dropped to his knees at the hearth, opening the basket and making sure the eggs were uncovered enough that the hatchlings wouldn't be engulfed in sand when they emerged. He wondered how many would actually hatch; when he'd found the eggs, they hadn't been kept warm.

[Spirithawk]

Rhia and Gylfie had been helping T'rin keep watch when she could be spared from her duties. Trying to get Gylfie to stay and help hadn't worked. Giana and Rehan had wanted to see the eggs daily and it had been hard keeping the children from touching.

Gylfie zipped off after emitting a deep hum and Rhia froze. She quickly dismissed her Weyrling class and told them that if they wanted flitts that the should head to the kitchens. If not, she'd see them after their noontime meal. They would continue working on identifying firestone and useful plants and insects.

The brownrider took off at a run to the hearth, eager to see how many of the 7 eggs had survived Micra and Gylfie's lack of motherly instinct. Gylfie had already arrived when Rhia made it in.

"Hatching day already?" She greeted T'rin with a smile.

Mneith was humming, trying to stick his head into the cavern to see the babies. He was blocking the main entrance into the Lower Caverns trying to get a peep. He was just as bad as he was when he was a Weyrling. The only dragons small enough to comfortably fit in this section of the weyr were the 1 sevenday old hatchlings from Kaith's surprise flight.

[Minajerie]

R'khol was surprised from his intent workings with scrolls by the light humming of his dragon. Somewhere, there were littlelings hatching. What is the news my friend?

Fire lizard hatching in the kitchens. Interested mine? A cousin could help with some of your tasks. The big bronze shifted his weight a bit and centered an eye on his rider. Plus I think it would be fun to have a little squirt around.

R'khol broke into a half smile. Oh really? You lonely old friend? He chuckled, knowing that wasn't so. You just want more company for all your mischief. Alright, I'll go. The tall man stretched as he got out of his chair at his desk. It would also get him out and about a bit. He had been doing research- as he had been doing since he arrived here- on the weyr. About how much supplies they tended to go through a month, a year. Transfers and history and all manor of things that, yes, he may not need to know, but still wanted to learn and know because he felt he should. Also, if he could be a help to Christae in her latest endeavor, he sharden well would.

"Be back soon. Maybe with a flitter. Maybe."

Kegrith let out a rumbly chuckling sound as he curled up. His mine could be funny sometimes, but a flitter would be nice in their weyr.

R'khol took to the halls and was at the kitchens within practically no time at all. It was his long legs. When he didn't really think about it, he could eat up a distance like it was nothing. "Greetings. I'm afraid we haven't properly met yet. I'm R'khol. Kegrith told me about the hatching, I hope you won't mind me standing in for a try at one of the little fellas?"

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

Flitter hatching! OH! He wanted a flitter. S'yer perked right up at the mention of such a thing and he had followed a few others down to the kitchen, twitching his hair back over his shoulder.

Miiiiiine! Why would you want one of those little vermin? You have me!

"Perilth, I want a fire lizard. They can prove quite helpful. Like with washing you for instance." S'yer was definitely going. He had been passed by at the last hatching of fire lizards, and really was hoping that his luck was with him this time. Though, Faranth forbid he get another bronze. One Perilth was about all he could take. You could always nag it until you got them to do what you wanted them to do. It's what you do with everything else.

MINE! I never! That is not how a bronze rider should talk to his dragon! You should listen to me!

S'yer let out a small laugh, but didn't let it continue. He didn't want to hurt Perilth's feelings. Well, I am not your typical bronze rider, now, am I?

No, you are not. You are my mine. And mines should at least listen.

I listen. He reached down to scratch at his dragon's eye-ridges before he left the beastie behind. Sorry Perilth. Go settle yourself in our weyr. I'll see you soon. With or without a little vermin of my own.

Perilth sighed, giving in to his mine's wishes. And really, he didn't mind a fire lizard. Bronze riders should have them. Yes. Yes. They helped with the image of rank. He was just being a tad selfish. With everything happening at the weyr, it was somethin bound to happen in a youngling still growing.

S'yer made his way into the kitchens with a light step. "They haven't started hatching yet have they?"

[Headwoman]

Inoa had heard the news, being that she was one of the cooks in the Kitchen, rumors and news flew about like firelizards. She walked over to the table, carrying a tray with heaping bowls of meat scraps. She could hear the little green on T'rin's shoulder humming. And she was all too familiar with that sound. She knew it all too well as being the heralding sound of an imminant hatching. She placed the tray on the table next to the small basket.

(I hope you don't mind I post Inoa here. I don't want her to miss a chace at impressing a firelizard. Should have her sheet done in a few minutes.)

[catilena1890]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(C+D)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lenoth's head perked up and looked in the direction of the kitchens, while D'lan and Catilena relaxed in the grass by the shore of the lake. D'lan breathed in deeply and yawned.

What's the matter Lenoth? He asked him politely. Lenoth stood up and stretched his wings.

Little ones are hatching. Perhaps you would like to get one of your own?[/color] Lenoth asked quietly, slightly humming, looking at his rider. D'lan sat up and Catilena inquired him.

"What did he say?" She asked. D'lan looked at her.

"Fire-lizards are hatching. He wants me to get one." He said. No sooner had the words left his mouth that Catilena grabbed his arm and dragged him in the direction of the kitchen. Lenoth and Mosaic followed closely behind.

"Oh that would be wonderful! Please do try! Perhaps I can aquire another fire-lizard myself?" She said, babbling on. D'lan no longer tried to get out of her grasped and allowed her to drag him to the kitchens. They looked at T'rin and Catilena held a hopeful stare.

"I hope we are not too late?!" She quickly asked. D'lan said nothing as she finally let him go and he stepped off to the side, allowing his dragon to get by.

[Spirithawk]

OOC: Kitty, we've asked before, next time you will get a warning. Please separate your characters more distinctly.

Headwoman, required post length is 2 paragraphs minimum.

Thanks guys

[Kandarra]

T'rin watched the eggs anxiously. One of the smaller ones, colored a pale blue-green, had started to rock. Reluctantly, he pulled his gaze away as Rhia arrived. "Apparently," he said, his answering grin visibly tense. "Ah!" he said with relief as the drudge returned with a large platter of meat scraps. He took it from her, murmured a thank you, and set it on a nearby table.

"Weyrleader.. of course you're welcome to stand! I'm T'rin of Amparath, I believe we've met in the barest sort of way. The meat's just over there," he said, and gestured, "and good luck!" Well, that's interesting, he thought. The weyrleader himself shows up for one of my eggs. Our eggs, he corrected himself, for a few of them were Rhia's, too.

A young rider came in then, and T'rin said, "No, they haven't, and I'm T'rin of bronze Amparath. Who might you be?" He appraised the boy with the black hair and the scars. He found himself intimidated, for the boy (honestly, he was really a man) was like a better-looking, taller version of himself. He noted also the bronze cords on his shoulder, weyrling rank.

Then two other weyrlings stormed in, and he gladly turned his attention to them. "You are not. They are only rocking." He did a quick check over his shoulder to verify that, but one had started cracking. "Your timing's good," he said to the boy and girl with a flashing grin, and glued his eyes to the events.

The pale blue-green egg was still rocking, but another, which was a chilly blue color, was missing a chip at the top. As they watched, a little yellow muzzle poked its way out, and soon there was a whole head. The little one creeled in hunger, and she was obviously trying very hard to get out of the egg. It fell on its side, and she gave a screech of frustration. Finally, she drew her head back into the egg, and just when T'rin thought she might be staying there, the egg burst outwards in an explosion of shards.




She stepped out of the few pieces still there, and looked around. She was a delicate creature, smaller than a green flitt, and her hide was a sunny yellow with slightly darker ridges. She creeled again, leaning her head back as she did so. Carefully, she opened her damp wings, and turned around, looking for food.

"I'm not taking her!" T'rin said, backing up. "Everyone, grab some meat and try to get her to come. Remember, loving, comforting thoughts."

[Akki]

It wasn’t the news of a flitter hatching that drew K’ell down to the kitchens, but the grumbling of his stomach instead. The man had the tendency to pop into the kitchens to grab a sweet roll here and there before going back to training – be it weyrling lessons or simply brushing up on his healing knowledge while Osaith sunned herself. He had been looking over some notes of his when his belly let out a slight growl, causing the man to push himself out of the chair and head down to where the food was at, Osaith lifting her head slightly to watch Hers leave.

The Healer travelled down the numerous stairs and paths and finally found his way to the kitchens only to see a large group starting to form. When he finally realized that a flitter hatching was occurring, he couldn’t help but feel a stab of guilt. He had heard something about a search party but simply thought it was a rumor. If he had known it was true, he would have helped out in searching for it.

He cast Rhia a rather sheepish grin, “Did I miss much?”

-----

Hasima slinked in behind K’ell, almost invisible with her quiet manner. She had debated for a while whether or not to go down to the kitchens once she heard the news but Rimith had talked the girl into it. Go to watch, it would be interesting to see. The yellow crooned, her eyes churning contently.

The girl didn’t have any strong urge to go and stand for a flitter; she was quite happy with having Rimith by her side but she gave in to the yellow’s words. It would be a fun thing to watch, she could watch others Impress and watch their smiles grow as flitters made their way towards them. She gently touched Rimith’s eye ridges before slowly making her way down to the kitchens. She was trying to be a bit more social but it was quite hard. She had a lifetime of being in the background; one couldn’t expect her to change so quickly.

“Can I watch with you?” Her voice was barely louder than a whisper as she glanced at Catilena and D’lan with wide, nervous eyes. Hasima almost never initiated conversations – that was a well known fact around Dark Moon. When people saw the sickly girl wandering about, they offered her a soft smile and that was about it. Most people feared that if they said the wrong thing, the girl would start crying. Hasima didn’t necessarily mind, she wasn’t good at holding up her side of the conversation but she had to admit that it got rather lonely every now and then.

[Headwoman]

(OOC-Sorry, Hawk! Will try to post better this time.)

Inoa decided she would stay and watch, if she wasn't called back to the Kitchens. She watched in awe as the first egg, the chilly blue egg, exploded to reveal a cute little yellow baby firelizard. Inoa loved the firelizards that didn't come with a lot of fuss. For her, fuss meant a gold or bronze hide. Something like that.

On the spur of the moment, she grabbed a piece of meat scrap and dangled the piece of meat in front of the little yellow's nose. She hoped the little baby would accept her, but there were a few more chances if the yellow refused her. And then she'd have to wait for another firelizard clutch! At least she would have a little friend that resembled the larger cousins.

[Marnark’tranarprol]

There was news of a flitter hatching going down ... in the kitchens so he'd heard. H'nam was curious. He really didn't need yet another baby to take care of, but as with all lads - he was curious! He'd never seen a baby flitter up close so he decided to go. Maybe he'd get to look at a few before they were wisked away to be named and petted on elsewhere in the secret hideyholes of those who managed to get one. Did he want one? Need one aside? H'nam honestly didn't know. He'd not had enough encounters with the beasts to know whether or not he liked them.

On principle, he swung both ways on the idea. Flitters were sharding nasty spies. Always watching people like him ... possibly getting him in trouble when he walked off with something. More than once he'd had to run from somewhere due to that. But on the other hand ... a flitter would also make a very good partner in crime! Especially for things like seeing around corners, filching little stuff, getting away uncaught ...

Ahh. Yeah. They were useful and a nuisance too.

Making his way into the kitchens, he edged around everyone else who had gathered, to try and see. He knew one was hatched already - there was a little bitty lizard voice. Couldn't be anything but. To edge past the last set of shoulders to see a little bitty yellow critter, H'nam was surprised. Did flitters come in yellow, or was that a washed out green? He didn't know!! "Um ... what would you call that color?" He asked, unashamedly.

[Spirithawk]

OOC: That's all I can ask Headwoman.

Rhia grinned when the Weyrleader himself came down looking for a chance to get a flitter. "They haven't hatched...." She broke off as the yellow broke her shell.

"Well, it seems we have a mini Remith! Are you going to try for her Hasima?" The brownrider smiled at the yellowrider as she came in. She laughed at T'rin's reaction to the yellow but yelped and ducked behind some of the watchers when the yellow turned her way.

"You didn't miss much K'ell. Weyrleader R'khol, Kell, the rest of you, follow Inoa's example and get some meat. I don't want another of the little buggers! Gylfie is enough. " Almost as an afterthought, Rhia added, "S'yer, D'lan, you too."

Rhia caught sight of H'nam and Catilena after she had spoken. "H'nam, if you want one, grab some meat and think attractive thoughts. Glad to see that you're healed. Catilena, you have your flitt, so it might be polite to let some others try, but if one comes to you, go ahead and feed it." She smiled gently to take the sting out of her comment. It really was more fair to let others who didn't have flitters try for them. It wasn't like there wouldn't be a gold clutch soon enough with Z'ayr's Queen. Plus there were always wild clutches to be found.

As Rhia encouraged the watchers to grab meat and come forward, another egg spilled out its occupant. In keeping with the small size of the fire lizards that had laid the eggs, a blue fell out of the egg and promptly fell in an undignified heap outside the basket that had held his egg. He let out a startled and hungry creel as he took in his new surroundings.



This little blue was quite the looker. He had dark edged wings but the inner parts were a pale, sky blue. The tip of his tail was dark as well, almost black. The rest of his body was a medium blue.

[Marnark’tranarprol]

So that color was a "mini Remith". That didn't sound right. That didn't sound like a color. It sounded more like ... a dragon name. So ... okay, that didn't answer his question. H'nam's gaze flicked to Rhia for a moment when she spoke to him, offering a hesitant smile in answer. He still didn't feel like he belonged in this place, but he really couldn't help that. Reloth had done a rather dandy job of tying him down rather firmly after all.

It had been so long since he'd lived in one spot for longer than a day or two that he had just about forgotten how it was done. As for wanting a firelizard ... he wasn't entirely sure he did! And .. and ... what exactly were attractive thoughts? Thoughts about attractive things? Or thinking oneself attractive? Well ... that was just sick, so it couldn't be that. After all ... if you thought yourself was attractive ... that just made you a bit weird in the head after all. Or was it supposed to be thoughts that were attractive to a little warbling lizard?

How in the world was he supposed to know what a lizard found attractive?

But all this thinking and being confused was interrupted by yet another flizzard hatching. This one blue, with lighter and darker bits. My! But what was that one called? Blue? Or something else? Did that make the first one a washed-out brown?

[Headwoman]

Inoa cooed at the newly hatched little two-toned blue. He was a cutie, for a certainty. She picked up another piece of meat and offered it to the blue. She hoped one of the little cuties would accept one of her tidbits. She'd always hoped to impress one of the little creatures, but had never had the chance. Working in the Kitchens had always kept her busy, until now.

She moved a little bit. She didn't want to startle either of them into going between. She could feel her arms getting sore, but she wasn't about to lose another chance at impressing a firelizard! She crooned in her throat at the little yellow. She couldn't help but wonder if either of them cared about who they impressed to.

[Kandarra]

Despite the intimidation he felt at the younger bronzerider's presence, he agreed with Rhia at welcoming him and the other weyrling. There weren't enough people showing interest in the flitts, and if enough people didn't act soon, they would go between.

"Yes, S'yer, D'lan, come closer, grab some meat," he urged. "These beauties need people, if you want them." He made the extra effort of giving each of them an encouraging pat on the shoulder. Then he turned to face the rest of the people. "If any of you want one of these, and you don't already have one, you're very welcome to try. But you have to be close, and have meat in your hand for them, because they're starving. So please, arrange yourselves around the table."

That message finished, he stepped back to watch. The little yellow was still creeling and picking her way wetly around the table, her wings held out awkwardly from her body. Registering H'nam's question, T'rin replied, "That's a yellow. Female. Not a common color. She'd be quite a conversation starter, and I hear they have.. interesting personalities." As he said this he studied the young rider. He didn't seem particularly interested in actually Impressing one of the firelizards, so T'rin turned his attention elsewhere.

It was a good thing he did, because at that moment, one of the medium-sized eggs started to crack. The first body part out of the hole in the egg's side was a wingtip, and it was a deep forest green. It flailed around a bit, finally connecting with the edges of the hole and making it bigger. A head popped out.



He would appear to be a female, with his typical delicate green's build, but he would never lay a clutch or rise to mate except to give chase. He managed to break the rest of the egg away, and he spread his wings with a screech, showing lighter green on his wing sections. Then he began creeling pathetically, crying for food.

[catilena1890]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(D)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After Catilena had nodded and stepped back, D'lan moved forward and grabbed some of the meat and looked around at the hatchlings.

"Uh, where do I start?" He quietly asked, his hand drifting toward the little green fire-lizard while his eyes focused on the blue and the yellow. He gulped quietly in confusion.

Do you not want one of the little ones, mine? Lenoth asked his rider. D'lan chuckled nervously.

What if none of them want me? He told his dragon.

You are wonderful, you are nice. If they do not want you, it does not matter, you still have me.[/i]

His confidence boosted slighty, D'lan inquired his dragon.

You'll not be jealous then? He teased.

For what reason would a dragon be jealous of a fire-lizard? Lenoth replied in a slightly insulted tone. D'lan chuckled and turned his attention back to the hatching.

[Akki]

Hasima’s hand fluttered up to her mouth, to cover the small smile that played on her lips when her eyes rested on the tiny little yellow firelizard. It was definitely an interesting sight! It was like seeing a miniature Rimith, which was actually quite cute.

She looked at Rhia and was going to shake her head before she found someone pressing bits of meat into her hand. Hasima hadn’t come down here in hopes of finding a firelizard that would bond with her – she had just wanted to watch but it seemed rude to hand back the meat to whichever drudge had given it to her. Hold out the meat, Mine. If you get one, you get one and if you don’t, you don’t. The yellow dragon reasoned. Rimith wouldn’t deny that having a tiny dragon around would be interesting but she also didn’t mind having the quiet girl to herself.

The girl gingerly held the meat in her hands, watching as a blue and a green made their appearance. Her eyes were wide, watching as the creatures creeled and moved about. She glanced at T’rin and offered the man a small smile when she heard his comment about yellow personalities. Rimith was the rock that she needed in life, even though that sounded incredibly sappy. “Yellow’s are quite nice.” She whispered, a smile on her lips.

----

K’ell smiled at Rhia before taking a step back, his hands up in an ‘I surrender’ position. “I already have Equin, he’s more than enough for me and Osaith.” While the green didn’t mind the blue, the Healer had the feeling she wouldn’t be too happy with another flitter hovering around her.

The man took a step back and stood behind D’lan, watching as more firelizards appeared and as more people held out their hands. K’ell could still remember the day when he got Equin and was glad that those who didn’t have a flitter would get the opportunity to Impress to one. They were rather nice critters – quite the sociable things that were ideal to have around when you were feeling down. It was hard to remain sad when you had a flitt nipping at your hair, begging to be played with.

When the hatching is over, will you play with me? Osaith asked, her tail flicking as she sunned herself outside. While she was much calmer and more stable than most greens, she was still a young dragon who liked to have fun.

Yes, I promise.

[Marnark’tranarprol]

A Yellow? That was interesting. H'nam naturally had no idea whatsoever what a Yellow was like, but they were different. He looked around a moment, looking for a scrap to grab up. Getting a flitter might be interesting!! H'nam was already dreaming up all the sorts of trouble he could get out of and still do if he had a good flitter ... that and nearly everywhere he'd been having a flitter had been something of a status symbol. Only the rich had them.

Nevermind he already had a dragon. What more status did he need after that? But this did not occur to him, indeed not. Finding a bit of meat, he squeaked back to where he could see the babies again. Reaching out, he sorta wiggled the meat at them, trying to entice one to come nearer, where he could see it better. It didn't matter to him which one ... any flitter was a good flitter! Though he really did want to see those different colored ones upclose. Just to see what he could see. He'd seen quite a few blues around, and as a result he wasn't quite as interested in that one for inspection. But if he managed to snag one, he didn't care which! Even a blue was good for a lot of stuff. At least ... he was pretty sure ...

"Flittyflittyflitty"

[Spirithawk]

It seemed that yet another of the hatchlings would make its appearance before any one of the wandering babies made a selection, even though that was unusual for flitters. Dragons had more sense. They were more intelligent after all, but normally fire lizards' voracious appetites caused them to go for food quickly.

Trouble was, there were TOO many people offering food all at once. Which one did the little ones go to to get food then?

The next to emerge was a stranger one than even the little yellow that was a miniature of Dark Moon's own resident yellow.

This was one that had never even hatched out as a dragon. It would take a while to come up with a name for this one, but the owner of this flitter would soon be able to help name it a thundercloud, for it's grey color, and also for it's thunderous and unpredictably moody temperament.

[Spirithawk]

"Shards, what is that?" Rhia was stunned. Never before had there been a grey dragon. Silver yes, now that Veritath had hatched, but this was definitely the grey of the sky or of stone. The inner part of the fire lizard's wings were pale grey and towards the belly, the creature also paled, but the rest of the creature's hide was an iron grey that darkened towards the ridges and wing edges.

He let out a surly demand for food and then went straight for R'khol. He seemed angry that he wasn't already fed, but that anger would quickly abate once he was fed and he would be fiercely loyal to the Weyrleader. He would prefer to lie about sunning whenever he perceived that his would not pay much attention to him or that he wouldn't have to do anything to protect his person, but Faranth help anyone who tried to hurt R'khol or those dear to him!


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

The blue that had hatched out before finally made up his mind where he was going to get food. He would be a lively one, as bright and cheerful as the lighter blue that colored part of his hide. He would love to help, but would often hinder more than he helped simply because he tried to do things that were too big for him. He would gladly chase after any female that decided to rise, not because he thought he could catch her, but for the sheer enjoyment of flight. He's quite the little acrobat and willing to accept food from any hand willing to feed him, but he always returns to his master, K'ell.

[Minajerie]

R'khol watched as color after color popped out of the smaller eggs. So far, no two had been similar. No, each egg had produced a new color, and they were all hungry little beasts! He grabbed up some meat to offer the newborn flitters and was about to petition for one's attention, when the newest hatchling stormed over to him, demanding food with such a menacing tone. At first, R'khol was surprised, but then he simply chuckled and fed the small dark gray fire lizard, piece after small piece of meat.

"There, there now. You'll get fed. And try to chew that." He smiled as the flitter continued to mutter about his hunger in grumpy tones and snarf down any meat he could get his maw around. "Quite the passionate one though, aren't you? Yes, I think you will do just wonderfully. Kegrith should like you." The Weyrleader smiled warmly down at his new flitter, still not sure what he would be calling the young... male? But all in all, he was very glad he stepped away from his work for this.

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

S'yer was oblivious to the fact that he made his superior bronze rider feel, well, inferior. But instead used his careful movements to situate himself near the hatchlings, meat in hand. While he was terribly excited to witness yet another hatching, he still rather dreaded the possibility of impressing another bronze. What he wanted... was well, a sweet flitter. A fire lizard with a kind disposition, one that could help balance out Perilth a bit.

He held out his meat to the newly hatched flitters, a light coo in his sultry voice. Thankfully he wasn't around anyone from his village. He would never have any rest from those females if they ever heard him speak sweetly. After all, they still flocked to him when he was barely civil!