The Hidden Gem (Plot Hatching)

[diogenessbeast]

Two more of those strange purples. One hatched first, without much trouble, and then ...could you call that helping? 'Helped' the second hatch. The first purple had shoved the egg aside, which had helped it and split it apart. Artemis hadn't been watching it; she couldn't tell if the egg was having trouble, or if the first purple was just being spiteful.

Regardless, no red dragonet hatched shortly thereafter, to tear up the newly-hatched purple dragonet. She watched the eggs for a moment with bated breath, watching the second purple get to her feet and the other eggs shake, but there was nothing, no hint of garnet from amongst the others. Good sign. She breathed a sigh of relief she hadn't been aware she was holding, and went back to watching the dragonets.

By the time she focused on the first, the dragonet had already impressed. The second, though, had not. She spared a moment to watch the first Impression and it's reaction, feeling and ignoring the slight pang of jealousy, and then turned more hopeful eyes towards the second purple.

[Lark]

The second purple crooned as she was left on the stands alone, there that seemed to be better. However, the dragonet was soon to be joined by another. This one, came from the last egg. It rocked, and chittered, and shook and twisted around on the sands. Staring at her sibling, the amethyst dragonet shook her head. What a strange, strange thing that was. Nudging it, the hatched creature crooned in laughter as it tumbled around again and cracked wider. She seemed to goad it further into the world, nudging it and scratching at the shell until finally another purple head popped through the opening.

So, that was the fourth amethyst to hatch. Perhaps, these dragonets were like greens then. Or that's what Iliath thought as she laid down her fifth and last catch of fish. On the horizon she had spotted a few dragons, and no doubt they'd be here soon. The green alerted her rider of this, standing watch at the cave's entrance. Inside, the two purple dragonets sniffed at one another, trying to see that they were in fact two separate beings. Not that they looked alike, they just were....the same rank, and it was weird. The lighter of the two, who had just hatched, soon became bored with this game though, and pranced over to the candidates.

Only two remained, one for her and one for her sister, and she sniffed at Artemis and Syanka while her sister watched from a far. Finally walking up, she hesitated while passing her garnet and rainbow brothers. She crooned slightly, feining slight shyness at their presence. Really, she wasn't bothered by them in the least, and she slid away and toward the candidates. Ignoring the smaller amethyst and the boy she was close to, she went straight for the only girl left.

There you are ArtemisMine. I was looking for you. My sisters are a bit frivolous don't you think. Oh well, I at least am right in my decision. That's why I made you wait so long you see, I knew you were mine from the start. Can we go eat now? I'm hungry, and then I want to play!

Amethyst Alieth, impressed to Artemis

Personality- Determined that she is right, Extroverted, Talkative, Better memory than most Amethyst's *about a Green's*, "Shy" around males, Conceited slightly, Manipulative when she puts her mind to it, Can get short-tempered, Impatient, No-nonsense personality
Size- 21.5 feet
Color- 880e61 (I'll get the others soon)

Note- Alieth is a strange individual in many ways. She lacks some of the playful, sweetness most Amethysts have. However, she isn't without her charms. She's slightly more devious, and more like a green. This includes her memory, which is better than the average Amethyst's as well. She often will pretend to be "shy" around males, and is quite coy while flirting. She does often disapprove of anything not brought up by herself or Hers, and will try to take credit when it is not hers to have. Alieth can be very sweet though when it's needed, and loves to play and swim, almost more than flying.



The last amethyst crooned as her sister impressed. Nudging Syanka's back, she purred slightly. Welp, I guess it's you and me Sy'kaMine! The boy widened his eyes and shook his head. "Oh no, not happening. Go....do something else why don't you?" He could barely hide the elation in his voice though. The amethyst rolled her eyes, stamping her foot. Oh come on Sy'ka, stop being such an ash-snuffer! You're no fuuuun! You're Ityxth wants to have fun. Soooo, why don't you get on board and do it already? I promise it'll be worth it. Her sweet voice echoed in his head, and he shook the apendage to try and clear it. "No, no, no!"

Face it Sy'ka, you're Mine, and your Ityxth is allll yours! The Amethyst nuzzled her head along the boy's side as he sighed and shook his head.

Amethyst Ityxth, impressed to Sy'ka


Personality- Quick, Intuitive, Childish at times, Snappy, Forgetful of important information, Remembers random facts, Doesn't know how to flirt, Hates bullies, Unimpressed with those that posture, likes to cause trouble and get into mischief

[diogenessbeast]

((Braindead nessi probably shouldn't post-- but here we are.))

They were down to one dragonet and one egg, and even that was not to last for long. As Artemis watched, the final egg took to cracking and split abruptly apart, revealing yet another purple dragonet. These, then, must've been equivalent to greens-- in some strange way. Certainly they were newer, and stranger, but if you drew a parallel between this completely strange hatching and a normal one, the ratios would seem to suggest the relationship between the colors.

These were the thoughts going through her head. They were the mental equivalent to babbling: she was nervous, uncomfortable. The undertow in her mind was doing math: there were two dragonets and two candidates, which meant that she was going to Impress-- a thought so wonderful she dare not believe it for fear of jinxing it-- or that one dragonet was going to meet an end upsettingly similar to the first.

The one amethyst seemed to be exasperated with her newest sibling, just as she had been with the earlier one. It might've made Artemis smile, if it weren't for the fact that the dragonet were on the move: approaching her.

And then it was there, as if it had always been there: the dragonbond. She felt the sensation of the amethyst's mind tying itself to her own, along with a rush of overwhelming emotions and some very matter-of-fact words. Alieth had known Artemis was hers all along. Of course that was the case. How could Artemis have doubted it, seconds before? Now it seemed such a sure and permanent thing that her worry, however justified at the time, seemed silly, looking back.

Artemis laughed, stepping forward and closing the distance between herself and her dragonet. "Alieth, of course we can feed you- and play as soon as you're done." she paused, and wiped some sand from the still-gooey purple hide, where it was sticking quite efficiently. "Though maybe we'll play after I wipe you down."

Artemis could feel the hunger as strongly as if it were her own, and she was suddenly quite grateful for the fish gathered up earlier- presumably for this exact purpose.

---

A'zeal always found it hard to sleep in unfamiliar places. The beds just weren't right, not like his bed, and they didn't have Mali's comforting warmth in them. Thus, A'zeal found that when he traveled, he was usually one of the last to bed.

Marath had no such issues. The bronze had made himself comfortable as soon as rukbat had slipped beyond the horizon and immediately started snoring, his chest rising and falling with a rythem A'zeal found comforting. He stood there for a long time, watching his dragon and musing about the situation here in Ista, and what progress-- or the lack thereof-- he and the rest of the Trelis wing had been able to make.

He was still awake when the hum started, but he didn't notice it at first: it grew slowly and softly, creeping up on him. He only noticed when Marath lifted his head, eyes swirling with touches of orange even as he went from sleepiness to wakefulness in a few seconds. That brought A'zeal on alert, and he stiffened. "What is it?"

Marath didn't answer for awhile, and then he narrowed his eyes, twisting his great wedge head at his rider. Do you not hear it?

"Hear what?" A'zeal asked, getting to his feet and crossing to the shape of his bronze. "I don't hear anything."

Listen. the bronze responded, somewhat frustrated-- but it was not completely frustration at his obtuseness: rather, A'zeal could sense frustration at a situation. Something was not right, here at Ista. He quieted his thoughts and listened-- and sure enough, there it was. He stepped out into the weyrbowl for a stronger listen, Marath following behind him, and it was even clearer there:

Hatchinghum.

And dragon's hatching hum, at that: this was no firelizard's hatching. A'zeal glanced in the direction of the hatching grounds with a frown- "I didn't know there was a clutch on the sands here--"

There isn't. Marath responded, twisting his head around and looking for the source of the noise. Not officially-- but there is one somewhere, outside of the hatching grounds. We must hide it. We must find out what these Istans are hiding.[/i] His voice was leaden with distaste, and A'zeal nodded, stepping back inside for a moment. He returned with riding straps, and his practiced hands made quick work of putting them on Marath, despite the bronze's size.

Once they were on, he clambered onto his dragon's back, and Marath's wide wings propelled him onwards and upwards. "Do you have any idea where it is?"

No- but I will look.[/i] the bronze responded, mantling his huge wings and sailing across the air. The few sweeps they did of the weyrbowl confirmed nothing, but Marath rumbled as they swept out further over the bay: they were getting warmer.

It took them several moments to actually find the small island, and by the time they did, Marath's eyes were whirling red. He landed with a whumph on the shore, ignoring the boats, and not giving A'zeal time to dismount. There was a green standing like a sentinel in front of a cave, and he wanted answers.

You, green.[/i] he said, his voice harsh- he was far from home, in a place he didn't trust, and there was something quite obviously afoot- he didn't care whether or not he was rude. What is going on? Why does not this brooding queen you're hiding hatch her eggs on Ista's sands proper?[/i]

A'zeal looked on sheepishly, and thumped his bronze on the neck a t the words. "Hey, be a little bit more polite." Under his breath, he added, "we are guests here." As he woke up more and more, he found himself questioning whether running off like this was such a good idea, or if perhaps they should've waited for Weyrleader T'rain to gather the wing together and investigate officially.

[Zirin]

V’koi gulped lightly, still eying Thormyth out of the corner of his eye as Panyth worked on eating the fish. Well, eating wasn’t quite the word for it, as once the Opal’s appetite had begun to settle the dragonet had decided it was time to investigate the wonder that was fish. The hatchling had slices open a fish with one of his claws and was currently staring at the bones and flesh of the morsel. Hmm. V’koiMine.How similar are dragons and fish? Would I look like that on the inside? Is that what my sister looked like after claws tore her flesh apart? V’koi glanced down at the fish, not entirely sure how to answer that but was luckily saved the trouble as another egg hatched. He glanced back, both curious and wary of what it could be. He smiled as a small, purple creature entered the world, and soon she had ’helped’ a second purple escape her egg as well. Ah, they are like the first. Panyth commented, his eyes gazing across his sisters. Let us hope their demise is not as untimely as the first‘s. Both he and Vek glanced at Thormyth then, noting the goop that had landed there after the first Amethyst’s antics. The oddly clothed young boy dearly hoped the Garnet wouldn’t attack another hatchling.. After all, he wanted to examine them all!

Panyth made a short snapping sound of his jaws as he finished off his last fish. Though it was also because another amethyst, the fourth now, had hatched. How curious! Vek thought to himself. Though their colour is new, they hatch as commonly as greens. Their size looks to be close too I think. He then jumped as he felt Panyth agree with him, forgetting that the dragon could hear his thoughts. He placed a hand under his chin as he watched the purples from a distance, hoping they would quickly make their way to the fish piles for closer inspection. All three had impressed now, so far without any problems. A huge grin crossed his features as he cheered for the new pairs.

---

Soheath shifted where he lay. The brown had been sleeping rather fretfully during their time here at the Weyr. This was the homeland of the attackers after all, how could he rest peacefully with the nagging worry that something would go wrong. It was a good thing too, as the dragon’s light sleeping helped him awaken quickly when something started. Ad’os sat up quickly as he felt an urgent nudge from his bondmate. Throwing a hand to his head in the hopes of stopping the dizziness of rising too fast, he called back. What is it this time Soh? He asked, for it wasn’t the first time he had felt the dragon become uneasy here, though he had to admit this time felt significantly more urgent. They hum. The brown replied, confusion obvious in his voice. There was no clutch on the sands, and that was clearly not the hum of a fire lizard hatching, nor was it the signal of a wher clutch. No, this was the hum of a dragon hatching. Addy pulled himself out of bed, grabbing up his riding gear and changing as quickly as possible. His straps were grabbed on the way out of the weyr he was inhabiting for the time being.

He reached Soheath quickly, first noticing that Marath was already in the air and following the sound. Finishing with the straps, Addy buckled himself in and urged his partner to follow. Protocol demands I follow our wingleader. The brown had always been one to follow orders, so it didn’t surprise him in the least. He was pleased, however, to see T’rian mounting his bronze within moments and soon he, and the rest of those who had bothered to wait, followed their Weyrleader into the skies, shooting across the sea to catch up with Marath. At the signal, Soheath touched down in formation not far behind the bronzes, though Addy remained astride for the time being as the guarding dragon was questioned; neither he, nor Soheath, trusted that green.

[Akira]

T'rian hadn't really slept much since they first arrived at Ista. So it shouldn't surprise anyone when they found him sitting next to his bronze dragon, staring up at the sky. T'rianMine, they hum. Stallorth's normally calm voice was edgy, and had been ever since they had arrived. There are no eggs on the Sands though Stallorth. He was confused, where could they be hiding a clutch of eggs that no one would notice it?

T'rian noticed that A'zeal and his dragon had taken off, and wondered where they were going without the rest of their wing, especially their Wingleader. Stallorth growled, low, and deep in his chest as he stood. He stretched his wings, and prepared himself to fly. Tor tightened the straps on his dragon as he prepared himself for flight. He quickly mounted Stallorth, and turned to see if the rest of the wing was ready. He smiled when he saw the others, and nodded his head.

T'rian gave everyone the signal to take off, and was glad when his own dragon finally leveled out. Stallorth beat his large wings, and set off after Marath and his rider. I wonder why they didn't wait Stal. The large dragon grumbled in annoyance at the other bronze. There was nothing they could do about it now, so there really was no point in complaining about it. Tor gently patted his dragon in an attempt to calm the large male. They needed to stay calm, especially since they didn't know what they were flying into.

T'rian gave the wing the signal to touch down, and was proud when the remaining riders and dragons did so in formation. Most of them were actually from other wings, and had never really flew with him or his dragon. So it was a nice thing to see them all paying such close attention. Both him and his dragon walked over to the other bronze rider, and stood somewhat in front of them. That is enough A'zeal, call your dragon back. T'rian's voice was soft, but there was no mistaking the tone of command in his voice.

T'rian knew that they needed answers, but A'zeal and his dragon needed to be patient. I will talk to you about this later A'zeal. He couldn't hide it, he didn't like the fact that the other rider had left without him, and the others, but there would be a time for that later. He was more concerned about the other mans safety than the fact that he had ran off without them, and that was clearly evident in not only his voice, but they way he smiled at him.

T'rian didn't want anything to happen to any of the Trelis riders that had followed him here. He took a calming breath, and turned towards the green, wondering where her rider was. Where is your rider? Stallorth's voice was strong, and calm as he spoke to the other dragon. Both him and his rider had a feeling that the other bronze had already asked the female about the eggs, so there was no point in asking twice now was there?

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

Talvi was one of those people that could sleep no matter what happened, or how she was feeling. Frenath on the other hand, was wide awake when the humming started. She pulled on the bond that she shared with her rider, and was starting to get annoyed when the woman finally woke up. What is it Nath? She couldn't speak out loud because she was yawning, so she sent her dragon the question using their mental bond. She stood up, and gathered all of her things together when her dragon didn't answer her.

Talvi knew that that meant something was going on, and when she finally reached her green dragon, she could see their wingleader and a few of the others mounting their dragon's. Quickly Talvi! She was already climbing up her dragon's leg when she was told to hurry up. She rolled her eyes as she tightened the straps around her, and held on tightly when they got the signal to take off. The entire wing was in the air when she finally realized someone was missing.

Bronze Marath and His are flying ahead Mine. Talvi could not only hear her dragon's confusion, but felt it as it mirrored her own. She wasn't sure why the bronze rider had gone ahead, maybe they had been told to, but there was no way for her to find out yet, so just shrugged it off, and payed attention to what was going on at that moment. She was sure that they would find out as soon as they all landed anyways.

Talvi stayed on Frenath's back when they landed, and was glad when she realized she wasn't the only one to stay on their dragon's as they watched the bronze riders go and talk to the green dragon on guard. She couldn't hear what was going on, but was sure it had something to do with why the dragon's were humming. There were no eggs on the sands at Ista, so that must mean that there were eggs on this island somewhere, and that green knew where.

[Lark]

Ulme and Gold Palirath

The Weyrwoman rolled over onto her side in a fitful sleep. She hadn't slept well for days since the Trelis riders came over, and Weyrleader was not much better. It wasn't that old coot who was with her though. No, it was S'vrin, and the Weyrwoman smiled slyly as she saw his shape next to her. Something was off though, in her perfect world, something was off. She bit her lip, trying to decide just what it was. Her Gold was restless as she was...perhaps a mating flight? No, not that. Her dragoness wasn't glowing as she should be. What then?

It was at that time that a slight prick at the back of her mind occurred. A nuisance she had pushed away from her thoughts. Ah yes, so it was something to do with that one then. Reaching for her Gold's mind, Ulme tried to think of just what could be happening. Then it hit her, the humming she was hearing so softly right now. It was coming from all around, and even from her own dragon's cave.

Palirath?

She waited for her Gold to stir, which she did. Why Mine? Why must we pay attention to her? She's such a bother! All of it is such a bother. Whhhyyyyy? The Gold's voice whined in her rider's mind, and the Weyrwoman sighed and snapped her covers off waking her companion. The bronzerider jerked awake, looking around confused. "Wha...oh shards!" S'vrin jolted up with the Weyrwoman, reaching for his bronze. The dragon was perched on the Gold's ledge, humming as well, though he disliked every second the sound came from his throat.

"They hatched didn't they? Have they impressed?" Of course they impressed you flitterbrained bronzerider! My sister's children need candidates. I don't care if you think they'll all useless. You're the one that's such a problem. S'vrin scowled at the Gold's voice, giving her rider a longing gaze. This time it didn't work. Lately it had less and less. S'vrin winced as she walked away from him, the air of authority back in her body. He was in trouble, and for once everything was so not going according to his plans. His bronze was about to say something to him, but S'vrin's mental shove quieted him.

"Come on S'vrin dear. We have some...damage control it seems." The riders from Trelis and others from Ista were already leaving, including B'lek the Istan Weyrleader. The older man mounted his faded bronze dragon Shiginorath, leaning over the WeyrKing's neck as the dragon took off. Mounting her own Gold, Ulme sighed. Well love, I think we have some changes to make...don't you? After all, S'vrin's not much fun anymore. The Gold snorted, already aware of that fact. Not caring if the bronzerider followed or not, the Weyrwoman took off for the island where the hatching had occurred.


--- Panille and Green Iliath


Iliath was not about to let these bronzes into the cave! Hissing and snapping her jaws, she wound herself inside the entrance, growling at the riders if they came too close. Don't even think about it! Not till she says so! Not till they all have impressed! The green looked at the other dragoness of her color in the air and crooned a greeting. Greetings SisterGreen. Please be a dear, and GET THESE BOYS OUT OF HERE! Iliath snapped at the nearest male as she spoke.

Panille ran from the hatching where she was helping Sy'ka care for Itxyth, and out to the cave entrance. "Iliath! That's enough...they're here to help." The greenrider looked over at the Trelis Weyrleader. "I didn't know what to do, so I brought some of the candidates over. They've all impressed, but they're all newer colors. You have to get Ulme and B'lek to take control again. You have too...." She pleaded with him, her auburn hair bouncing as she gestured to the inside of the cave.

Iliath's hiss rang out as her rider quieted, but was cut short by Pan's glare. Fine! Grumbling, the green moved so that the dragons and riders could come inside, after all a few fully grown bronzes could easily fit in there with more people. Looking to the sky, Iliath warbled. She's here...so is he. As Istan dragons touched down with their confused riders, the various colors moved out of the way for Palirath's form. Her aged gold hide, a mix of white gold and green gold, glistened in the moon's light as she settled on the rocks, her neck bending down gracefully to let her rider off.

Panille walked over to Ulme, dipping her head to the Weyrwoman and avoiding S'vrin's gaze as he and his bronze came as well. "Weyrwoman Ulme, Weyrleader B'lek." She turned to the aged bronzerider as well. The man came forward, meaning to greet the Trelis Weyrleader. "I'm sorry T'rian...we should have told you before. I didn't expect this to be the reason for the actions...but I should have." The older man turned his gaze, and hardened it, to S'vrin who shrunk back.

His bronze placed a protective dark wing around him, hissing at the Weyrleader. "I've only tried to keep things as they should be! I've only tried to..." S'vrin was cut off when Ulme glared at him and her dragoness roared. That's enough! I have had it to here with you S'vrin. You have manipulated my rider, made her forget the place she has, and have coveted the rightful place of the Weyrleader. S'vrin winced at the forcefulness behind Palirath's words. Yeah, he was in trouble.

"I've done nothing wrong!" His words rang out and he looked pleadingly at Panille. The greenrider shook her head and stepped beside her Weyrwoman. "Fine then." Turning back to the bronzerider, he ignored Palirath's hiss as the Queen flared her wings. "Any who want to come follow me!" S'vrin's words confused the riders until his bronze sent a picture into his wings' heads. So, they had a choice, though only they knew what that was. Ulme glared at her lover, no old lover now, and cross her arms. They would be rid of them one way or another, and a dragon didn't survive long if they had no hold for them to be tithed too.

Panille bit her lip as the bronze sent the destination into her mind. Looking at Iliath, the green laughed and hissed at her wingleader. Faranth no we're not coming with you! Roaring, S'vrin's bronze flared his dark wings and took to the skies, followed by the few that still were loyal to him as they blinked to who knew where. Pan sighed and looked to the riders surrounding her. "I think you should send them away." The greenrider was too exhausted to care about formalities with her Weyrwoman and Leader. She did point to the riders that were not from Trelis or were in the upper ranks of Ista.

Palirath nodded her head, facing the dragons. Away with you if you are not Bronze, or Brown, or from Trelis Weyr. Except you of course IliathDear. You of course must stay. The Queen nudged her rider forward slightly afterward and got off of the rocks she had been on before now. Shall we see the next generation? The Gold dragoness led the way with Iliath into the cave where the weyrlings and Obsidian dragoness were waiting. Dipping her head to the mother, she growled as she saw something she didn't like. Unchain her! How did we not know about this UlmeMine!?! How did we not know that a Sub-Queen was treated like this? I thought she was safe, and secure here....they lied.

The gold hissed until a rider went over to unlock the chain that was around the Obsidian's neck. She stretched then, growling slightly as she flicked her tail. Even in the shadows, her silvery hide marked with spots of black and cyan glowed with a metallic sheen. Her Queen was right, she was a Sub-Queen, and it was about time she was treated like it! Her rider, a young woman stayed close to her dragoness, revealing the fact that she had been here the entire time but slightly hidden in the shadows and by her dragoness. Ulme sighed, no doubt they'd want to leave here, and she didn't blame them.


--- B'lek and Bronze Shignorath


As the riders went into the cave to meet the new weyrlings, and to see the shame that Ista had put themselves in, B'lek got to thinking. "T'rian my boy, you know...I think it's time for me to retire. It's obvious I can't control my own riders, and they need someone to lead them that they can trust. They certainly trust my Junior Weyrleader R'en. What do you think? Should Shignorath and I step down in the next sevenday and be replaced by him and his bronze Cozurith?" The old Weyrleader put humor in his voice, his twinkling eyes saying he had already made his decision. Shignorath stayed outside and watched the skies in case his dark brother returned. We are both tired Mine. It is time for us to do more than step down. B'lek nodded his head as he silently agreed with his bronze. It was time for them to go wasn't it?


--- Sy'ka and Amy Itxyth


Inside, Sy'ka and the other weyrlings were busy feeding their new bondeds, but they could still hear the going ons outside. "Hey, what's....ummm....." Itxyth warbled, amused with Hers for being unable to speak. Come now Sy'kaMine. Surely you of all people are not speechless. They're just a bunch of dragons and riders. They won't hurt us. I promise you they won't. At least none of them are mean like my red brother over there....I'm not sure why my sister is so in love with him. I'm not impressed by posturing, which by the way Sy'kaLove...I'd stop if I were you. That's right, no need for it.

Sy'ka relaxed from his more aggressive posture and laid a protective hand on Itxyth. He wasn't exactly happy to have been bonded to her, but he didn't want anything bad to happen to her either. After all, she was his little girl. Sy'ka paused for a moment. Did he really just call her his little girl? YEP! "Oh Faranth..." Sy'ka groaned and shoved more fish into the amethyst's mouth.

[diogenessbeast]

Marath's attention barely shifted from the green, but he answered Stallorth with a snarl. If you wanted us to wait for you, you should've told us to meet in the weyrbowl. As it was, reactions are more important- I want to know where they got these eggs! Perhaps they stole them; they've stolen other things of importance before. He was a wingleader, shard it, it was his job to react, not sit around and twiddle his tail.

But A'zeal, for all that he was a quiet man, smacked his dragon's neck- as he might do in affection- to get the bronze's attention. "Marath. Back up, we won't get answers by intimidating the locals." This was a time to appeal to the bronze's logic, because telling him to follow orders would only add fuel to the fire.

The stubborn bronze grumbled, but for A'zeal he backed up- something the rider found to be a great relief. He didn't want to deal with the political fallout of this situation anymore then was required, and he was content to let the weyrleader handle it. Besides, he was already in enough trouble.

Marath grudgingly took his place in line, shooting Stallorth a red-eyed expression as he passed. A'zeal's response was to nudge Marath- his bronze may have high ambitions, but he did not, and he did not want trouble.

A'zeal was made very glad that he moved back, because just after he subdued a biting comment Marath wanted to make to the green, he heard the greenrider's explanation. That stood to reason. "Dragonets should always have candidates." he responded from Marath's back, "Regardless of what color they are."

He fell silent, and was abruptly twice as glad that he had called his bronze off, because a winged shape was descending from the sky. A great big gold winged shape. The weyrwoman's queen, coming in to land. He was silent, and watched as in a few seconds, the power in Ista radically shifted.

When the gold moved into the cave, he slid from Marath's back. "Stay here." He told the bronze firmly.

Why? I am no barbarian, who would be so cruel to try to prevent a clutch from impressing.[/i] he glanced the way S'vrin had left, and A'zeal could tell that in his mind, he still didn't make much of a difference between the new leaders of Ista and S'vrin.

So, the man signed. "No, it's that I'm worried you won't fit, with all the other dragons that will be going into that cave." Which was, partially, true. "But if you're that concerned, I'll stay with you." He leaned against his bronze's flank, and watched as the others went into the cave. Perhaps it was better they stay out here, lest anything further inside rankle Marath's ire.

Artemis, meanwhile, had enough trouble shoving fish into the mouth of her bond- but she still spared an ear and a worried glance or two out the door, listening to the events outside of the cave. Would the others try to come in and take the amethyst away from her? No one was any stranger to how much the weyrleader despised the new colors, and Panille's green couldn't protect them forever. Not against bronzes.

They can't~[/i] Alieth responded, through a mouth full of fish. Nothing can separate us, and they won't. Why would they? I'm a dragon too.[/i] The concept of racism was unknown to her, and Artemis didn't want to explain it.

Thankfully, it didn't look like it would be required. The gold herself soon paced into the cave, and demanded that the obsidian be unchained. This brought a smile to Artemis's face, but not quite so much as Alieth's response to the gold-- mouth full of fish, she raised her head and tried to bugle a greeting regardless, the result being a messy gurgle. "Finish your food before you try to talk." She chided in amusement, further happy to hear in the background the noise of S'vrin's leaving.

[Zara]

Eliitra stared at the hatchling for a long minute. Hers? Nevinth? This amethyst was anything but what Eliitra had been invisioning for herself, quite honestly. She had always pictured maybe riding a Green or a blue... maybe even Brown... Bronze woudl be extremely unlikely... but yes... A little Amethyst who was so... so... She wasn't even sure what to think... But the overwhelming love was definitely there. "Let's not go over by the Garnet," she said, remember what had happened to the first Amethyst that had hatched. That had been a very frightening moment.

But he is so hot! And what about his rider? Maybe you two could talk. As she walked towards the pile of fish reserved for Nevinth, she snorted slightly. Her and what was his name now, V'lkan, talk? They were totally different. What could they possibly ever have to talk about? It seemed an impossibility! She shook her head slightly. "Sure Nevinth," she said, giving in and smiling ever so slightly at her odd dragonet...

Two more Amethysts hatched and Impressed. She almost snickered at Syanka. This was anything but what the boy wanted. That was obvious enough and it was rather amusing because of it. Nevinth was eating, though and all though she looked up to see her siblings coming, did not stop in what she was doing either.

Eliitra handed her another piece of fish... at which point... they were found. She watched them warily. Nevinth seemed to pick up on this and a low hiss escaped her as her eyes started to whirl with anxiety. Eliitra reached over and gently stroked the pruple head.

Things abruptly changed, though, once more riders arrived. Riders she did not recognize... And then the Queen who ordered the mother of her hatchling unchained, something that was a relief to her. Eliitra had horrible visions of them taking her Nevinth away at that moment, which made Nevinth bristle further. They cannot take me, Mine. I will not let them!

[Zero]

Vl’kan hissed and shot his crimson companion a quick glare as the young garnet nearly took one of his fingers, yet again, in his haste to fill his growling stomach. “If I lose a finger you’ve got no hope of me being able to oil you…” The garnet paused in his feeding frenzy, stopping almost mid chew, as he seemed to think this over. It’s wouldn’t do if His was maimed to the point where he couldn’t tend to his needs. I see you have a point, Mine. Thormyth dropped his rump to the sandy floor and drew his tongue along his fangs, catching the last bits of raw fish. It seemed he would never be full if fish were the only creatures he could consume. For a moment his mind wandered to his siblings and his red streaked gaze looked each of them over in turn, as if weighing the pros and cons of this train of thought.

Vl’kan must have picked up on his counterpart’s ideas because the next thing to happen was a quick tap to the end of the dragonets nose. “We don’t think about eating our siblings. Be patient, in time you’ll be up to your wings in red, extra raw and bloody meat.” The young dragon glared dangerously at His as the reprimanding tap struck his snout but he quickly shook the sensation away, instead choosing to snap up another, still squirming, fish and chomped blissfully on the slimy flesh. Speaking of oiling...this sand is starting to grate on my nerves. Vl’kanMine, do something about it before it rubs my hide raw. As he spoke, Thormyth half head butted, partially nuzzled Vl’kan’s back as he tried to clean his face of the grating substance.

The new rider winced as his companion nudged him a little too close to his still bleeding ribs. Sighing he looked down at the tattered remains of his shirt before deciding to remove it completely. It was ruined as far as he could see, luckily though it hadn’t been one of his favorites so he was able to tear the fabric easily without feeling the sting of the loss. He tore a long strip and wrapped it tightly around his chest. The bleeding had mostly subsided; it was more of a way to prevent sand from entering his wounds than anything else. Once he was satisfied with the makeshift bandage, Vl’kan turned and began to wipe down his bonded as best he could.

It was while he was busy trying to clean up the squirming garnet that the commotion from outside the cave grew loud enough for the pair to hear. There were growls and bugles from dragon throats as well as scoffs and shouting from their human counterparts. Thormyth hissed, baring his fangs and flaring his wings the best he could. No one would come and take him away or hurt His. Only he had such a privilege. But then it clicked that these newcomers would notice what a fine, handsome young garnet he was and shower him with the attention and admiration he truly deserved. Dropping his wings to lie neatly along his hide Thormyth puffed his chest out somewhat and raised his head a little higher, determined to catch the newcomer’s attention first when they walked in. He didn’t get a chance to hold that pose for long however as a flying glob of egg goop streamed through the air and landed directly on the tip of his nose. Instantly his chest deflated and a sneeze quickly overwhelmed him. Shaking his head he then glared at every one of his siblings, trying to pick out the fiend who would dare to dirty him. It didn’t take him long to find the culprit as his eyes focused on one of his smaller, amethyst sisters. Hello SisterMine, he crooned in a sickening sweet voice as he turned his whole body to face Nevinth and Hers. Do come closer, yes? I won’t bite…too hard…

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