I Could Stare for a Thousand Years...

Writers: Nicole
Date Posted: 12th March 2006

Characters: Khalida
Description: Khalida Impresses green Kirrsinth!!!
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 10, day 8 of Turn 3

It had seemed like an average day at Dolphin Cove Weyr. They were roused from bed at the crack of dawn -- something Khalida was used to, and rushed through breakfast to head off to do chores. She was washing dishes when the hint that it might be something...rather extraordinary happened. There was that crackle to the air -- that electrifying feeling of anticipation that something was about to happen. But what?
Quarter-mark took off, careening around the kitchen, and then perched on her shoulder, pressing his full weight into the claws poking into her skin. "Ow!" She shrieked, scowling at him, but then he pressed his head very close to hers and began to hum so strongly that it vibrated her entire cheek.
"Quit it!" She shooed him off, but the humming continued -- so strong that the very rock beneath her feet seemed to vibrate and she could feel the sound in the very depths of her stomach. The dish in her hand dropped, shattering into pieces in the sink. The other Candidates around her also froze instantly. As if they all had the same thought in the same moment, they dashed through the open doorway and stuck there for a moment: a mass of squirming and pushing bodies all trying to fit in the same small space at one time until someone had the sense to move back and let the others through. It was finally here! Until today, while the prospect was as real as the eggs hardened on the Sands, it had never seemed possible for her, a simple trader girl to _really_ become a dragonrider, not until this second, with the dragons humming and the excitement all aflutter in her chest. If she failed today, she would have to leave with the caravan two days from now. Who knew when -- or if -- she would have this chance again? It was here and now, do or die, or, at least...never be offered this chance again. Khalida rushed into the Candidate barracks, throwing open her trunk and pulling on her Candidate robe. She hastily turned towards Y'sani -- who was ushering them onto the Sands with great urgency -- when someone mentioned the obvious: "Khalida, your robe's on inside out." She glanced at her shoulders, where the seams were sticking up like little dragon's ridges.
"Oh," she laughed. "Thanks." On the sands, the heat burned right through her boots, and she soon felt quite ridiculous dancing back and forth from one foot to the other, waiting for the first egg to crack. And it did, and when that happened, she forgot all discomfort on her feet and stared intently at that opening shell. It split neatly down he middle and in a flurry of wings and feet fighting to find their proper place, a bronze stood up. That was a good sign! ...Wasn't it? Khalida watched as he made his way to Reymer. "His name is Hanunth!" He cried, and her heart pounded harder in her chest. She was so happy for him. It became more and more real by the second, but still felt like a dream. She watched as several other eggs split all at once, all males. Wouldn't something female hatch and give her a chance? Wouldn't something take away the knot in her chest that this would become a nightmare, leaving her empty-handed to go back into a life that could never match anything this surreal? As if listening, the eggs began to pour open in mass numbers, and this time, there were females. Five greens and a blue made their way towards the cluster of Candidates she was standing in. One wobbled and cried piteously, seeming lost in a crowd of faces. As they advanced, Khalida stepped back. Be aware of their claws they had told her. Faranth. It was all she could do to breathe! The dragons split up, making their way towards individual riders. And that green...was she...was she coming to her? }: Of course I am, :{ A voice rolled into her mind, like silk in tone, but with a slight purr. This couldn't be happening. }: It is! You should really figure it out and feed me. I am very hungry,:{ the voice said again. }: Khalida, I am Kirrsinth. :{ There was no denying it now, and she stood there, heart pounding, and staring open-jawed at the green dragon in front of her: Kirrsinth. "Her name is Kirrsinth," she screamed out, and the energy in her voice defined sheer elation closer than words could ever dream of. Somewhere in the Stands, one could hear a troop of traders screaming and cheering like there was no tomorrow, but the girl they were cheering for was completely lost in a pair of green, facetted eyes. }: Food? :{ Kirrsinth reminded, sounding slightly amused. "Right!" She said, sucking in a breath and nodding. Stepping around dragonets and Candidates, she led her lifemate towards the feeding area, and upon snatching a bowl, quickly began stuffing her with meat. }: That's much better, :{ Kirrsinth said, nearly swallowing a whole mouthful of meat. Khalida's heart stopped in her chest.
"For the love of Faranth, Kirrsinth, chew it slower!" She shrieked. "You're going to choke!" }: I really don't see what good it does, it just makes it a little
softer. But, if you think it's best... :{ Khalida watched her green eat, thinking that life from now on would be...harder and ten times more dangerous. But, she'd rather fight a never-ending Threadfall than go through life without Kirrsinth...than to have never experienced this moment. Looking into those whirling eyes, Khalida thought she could stare for a thousand turns and never get tired. }: You can stare all you like, as long as you feed me. :{ Khalida laughed again, and happily obliged.

Last updated on the March 13th 2006

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I Could Stare for a Thousand Years...