He looked down at himself, noticing for the first time his own color. He was a pale, lilac purple, and he noted this with little surprise. It was what residents of Lantessama called 'nebula'.
He did not look at the candidates, instead, he turned immediately to his father, brown Arajaxth. Father, may I follow you back to Darkling Dawn? He asked.
His father replied, Yes, but first, tell them your name.
His name? Ah, yes...It's Katraxas. He replied, and stumbled off happily to find some food. Later, Arajaxth took his young son home to Darkling Dawn, and Katraxas got his first sight of his new home.
The first thing that registered in his mind was that it was very green. But there was lots of fresh water, and smooth rocks near the dragonry that would no doubt be warm from the sun. Overall, it looked very inviting.
It was where he would spend the next two years of his life until reaching adulthood, and he enjoyed every minute of it.
Gender: Male
Color: Nebula (Purple)
From: Lantessama Isle
Dam: Nebula Kaywinktra
Sire: Brown Arajaxth
Personality: Totally at ease with his feminine color, Katraxas is a kind and obediant dragon. He's always willing to please, and he's very cheerful and outgoing, he makes friends very easily.
Bond: None
Still, with all his friends and companions, he longed for a bond of his own. Perhaps not a human-his own parents, both of them, were bonded to other dragons, after all-but he might find a clutch on the sands somewhere that felt right to him. It wouldn't be at Darkling Dawn, however. He was intensely curious about other worlds from what he had gleaned from them on trips offworld with Arajaxth, and decided he would get a bond like nothing that was at Darkling Dawn.
It didn't take him long to find his father, and once Katraxas told him of what he wanted, Arajaxth was only too happy to assist in his search for the perfect clutch.
His father's bond Ciqantath helped as well, the calmer and somewhat shy blue searched steadily, though with no less exubriance than Arajaxth. As it turned out, it was Ciqantath who found Nidus Otykaii.
Katraxas had not heard of this particular nidus, as it was still fairly new and suffering from a severe lack of candidates. Katraxas, once seeing the dragons, was only too happy to help them out. Furthermore, Arajaxth had convinced Ciqantath to stick around for the hatching of the next clutch. They had already volunteered to take care of any unbonded dragons who showed an interest in going to Darkling Dawn.
Katraxas was a trusting dragon, always willing to see the best in people and not their worst. He had always assumed that it was the dragon's choice alone whether they stayed alone. Therefore, he was quite astonished when he asked about abandoned dragons, and his father reluctantly explained that sometimes, the dragon's rider left them on their own, never to be seen again. The purple dragon was horrified that such people existed, and thus disillusioned, he resolved to go see the dragons who had been abandoned at Nidus Otykaii.
Alright, so not all of them were, technically speaking, abandoned. Two of them had, like him, simply chosen not to bond at hatching, and were waiting to decide what to do. Three others, however, had been abandoned, with no idea of what to do next.
Apparently at least one of the parents was irridescent, as all of the dragons here showed signs of irridescence on their hides. They all looked up with interest as Katraxas entered, but only one drew his attention. His eyes were drawn immediately to a silvery blue male who was watching him from the corner curiously.
Hello. The blue chirped at him. What are you doing here?
Katraxas watched over to him, and the dragon, suddenly shy, turned his face away. Mmm...Exploring, for the most part, I think. I have to investigate anything I don't know about, it's in my nature. He said good-naturedly.
The blue dragon blinked. Oh. I guess you have a rider then, don't you? He asked somewhat sullenly.
Actually, no. Katraxas replied lightly. I don't have a bond, never did. I just didn't feel like bonding when I hatched.
Now the irridescent male was staring at him. You don't have a bond? Doesn't it bother you, don't you ever get lonely? He asked.
Katraxas shrugged. Not really. Well, sometimes I do get a little lonely. He admitted, But I don't really mind being by myself. I was hoping to bond, though, which is why I came here.
The blue dragon became pensive. Really...I never thought about just staying unbonded. He confessed. I kept thinking my rider would come back, cause that happens sometimes. But then it became clear that he wasn't, and I just didn't know what to do anymore, cause I didn't want to stay down here waiting forever.
Katraxas nodded. Well, striking out on your own for a while can be good, but I wouldn't want to stay that way forever. Even if you have a lot of friends, it gets awfully lonely for a dragon.
Suddenly the dragon seemed to get shy again and began to fidget nervously. Yeah, I would like to bond again, I just...don't know if I could trust anyone that much. Then he changed the subject and his face brightened. Well, anyway, my name's Dewlari. What about you?
Katraxas. The purple said, holding a claw out in a mockery of a human handshake.
Dewlari gaped his jaw in a smile. Pleased to meet you, Katraxas.
Katraxas continued to visit Dewlari over the next few weeks, to the delight of the irridescent blue. Even though he was still hanging around the nidus, Katraxas had yet to sign up for the clutch on the sands. Somehow, he just felt it wasn't the right time, and as the weeks went by, he began to feel that something was about to happen. Something to do with Dewlari...
He walked into the area where he'd always seen Dewlari before, but for once, the irridescent blue was not there. Katraxas blinked, looking around in confusion. A scuffling at the entrance turned his head, and he saw an excited Dewlari scurrying toward him. Wait, I'm here! Here I am, Katraxas, don't leave yet!
Katraxas stared, still a little bit confused. Dewlari? I wasn't planning on going anywhere...
Dewlari looked up at him, blinking. You're not? But I'd heard you weren't signed up for the clutch anymore, so I thought you were going to leave.
I never was signed up for the clutch. Katraxas answered.
Dewlari didn't answer right away, just stood there staring at him with his head cocked to one side. You weren't? But then why have you been here all this time?
Katraxas shifted nervously. Well, I kept meaning to...But I never got around to it. The purple admitted.
Oh. Dewlari looked down, shifting from one foot to the other. Well, there was...something...I wanted to ask you anyway. The blue said, suddenly shy. Katraxas had not seen him like that often-only when the subject of bonding came up.
What is it? Katraxas asked, smiling.
I was...wondering...Doyouwanttobemybond? He spat it out so quickly the words blurred together.
Katraxas blinked. Excuse me? He asked, not comprehending.
Dewlari looked like he could blush. He was fidgeting nervously and wouldn't look at Katraxas as he asked again. Do...you want to be my bond? He held his breath, waiting for Katraxas' answer. Katraxas paused at that, but before he could reply, Dewlari spoke again. I've been trying to decide for weeks, but I like you. And, well, I don't know if I'll ever trust anyone else enough to ask, so...
Katraxas' muzzle gaped in a grin. Yeah, I will. That would be wonderful, Dewlari.
Dewlari looked up with something almost like disbelief in his eyes. Really? He asked excitedly.
Katraxas laughed. Of course! I wouldn't have said yes, otherwise, would I? He asked rhetorically as the bond was formed at last.
