Here we go! [Nagith's Hatching!!]

.: Tarion and Kin Tarisk :.

Tarion had been lurking near the entrance to the grounds since the early moments on the hatching, Tarisk leaning against his leg. The blind wher had her face turned towards the sands, scenting for the hatchlings which she could not see herself. It was one of the few advantages to Tarisk's condition, that they could be out here, in the middle of the afternoon. The Kin had insisted that they go to see the babies, as she did with every hatching that they had a chance to attend. Tarisk loved hatchings. It had been a source of disappointment for as long as she had remembered it that they had not been at the weyr to see the firelizard hatching when it had happened. Fortunately for Tarion, that memory had slipped the Kin's mind fairly quickly.

Tarion show Tarisk? The Kin asked, nosing her handler's arm. Tarion smiled and rested his hand on her head, showing her an image of the newly bonded pairs and the hatchlings who were wandering among the candidates. He deliberately avoided looking at the injured, not wanting to distress Tarisk any more than the scent of blood already had. The Kin was a gentle soul and she hated it when she couldn't do something to help someone.

Pretty Tarisk said, her mental voice a happy sigh. Shiroi needs find person The Kin commented, her head turning in the direction of the eggs, looking sightlessly at where the young queen preened herself.

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.: Zurianna :.

Though she still had most of her attention upon the Midori egg, Zurianna glanced worried from time to time at the Shiroi. The pale queen was sitting there, preening herself without a care for the rest of the world. Was she not hungry? Did she not want a rider to feed her and give her a bath to be truly clean? Zuri knew Shiroi had a reputation as being rather vain creatures, but Zuri would continue to hold that touch of worry until the queenling finally went and found herself a rider.

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.: Ailexyan :.

Lex watched as more eggs hatched, a Kohaku, an Ichigo and a Dou making their arrival upon the sands. This left only three unhatched eggs, one of which was the Midori Queen. Look this way He silently begged them. Please, one of you, I'm over here He hoped that Faranth, or what ever might be out there to hear him, would be listening, would see fit to turn one of those hatchlings in his direction.

---

Annarin's loneliness shattered when something crashed into her. Pain slammed her back, pushing her deeper into the hot sands. Her chest seared as something flexed. Excitement filled her as the voice reached her.
Mine! Mine! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you. Oh dear, so much blood. My rotten evil sister! Your Yugreth will help any way I can. She gasped in reply - sharpened by the creature's concerned nudging.

"S-Stop! I c-can't-" Her breathes were sharp, a cough wracking her painfully. "Don't touch- Don't touch me!" Annarin tried to push, tried to keep the beast away. Her arm didn't agree with the movement, causing her to shift and more pain flooded in. Her whole body baked... Her arm seared... Her chest made her sick but all she could do was cough. Why wasn't she getting up. Why wasn't anyone helping her...

Tears stung her eyes as the Kin came into focus. Whirling eyes of concern filled her vision. "Oh!" Her voice broke into a cough - but an arm managed to stroke the fine creature. Golden green and yellow colors swam before her vision - making her smile. "Y-your a Kin... But you sh-shine like a Midori..." Just so... Annarin could take pride in a Kin with Midori traits... But it was hard to focus. And so hot. All she wanted to do was get off this blasted sand... Where were the drudges... The healer even... It was too hot to think...

A trumpeted concern came from Yugreth. Mine needs drudges! Healers! Mine is hurt! But the helpers were nearly there now. Separating from her, Yugerth stumbled forth to herd the oncoming people towards her Annarin. Her urgent croons and whimpers nudged the people closer and closer, the noise mingling under the bubbling concern of voices.

♦♥♦Praxidera♦♥♦

She had counted twice just to be sure, but as things were winding down somewhat, except for the injured candidate which healers were already rushing towards, she could see five dragonets milling about and three eggs yet to hatch. Well the Shiroi was taking her sweet time, but most of the others had proceeded into the crowd to discover a candidate to call their own. Prax edged slowly away from Elnya aware if the dragonet would lose interest in its current target it might very tell turn its sights on her. Yet there was mostly red dragonet with black markings also meticulously going over each female candidate, and so she forced herself to a standstill not wanting to invite a repeat of what had just happened now that it was over. It was hard to say what might happen now that they were down to the remainder. As the dragons and eggs became fewer and fewer her agitation was only increasing as she tried to figure the odds. There were only about ten surplus candidates from what she had heard 'round the weyr. Though they had been down an egg she realized her eyes falling to the Kohaku and remembering the mess that they had been cleaning up as she had escorted herself onto the sands, resigned to see it through as she had no other choice. Yet up a dragon again as two had come from one, hadn't it? Or had she only been standing at an awkward angle?

It was so frustrating to be stuck here, looking one possible future in the face. Prax had very stubbornly tried to shut out this day though she knew it would come regardless of her feelings on the matter. She had very nearly succeeded in excusing herself, but was not foolish enough to think that she would be able to remain hidden forever. It would have been very ridiculous indeed to think she wasn't being watched; however, she had not made the mistake of trying to run at her first opportunity like some she had heard of. Though she had been fighting mad upon arrival, cornered like an angry feline she had lashed out. Prax had certainly made no secret of her disfavor and had dropped plenty a snide remark here and there, no doubt to the detriment of her own cause, but sometimes she couldn't help it as the bitterness welled up to a point of overflow. Yet here she was, standing in the one spot Pernese of ages past would have given anything for and she desired nothing more than the quickest getaway, and sure the food and bed were more luxury than she had seen in an age; however, the catch or the trade off seemed awfully risky. Not only was surviving the hatching a prerequisite, but then there was thread. True, maybe it was really gone; however, if that wasn't the case not only was she forced to risk her life against her will at this point there were the many times in the future that she had not signed up. No assurances of food and shelter were worth that.

Prax resented being pressed into service when she had already spent a good portion of her life at the same exact mercy of her family; her thieving father too cowardly to provide for his family or even try to make an honest living and so had been forced to go out to be smacked and cursed at until she had learned. She had begged, cheated, picked pockets, and worked her fingers to the bone and in the end it had been for nothing. Her mother dead, her brother dead, and her father… well she certainly hoped he died in a dirty ditch in Bitra where he would be forgotten for all time. Yet she had ended up at the mercy of others once more even though she had vowed to make her own way in the world. What, by Pern, was possibly worth virtual imprisonment, because worse than perhaps the opportunity to reach out and touch the sky was to taste the hope of it and know if she was condemned to a life shut in a hole in the ground she would certainly perish. Praxidera may have once been destined for children and domesticity, but she couldn’t stomach the thought of ‘settling’ for less than she was owed and oh she was owed. Life had served her more than her fair share of hard knocks and she would not collect only half a reimbursement not when Pern was a whole wide world.

Prax ran a hand through her well mussed hair, using a sleeve to wipe sweat from her face. One way or another she would take what she deserved, and if these creatures judged her and found her lacking then it was certainly their loss. She didn’t need a dragon to prove herself worthy, and if they left her to the side she would certainly prove that she had more to offer than a weyr chore minder. For the first time since the beginning she felt a little smirk creep on to her face. The spectacle of it all had shaken her more than she would ever dare admit, but she wasn’t going to be beaten by weyr tricks. She wasn’t beholden to them, and her life certainly wouldn’t remain in their weak, grasping fingers. Praxidera had taken herself back once before, and she would certainly do so again. All she had to do was bide her time, and she knew her moment would come one way or another.

Orion's eyes swept over the hatchlings still milling about. The playful Dou around a girl who looked as if she didn't even want to be there then two others making their way to the Triage where he'd left Jenesys. He smiled softly as he remembered the beautiful Murasaki-Kin that impressed to the boy and only hoped he'd follow him. The other hatchling the Chairo was still walking about before circling him once...then a second time befor elooking up at him and those rainbow eyes locked with his as a voice filled his mind.

Yup! There you are. You are mine, yup yup yup. I am Feliath. Why are you so white? the Chairo chirped curiously. hat question made Orion blinked before cocking an eyebrow at him only to have the dragon say sheepishly. Oh. Oops. Sorry. I was just curious.

A smile crossed his lips before reaching out to caress the hatchling's head. "It's all right, but we need to work on that you may hurt someone's feelings without meaning it. How would you respond if I asked why you're brown?"

Feliath blinked before crooning as his head was caressed, loving the attention from the large pale man. I'd say I was born that way, he said matter of factly. Orion chuckled and nodded. "And that is my response, now come so I can feed you," he smiled as he led the Chairo towards the meat that was still laid out for the new hatchling.

♦♥♦Praxidera♦♥♦

Prax nearly kicked herself for having miscounted the dragons milling around the sands, but considering the dramatic antics of the Sakura she forgave herself a little though swore she wouldn't make the same mistake again. However, on the horizon she saw a smidgen of relief from this ordeal with two more impressions and two more dragons making their way to the triage section and forgetting those still standing entirely or so it seemed for now. She struck four off the list though she allowed that the two headed towards the healers might yet turn back around if they didn't find what they were looking for, the same for the Gin that had last been seen heading for the boys line so she made a fifth mental strikeout. Prax in her heart of hearts was a little sad to see the black and red go, because if she didn't dare to hope she at least could appreciate the aesthetics of the creatures. Only five left and three of them hadn't shown their faces yet and maybe the last three wouldn't care for the girl's line at all... well... there was the Midori one, but she somehow doubted one of those would care for her at least not from how they had been described. Though she was curious to see how that turned out. With the current weyrwoman and her junior that would bring the weyr up to four major clutching dragons. That would prove to be a little crowded for the regal types... an interesting way to stir up dissent, and after this she would have to pretend to get her act together. It was the perfect opportunity to appear to have been wowed and awed by the majesty of dragons only to better herself in the eyes of these powerful women around her.

Praxidera's train of thought was shattered as the rude shock of the Dou rushing over to sniff at her feet registered. How did one exude a firm, "not me," to these creatures? Or... her gaze settled on the Shiroi. Dragons had a hierarchy external to whatever roles their human counterparts might enjoy, and that very aesthetically pleasing dragon (she was reminded somewhat of a diamond she'd seen once clear but reflecting a rainbow of colors though nothing so pretty and pastel as this) was above the Dou. Maybe if it looked at her it would scare the other one off, after all it had to defer to its superior didn't it?

Just look this way for a moment to scare him off like the very important dragon you know you are. She thought, but not in a focused way as that wasn't something she would have known how to do, but maybe the intensity of her stare would work most people could feel it when they were being thoroughly looked over.

Prax didn't break her gaze though it crossed her mind that maybe staring in a way that could be taken as a sign of aggression might not be well receieved, though she certainly wasn't extending any vulnerable limbs like the girl that had set off the pink monstrosity nor was she even close to the Shiroi nor would she start waving her arms or stomping her feet or anything else ridiculous to get her attention. Though secretly she would have loved watching if someone did walk up to her, serve them right after the very important learning experience they had just received.

Maybe the Dou would go back to the other girl, maybe it was a tactic to get the other girl to let her guard down. Prax didn't blink, five more judgments to be passed. How would the cards fall? Maybe she'd pull the inside straight against the odds set against her.

.: Z'tan and Gin Elizabeth :.
Tag: Annarin and Yugreth

Z'TAN! Elizabeth's shout caught Z'tan just as he was finishing with the arm of the newly impressed Ichigo rider. It was rare for the gentle gin to raise her voice, and this was a true shout, making Z'tan's head ring for a moment with the force of her cry. Looking out over the sands, the need for his presence was obvious.

The man whistled sharply, grabbing the attention of his journeymen and apprentices. He jerked his head towards the sands and a mad scramble started as those who were free grabbed for their bags. Z'tan himself headed straight for the girl who was laying in the middle of the eggs.

Calm, little one Elizabeth spoke softly to the upset Kin. My Z'tan is there

The Master went down on one knee to get a closer look at the child on the ground, ignoring the Kin dragon who clearly belonged to her. His expression maintained the same crotchety expression that he usually wore, but Elizabeth's eyes whirled in worried colours and Ink found herself unable to remain where Z'tan had left her, taking to the air to land on Z'tan's shoulder. She crooned soothingly to the girl on the ground and Z'tan did not shove her away as he usually did when he was working.

He signaled two of the stronger journeymen and one of the younger apprentices. "I need a stretcher and food for-" Yugreth Elizabeth supplied the name. "-Yugreth" Z'tan continued smoothly, without a hitch to show that his dragon had just interrupted to give him the Kin's name. "You two" He pointed at the journeymen "Are going to carry her straight to the infirmary. There's no point keeping her here when she's got a dragon. You" He pointed at the apprentice "Are going to feed Yugreth and clean the blood and albumen off her."

Yugreth, go with Z'tan Elizabeth once more spoke to the Kin He will take your rider somewhere quiet and safe. I will be outside to meet you Keeping her promise, Elizabeth spread her dark wings and took to the air, swooping up through the sky entrance in order to meet the humans and the hatchling outside.

Annarin & Yugreth

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Yugreth whined as the healers came. He didn't want to leave his Annarin's side! He wanted to lick her wounds and touch her warm nose... But all these people were doing strange things and Elizabeth was telling him to trust them. To come away. He started to walk away - pausing to look back every few steps. His Annarin hurt and hurt! She was so sad. Don't worry mine! Your not alone! I'm with you. We can feed you more blood! I'll bite every sister I have if it will help! Don't be afraid, your Yugreth is with you now. I'll follow you anywhere! Hunger gnawed at the Kin - but still he kept his slow pace - straying to look back.

Annarin's body hurt. Breathing was hard work - but there was this voice. So eager. So strong! And so familiar. She was sure she hadn't heard anything like him before. But he was reassuring. Her lonliness touched him - and emotion hit her back! Her eyes focused - but only the crotchety face of Z'tan fell into her view. He was shifting - and pain rose or died where ever he shifted. His face was his usual unpleasantness. Yugreth's voice chimed in He's not nearly as nice as Nagith. Annarin smiled - imagining the healer as a grumpy old dragon. Her voice laughed - before breaking into a cough. The look she caught in Z'tan's eyes made her afraid then.

Then she was shifting. Her head whirled. Her vision swam. Faces swirled past - like she was underwater... Pain reared - but much of it wasn't there anymore. Numbweed? Or... or was she dying? Dying to a stupid Sakura... Dying to a... Kin? That kin... he'd fallen on her... He'd... He'd impressed to her too

Annarin's last thought was "Sorry... Sorry my Yugreth."

Annarin? Mine? Where are you? Mine? The Kin turned and almost charged the healers. It was only Elizabeth's voice that stayed him. She called him back. Her sternness told him to let them help his rider - lest he do more harm!

Yugreth's kreels turned mournful as he finally left the sands. His rider was alone. He'd promised to follow her - but she was alone. He didn't understand it at all. He just wanted his Annarin back.