Viridia's Collection Over the long years between the leave-taking from Zekira, and the Outsiders eventual settling, most of the inhabitants, including myself, found small (or huge) companions to bring along. Since many of us had been Breeders or Animal Masters in our lives on Zekira, we all had good ideas of how to make these new life forms adjust better to life either on the generation ship, or on their new home. However, some times we spent their whole lives -- and the lives of their offspring -- on their own home world, as visitors. (Or seen as invaders, Outsiders, or aliens...) One of the kinds of creatures which I found of personal interest were the Dracae, found among Hydee's Dragons. They were smaller, and in my opinion more beautiful than the full sized dragons which roamed that world. I spent time looking for the right Dracae to bring along when we left the place, but instead I found some beautiful companions who have remained by my side since they were hatched.

These two eggs came from Hydee's, they are the first stage of our beautiful Dracae! When they hatch, you will be the first to know what comes out of them! I am so excited about these!

They've hatched! A wonderous moment! Out of the beautiful tiger-eye shell came Romarlen and from the amethyst one sprang another male, named Firlen! We are so happy to have these beautiful creatures emerge! Now, we wait again until they are grown!

Look at these little wonders! They are so tired, but so hungry all the time! Firlen and Romarlen make a great couple of friends, they are both quite sweet. I cannot wait until they are large enough to fly about the ship on their own! Of course, I must remind the others that have large, predatory friends (and some of my large, predatory friends too) that they are NOT to be hunted or eaten! Even by accident!

The little Dracae are now Fledglings! Their wings have unfolded and are gaining strength every day! I find them out in the ship now, on a regular basis. They certainly give some of the hunters a run for their money, but my warnings have not gone unheeded. Even when one of the pouncers, gryphons or others (even one of our own people) gets close to Firlen or Romarlen, they always let the little dracae flit off back to my quarters. How I love watching these wonderful little boys grow!

My Dracae have almost reached their adult size! They both love to flit about the ship, and I occasionally find them trying to reside in someone else's hair! Imagine my embarrassment! I am certain they would like a female companion or two... Perhaps we will see about that!

Firlen and Romarlen are now adults! I am so proud of them! They are so amazingly sweet. Just today they attempted to help me make a pie... With predictable results! We will be headed off of this world soon, so I am going to see if anyone would like to try getting a female for them, perhaps we will get new little Dracae on board!

I was entranced by the antics of this little gryphon! He was one of many that we could have taken on, but I decided that only this one would come. He has plenty of friends, of course, all of the gryphons aboard our ship are so similar in nature and genetics that I do not doubt they will provide our settling world with generations to come. His name is Tomi, after the Emosah town which rested in the middle of a huge grass plain. He would have blended in perfectly with the grasses!