Revelio and Open Sesame! Double Clutch Hatching!

[stella cinere]

Andrestia | Eith | Impression Post

Lavender blue eyes followed the blue dragon as it bounded it’s way up to Elyk gazing into his eyes as they shimmered with various color. He was beautiful and there was no doubt her new friend would have his hands full with such an energetic dragon. Giving him a small wave farwell, she pulled her curly blonde hair over her shoulder as the waves of bittersweet emotion washed over her mingled with guilt. Threading her fingers through the pale golden hair, Andrestia turned her attention back to the eggs that had yet to hatch and to the gold that everyone was still holding their breath. It wasn’t as if she truly cared about metallics and other colors, it was never about status or honor it was simply love that Andrestia wanted that depended on the hatching. His love to be precise, a now retired bronze rider who had for a majority of her life had barely acknowledge her very existences. Every moment that she attempted to pry information out of her mother’s clients, every minute sneaking off to watch him train just for a tiny glimpse only to be dragged away forcefully by her mother’s vice grip, even reaching out to those who were supposedly her brothers only to be for the most part scowled at or simply ignored was all to be more like her father and to gain some favor in his eyes. The only one who was willing to begrudgingly help was D’mos, and despite his rather brutal honesty he had given offered the only sliver of advice to catch A’es attention and that was to become a metallic rider.

Bronze was obviously out of the question, and despite how hard she was willing to work and willing to do anything that was necessary there was a faint chance that she would be so fortunate in impressing a gold. Still, her eyes wandered to the glittering dragonet that kept her place on the sands, as hope felt like it was slowly dwindling out of her soul. It wasn’t as if there wouldn’t be others, she told herself as the dragonet barely even glanced in her direction. There would be other chances and it would be only a miracle if she was able to impress her first time.

Twisting the golden curls in her hands she glanced again at the rest of the eggs, there was one wiggling, stuck as another candidate attempted to free the small thing from its fragile prison. It was, an adorable sight as a glimmer of a smile started to form on her lips. A few minutes later the brown was finally free, shaking the bits of shell free from its dark with almost starlight marked hide. Giving the girl who had helped him a few encouraging words he bounded off into the group of eager candidates as a muffled chuckle came from Andrestia’s lips. Even if she didn’t impress today she had the chance of seeing something wonderful, her mother for years wouldn’t let her watch any of the hatchings afraid that it would only encourage Andrestia more to become a dragonrider. It wasn’t until she was standing in on the hot sands that she could understand why.

The brown bounded past Elyk who had been leaving, and past Andrestia before skidding to a stop almost knocking over a few unprepared candidates for the sudden change in movement. Andrestia hadn’t notice though, her focus had turned back to the eggs only all but assuming that the brown was searching for someone else.

My dear girl, I have waited so long for you. Did you ever think that anyone but your Eith could truly be your heart's match? The dark brown soft nose nuzzled her hand as Andrestia’s eyes widen before staring down at the creature that had spoke. The glint of rainbow whirling in his eyes as the petite blonde fell to her knees. She could feel it, her heart filling up with joy and love but at the same time breaking into a million little pieces as D’mos’s words repeated in her head.

”Oh Eith.” Tears started to swell as she pressed her forehead to his, her fingers scratching behind his ears. She stayed like that, for a few minutes as he waited patiently for her, his eyes whirling between green and purple as if giving all the support his young self had. Andrestiamine, are you ok?
Sitting back only her feet she quickly wiped the salty mess from her face leaving her cheeks pink as she smiled. Giving a nod she held out her hands to scoop him up into her arms. ”I am wonderful Eith, and you are wonderful and perfect and everything I could have hoped for. I couldn’t ask for anyone better than you.” He gave a soft croon and nuzzled her cheek as she got to her feet, giving her a moment to dust herself off before mustering up a cheerful smile to him.

”And I bet you are hungry let’s get you something to eat yes?” Her first few steps were slow not wanting to jostle around her new precious friend as he wiggled happily in her arms.

Andrestiamine you are the most wonderful and kindest girl of all.

baby_gwing

 

[Uta]

Fianth
The rest of the Hatching seemed to go well enough. With Krahsujunth tucked protectively beneath her wing, the gold watched as the last of the Impressions were made. Her sister's bronze that had scolded Rixth earlier finally made a choice, and then her own brown son stopped cooing over himself long enough to make a match. So long as her hatchlings were happy and healthy, that's all that the queen cared about. She was tired, hungry, and drained--but so happy for all of them. Oh, there were sad faces as Candidates realized they were, once more, overlooked; tears would be had, but she truly believed is simply brought them closer to theirs being Shelled. Clearly, they were destined for one of the other gold's dragons, or one of her future clutches.

Honestly, it had been quite the event. She wanted to fuss over her babies, as well as ensure each and every one was healthy. Some had been wounded and hurt, and she wanted to make sure they were being cared for--every single one of them. Still, she would give Krahsujunth some time... She wanted to sit there a moment, and ensure that those in the Stands, and those Western guests made their way out. She was still insulted and offended by what that one had said; while she typically didn't hold grudges, she did not forget the many offenses had upon the Sands this day.

Her rider was furious, but keeping such feelings in check. Between Candidates misbehaving from both sides, an egg getting punched multiple times, general disrespect and disinterest in the Hatching as a whole, and negativity feelings--that was enough to anger and upset any Queen. But that wasn't all--Western Weyr had to insult the babies for taking time to decide, and the death of the High Reaches boy still hung heavy on her hearts. The queen was almost grateful there would be time between the evening Feast and now; perhaps she and her rider would be in a more festive mood.

An egg cracked.

It surprised the gold, as the egg had been still throughout. Though Fianth had watched for it, as well as the other eggs, she had resigned herself to the knowledge that it simply hadn't made it. And yet, here she was--a precious surprise, and clearly, a delicate little one. As delicate as a flower.

Fianth's eyes glittered blue-green at the darling little green. Another precious daughter and such a surprise at that! She hummed welcome, certain that the little one might find Hers among the remaining, hopeful Candidates. And yet... A cry pierced the air. The little green didn't stop at anyone, but went directly to where the boy had fallen; where all that remained was a bloody wallow.

Immediately, the gold knew. Her eyes flashed white with fear as the baby cried out for Hers, each word a wound to her hearts. Oh!...Oh my lovely little one! Her darling little daughter. This wasn't right! The gold wanted to will her to look at others. There were other Candidates, others... and yet... And yet, it seemed the one she wanted, her most perfect match, wasn't there. Stolen from the world too soon, and now, stealing the life of a daughter she had hoped to get to know!

In a moment, the green cried out, before silencing herself forever. Lost to Between. Lost because of all the Candidates on the Sands remaining, her most perfect match was cut down not even hours earlier.

My little flower... Her eyes went grey, her color dimmed, and she wilted next to Krahsujunth. Along with the rest of the Weyr, she keened for the loss of her precious Aureliath. She had known that egg from her time upon the Sands. She had known her, as no one else could have; she had nuzzled that egg, had cared for it, had turned it, and had whispered love and hope for it. Just as she had all her eggs. And yet... Her baby! Her sweet darling... Was gone. To be with Hers, and to leave them all without.

Crawling away from Krahsujunth, the queen reached out her neck so she might bury her own face against the bloody sands. So her cheek and muzzle might rest where her little darling had last lived. She hadn't gotten to nuzzle her, hadn't gotten to spend more than a moment with her--and it was only to watch her die.

While she had many babies who did yet live... Right now, in this immediate moment, all she could do was grieve for the little one she lost. Like the Candidate who had fallen, too soon, no one would remember the little green who was no more, and that broke her hearts. This wasn't how it was supposed to end.  

[ShinosBee]

Krahsujunth had felt a surge of pride and hope when at last his tiny son had taken that step towards his chosen one. There was sadness, pain too—but it was a bittersweet kind, knowing that he'd done what he could to care for and support that precious little life until it was ready to go out and be its own self. Each time Iljunfanth paused to look back, he would be there. Watching, eyes rolling with happy greens and blues. He'd been ready to offer words of reassurance too, but they hadn't been needed.

When the white had paused, and then spoke, I love you, Daddy, the huge, stoic, rugged blue had nearly keened, nearly wanted to beg the hatchling not to go, not to leave him so soon. He was so painfully precious. Of course Krahsujunth knew his son loved him. Instead of wish he could be selfish, could keep just one under his wing forever...he gave a brief trumpet. A victory, as his son found the missing half of his hearts. We will always love you too, my brave little Iljunfanth. I promise.

He had retreated under Fianth's wing after that. Eyes whirling from blue to green to yellow as strange heartache set in, he'd gone to his glittering mate. A nuzzle along her jaw became a silent, shivering (though whom could see how affected he was but her?) nudge to thrust his head beneath her wing. He could barely fathom how she could have suffered this tender pain so many times, and yearn to feel it again. And yet already he knew that when she rose once more he would thrill to know they would be parents overmore.

For some time he remained there, gathering himself until he could shift, more simply leaning on her than hidden away with his strange and gentle grief. Several more had hatched and chosen in the time between, and things were winding down. And then...nearly forgotten, a small egg cracked. It had his instant attention, this child come so late from an egg that even Fianth had seemed uncertain of. A tiny, perfect miracle...and a poignant tragedy set to unfold.

The joy in his eyes and hearts dimmed as she...no. No! He lurched forward, eyes a sickening gray-orange, as if he could grab and hold their sweet child close enough to keep her...but it was not to be. The blue recoiled, a keen that began as a low, nearly snarling rumble tearing from his twin, shattered hearts. Fianth's movement stirred him from his own rictus of horror, his own already dull colors fading to nearly white at the sight of his golden starlight so painfully diminished. My love... He dragged himself after her, the need to comfort and ease her pain helping not to dull his, but to focus it into action. He would not try to pull her away, nor cut short this needed grieving. Instead he simply moved to join her, his muzzle gently pressing at the bloodied divot that had served as the final cradle for the two bound children of Pern that had been lost forever.