Never Doubted It for a Second
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Halyonix
Date Posted: 15th November 2024
Characters: C'uren
Description: The Hatching!
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 3, day 22 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Varethos, Zorenh
“Today is the day, my friends!” Ceauren crowed brightly, as though he absolutely had a hand in planning the Hatching for today. Ceauren, who had barely completed his own Candidate robe in time (he had eventually cajoled a fellow Candidate into completing parts of it for him) but was wearing it with flourish. “Today, we see what the dragons decide! Who’s ready?”
He was greeted with varying degrees of responses. He honestly hoped that a good many of them Impressed. He was starting to enjoy being at the Weyr and it would be a shame to leave such fun company behind. Oh, Ceauren knew he could stay if he didn’t Impress but why laze around waiting when there were seas to explore? No, if he didn’t Impress today, he’d go back to his family, maybe come back for another clutch later.
But Ceauren was _certain_ he was going to Impress today. He had a _hunch_. And his hunches rarely failed him.
He was eagerly rubbing his hands together, clapping other Candidates jovially on the back, until the Weyrlingmaster finally came to gather them and march them out on to the Sands. “Toasty, isn’t it, friends?” he remarked happily once they were there. In front of them, thirty-odd eggs rocked, watched over by an enormous gold dragon. “Oh, I hope she’s in a good mood today,” he joked. Nervous? No. He was not nervous, one bit. This ended one of two ways in his mind -- with a dragon or without.
The first egg cracked. “A bronze! That’s a good sign, right?” he asked the Candidate next time him. He clapped loudly, especially when it made its barreling way towards Zorenh. “Look at that! Yes! Congratulations my friend!”
Every Impression went like that. Ceauren cheered each one on as though he had vested interest in the new rider pair. This Hatching had its own personal cheerleader, who was also hoping to be chosen. On and on, through greens, blues, and browns, Ceauren had a running litany of comments, cheers, and conversation to be made. Not once did he give thought to his own possible future.
Even as it came his way.
“Look! Varethos, that one is looking at you! At you!” Ceauren pointed out as a brown hatchling approached. He had a supportive grip on Varethos’s arm, trying to get the other Candidate’s attention and ready to cheer on the impending Impression.
The dragonet stopped in front of them, eyeing Varethos thoughtfully. Ceauren held his breath as he waited for that beautiful moment that had happened to everyone else so far. Varethos would kneel, shout his dragon’s name, and another Impression would be made! Yes! That is what was going to---
not…happen?
Shockingly, after some consideration, the hatchling nudged Varethos aside and looked squarely now at Ceauren.
}: You. :{
“Me?”
The dragonet nodded his head once. }: You. I choose you. I’m Roeth. :{
It felt like sunlight had burst within his chest. Warmth radiated all the way down to his toes. And it wasn’t because of the hot sands either. Suffused. Yes! That was the word! Suffused entirely, anchored, knots being tied around his heart, sailing into the safest harbor he had never known existed.
Varethos forgotten, C’uren’s expression lit up ecstatically. Who cared about a gold dragon? He had the best dragon on Pern! “Oh, this is absolutely fabulous!” he said. With an introductory wave, he called, “Everyone meet Roeth!”
Roeth looked up at the stands full of people, blinking his faceted eyes. }: There are a lot of people here. :{
“All for you!” C’uren said happily. “Well, you and thirty-something other eggs, but you! Just look at you! Who _wouldn’t_ want to meet you?”
Roeth considered this. }: I would like to eat first before meeting all of them, :{ he finally said.
“Of course! Of course! Food, yes, food can be found for you and then I’ll introduce you to everyone! They’re going to love you, Roeth!” C’uren said as he led Roeth away, beaming.
See? His hunch had been right!
Last updated on the November 19th 2024