The Darkest Hour (Loraketh's 2nd Hatching)

[Zara]

Brother... stay with me, brotherMine...? XaeMine... you won't leave me will you?

"No, never Moth. I won't leave you. Not ever. I will be right here with you. I promise... but... I have to let go of you for now, though... so... So... they can look at your wins and take care of them and make you feel better... but I'm not oging anywhere. I promise. I really really promise, my darling loving moth." She slowly loosened her hold on Moth and, as Virath nudged her elbow gave a weak smile, turning back towards him a little and placing a gentle hand on him. "Virath..." She said softly, gently stroking his eye ridges once she found them before putting her hand back on ehr little white's head and gently rubbed her own eyeridges... "R'as..." she said, her voice breaking. Oh.... Her poor little Moth. She reached, looking for R'as' other hand... and once she found it, gently pulled it around herself, her hands holding onto his as she sat there, wishing she could jsut see her Moth. It was about that time that her little epidote flitter landed in her lap, looking at her with a soft cheep followed by Tizzy and Stayn who looked at the little white with soft encouraging croons... Xae was crying softly, but doing her best not to let others see it... which was hard t odo when she couldn't see what they might be looking at or what direction they were looking at.

Iirla was doing her best to help the healers take care of Moth and her wings. Oh... the poor little white.

[Zirin]

The moment the white was next to her life partner at the feeding station, Yufa ran over.

“Excuse me, My Lady,” She addressed Xaemia while tearing open her med kit, “I am just an apprentice, but please, let me apply numbweed to her while we wait for the dragonhealer to get here.” She pulled out the jar of numbweed and looked worriedly over at the white. The injuries looked bad and she knew the poor thing must be in immense pain.

On her shoulder Cassim chirped at Moth, doing his best to send her happy pictures as he had done in the infirmary before.

[Rawla]

With bites and scratches on bodies along most of the candidate line, including herself, Sari stood there with a racing heart. She was a strong person but she was getting extremely fed up with all of this terrorizing going on from the hatchlings. Weren't they suppose to show love for the candidates and hunt eagerly without mauling? This was the most violent hatching she had ever attended. If she lived through it, Sari doubted she would ever stand again. She wondered how many of the other candidates felt the same way.

Watching with cautious eyes, Sari tired to keep her eyes on everything at once at this point. When a brown hatched and obviously confronted the dark female, Sari's heart cheered. A brief smile graced her lips and hoped he dealt her what was coming. She almost hoped that the female would challenge him. But on the other hand if the brave, strong brown were to be mauled as well, her heart would burst with sorrow for she admired the brown's stance very much.

The blue biting every one and the green searching for hers and finally finding him; the garnet still sitting there as if waiting for his perfect opportunity, the second beautiful green whose beauty made her smile again, the blue who FINALLY impressed His and stopped terrorizing everyone..... It all was dizzying to Sari. She did not know what to feel, what to do or what to think. So she ended up holding her wounds and just stood patiently, waiting with caution and suspicion for the hatchlings round about.

Until the new hatchlings proved what kind of personality they had, Sari was now determined to consider them a threat. Which was very sad because there were several there that had barely hatched, that were so beautiful. She hoped with all that she was that the beautiful green that just hatched would be a sweet and kind thing. But she also did not hold her breath. What would be, would be.

[Zara]

The Reckless Egg had had enough. It was supposed to get all the attention! With a cry the egg split in half and the dragonet tumbled forth in a less than gracefully display. Well, that didn't go according to plan. Shaking his head, the green and red dragonet sqwauked. Loraketh simply crooned misceviously in return. She had fooled them all hadn't she, and well now her daughter was safe. Glancing at the black dragonet though, the Queen hissed. Well, hopefully her daughter would be safe. Her son could protect his sister surely!

The green and red dragonet stomped his feet and keened piteously. It wasn't faaaair!!! He didn't want to protect his sister, she yelled at him when he tried! Loraketh snorted, hissing at him. No! The large dragonet plopped onto the floor whining again. Well, that was one way to make an entrance. Shaking the sand off when he realized it only was ruining his hide, the King snorted. Life wasn't fair, his Sub-Queen sister shouldn't have to take all his time, and this thing shouldn't be taking his spotlight!

The black and purple dragonet chortled, amused at the little King's antics. Stalking forward she crooned to him. Oh wouldn't a King on her side be most lovely? She nuzzled his neck, telling him how marvelous and strong he was. When the King only snorted disdainfully and flicked his wings, she screamed and ran a claw against his tail. Instantly another trumpet sounded through the hatching sands. From the remains of The Warrior Egg a metallic black and green form rose. An Obsidian, the Sub-Queen had finally shown herself! Hissing at her sister, the Queenlet shook her head. How dare she lay a claw against her family! How dare she ruin the peace of this hatching!

Roaring back, The Unthinkable Happenstance dragonet snorted and flicked her tail letting her larger brother go. This one was more interesting anyway. Facing the Sub-Queen, the dragonet crooned a purr and asked why the Queenlet had not come forth earlier. Surely a Sub-Queen could take care of herself? The Obsidian hatchling cried in response, flaring her wings. It was none of the other hatchling's business why their mother was protecting her! She didn't need protecting though, she could take care of herself!

Rushing forward the Obsidian collided with the other dragonet, tossing and turning on the sands as they scrambled for a hold on the other's hide. They left a stream of ichor in their wake. Finally the Obsidian backed off and gave a final roar toward her sister. The glowing hatchling hissed, one broken wing hanging limply ather side. Fine then! She would rule the Obsidian one day though, somehow! Stalking over to the candidates, she lashed out at one before slithering over to another.

Zion! We're leaving! Take your Odilyth off of the sands now boy, I'm done here now that my sister has ruined all my fun. We will get then back, I chose you for a reason after all. Your gifts....well they will become useful to me.

Blacklight Odilyth

Impressed To: Zion
Pronunciation: Ode-ill-E-th
Rank: Amethyst Blacklight
Size: 22.8 Feet
Color Codes:
Base: 281f29
Marking: 7e3685

Appearance:
Blacklights can be any size their twin can be. That's right, they are only the product of twins, and Blacklights are only the same gender of that twin! Also, if their twin can clutch, they have that same ability. That means Odilyth will be able to clutch one egg after her first flight…but only that one. Because of this, there is no set look for a Blacklight except two things. One, their hide is black as an eclipsed sky. Two, their markings mirror the color of their twin's color, and glow in the dark. Odilyth particularly has neon purple markings being the twin of an Amethyst, and has a sharp and deadly grace about her. She is 22.8 ft long at full growth as well.

Personality:
Unlike the rest of her clutchmates that embody traits, Odilyth is the literal black swan of the clutch. No one expected that such an opposite could ever exist, yet here she is. A female version of a Garnet, the opposite of an Amethyst; Odilyth is devious, manipulative, and sensual. She is everything that her red brother and mother try to keep locked up, but she wouldn't think twice of holding back. She enjoys being cruel actually, and has a habit of using her more sensual abilities and persuasion to have “fun.” Yes, fun meaning bringing pain to someone else. She’s an evil little thing, and she won’t even think about denying it. It’s not to say that she doesn’t have a heart though, there are a few select times when the dragonet will actually care about something. However, she has a habit of destroying it one way or another.

Mind-Voice:
Why hide what I am? I am Odilyth, a blacklight! I am destruction and devastation, I am lust and desire.
Dark and sultry, Odilyth's voice is like glass breaking and a sweet caress all at once. It hurts, yet somehow that pain never registers. It's an odd feeling to have, and not one that should be wished on anyone.

Why:
You are mine to control Zion, one way or another all my desires will be fulfilled. Your power is mine to cultivate, and you have the ability to become just as wonderful as me. It might take time to mold you into what I deem perfect, but you will get there, and in the mean time we'll cut down anyone in our way.

[derek]

There. The Reckless Egg hatched, and... what? He was expecting a Sub-Queen, but... it was a King, apparently! The Blacklight was apparently trying to get it on her side, but then she attacked him, but then... a real Obsidian hatched, from the Warrior Egg!

The two black females went at it, and Zion winced as ichor stained the sands. He really had been hoping for a peaceful hatching... and instead he got this? So unfair.

Finally the Obsidian backed off, and the Blacklight headed towards the Candidates. When her voice echoed in Zion's head, he nearly screamed. After all these years waiting to Impress, and he Impressed this monster?! How was that possible?!

Zion! We're leaving! Take your Odilyth off of the sands now boy, I'm done here now that my sister has ruined all my fun. We will get then back, I chose you for a reason after all. Your gifts....well they will become useful to me.

Zion stiffened. He turned to the Blacklight, his eyes like fire. He didn't even care that her wing was broken. "Okay, Odilyth, let's get this straight! You Impressed to ME, so you listen to ME! I'll not stand for and of your cruelty! Killing that Candidate was horrible, and I'll not stand for it!"

By this time he was screaming. Approaching the little Blacklight, he knocked her over, taking advantage of the broken wing. "So let's get this straight right now. I'm in charge, not you, and I'll not stand for your tricks!"

Odilyth hissed angrily, eyes swirling red. So, you do have fire in you after all! Well, we'll just see who wins in the end![/color] Her tail lashed angrily and she stalked off toward the food bowls. Z'on sighed and followed. He'd show her. He wasn't one to be messed with!

[shinska]

Daria breathed a sigh of relief. The vicious Hatchling was not hers. The White also Impressed so Daria crossed them off as potential lifemates. The girl waited to see what the remaining eggs held and who they went to, but by now Daria began to think that none in the Clutch was hers. Fine by her. Daria was not heartbroken over it and even though she was a "Weyrbrat" didn't mean she HAD to Impress. If she became too old to Stand for Impression than Daria would work in the Kitchens. She already had her future planned both ways and knew that she wouldn't be broken up about one thing or another. Daria could take care of herself.

[Aarin]

Aarin rose, dusting himself of the sharp grains of sand. He guessed even the classiest of dragonets still did not have any sense of what would hurt a person. “It’s quite alright,” he told the new Greenrider. “May you two enjoy a happy life together.” He nodded and gave them both a tight smile before they both wandered away to live a life complete. He grabbed the shredded fabric in his hands and gave it a thorough inspection before letting the robe dangle uselessly around him once again and turning back to the Hatching proper. A Brown now stood on the sands, standing down the black and purple dragonet. Well, good for him. He was glad that he was not the only one who was disgusted by this. He did hope, however, that it did not come down to a fight. After all, hadn’t enough blood been shed tonight? He belatedly remembered that it was, in fact, night. All the adrenaline had woke him up entirely. Whatever happened, he was probably not going back to sleep this night. There was too much to think on, too many memories to go over time and time again to make sure he got them perfect, and then store them away for a later date, as he was wont to do with important memories. There was a good reason Aarin spent so much time in his own head, and one of those copious reasons was because he never wanted to forget anything. But now was not the time for woolgathering. There were memories unfolding before him.

He looked over to the side and saw that that malnourished-looking Blue had finally gotten his act together and chosen. Well good. Perhaps he would stop terrorizing everyone, then. After all, everyone still had that monster to deal with and, perhaps, fear a little. Her unpredictable and violent nature definitely had Aarin on edge, and he could practically feel it radiating off of other people, too. The boy standing to his right (Zion, he believed, if he was as good with names as he thought he was) definitely didn’t seem happy about all of this. Thankfully, though, the black and purple dragon’s time of reckoning was at hand. With a great shudder and resounding crack, the Reckless egg finally hatched… and it definitely was not any sub-Queen, which was what everyone had been expecting. No, actually, it was a green and red dragon. How queer. It was large, however. Quite large, definitely the size of a Sub-queen. Was it, in fact, a new one? No, that was not the reaction anyone had to it. He had high hopes for the dragonet, but all it did was make whining noises and stomp around. The black dragonet had taken interest in it, though. She moved like a tunnel snake, slithering over to the new hatchling and crooning at it. It wanted none of her sass, though, and shrugged her off. He could hear her scream of rage as she lashed out at yet another of her clutchmates. However, she did not get the time to descend upon him as she had others, as another of her clutchmates showed herself- the actual Sub-queen. The Obsidian drew the attention of her sibling as the Brown had failed to do. And then, the first thing that the Obsidian did out of the shell was engage her sister in combat. It was a crazy fight, and one that most people were not likely to see again. Aarin could not help but shout a little cheer for the Sub-queen, though he was disappointed that it had to come to this. Green stained the sands as the two lashed out at each other, quarreling like cats before, eventually and predictably, the Obsidian came out on top. The black dragonet slunk away, broken and bleeding. Though he should not have felt at all sorry for her, he still did. Well, at least she would heal, probably. They could not afford to have any fewer dragons. They needed all they could get.

When Aarin realized that the black monster was headed in his direction, he backed up out of the half-circle of Candidates. If she tried anything, anything at all, he would not hesitate for a moment to sock her in the snout. No more blood needed to stain the sands this night, and she would have to come to realize that. At the last moment, however, she veered off to the side and looked up at the boy he had been standing next to. That Zion fellow. Oh goodness- he did not wish that Impression on anyone. His heart went out to the kid. Poor thing. Hopefully, though, he could reign her in, and they would never have to deal with something like this ever again. He walked a little ways away from the new couple. Now both of the people flanking him had Impressed. Good for them, he supposed. At least, the new Greenrider had it good. He looked back at the dragonets and eggs remaining on the sands. Another Green, hatched from that pretty blue-colored egg, the Obsidian, the green-and-red dragonet, the Brown, and that Garnet that thankfully had not done anything. Maybe he had judged that dragon wrongly. Perhaps. Perhaps he was just waiting for his moment to strike. But for now, he gave the Sub-king the benefit of the doubt. He could be a good dragon after all.

[Zirin]

Z'nil watched the events of the hatching with icy eyes. The entire thing was truly unfair. That young boy had wanted to be a dragonrider, and though the opportunity had come, it had also been snatched away just as quickly. Much like his own story really; impression had cost him his life. I'm so sorry Mine! I didn't mean to ruin your life... I just love you is all... Please forgive your Anuth! He laid a calming hand on the green as the rest of the events continued. The blacklight was vicious, more vicious than he ever thought a dragon could be; as it was, dragons purposely harming human had been unheard of until the last Turn or so.

Then a few eggs hatched one after the other; one of which revealed a rather strange new colour, and the other revealed the hidden sub-queen. He winced as the obsidian and the blacklight fought, worried for the safety of the candidates more than the dragons. Noti, the dark green firelizard on his shoulder, seemed to be growing bored of the anger and launched herself from his shoulder, wanting to cause a little mischief of her own. She dive-bombed the firts person that came into sight. The little flit dive bombed into Pandora.

[Akira]

The Point of No Return Garnet watched quietly as more siblings hatched. He was more interested in impressing His so he could go and have a little…chat…with that green. He shook himself as he stood up, and started walking over towards the male candidates. He knew exactly which one would be His, whether he liked it or not. He slowly walked across the hot sands, head held high the entire time. He was proud of himself; he hadn’t joined in the bloodshed, and had shown considerable self-control. That was something that particularly pleased the young male.

The Point of No Return Garnet stopped in front of the line of male candidates, and walked straight over to the one he had chosen. He could feel the rage building inside of him as he saw the damage that had been done to His. At that point it took all of his strength to keep himself from running over to where his sisters were, and tearing them apart. Help me Aarin; help your Zekieth to not be cruel anymore. Zekieth crooned softly to His, and gently rubbed his head against his side. He would help keep him under control, and keep him from being like the other Garnets.

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

Pandora had been watching the hatching with quiet interest for quite a while now. She was quite amused with the events that had occurred since her arrival. This is quite amusing. Her quiet musing was interrupted when a dark green firelizard started dive-bombing her. Go away you little pest! She was practically hissing at the firelizard as she spoke. This was one reason she hadn’t tried to claim one of the little beasts before. They were just a pain, and very, very annoying in her opinion.

Pandora looked around, and wondered who owned the dark firelizard, and once she found them, she was gonna give them a piece of her mind! They should know how to control their pests…err…pets. She walked quietly from where she was hidden in the shadows in search of the one responsible for her disruption. There was a menacing scowl on her face as she looked for the man or woman who owned the firelizard that had interrupted her. She gazed around, and wondered who would be the one to get the brunt of her anger.

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

Garnet Zekieth

Impressed To: Aarin
Pronunciation: Zeke-E-eth
Rank: Garnet
Size: 33 Feet
Color Codes:
Base: 2c0303

Appearance:
Smaller than most Garnets, Zekieth tops off at an even 33ft. He is a medium, ruby red color with darker and lighter markings. They are, as seems traditional for Garnets, tribal-like in design with thick bands and stripes. His body is proportional, except he has a longer tail that often moves on its own accord. The Garnet often will get frustrated at this, especially in his earlier years.

Personality:
Unlike the other Garnets, Zekieth is not psychotic or blood thirsty. He prides himself on self-control, yet is very capable of loosing it. Like his mother, he is smart and devious. That side is just kept locked up tight, and he almost fears it in a way. There is nothing he dreads more than loosing himself, and if he ever does, Zekieth has a habit of being quiet for days after and avoiding whoever was involved. Most of the time, he’s just another fighter wanting to do well and defend his home. He loves to get his claws on new things, and has a bit of an adventurous streak in him as well. NEVER GET HIM WITH ANOTHER GARNET THOUGH!! …unless you want the red boy to go crazy. Garnets have the tendency to bring out each other’s worst possible side. It’s the last thing Zekieth would want….but of course that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen once in a while

Mind-Voice:
Help me Aarin, help your Zekieth to not be cruel anymore.
A dragon of little words, Zekieth doesn't talk all that much. When he does though, the most beautiful sound that you can imagine fills your head. It changes depending on who he is talking to, but it's still undeniably true.

Why:
Oh how can I count the ways that I have chosen you my Aarin? You have the control that I need, and only you can teach me to help myself. You can save me, of this I am sure. Even though I am a ruthless monster, I know you will always only love me.

[Aarin]

The Garnet was on the move. Aarin eyed the thing warily. Now that his sister was neutralized, and the Obsidian likely exhausted, it could be his time to shine, metaphorically. Strangely, though, his movements did not portray any aggression. Perhaps this would be the one Garnet that did not want to indulge in an unnatural bloodlust. It was headed over to the male Candidates. Perhaps it had finally chosen, after sitting almost completely inert in its little bloodless corner. Well, good for it. He stopped, but his high-held head did not swivel about to look at all of the Candidates. No, he seemed to have already made his choice. Aarin blinked owlishly at the approaching red dragon, and as it got closer, he could feel a seething rage grow stronger and stronger until… Help me Aarin; help your Zekieth to not be cruel anymore. Aarin’s mouth fell open as his vocal chords tried to organize themselves into a cohesive force. The Garnet- Zekieth- was rubbing his head on Aarin’s side. What was- what? Distantly, he heard a cheer go up in the stands, but it went in one ear and out the other as his mind still tried to process what had happened. Dazed, he put a hand on the head of the red dragonet, a head nearly so large as his torso.

“C-cruel?” he eventually stuttered. “You… you’ve done nothing cruel at all!” Zekieth turned one swirling eye up to look at him.

But I want to, Aarin. Help me not want to. Yes, and he could, somehow, feel this dragon’s want to rend and to tear, but he could also feel the overpowering desire to overcome that base want. So, it really was in the DNA of Garnets to be violent, but this one, Zekieth, wanted to actually be that one bloodlust-less Garnet. And Aarin admired him for that immensely. He kneeled down on the sands and took Zekieth’s head in his hands, turning the Garnet’s eyes to face his.

“Of course. I will help you however you need it.” Could it be sappier? Not likely. Maybe if he started crying. The thing was, with Aarin, he meant it. He was entirely sincere. He stroked his dragon’s snout as he would a runnerbeast. He could feel a slight hint of annoyance at the comparison, and he marveled at it. “Come on. Let’s get out of here before another dragon decides to pick a fight.”

I don’t want to fight, Zekieth intoned in Aarin’s head, and he delighted in it. This was the first draconic voice that did not hurt his head to hear it. Oh, Zekieth really was meant for him, for all the fool dragon had picked the worst fool of the lot to Impress. Well, at least Aarin would be a dedicated lifepartner. No human was going to get in the way of their Bond. The newly-Impressed-future-dragonrider chuckled quietly, giving his dragon a pat as he stood back up.

“Exactly. Now, I can feel your hunger myself.” That psychic bond really was the most fascinating thing- and here he was, Aarin the Beastcrafter Journeyman, experiencing it first-hand! “We should probably feed you, that means.” Zekieth, who had been so worried about his self-control, had not even noticed. He shook his head with the sudden realization of it, and his eyes started to take on the tell-tale red of hunger, washing out the blue of happiness and lingering red-orange of pent-up rage. Aarin would have to find an outlet for that… hopefully not living things. Having raised so many of them himself, he could not let that loose on the herdbeasts. Wherries, maybe? Aarin cared little for wherries, and they oftentimes could become pests. Yes, that would be a good outlet…

Food?

“Oh, right. Yes, of course.” Aarin was going to have to learn to pay more attention to the real world. He could not neglect his dragon, after all! Not only was he now beholden to ensure the health and comfort of this dragon, but he also had a duty as a dragonrider to keep him fit for when Thread fell again. And having his head in the clouds all the time was not conducive to that duty. With an arm slung around the neck of his new best pal and charge, Aarin led Zekieth off the sands to food and oil and glory.

[derek]

TAG; AARIN/ A'RIN

Z'on was standing by the buckets of raw meat, handing piece after piece over to his monstrous blacklight when he saw Aarin-- A'rin --approach with the Garnet. "Hey, A'rin!" Z'on called, waving. "Over here!" He hoped the other male would come sit by him... everyone else was avoiding him because of Odilyth. He knew A'rin was a kindhearted soul, and probably hated the blacklight, but Z'on was lonely, and this was a time for celebration! He could celebrate A'rin's Impression to the Garnet, since he couldn't celebrate his own Impression.

"Please?" he called, handing over another piece of meat to Odilyth, who hissed. Stop showing weakness! You are fine with none but me![/color] Z'on ignored her. Why, by Faranth's name, why did he have to Impress this vile thing? Because I chose you, Z'onMine. It doesn't work the other way around! Now stop complaining and feed me![/color]

[Zirin]

Z'nil grimaced has his troublesome green flit bombarded the poor girl nearby. obviously she wasn't extraordinarily happy about it, and neither way he. He had been doing the best he could to train Noti into behaving... but as soon as she became bored she was a real terror.

"I'm sorry Miss. She's a downright twat at times. I hope she caused you no harm?"

---

Yufa gulped as the Blacklight and the garnet both impressed. See, aren't you glad you were saddled with me, lamb? I could have been much, much worse. I still could be if I really wanted to. Yufa shot the garnet a pointed look to back off before turning her gaze back to the new weyrlings.

She wanted to go over and help them. The first few weeks with Braymoth might not have been so bad if she had had someone to share her troubles with, to offer her help on how to cope. She could be that role for these new weyrlings... or atleast the blacklight fellow; the garnet seemed to be alright so far.

She stood by the edge of the feeding area and watched with apprehension.