Clutch 5

Inrahi's Black Nys'asi x Red T'ranash

Even before its hatching, Lady Breeder Inrahi had worried over her female's clutch. The eggs had been overly hard and thick, the hatching delayed by nearly half a month, and the mother nearly impossible to handle for the duration. All of them had come out of the shell more developed than average, with a wide variety of strengths and weaknesses.

Of course, the only thing they all have in common is their ferocity, the lady thought with a roll of her eyes. Even more so than other clutches, this one had caused her constant stress since its delayed hatching. No less than five handlers had lost hands or fingers during their first two months, quickly healed by nearby mages. She would be happy - no, ecstatic - to pass this bunch on to their buyers.

Even as she thought that, the four of them began to enter the room, wearing night-vision goggles as was appropriate. Their first glimpse of her would reveal a slightly less gaudy getup than the last she'd worn before expectant buyers. Rather than an elaborate gown, she wore extremely durable (and extremely expensive) drakkinhide breeches, shimmering black and fitted tightly. A red and black silk tunic was almost as snug, flaring out below the waste. Her jewelry was made of gold and tiger's eye agate, a complete set, and her gloves and boots were both of black drakkinhide. Considering the temperament of this particular clutch, the last two items were extremely practical as well as attractive.

"Thank you for coming, my lords, and welcome to the breeding barn," she greeted her guests graciously, motioning towards a point further along. Few could fault her manner when she made the effort to be such a hostess, especially when it was directed towards four attractive males of varying humanoid species. They were what she'd wished her last clutch's attendees to have been. "Despite minor complications early on, all four hatchlings have survived in good health and await their new trainers."

Following the motion of her hands with their eyes, the four men could see the hatchlings surrounding their mother, playing in the usual manner of young drakkin. Unlike the average play, however, blood could be seen on one or two muzzles as they competed for supremacy. Viciousness was the game for this brood, the pain caused to their siblings the prize.

"As is no doubt apparent," Inrahi continued with a gleam of satisfaction, "this particular bunch was born with a bloodlust to rival that of any trained fighter. Training will no doubt be...interesting. And painful. Especially where the young bronze is concerned, as a sense of obedience could not be cultivated in him. Nys'asi?"

At her call, the black female stood with a deadly grace and extended her neck, grabbing the aforementioned bronze by the scruff of his lightly bleeding neck. He howled like a demon at her grip, struggling enough for her to lose her grip and have to dart after him. Holding tighter, she carried her son to the Lord Atari and dropped him quickly at the Necromancer's feet.

"A challenge, my lord," Inrahi told him with a secretive smile, wanting very much to see how he would handle this young hellion. Obedience was his only true weak point and if it could be cultivated, she had little doubt he would become a fierce competitor in the arena. A double-edged blade was what she'd given him, but one with extreme potential.

She nodded to Nys'asi and one of the reds was collected for Rtru with much less hassle than his brother. He was bleeding much more than any of the others, silent testament to his low defense. His muzzle, however, was coated in much more.

"You might try toughening him up a bit," she commented idly to his new trainer. "Other than that, little needs improvement. Extreme obedience as well."

While she had thus spoken, the black mother had collected her third child. His blue muzzle was liberally splashed with red, his fangs gleaming with the stuff as he bared them at Runyar. He was the most bloodthirsty of the four, the instigator of all their "playing" and the last to quit, despite average endurance. She smirked as the hatchling began to wipe his head all over his new trainer, smearing the man with the blood of drakkin. That would no doubt cause him problems as he left her manor, being stopped by every patrol in the area as their keen-nosed canines noticed the smell.

The last hatchling, a dreadnaught of a red, had crept up on the scene as she watched the blue's antics in amusement. Well, not really crept...more boldly strode over. His mother caught him right before he pounced her, grabbing him carefully and depositing him before Ulrich Del'Mariot. Exceptional combat reflexes and average tactical capability was her analysis of this youngling. He would be more inclined to plow right through an enemy rather than create a detailed plan but at least he had a rudimentary understanding of what it took to win a match.

Satisfied that her children were being dealt with by someone other than her, Nys'asi approached her trainer and sat down, leaning against her with a tired sighing sound. She had been afforded little sleep with this clutch and wished nothing more than the extravagant comforts of her mistress's chambers.

Never would I wish such a clutch on anyone, the female thought to her trainer, even her mental tone reflecting her exhaustion. Send them on their way already and grant me some peace. I look forward to plush pillows and a roaring fire, Inrahi.

The drow woman smiled as she fondly stroked the hide between Nys'asi's horns. She was looking forward to the same.

"My lords," she addresses them, calling their attention back from their new charges. "I thank you once again for your attendance of this event and I wish you well with your hatchlings. Four packages of subterranean insects await you at this building's exit, one for each. They are an important part of a young drakkin's nutrition and will be enjoyed as flavorful snacks when they grow more mature. Take care not to let the younglings break free until you reach your respective homes. Hopefully I shall see you all again many times in the future."