That had been months ago. Now the frightened, firey little flit had grown into a friendly, playful adult. He was still small for his color, but Tobias liked him that way. He was different, and there was nothing wrong with that. You think too loud, Zaton teased, opening one swirling blue eye to look up at his Bond. Tobais smirked, lightly tapping the flit's nose. And you snore too loud... he teased back. I do not! cried the dragonet, sitting up wth mock indignance. That caused Tobias to soundlessly chuckle, fingers reaching to scratch Zaton's eye ridge, which in turn made the firelizard purr. However, that lasted only a few seconds because Zaton suddenly jumped, looking around with wide, almost frightened eyes. The eggs! he screamed, blinking away. What? Zaton! Zaton, come back! Tobias began to panic, wondering what had happened to his flit. Where had he gone? The eggs? What about the eggs? Were they in danger? Tobias scrambled up from his bed, pulling on his boots. If someone was hurting those eggs, he swore, he wouldn't let them live to see another day. Just as he was about to head out the door, Zaton blinked back into the room, nearly hissing. Hurry up! And don't forget your robe! My robe? Tobias stopped, looking curiously at the flit. With a never heard gasp he grabbed his robe, pulling it on as he stumbled down to the Hatching Sands. Gah, it's Zaton's Hatching all over again. Surprizingly, Tobias was the first Candidate to appear. At least, he thought so. The fog was so thick on the ground, Tobias could barely see anything. However, he did manage to make out the figure of the Weyrwoman Tiyanni, as well as R'pton and A'finar, the riders of the parenting dragons, standing by the Candidates seats. They were laughing at something...what it was, Tobias must have just missed...as two green flits landed upon the rider's shoulders. Zaton blinked onto Tobias's own shoulder, quietly grumbling at the sight of Aski and Citren. The brown had had some...not very pleasant run ins with the two. Maybe you should wait in the kitchen, Zaton. Tobias offered to his dragonet, lightly stroking the diamond spade on his tail. You know the Hatchling will be hungry; we'll be there almost as soon as it hatches. I think that'd be the best idea, Zaton agreed with his rider, dipping his head to nuzzle Tobias's cheek. Good luck, he said, before disappearing again. Other Candidates began to file past Tobias shortly after that...and the young man was swept along until finding a place to stand among the crowd. Being on the slightly taller side, he managed to stretch and see very clear the sands and the eggs, which were now starting to rock slightly. Then, there was a crack...and it had begun. Things went by so fast, Tobias barely had time to register it all. A Green to Drilum, a Light Blue to Karribel, and then twin Browns to Haech and Olash all Impressed before Tobias could congratulate his friends. As Darel met his Green and Morte joined his Dark Blue LifeMate, he gave them both big smiles and thumbs up. Two more Greens went to Quay and Waadier, but Tobias was concentrating too much upon the last Hatchling to give them any sort of responce. He held his breath as the energetic blue trotted over, looking with curious eyes between Shason and himself. He heart stopped as Sh'on connected with the dragon babe, and the two left the sands; forever Bonded. Tobias remained standing there, feeling his dreams shatter into thousands of glittering peices. He hadn't Impressed. He wasn't a DragonRider. Tears pooled in his eyes as rage and hurt boiled inside of him. He wanted to scream! How could this be? How could he, the son of Z'ton -- while maybe not the best known, but certainly one of the most wonderful DragonMen ever to live -- not Impress? Clenching his teeth he turned to walk out of the sands, feeling those tears slide down his cheeks. Visions of his mother and brother flashed through his mind. He watched as that hopeful look in his mother's eyes disappeared. And Pacal...oh, Pacal. He'd be so disappointed. His brother returning home a dragonless man. Their hopes had been so high. His hopes had been so high. How will I ever face them? he asked himself. Tobias? Zaton questioned tentively...and then fell silent as he tapped in on his Bond's emtions. Without warning, Lith's claw came down in front of Tobias's path, making him abruptly stop his exit. Hurt grays were turned up at the dragon, questioning the action. Won't you let me be? he thought in a whimper, but kept to himself; not even Zaton heard the plea. But Lith wasn't looking at Tobias. Instead, he sent a mocking glare to his mate. The Green rumbled, then slowly began to lift a shape from the sands with her claws. "You little wherries! You knew there was another egg!" Alinth's rider scolded the dragons for teasing the poor young man. As bits of egg began to drop from the mother's "hands," Tobias could feel his heart starting to push blood through his veins again. His eyes widened and his jaw hung slightly slack as another presence...stronger than that of Zaton's...began nudging and easing it's way into his mind. Like a green bud pushing it's way into the sunlight, the Hatchling's head poked itself out from between her mother's claws. There you are, T'bias! Mother, put me down! the little one halfed growled as the grinning Alinth set her on the sands. With a quiet rumble she returned warm nuzzle she recived from her youngest child before the babe jumped out of her mother's grasp. T'bias dropped to his knees as the dark Green bounded towards him, hugging her close with those tears streaming across his face once again. Don't cry, T'bias, the dragonling cooed privately as her Bond ran his fingers across her black and green hide. I'm not like Rocketh, but we'll make your papa proud. Then her thoughts turned more public. And don't worry! I'll be your voice now. With a proud rumble the Hatchling turned her head to the crowd that still lingered. Attention everyone! I am Night Green Merrameth! And this is my rider, T'bias! They already know his name, Zaton muttered. Oh hush, you little gnat, Merrameth shot back. T'bias laughed, standing up to place a warm hand on his dragon's head. Come on...let's get you some food. Oooh, food! Merrameth rumbled happily, toddling after T'bias to the kitchen. |
| Character (c) Jennifer, yr 2001 & Beyond. Image (c) to Ryslen Weyr. |
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