[Anakumath's Hatching] From a Little Spark May Burst a Flame

[houllow]

Haveli - impression post

Haveli once asked what it was like to Impress. The answer she got was different each time, with some riders blushing and looking away as they spoke and others waving their hand around as if to describe some vague feeling. She marked it down to being unique for each rider, and somewhere in the back of her mind she wondered if it was a feeling she'd know one day. That 'complete with a single click' sensation, that 'I never knew I was alone'.

The difference was Haveli knew she was alone. Her sister had been lost between, her family left to scorch in a field. The Weyr had tried to take her in and accept her, giving her kindness she only knew how to bristle at, giving her words and actions that felt more like hand me downs than honest offerings. The love of the Weyr had rubbed her raw in ways she couldn't even begin to describe, even though she had words to use for it. Words that had gotten her no where at first, but eventually led her here. Words that suddenly vanished from her mind, her thoughts, as she felt...him.

It was like the world went dark, all light gone and the ground beneath her hardly there. It was like being held against a wall, knife to the neck, a sudden sensation of rush that nearly knocked her breath from her chest. It was like being hugged from behind, a face buried into the small of her back as the figure nuzzled and laughed. It was being loved and hated, desired and rejected.

It was Impression.

And it was from him.

The brown on the sands, calling to her, ichor dripping from claws and fangs and wing tips. Violence and anger, wrath! All for her!

He was calling, commanding, watch him! Watch him fight, watch him win! Or watch him die.

The thread connecting them felt taunt, like someone had snapped it with their fingers just to see. It hurt, it felt thrilling, Haveli wasn't sure what was going on. All she knew was he...

No, not just he.

Hers.

Her Sathanaseth

"Enough." Somehow her voice had managed to find itself, and she carried it loud across the sounds. Shouting was never allowed, but shard off it F'dral - your concerns were no longer hers. "He's not worth it. None of them are." She hadn't moved as she spoke, though it was clear. "Now, come. We've better things to do." She started moving forward towards the fighting, towards the pause, with no fear. Haveli was going to him, and he would come to her, and Pern would quake as they passed.

From the brown there was a noise, a chuckle perhaps, as he turned away from the Star Bronze. He looked the other dragon up and down as though just seeing him for the first time, and the noise repeated. Not worth it at all. You will never be. The words were spit with equal parts vinegar and ichor, but that was all. No more energy would be wasted on someone beneath him, someone beneath him - Sathanaseth was so much better now that Haveli had come to him.

Slowly he moved away, for his wounds hurt despite all his posturing, but Haveli was there to meet him. She had been waiting for him for so long, so very very long, and Sathanaseth was determined to never keep her waiting again. Never forget that you are Mine. The words held such a possessive tone, one that Haveli had known all her life. One that she had often used on Arlie, on things she cherished, and all she could think was one simple phrase.

"Yes, I am."  

[Zaikt]

The Eggplant Blue most certainly took note of Happy Ghost's advance, and once more honked his disapproval--that was all the encouragement he needed to get going, trotting up to the Candidates rather than waiting much longer for them to come to him. If he stayed put, she was going to get to them first, and then what was he going to do?
He moved as fast as he figured he could get away with without being called desperate, sniffing at Nalacko and company first--she'd been the first to step forward, and the girl was at the center of his focus for a few moments. In due time, Lojze, Zelaya, and Suyua would all receive careful nudges of their own as the little Blue looked them over.

Very good of you to listen, by the way--I'm running on a tight schedule, you know, and this is saving me a little time. He circled Lojze once or twice, gently nosing at his bandages--looks like somebody hadn't been too quick on the draw when it came to getting away! Tough luck, there. Do try not to bleed on me, please and thank you.
Soon enough, the Blue went coming back to Nalacko, staring up at the girl with clear curiosity--he seemed almost expectant, entirely because he was. Anyway. I don't know why any of you would be looking anywhere else, especially when I'm right here. And aren't I a vision?

That was a hint, of course. He was here, and he clearly deserved compliments.

magnadearel

tatterpixie

ShinosBee

Hattaki

 

[dawns_aura]

Lelte, She/Her. HR
Aww, What a lovely green, and such a good start to the Hatching, no matter what any traditionalists might say. Good on you lovely, welcome. She sent happy welcoming thoughts. And if she bounced a little, and cooed to see how the little one was adored by both her sire and dam, well, it could be passed off as just excitement in general, and that was more than alright with her. It was obviously clear that these new lives were so, so loved. And even if one wasn’t meant for her, she would still be very partial to these dragons.

Then came the blues, other greens, brown and bronzes, one after another. So many babies, and all so perfect and precious in their own rights, she had no idea where to look. There was quite the goings on, and all deserved equal admiration and adoration.

The sight of dragonets fighting was always disconcerting, and she was grateful to be far enough away that it didn’t affect her. It seemed to stop fairly abruptly, when the brown found His. She left out a brief sigh of relief that it wasn’t any more serious, and resumed watching, waiting, and hoping.



Velara, She/Her, Western
Eventful, though not in a bad way thus far. She watched as the dragonets hatched, trying to give each equal attention, but one right after the other, then the tussle, she might not have been successful in being fair, despite her best efforts.

She watched, and waited, and if deep deep down she hoped that perhaps she might be one of the lucky ones, well that was her business, and no one else needed to know.
 

[Meepfur]

Others could think and even say what they wanted about his actions, but Star had left barely a mark upon his brown brother; he had done nothing wrong, and there was no shame in his hearts, for he had done what was Right to keep the innocent from harm. The Candidates might not have rank, with their lives weighed less than the dragonets they risked themselves to be there for, but they were precious in their own right - even if they weren't destined for a dragon, they were still serving the Weyr, and beyond that, they had families and futures, and that service, that potential, deserved respect and even reverence.

That some would treat them as expendable, would hurt them simply for doing their duty and Standing, was unacceptable. He would not abide it, no matter what scars he would carry going forward...assuming there was a forward. Because he still refused to turn tooth or claw upon his brother, and that went doubly so once he had Impressed. Sathanaseth could rip him open if he liked, and Star would not risk harming him. There was a life tied to his, and nothing his sibling did could push him to ruin that life. At least, now that he'd bonded, the Candidates were safe. That...was worth it.

When Sathanaseth's bonded did finally bid him to stop, Star took a long, deep breath. Ichor poured from too many wounds, but he stood firm on sheer willpower and looked to his Mother and Father. He did not need to ask whether what he had done was right - the doubts of a baby-in-egg were behind him, and he knew to his bones that he had been right. He sent his love to Anakumath and Elzebuth, just in case, and reached out to his One.

Your Mihrath is here, Itzlel. If you will have me, come to me now. He was in very poor condition, he knew, and hesitated to tie a life to his in such a state as he was, in dire need of a Healer, but if His was willing to risk it, if he came...rainbows would await him, and love, for however long the bronze had.

Dea and #Teddy#

 

[magnadearel]

Candidate Nalacko - HR, she/her
Oh dear. What had she gotten them into? Nala wondered as her tiny movement caused the Eggplant Blue to come up to them. She tried to be brave and smile at him as he sniffed around her, then went to the others. She thought he might be interested in Lojze when he circled, but then he came back to her.

“Happy to help you out,” she murmured. She chuckled softly. “You are indeed here. And a very handsome blue you are too. We just have to keep our eyes out in case one of your siblings tries to… ah get a taste of us. I’m sure you could understand that and wouldn’t want that. I’m sure we’d leave a nasty taste in their mouth.”

tatterpixie

Lojze

ShinosBee

Zelaya

Hattaki

Suyua

 

[Spockat]

Rahmsii

The tendrils curls of anger dissipated now spent and with a careful glance around Rahmsii saw Haveli over towards the fighting. He knew Dalini now stood behind him - and if she felt safe behind his bulk so be it. Concern for Haveli them dissipated - when it was clear to see that dragon was hers! Oh well done! The first of them finding who they were meant to be with. He felt a deep breath of relief come from him, that he hadn’t known he had been holding.
The eggplant blue seemed to have a plan in mind. They were sizing up the candidates with interest. Rahmsii stayed put, feeling a bit more comfortable staying in his space after the ichor that spilled on the sands.  

[Prism Shine]

Valian - HR - He/Him

Oh, so much happened so quickly. The small green was followed by a brown, bronzes, blues, greens -- even a set of twins! Oh, he was utterly besotted by such little babies, stars in his eyes for his first hatching.

But came the inevitable, of angry babies, blood and ichor painting the sands, and he’s burying his first instinct to hide behind his new sand-friend. Oh, but the bronze and brown were fighting, and the bronze was looking quite injured… But rainbows in their eyes couldn’t be denied, as the first two impressions of the evening began.  

[Spockat]

B’jor of brown Mesikath


It really should not have been easy to sneak his plans around Wa’ren. But honestly - it was. All B’jor had to do was send a letter to Wa’rens weyrmate to make sure he was observing Anakumath’s clutch hatching. Be sure to know where they were roughly sitting - and Wa’ren’s would be able to see his Western son for the first time in so long. He was unmistakably broad, tall - and spitting image of his father so sneaking behind him was a bit key. What an adolescent thing to be doing - but it was fun. B’jor walked quickly, quietly until he was behind their seat at the stands - leaning at Wa’ren’s shoulder. “Did I miss anything?” A bunch of turns of seeing his old man, but pen and hide did the trick. He asked innocently - happily waiting for the man to put all the dots together.

’Prism Shine’

Slap slap at Wa’ren and Nonami

 

[Uta]

The little 90s Picture Day Egg took no comfort in Funfetti Blue's boop. The little being inside was terribly distressed, and continued rocking back and forth. Small fractures began to form on the tip of the egg before a green leg popped through.

The desperate creel only got louder. No, it wasn't going to be all right! The fighting might have stopped, but it was clear this little green within the egg was still terribly, terribly upset. And also... stuck.

demon_pachabel

 

[Smerdle]

Vannek

And just like that... it was over.

The rage was gone, contained by a single candidate or, well, rider now. Vannek swallowed and straightened, brushing at his robes like nothing had happened because nothing had. Though he had successfully stood his ground, he still remained shaken by the emotions of a creature who had barely lived. He really was going to have to get better at blocking all of this out, or at least appearing to. With a deep, cleansing breath, he loosely clasped his hands behind his back and waited.

 

[demon_pachabel]

Well what a cooincidence. Funfetti Blue was also stuck! Hmmmm...The little blue wiggled this way...then wiggled that way. This only resulted in making the egg roll away from it and taking Funfetti blue along with it! While he cheeped with alarm, the movement stopped as quickly as it began.  

[demon_pachabel]

Kinyegele - She/Her

Kinye admittedly glanced from the fighting pair - if only to make sure where they were - to the other dragons who were making their ways about the sands now. It seemed things were calming down now that the dueling pair were picking out their chosen riders and Kinye breathed a sigh of relief.

"Okay, that should hopefully be the worst of it!" After all, every egg she'd touched had been perfectly agreeable sorts and she was going to put all of her good will into that thought. And of course, she had every good thought in the world still for all of the little ones who were on the hunt for theirs - even that shiny bronze boy who'd never give her a second look!


----

Kahbrohm - He/Him

While the fighting had been something to watch for the time being, it seemed both bronze and brown had chosen their riders and all was calm for the time being. Except for that little green from Blue Moon who was still hoping for her time to shine. While he took a moment to note what each of the other baby dragons were up to, he had a particularly vested interest in that little green so he'd keep his attention on her for a while longer.

-----
Draza - She/Her

Draza didn't breathe a sigh of relief when the fighting brothers broke it up to impress - it had been something fun to watch, after all, and now...well, baby dragons were still pretty fun even without the fighting. She noted each of them that hadn't impressed yet (even the bronze), trying to ponder what life would be if any of them chose her.

Or her sister - that would have been an awfully exciting match up for any of them. Draza certainly knew a thing or two about that! And more than one egg even held twins. She'd dare entertain a pair of those for a pair of twin candidates for a minute.

-----

Cetra - She/Her

Cetra breathed a sigh of relief now that everything seemed to have calmed - though she did look at the green now stalking towards the candidates with pomp and purpose in her step. Was this something she'd have been wise to be worried about?

----

Lihyo - She/Her

Lihyo was more than happy when the fighting ended. Not for any stress it caused her, but because it meant she could look away from it freely to see what the other baby dragons were up to. It looked like another egg had hatched - multiples again! Well!

-----

Midrymear - He/Him

Well, there went that little pipe dream as both battling boys went to impress, never giving him even a glance. Not that Midrymear looked particularly down about it. There were still plenty eggs to hatch - and even some that were hatching several babies at the same time. Were twins that common?


-----
Juhvek - He/Him

Things had calmed, and Juhvek stepped out of his defensive position as more and more eggs hatched in the calm that followed the fighting - and impressions. "Lots more greens...and that's one brown to a lady, so..." he knew both girls entertained the idea at least idly, so perhaps they'd consider that to be good odds.

----

Beelim - He/Him

Beelim was sort of entranced by the stuck baby dragons - dragon, rather, now that the other egg had sorted itself. It was a far more entertaining sight than the fighting had been, and he took a minute to enjoy that. The new life, and that the twins from a couple of eggs meant that there were more chances for all of the candidates out there waiting for their hopes and dreams.

----
Niika - She/Her

Niika hadn't looked away from that little green who was waiting to be admired and wanted even after her siblings had gone on to hatch and draw all the attention in for themselves. Her plaintive little cries tugged at that injured part of her heart and it hurt her to know that a hatching made her vulnerable all over again when she should have - was - past that point in her life.

But she wanted it all the same, even in vain.  

[Meepfur]

Were they quite done yet? Red and White Toadstool had opinions on all this commotion, though of course it knew well that it wasn't its place to comment on the affairs of certain others. It knew who was right, by sheer virtue of natural rank, but as the other party wasn't without rank as well - albeit lower than the other's - Toadstool had had no place interfering in the matter. Instead, it had busied itself with its quiet but diligent work on its shell, and by the time the affair was all settled, it was ready.

With no fuss and no muss, the red and white shell split neatly in two to reveal a pale blue, who stood in the remains of his egg and delicately flicked his wings and tail to remove any remaining goop or fragments. Once he was certain he was at his most presentable, as the occasion and company deserved all honor, he stepped elegantly free, nodded solemnly and respectfully to bronze Lisa Frank, and turned to bow before his Mother.