Their steps were in time with each other as they looked around. Together, they made a stunning couple, the man was golden, the woman silver. As they looked at each other, the same smile curved on their lips. They were at Rylsen Weyr, and as they walked towards the waiting Weyrwoman, people stopped and stared.

Tiyanni watched the new comers nervously, as she tried to place them from their origins. Elves? Shape shifters? Vampires? Many… unique creatures arrived at Ryslen every day, yet some were, odder then others. As they approached her, she tilted her head, and smiled. “Welcome to Rylsen Weyr, I presume you are the two new candidates?” At their nods, she smiled. “Your names?” she asked.

The man grinned, yet there was something feral about the grin, which made Tiyanni remember Ivo, the shape shifter who had impressed the night bronze. "My name is Vetino Rett, and this is Vess Viven.” His voice was deep, slightly husky, and held a note of power most high ranking…creatures did.

Tiyanni smiled. “I’ll take you over to the candidate barracks then.” She said quietly, She watched them exchange looks, and raised an eyebrow. “Is something the matter?” she asked quietly. And watched them exchange another look. Finally, Vess Viven spoke up.

“You see… ma’am, we don’t want to be separated for too long a time.” Her voice was soft, and silky. Tiyanni shivered, as she felt it wash over her. What were they? “If it is alright with you, ma’am. We’d like to have a room for our selves.”

Tiyanni smiled. “Call me Weyrwoman, or Tiyanni, which ever you prefer.” She went quiet, thinking. “There is this section at the Candidate Barracks, at the end… we used to use it for storage, but since Ryslen has grown, the room is too small for our stuff.” She smiled. “Its empty as it is, I’ll ask someone to put in two beds, and a closet. Would that be good enough?”

Vetino Rett grinned with relief. “Thank you ma’--- Tiyanni.” As she brought over a young rider to show them around, she smiled.

“This place is beautiful.” Vess Viven breathed. “We just settled into our room, you didn’t tell us it would be so big!” she turned and rested a hand on Vetino Rett’s shoulder. “We’ll feel right at home here. Won’t we?”

Tiyanni smiled. “I’m so glad you think so Vess Viven, I have some free time, why don’t we go down and see the sands? Where the dragons and the eggs are?”

Vess Viven smiled, and looked up at Vetino Rett with a imploring look. He grinned, and smiled at Tiyanni. “We’d love to. Please, call me Nor.”

Vess Viven giggled. “And call me Vee.”

Tiyanni smiled, curious about the names they’ve chosen, and led the way to the sands. It didn’t take long, and as they entered, she felt the familiar rush of heat, and smiled. Gold Arosambyth watched them contently from the sands, as let out a rumble. Her rider, Jhetarya approached them, cautious, and friendly.

“Are these two candidates?” she asked the Weyrwoman, half expectantly.

Tiyanni smiled a warm smile. “They are, I told them they could see the eggs.”

Jhetarya smiled. “All 24 of the eggs are being looked over by Arosambyth at the moment.” She chuckled. “It was…amusing watching the riders dig around the sands, trying to find out it true depth.”

Tiyanni smiled back, and looked over at the two candidates, who were looking around them with a look of… expectancy. She watched them, curious, and wondered for the third time what they were. As she watched, Vetino Rett… no, Nor, flashed Jhetarya a smile.

“My name is Vetino Rett, and this is Vess Viven. But call me Nor, and her Vee.” His smile deepened, revealing a slight dimple at the corner of his left cheek. As he watched her return the smile, he looked over at the eggs. “They are fine…”

“But so is the gold.” Vee said quietly, drawing attention to herself. Realizing she had spoken out loud, her smile disappeared, and she blushed. “She is a fine gold Jhetarya.” She looked over at Nor, and smiled. “Come, let us go now.” She turned to smile gratefully at Tiyanni and Jhetarya. “Thank you for letting us sees the eggs.”

As they left, Jhetarya turned a curious smile at Tiyanni. “What species are they? And… how did they know my name?”

Before Tiyanni could answer, Arosambyth let out a chuckle. They are not two people, but one brother. Or sister, depending on how you look at things. And I told them Jhetarya, for appearances can be deceiving.

Tiyanni tilted her head, and smiled. “It is about time I found out more about those two.” Saying a quick good-bye at the rider and dragon, she followed the two candidates, calling out their name. “Wait up.” As they turned, she smiled. “Come, I have all day. Tell me about yourselves.”

Nor chuckled, causing Tiyanni to look up at him. As Vee leaned against him, she wrapped her arms around his, and looked back at Tiyanni with a look of mischief on her face. “We will tell you. Come, why don’t we talk over something to drink?”

Tiyanni nodded, and led them back to the kitchens, where they chose a small, quiet table off in a corner. As she sat, Vee looked over at Nor, who nodded at her. Tiyanni watched, wondering…expecting.

“But before we tell you, we need to tell you this. When we were first searched, we were asked if there was a certain place we wanted to go. We chose Ryslen Weyr, because we knew that you accepted creatures from around the world.” She chuckled. “Yes, there are other places, such as Lao Demia, the Healing Den, and Vella Crean. But we came here, because… such oddities bonded with such normal creatures, the only exception being your Night and Light dragons. Nor and I, we are different people, yet we are one creature. It is hard to explain, unless you know what we are talking about. So let me tell you about us…
And so she launched herself into the story of their births.

The sun was low in the sky; it was almost morning, when the first cries were heard. It would be another healthy birth, the Oracle had predicted, and it was true. At the house of Yang, a fine, baby boy had been born.
His parents were the Emperor and Empress of Yang; he was tall, broad shouldered, and strong. While she was tanned, dark, and an Amazon. Together, this would be their fourth child during their six-year reign.
Their first child had been a son, large, Asian skinned, with hazel eyes and black hair. The Oracle of Yang had predicted him to be the next emperor, wise and kind with his ruling. Their second child had been a daughter, tall with dark skin, black eyes and honey-brown hair. She was to become the shield of Yang, their third child, had been a dark skinned, hazel-eyed son, who was to become the weapon of Yang.
Jin-Do became the next emperor, and he was fair and kind with his ruling. Shin-Ka became the Head of Defense, while Keto-Rai became the Head of Weaponry. Vetino Rett was born a large, dark skinned, hazel-eyed boy. And the Oracle had predicted for him to be the balance of Ying and Yang.
The people of Yang were bright, intelligent people, who often thought with their guts. They were skilled in the arts of war, and famous for their disguises. They were the men and women of war, skilled with swords, knives, and arrows, anything you could possibly name.

There neighboring country, was the House of Yin, run by the King and Queen of Yin, Vess Viven was their third child, during a seven-year reign. Their first was a son, who was to become the king of Yin. Like his father, he was tall, blonde haired and blue eyed. He was soft, and nice man with a kind heart.
Their second was a daughter, and like their mother, she was silver haired, with jade green eyes. She became the next Oracle, and brought pride to their family. But it was their third child who would make the House of Ying famous. Small, pale skinned with ice-blue eyes, she was predicted to be the balance of Ying and Yang.
The house of Yin was famous for its art and literature, just as the house of Yang was famous for its arts of war, the people of Ying knew everything from poetry to books, from tales to short stories. From portraits to murals.
Now rumors spread about the two births, so on their first birthday, the houses Yin and Yang joined up, and celebrated. That was the first time both had met. And that was the first time; they had shown the world what the balance of Yin and Yang was.
So the houses united, they were ruled separately, but no longer were they known as the House of Yin and the House of Yang, instead, they were known as they House of Yin and Yang, and brought prosperity to all of its people. Joining up their two skills, they became famous, yet not as famous as their two children, Vess Viven, and Vetino Rett would be.
They worked together, and lived together side-by-side, but they were never brother and sister. Years went by slowly, and on their 16th birthday, they proved to the world, that they were one creature.

And even now, I can remember that day so clearly….” Vee sighed. “That day, people realized what we were for the first time, and we became famous.”

Tiyanni nodded, and watched, expectantly. But Vee seemed reluctant to speak anymore. So she turned to Nor, who grinned.

“There was a celebration, and at 11:00, there was to be fireworks. Vee and I, we grew close. Not like brother and sister at all, but more like…

It was their 16th birthday, and Vee felt herself grow numb with excitement. She turned to Nor, and grinned. “Cheer up big guy, everything will be over soon.”

Nor grinned back. “Two more hours until our birthday is over.” He let out a groan, and stifled a yawn. “I knew I shouldn’t have raced those kids.”

Vee chuckled, and wrapped herself into Nor’s arms. As he grinned down at her, the clock struck 10. A cake was brought forwards, the ying and yang shape, except it was gold and silver, not black and white. As they looked at each other, they counted to three and blew out the candles. And all the lights went off.

“What the---“

Vee looked up, startled, to feel herself…melting. It was a queer experience, and she started to feel frightened. But as she did, she felt Nor’s arms wrap around her, and relaxed. It was time, and they would change.
Things happened quickly, she felt herself melt into him, and elongate. She felt her muscles ripple and her eyes grow used to the dim lights. As she felt her body adjust to the changes, she looked over, and let out a gasp.
But it came out as a growl.

}:Do not worry Vee, I am here she heard the golden voice of Nor, and felt herself relax. And that was the first day we changed so much. You see, there is this odd rule when we change.” Nor started to explain. “If Vee is in front of me, we change into the female Ying, and if I am in front of her, we turn into the male Yang.”

Tiyanni frowned. “What? Yin? Yang? Male? Female?” she was completely lose there.

Vee giggled. “A female Ying is a dragon…” she paused, as if thinking. “An Asian one… I presume you’ve seen it?” she went quiet, then grinned. “A girl, Shezumi stood for a clutch once, and she could shift into a snake like dragon. That is what we call Ying. Except we are a…different color. A golden silver, starting silver from the nuzzle, then turning gold.”

Tiyanni brightened, she knew Shezumi. She was supposed to be the cousin of Ivo, the rider of the dragon who had sired their clutch. But he was famous for other reasons as well. “Yes, so you call her Yin?”

“We call us Yin.” She corrected. “Meanwhile, a Yang is a male dragon…he…looks like one of your dragons, except it doesn’t have that scale, and has larger ears, and can produce flame.” She looked over at Nor, and at his nod, she started to speak slowly. “To tell the different between us, we named ourselves Yin and Yang. But our real name is Veenor.”

Tiyanni grinned. “Is that why you call your selves…”

Nor grinned.

Tiyanni nodded. “Why did Arosambyth call you brother and sister?”

Vee smiled. “The first dragons had only each other to mate with. So no matter how far down the generation ladder you were, you would still be related. We too, are dragons… partially anyway, which makes us related to the other dragons. But instead of calling out Aunt, or Uncle, we are brothers and sisters to each other.” She grinned. “Although we are much more older then Arosambyth, it would be better then saying great great great great great grand mother, wouldn’t it?”

Tiyanni smiled. “And how old are you, exactly?”

Nor frowned, and turned to Vee, and they both tilted their heads together, and thought. Finally, Vee spoke up. “Exactly 8 thousand, 7 hundred and 62 years… plus a few, months, days, hours, and minutes.” Her smile fell. “Although we may be considered old here, back at home, we would be treated like a…” she thought. “A common 8 year old.” She smiled apologetically. “We age slowly.” She said, as if it explained everything.

Tiyanni smiled, she understood now, why they were considered brother and sister, why they were both one and two. Nodding, she got up to go, and hesitated. “I will be seeing you…” she said.

“And us, you.” Vee replied, her eyes glistening.

“Come on Nor, don’t be so scared.” Vee chuckled, as she pulled him along after her. “Its not like we’re strange creatures.” She giggled as she watched him raise an eyebrow, and raised her own. “Well, not that strange anyway.”

As they made their way to the sands, Jhetarya watched them approach, and smiled. Tiyanni had spent most of the night, explaining to her about these two, and now she understood. As they made their way towards the golden dragon, she realized that Vee had no shoes on.

“Vee, aren’t you going to burn the soles of your feet?” she asked gently. “The sands are hot, and it’s not a good idea to walk around bare feet on them.”

Vee looked down at her feet, as if suddenly realizing, and grinned. As Jhetarya watched her, she realized that this girl didn’t need shoes after all. Her feet barely grazed the surface of the ground, as if she was walking on a pair of cushions.

You have come to visit, sister? Gold Arosambyth asked. She tilted her head, and watched the two candidates approach her. She let out a dry chuckle. It is ironic, is it not? That you are standing for my clutch?

Vee approached the gold, keeping a safe distance from the eggs, and smiled. Nor stepped up behind her, and grinned as well. “I admit, sister, that it is odd. We are older then you by far more.”

Vee chuckled at what Nor said, and turned to Jhetarya with a grin. “It was nice meeting you again, Jhetarya. We must be going now.”

Jhetarya smiled back. “Why don’t you stay for a little while? Ivo’ll be here soon. Him and his bronze… well, night-bronze, they like to check on their eggs.”

Nor smiled, and looked down at Vee with a grin. “Come on, we can put off exploring for a longer time. Its not like we’re late.”

Vee smiled back at Nor, and shook her head. “Next time, let us see this…Ivo... but for now, good day” She said.

Vee stood from a plank, watching. Her lips curved into a sly smile as she watched the people come and go. It had been easy, settling into Ryslen, yet a day didn’t go by without her cherishing every lasting second. She was standing on a large, wooden plank that extended from the lake cliff. It was held in place with many large boulders, and as she bounced on it slightly, she smiled. It wouldn’t break yet. Staring at the water, she let out a quiet “1, 2, 3!” and leaped into the air, did a somersault, and dived deeply into the water. Coming up for air, she let out a gasp, when she saw a large black-bronze head inches from hers.

Hello sister. came a curious voice.

Vee giggled, and brushed her hair away from her face. “Hello Zkoth. Don’t seem so surprised I know your name; you are the father of the clutch aren’t you?”

Would that clutch be as magnificent, if I hadn’t sired it? the night-bronze asked arrogantly.

“Come Zkoth, who are you speaking to?”

My sister.came a childlike reply.

“Sister?” the one word seemed mocking.

You would not understand… human. “I’m wounded Zkoth”

Never! Nothing can touch that tough ego of yours. Very well, it is Vee, she is a candidate for my clutch. If you must know. “And I must.” Came the reply.

Vee looked up from behind Zkoth and smiled up at Ivo. He watched her, and smiled back. Yet while hers had been friendly, his was more… wary. She watched him watch her watch him, and smiled. Nor? I have met the father of the clutch, and his rider… come down to the lake. she send back to Nor, and got out of the water.

“Pleased to meet you, my name is Vee.” She said.

“Pleasures all mine.” He drawled.

“Vee?” As Nor came down the path, he paused as he looked over at Ivo, and then back to Vee. He raised a questioning eyebrow, and she nodded. “My name is Nor.” He said, looking back at Ivo. “And your Ivo.”

He arched an eyebrow. “Isn’t that my line?” he drawled. “You aren’t… completely human, are you?”

Vee smiled, and hugged Nor as he came near. “You realized?” she watched the half-man, half-creature Ivo through heavy lidded eyes. “My name is Vee, his name is Nor, our name is Veenor.” And as she said that, they molded, creating a picture of a dragon. Yin, and then, just as the picture cleared, they molded again, this time to Yang. Greetings. the word vibrated through the air, and then… they were human looking again.

Ivo watched, slightly alarmed, but at ease. “And you are from…”

Nor smiled. “We will be residing at the Vella Crean.”

His smile grew, as he turned to Zkoth. “First Delly… now them?”

Well rider, you do have a knack with the odd creatures. he replied.

Ivo smiled at the two candidates. “I wish you good luck when the clutch hatches.”

Vee and Nor smiled. Luck was already with them, would it last until the hatching?

Vee, Nor and Night Brown hatchling Azth

Nor, I want you to protect me after I say this, because Vee is going to kill me. But I'm still going to say it anywayI think she's/jealous that you impressed, and she didn't The small night/brown hatchling let out a cry of alarm, and ran all around to room to hide behind Nor. Looking at Vee from his position, he stuck his tongue out, and flared his wings. Nor looked behind him, and chuckled. For the past few days, Azth had been bugging Vee about her not impressing. He didn't really mind, and he didn't think she did... much. She was going to stand for the next clutch, after all. Yet he couldn't help but feel bad for her. Something was... different about Vee, and he knew it. But he just couldn't place his finger on it. He watched as Vee got up, and made her way towards him menacingly. Nor watched, surprised at the look in her eyes, and grinned. He knew what she wanted.
Just then, he moved away, and let Vee pounce on the small black brown hatchling. Traitor! She's going to killme now! But its true! You've been sulking every since we bonded toeach other! And you've got to live with mefor ever and ever, because you and Nor are oneso you can't really kill me anyway now. Nor watched with amusement, and chuckled. This was such good entertainment! As Vee stalked out of the room, he heard her mutter. I'll get you Azth, I'll get you.

Vee and Light Green Zath, Nor and Night Brown hatchling Azth

Oooooouuuuuccccchhhhh~Hey, I didn't give you any permission what so ever to bite my tail!!! Veee~ ask Zath to control herself will you?!She's going to eat me alive~
Vee leaned agaist Nor with a contented sigh. She arched a very arrogant eyebrow at the direction of the two dragons. Since the moment Zath had hatched, the small light green hatchling had promised her that they would do everything in her power to make sure she was happy. Vee couldn't help but smirk as she watched the small hatching go after the slightly larger night brown's tail once more.

"Now now Azth, this is very fair..." she purred. "Its called revenge..." she felt Nor laugh, and tilted her head up to look up at her lover. "Don't you agree?"

He sighed wearily. "Vee, I do really want to side up with you, but Azth has a point... what if she ruins his tail for ever, completely and utterly, so that he can't fly properly anymore?"

Its not like I'm trying to kill him you know Noor, I know what he's like... you shouldn't stick up for him... besides, why would a big brown lump like this need to fly? He's much suited for crawling on the ground like the tunnel snake he is... don't you agree my rider?

Vee chuckled. She smiled at her light green. "It is in a way Zath..." she looked up at Noor. "They will get along in the future." she smirked slightly. "Especially when Zath is an adult..."

Nor raised an eyebrow at her, then smiled. He hugged her tightly for a moment then got up. Stretching, he smiled at Vee. "I think its time we showed them what true flying is..." he smiled at her. "Are you in the mood, my love?"

Vee tilted her head. "Yin it is." she said softly.

The transforming itself only took a few seconds. There in their place was a large dragon, starting silver from the front and ending in a rich gold. They seemed to float and slip through the air in a snake like motion as they made their way above the clouds. From below, Azth and Zath stopped fighting to watch their riders in the sky. Those who watched looked up as well seeing the graceful snake like beauty of the single Yin dragon. In mid air they shifted so that they were two humans falling towards the ground. Yet before they reached it, a silver cloud enveloped them so that they were once more in the sky, yet Yang this time.
Azth paused and timidly wrapped his tail around Zath's. He almost let out a startled yelp when Zath did the same thing. Both looked away ignored the fact that their tails were wrapped around each others.

Vee and Light Green Zath, Nor and Night Brown weyrling Azth

Vee watched as her other half trained hard side by side with Azth. She couldn't help but smile. Since Zath was only a Hatchling and Azth a Weyrling, they had different training sessions. Zath tried to produce some flame, and they were starting to learn how to ride their dragons. Nor looked over and Vee and winked, causing her to blush. It was a rule that none of the riders got into any relationships while their dragons were young, -physical relationships- yet that couldn't keep them apart. After all, they were Yin and Yang, weren't they? It was the end of the lesson, and they had some time off. Vee and Nor sat together under the tree, leaning into each other's warmth. Below, Azth was baiting Zath to come into the water by splashing her, yet she was exhausted by her own training.

"They look so sweet together..." Vee murmured, smiling foolishly. "Azth is growing into a strong male, is he not?"

"And Zath like her rather, is beautiful... Azth agrees with me." he winked. "Even though they act as if they hate each other, there is some sort of chemistry between them... don't you agree?" he winked at her.

Vee chuckled and relaxed as Nor wrapped his arms around her waist. Lifting her up as if she hardly weighed a feather, he pulled her over to the lake and dumped her in, following soon after.

"You!" she breathed, her eyes narrowing. She reached forwards, yet was pulled away by the strong pull of a certain night-brown's tail. "Aaaak!" she let out before she was engulfed with water.

From under the water, she heard Zath's protests. Zath... just get them back. she murmured soothingly. She was used to staying under water and could hold her breath for a long time. Grinning, she looked up through the water to see Zath lunge for Nor, dragging him under as well. She wrapped her wings around him and wound her tail through his legs, trapping him. Don't let him die... she murmured, grinning. She saw Nor's eyes gaze at her through the hole between Zath's wings and blew him a kiss.

Just you wait you big son of a wherry! I'll become much more bigger then you are, and I'll show you what a great dragoness I am! I'll be better then you times ten thousand! she yelled out from her 'cloud'. She was basically trying to sit on one, watching the night brown roll on the floor laughing. And what are you laughing at? You have no right to laugh at me! Look at me when I'm talking to you young man! I said---

But the rest of what she was about to say was cut off when from behind, Veenor appeared chuckling, its long snake like body wrapped itself around the light green to calm it down. This happened often, since Zath was now a very moody weyrling, while Azth was a full grown night brown adult. Problem was, Azth was starting to eye the other adult females, making Zath more moodier then ever -although Vee and Nor presume that she's just jealous he's not paying attention to her-.

Now now Zath... of course you'll grow into a fine young dragon, but give Azth a break, he's just graduating from Weyrling hood... he's an adult now, a full grown adult, and now he's going to fight all the nasty evil stuff away as well... Vee replied soothingly, shifting for a fraction of a second so that both humans were visible. Then as quick as that, they shifted again.

Thats true Zath, I'm a big bad adult and your not Azth teased.

He should not have said that.....