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The unaccustomed wine the night before had been a poor idea.
Lesa'ah had laid awake, too, restless and anxious and excited, and that had hardly helped, but when she did finally sleep it was the wine that had sunk her down so deep that when the bells begin tolling, they can't pierce through her slumber. As the others around her begin to stir, she mumbles something about 'not sun-up yet' and rolls over, twitching a blanket firmly over her ears and tugging the far end back down over her feet with her tail, but never wakes.
All the noise rouses Kuka, though, and the pink Tenki scrambles back and forth across the room for a moment, chirring in overstimulated excitement, at the sudden upward surge of previously boring sleepers. Darting back to Lesa'ah, he makes a loud clicking noise in one furred ear, waits a single poised second, then turns away when there's no response. People are moving! They're leaving! Where are they going? He wants to go with them! He steps on Lesa'ah's cheek as he heads that way, and bounds towards the door that everyone else has already passed through with a loud, shrill, delighted whistle.
That sound hauls Lesa'ah awake where all the others hadn't. "Kuka, come here!" she yelps on reflex as she flies upright, faintly regretting the movement. Her head doesn't hurt, but there's a tension and tenderness around it that threatens to become a true headache if she isn't careful. That's forgotten, though, along with the Tenki racing back to pounce on her unwinding blanket and the slight pang of emptiness in her stomach, as she realizes where she is and what's happening. For a stupid moment she pauses to straighten her slept-in clothes and check the pins and clips in her braided hair, and then she realizes how empty the Gathering Hall is and takes off running, outdistancing the trilling Tenki on her heels.
Lesa'ah pounds into the cave, and distress chokes her for a moment as she stumbles to a halt. She thinks everyone else from last night is here, making her the only late arrival--and there's four little Kyrka among them already, and Karah talking to the egg like it can hear her. Maybe they've all bonded already, even that pair, and she's here too late. With that bitter fear still on the back of her tongue, she steps forward, her eyes drawn to the magnificent figure towering over the last egg. "Hello," she says, managing to force words onto her tongue. "I am Lesa'ah Brookwalk, and I'm- honored to meet you. And sorry to have been late," she says, rather shame-faced but not dropping her eyes. Shrinking away isn't the right way to face either embarrassment or disappointment.
She takes a few more steps forward, more-or-less into the group, her eyes sweeping over the smaller Kyrka forms within. It was clear that two of them were attached already, but the look she gives them is no less admiring. "They're cute," she blurts, then wonders if 'beautiful' would have been a better description--a more polite one, to a warrior mother's ears? Though they look like they'll need their fur toweled down and brushed, (if that's a thing Kyrka permit; maybe groomed or preened), and their feathers dried. They probably preen those. Water-slick, they look sleek, but Lesa'ah's fingers itch with the urge to straighten one's crest.
Lesa'ah had laid awake, too, restless and anxious and excited, and that had hardly helped, but when she did finally sleep it was the wine that had sunk her down so deep that when the bells begin tolling, they can't pierce through her slumber. As the others around her begin to stir, she mumbles something about 'not sun-up yet' and rolls over, twitching a blanket firmly over her ears and tugging the far end back down over her feet with her tail, but never wakes.
All the noise rouses Kuka, though, and the pink Tenki scrambles back and forth across the room for a moment, chirring in overstimulated excitement, at the sudden upward surge of previously boring sleepers. Darting back to Lesa'ah, he makes a loud clicking noise in one furred ear, waits a single poised second, then turns away when there's no response. People are moving! They're leaving! Where are they going? He wants to go with them! He steps on Lesa'ah's cheek as he heads that way, and bounds towards the door that everyone else has already passed through with a loud, shrill, delighted whistle.
That sound hauls Lesa'ah awake where all the others hadn't. "Kuka, come here!" she yelps on reflex as she flies upright, faintly regretting the movement. Her head doesn't hurt, but there's a tension and tenderness around it that threatens to become a true headache if she isn't careful. That's forgotten, though, along with the Tenki racing back to pounce on her unwinding blanket and the slight pang of emptiness in her stomach, as she realizes where she is and what's happening. For a stupid moment she pauses to straighten her slept-in clothes and check the pins and clips in her braided hair, and then she realizes how empty the Gathering Hall is and takes off running, outdistancing the trilling Tenki on her heels.
Lesa'ah pounds into the cave, and distress chokes her for a moment as she stumbles to a halt. She thinks everyone else from last night is here, making her the only late arrival--and there's four little Kyrka among them already, and Karah talking to the egg like it can hear her. Maybe they've all bonded already, even that pair, and she's here too late. With that bitter fear still on the back of her tongue, she steps forward, her eyes drawn to the magnificent figure towering over the last egg. "Hello," she says, managing to force words onto her tongue. "I am Lesa'ah Brookwalk, and I'm- honored to meet you. And sorry to have been late," she says, rather shame-faced but not dropping her eyes. Shrinking away isn't the right way to face either embarrassment or disappointment.
She takes a few more steps forward, more-or-less into the group, her eyes sweeping over the smaller Kyrka forms within. It was clear that two of them were attached already, but the look she gives them is no less admiring. "They're cute," she blurts, then wonders if 'beautiful' would have been a better description--a more polite one, to a warrior mother's ears? Though they look like they'll need their fur toweled down and brushed, (if that's a thing Kyrka permit; maybe groomed or preened), and their feathers dried. They probably preen those. Water-slick, they look sleek, but Lesa'ah's fingers itch with the urge to straighten one's crest.
[Not going to be able to post until afternoon/late afternoon or whenever I get back from visiting my grandma in the hospital. Oh she will be ok before anyone asks, but it's good to visit.]
[Edit: Looks like I needn't have worried. Well am back.]
[Edit: Looks like I needn't have worried. Well am back.]
(Thanks guys. The lovely Dr. Virus drew the Kyrka templates. And you can see there is an adult one too. 
Sorry for the delay in posts, there are some family matters I have to sort out!)
Sarasha's crest flares up in a dominance display as Karah approaches the egg. Her talons flex, snapping a dry twig to powder. And yet... she lets the girl come closer. Not all the way to the pool's edge, but closer than anyone else had come. Nira she tolerates more easily. Touched by the sweetness of their words, the Kyrka settles down, her crest smoothing. Yet despite the encouragement, the egg still refuses to budge.
The other two hatchlings are busy, however. The grey finds his way to jealous Kette. The girl is caught between recoiling and reaching out, so instead she hovers frozen, waiting to see what the chick would do. He steps in a light circle around her, head cocking left, and then right. Finally he stops, directly behind her. Kette chews her lip, still waiting, but the chick doesn't approach and further, nor does he leave. So she turns to face him, slowly at first, then in a rush when she can't bear the anticipation anymore. Startled by her movement, the grey chick rears back with an indignant squawk. Suddenly the young Serra's mind is flooded with laughter. It echoes off everything, so loud and pervasive the girl claps her hands to her ears and falls to her knees.
You shouldn't be jealous of Amirr, she is told.
"I-I'm not!" the girl cries aloud. "Wait, you... ?" The Kyrka's dark teal jewel begins to whirl with bright cerulean blue. That hadn't been there a moment ago. "Are you my... ?"
My name is Kayna.
Kette slaps her hands to her mouth and draws her knees up to her chest. She is incapable of making a formulated response, but the chick--Kayna!--understands. He steps closer, close enough for his damp, shell-flecked grey fur to press against her shins. Finally she reaches out with a shaky hand to trace the spiral of dark grey on his shoulder, nestled under the blackish spikes. Kayna, the girl thinks experimentally.
Yes?
Just... testing.
Just then, an older man steps into the back of the room. He casts his dark brown eyes across the gathered group. Seeing three young Serra already with their bondmates causes his face to twist in a mixture of disappointment and joy. His age would indicate that he is already a Kyrider, but Laylar's eyes go hard--no, not hard, more sympathetic--when he sees the man. "Asak. What are you doing here?"
Asak clears his throat. He is not a tall man, but he is broad in the shoulder, and he is standing as tall as he can. "I am attempting to bond." Laylar shakes his head. His mind flashes to his bonding of Sarasha--it had come down to him and Asak, and it was clear who she chose. Asak was old even then. But now? He easily has ten years on Laylar. Asak doesn't let him retort. "There are no rules against it. And stranger things have happened. Perhaps..."
Laylar cuts him off with a gesture. "Fine, you may stand as a hopeful, Asak Blue. But don't hope too hard."
Asak bows, his face turning ugly suddenly. But any further words between the two men are cut short as the remaining hatchling, the beige female, lets out a sudden shriek. Sarasha bolts upright, but she senses something in the air that the Serra do not, and settles almost immediately. The golden-winged chick gallops across the cavern--almost the whole length, from where she had been wandering--directly towards Lesa'ah. At the last minute she skids to a halt, but being only newly born, is not graceful enough to manage and ends up bowling into the woman's legs. This doesn't stop the chick. She continues to squawk and trill, and if Lesa'ah listens hard enough, quiet words are beginning to filter into her mind.
I found you! I found you! I found you! I've always wanted to meet you! I am Raikinu!
Sorry for the delay in posts, there are some family matters I have to sort out!)Sarasha's crest flares up in a dominance display as Karah approaches the egg. Her talons flex, snapping a dry twig to powder. And yet... she lets the girl come closer. Not all the way to the pool's edge, but closer than anyone else had come. Nira she tolerates more easily. Touched by the sweetness of their words, the Kyrka settles down, her crest smoothing. Yet despite the encouragement, the egg still refuses to budge.
The other two hatchlings are busy, however. The grey finds his way to jealous Kette. The girl is caught between recoiling and reaching out, so instead she hovers frozen, waiting to see what the chick would do. He steps in a light circle around her, head cocking left, and then right. Finally he stops, directly behind her. Kette chews her lip, still waiting, but the chick doesn't approach and further, nor does he leave. So she turns to face him, slowly at first, then in a rush when she can't bear the anticipation anymore. Startled by her movement, the grey chick rears back with an indignant squawk. Suddenly the young Serra's mind is flooded with laughter. It echoes off everything, so loud and pervasive the girl claps her hands to her ears and falls to her knees.
You shouldn't be jealous of Amirr, she is told.
"I-I'm not!" the girl cries aloud. "Wait, you... ?" The Kyrka's dark teal jewel begins to whirl with bright cerulean blue. That hadn't been there a moment ago. "Are you my... ?"
My name is Kayna.
Kette slaps her hands to her mouth and draws her knees up to her chest. She is incapable of making a formulated response, but the chick--Kayna!--understands. He steps closer, close enough for his damp, shell-flecked grey fur to press against her shins. Finally she reaches out with a shaky hand to trace the spiral of dark grey on his shoulder, nestled under the blackish spikes. Kayna, the girl thinks experimentally.
Yes?
Just... testing.
Just then, an older man steps into the back of the room. He casts his dark brown eyes across the gathered group. Seeing three young Serra already with their bondmates causes his face to twist in a mixture of disappointment and joy. His age would indicate that he is already a Kyrider, but Laylar's eyes go hard--no, not hard, more sympathetic--when he sees the man. "Asak. What are you doing here?"
Asak clears his throat. He is not a tall man, but he is broad in the shoulder, and he is standing as tall as he can. "I am attempting to bond." Laylar shakes his head. His mind flashes to his bonding of Sarasha--it had come down to him and Asak, and it was clear who she chose. Asak was old even then. But now? He easily has ten years on Laylar. Asak doesn't let him retort. "There are no rules against it. And stranger things have happened. Perhaps..."
Laylar cuts him off with a gesture. "Fine, you may stand as a hopeful, Asak Blue. But don't hope too hard."
Asak bows, his face turning ugly suddenly. But any further words between the two men are cut short as the remaining hatchling, the beige female, lets out a sudden shriek. Sarasha bolts upright, but she senses something in the air that the Serra do not, and settles almost immediately. The golden-winged chick gallops across the cavern--almost the whole length, from where she had been wandering--directly towards Lesa'ah. At the last minute she skids to a halt, but being only newly born, is not graceful enough to manage and ends up bowling into the woman's legs. This doesn't stop the chick. She continues to squawk and trill, and if Lesa'ah listens hard enough, quiet words are beginning to filter into her mind.
I found you! I found you! I found you! I've always wanted to meet you! I am Raikinu!
Kenway still sat where he was pulling his knees to his chest, His eyes growing pail. ~ maybe i made a mistake coming here.. seems i'm always meant to be alone~ he thought looking around. His hazel eyes begin to water slightly. Ken hated being alone and it was starting to catch up with him.
One by one, Nira's little daydreams dissolve as each chick finds a bondmate. Her heart leaps for a moment when the tan female, the one whose lovely stripes and brazen feathers she had been admiring particularly, wanders closer...closer...and then turns and barrels completely the opposite direction. A breath Nira hadn't even realized she'd been holding hisses through clenched teeth.
Her eyes flick again to the last remaining egg, and another flare of distress rockets through her stomach. Fighting her own curiosity and urge to act is, for Nira, like fighting to restrain an unruly sillari from bolting with only the aid of a broken rein. Anyone who might have known Nira would comment that her current level of self-restraint has broken any previous records that might have been held. Biting her lip and shifting nervously, her feet decide her course of action for her.
Appraising Sarasha's level of acceptance to her proximity, Nira edges slightly closer, feeling the spring water begin to tickle her toes. She looks to Laylar for a frown against her presumptions, but he's engaged with another serra. Anyway, this wouldn't be a matter for him, bonded or no. Sarasha is the one whose approval, and perhaps forgiveness, she must seek, for this is Sarasha's brood only. She tries to catch the kyrka's fierce eye, perhaps to telegraph her benign intentions.
The egg is before her, as whole and perfect as the others seemed to be, and yet resolutely unmoving."This always works for my little ones. My husband, too," she adds, taking another daring step closer. "Come on, you little layabout, no more dawdling!" Her tone is affectionately stern, one hand on her hip. Without thinking overmuch about it, she reaches out and lays a light hand on the egg, and then another. She doesn't tap or pry at the egg, merely rests her palms against its shell, subconsciously searching for movement within as she addresses the occupant. "There's work to be done, we can't have you sleeping in, now. Come on, small one. Come on."
After a moment, she realizes she is touching the egg and she draws her hands back guiltily. Her gaze snaps up to Sarasha, fully prepared to be rended into several slivers. It would even be worth it if that bedamned egg would just bloody hatch.
Her eyes flick again to the last remaining egg, and another flare of distress rockets through her stomach. Fighting her own curiosity and urge to act is, for Nira, like fighting to restrain an unruly sillari from bolting with only the aid of a broken rein. Anyone who might have known Nira would comment that her current level of self-restraint has broken any previous records that might have been held. Biting her lip and shifting nervously, her feet decide her course of action for her.
Appraising Sarasha's level of acceptance to her proximity, Nira edges slightly closer, feeling the spring water begin to tickle her toes. She looks to Laylar for a frown against her presumptions, but he's engaged with another serra. Anyway, this wouldn't be a matter for him, bonded or no. Sarasha is the one whose approval, and perhaps forgiveness, she must seek, for this is Sarasha's brood only. She tries to catch the kyrka's fierce eye, perhaps to telegraph her benign intentions.
The egg is before her, as whole and perfect as the others seemed to be, and yet resolutely unmoving."This always works for my little ones. My husband, too," she adds, taking another daring step closer. "Come on, you little layabout, no more dawdling!" Her tone is affectionately stern, one hand on her hip. Without thinking overmuch about it, she reaches out and lays a light hand on the egg, and then another. She doesn't tap or pry at the egg, merely rests her palms against its shell, subconsciously searching for movement within as she addresses the occupant. "There's work to be done, we can't have you sleeping in, now. Come on, small one. Come on."
After a moment, she realizes she is touching the egg and she draws her hands back guiltily. Her gaze snaps up to Sarasha, fully prepared to be rended into several slivers. It would even be worth it if that bedamned egg would just bloody hatch.
Karah backed up a bit when Sarasha got up in a dominance display. She didn't want to agitate the kryka mother further. She watched as the egg remained still. "Come on Kryka baby, you can get out of that egg, I know you can." She said as she tried to further encourage the egg. She then Watched as Nira touched it and was surprised by the action. She wasn't brave enough to touch it since Sarasha had reacted worse to her approach then to Nira's.
She then went to look at the other two chicks and was surprised to see that they had also chosen their partners. All was left now was the big unhatching egg. She also saw that another hopeful had arrived.
It looked like there would be no baby kryka for her...She was too weird for even a kryka. She was going to go home...alone after all. Her prayers had gone unanswered, maybe she just wasn't fit to be a kyrider. Karah moved away form everyone else and sat down a couple feet away from the hot spring. Her long hair was covering her face from view and she was silently crying. Even the girl knew that there would be other chances, it would likely be years until her next chance, years to fend for herself and be misunderstood. Years of people thinking she was weird and lying about her animal friends. Years of being mostly ignored by her parents.
Yet the girl didn't want sympathy, sympathy wouldn't heal her shattered heart or fix her problems. Yet she also didn't want to leave until she saw the big egg hatch, even if it meant that she would be here all day. Even tho it seemed that she wasn't going to be a kyrider, she still wanted the baby inside to hatch and find it's chosen partner even if it wasn't her.
She then went to look at the other two chicks and was surprised to see that they had also chosen their partners. All was left now was the big unhatching egg. She also saw that another hopeful had arrived.
It looked like there would be no baby kryka for her...She was too weird for even a kryka. She was going to go home...alone after all. Her prayers had gone unanswered, maybe she just wasn't fit to be a kyrider. Karah moved away form everyone else and sat down a couple feet away from the hot spring. Her long hair was covering her face from view and she was silently crying. Even the girl knew that there would be other chances, it would likely be years until her next chance, years to fend for herself and be misunderstood. Years of people thinking she was weird and lying about her animal friends. Years of being mostly ignored by her parents.
Yet the girl didn't want sympathy, sympathy wouldn't heal her shattered heart or fix her problems. Yet she also didn't want to leave until she saw the big egg hatch, even if it meant that she would be here all day. Even tho it seemed that she wasn't going to be a kyrider, she still wanted the baby inside to hatch and find it's chosen partner even if it wasn't her.
Sarasha adjusts her mighty wings as she gazes out over her brood. Four out of five--even if the big egg doesn't hatch, at least four of them were already bonded, and she wouldn't have to deal with any of her little ones going feral. She shivered at the thought.
How much time should I give it? Sarasha asks of her bondmate, her tone steely.
I-I don't know.
The great fire-colored Kyrka's eyes cut down to Nira and Karah. Her crest flares up, but she doesn't move, even when the older woman places a hand on the egg. At this point, maybe it would help. Sarasha leans forward and stretches out an arm as well. She extends one index claw, as long as a man's hand, to tap the silvery grey shell.
Tell the hopefuls to come closer, she tells Laylar, who looks confused, but complies. He points a finger towards Karah, then Nira, then Kenway. Almost as an afterthought, he gestures to Asak as well.
"Come closer." He pauses, listening to his Kyrka again. "Lay your hands on the egg. Maybe being closer to it will encourage it."
Asak complies mechanically. A shine of sweat begins to form on his back, partly from the hot temperature in the hatching pool, and partly from nerves. He wipes his hands on his pants and gingerly lays one palm flat on the warm surface of the egg, though he feels nothing moving within. He starts to feel like a fool.
How much time should I give it? Sarasha asks of her bondmate, her tone steely.
I-I don't know.
The great fire-colored Kyrka's eyes cut down to Nira and Karah. Her crest flares up, but she doesn't move, even when the older woman places a hand on the egg. At this point, maybe it would help. Sarasha leans forward and stretches out an arm as well. She extends one index claw, as long as a man's hand, to tap the silvery grey shell.
Tell the hopefuls to come closer, she tells Laylar, who looks confused, but complies. He points a finger towards Karah, then Nira, then Kenway. Almost as an afterthought, he gestures to Asak as well.
"Come closer." He pauses, listening to his Kyrka again. "Lay your hands on the egg. Maybe being closer to it will encourage it."
Asak complies mechanically. A shine of sweat begins to form on his back, partly from the hot temperature in the hatching pool, and partly from nerves. He wipes his hands on his pants and gingerly lays one palm flat on the warm surface of the egg, though he feels nothing moving within. He starts to feel like a fool.
When it becomes clear that Sarasha is not going to eat her whole for her transgression, Nira relaxes visibly. The great foreleg of the kyrka swims into view, the truly massive claw tapping gingerly on the egg's surface. The sight is oddly endearing, and Nira finds herself smiling a little. When Asak steps up beside her, she eyes him curiously, resolving to ask after introductions after this whole egg business is settled.
Laylar relays Sarasha's message, and Nira steps forward gamely again, laying a hand on the egg's surface. "This is gonna be one confused little kyrka," she muses to no one in particular. "Maybe there's two in there, has that ever happened? Or there's just one, but it'll bond to all of us. Hope we're all good at sharing," she adds, looking between the other three. "Come on, then, out you come little love," she adds to the egg, trying to channel her persuasiveness down through her palms and toward the egg's occupant. "We'll not leave you be, no indeed."
((This is, in effect, murdering me right now. JUST SO YOU KNOW.))
Laylar relays Sarasha's message, and Nira steps forward gamely again, laying a hand on the egg's surface. "This is gonna be one confused little kyrka," she muses to no one in particular. "Maybe there's two in there, has that ever happened? Or there's just one, but it'll bond to all of us. Hope we're all good at sharing," she adds, looking between the other three. "Come on, then, out you come little love," she adds to the egg, trying to channel her persuasiveness down through her palms and toward the egg's occupant. "We'll not leave you be, no indeed."
((This is, in effect, murdering me right now. JUST SO YOU KNOW.))
Karah quickly dried her tears when Sarasha asked them to approach and touch the egg. She then slowly walked over into the hot spring and then hugged the egg since she was smaller then all the other hopefuls. She then placed her right ear on the egg in order to search for any sounds within it, but came up with nothing. She whined at this and then kissed the egg before talking to it.
"Come on out little one. Everyone is worried about you and your siblings have already bonded. We all want you to hatch and find your bonded partner." She then whispered quietly, "If even it isn't me, I still want you to hatch and make someone else's life special." The child didn't have any illusion about her getting a kryka of her own as it seemed quite clear to her that she wasn't meant to have one. Besides there were three other hopefuls who had just as much right to a kyrka as she did after all.
"Come on out little one. Everyone is worried about you and your siblings have already bonded. We all want you to hatch and find your bonded partner." She then whispered quietly, "If even it isn't me, I still want you to hatch and make someone else's life special." The child didn't have any illusion about her getting a kryka of her own as it seemed quite clear to her that she wasn't meant to have one. Besides there were three other hopefuls who had just as much right to a kyrka as she did after all.
Lesa'ah's eyes dart between the two chicks still wandering the hatching grounds, the ones that aren't yet clearly bonded, until they're caught by the grey's purposeful movement. She watches in envious anticipation as he circles Kette, her breath catching in her throat when he stops, like he's considering, or flirting--she swallows convulsively when he he moves, suddenly, and Kette falls and cries out. The brief thought of 'is she okay?' is swept away in seconds, and Lesa'ah looks away. Fortunately, Asak chooses that moment to provide a distraction. She watches the interaction between the men, tensing slightly in reaction to the obvious tension between them, her tail winding around itself in a stiff loop behind her.
She jumps at the sudden, piercing shriek, twisting frantically around to look for the source, and goes still when she sees the little beige hatchling racing towards her. She stumbles as the Kyrka bowls into her legs, half-falling on top of the hatchling; catching herself with one hand on the ground, she scrambles to get off the Kyrka before she squashes her, and lands on her butt. Undignified as it is, she's too excited to worry about it, words spilling out to mix incomprehensibly with the hatchling's noisy squawks. "I'm sorry, are you all right? Are you- am I-" She's beginning to hear a voice, in her head, and she immediately falls silent and tries to listen harder.
I found you! I found you! I found you! I've always wanted to meet you! I am Raikinu! The hatchling scrambles into the gap between Lesa'ah's legs, a foot resting on one thigh, though Lesa'ah barely notices the scrape of claws. Raikinu is still trilling, the gem on her forehead swirling with dark blue shading into purple and back, unlaid in some places with an unexpected dab of white.
Lesa'ah muffles a too-girlish shriek, which makes it come out as a squeaky breathless noise instead, and reaches out to touch the Kyrka's wet fur. It's starting to stick up a bit as it dries, not helped by the squirming hatchling's movements, and she gently smoothes it down on her neck and chest, then under her eyes. "You're adorable," she says, staring at Raikinu with a look too entranced to be a smile. "I wanted to meet you to, so much. You're perfect. Let me just...." And she raises her hand to touch the Kyrka's damp crest, pinching feathers between her fingers to squeeze some water out.
Raikinu squawks, twitches her head away, and then bumps it apologetically against Lesa'ah's hand again with an excited little chirp. It's okay! You can do that! What're you doing?
"I'm just-" Lesa'ah says, and then stops. If she can hear Raikinu like that, then Raikinu should be able to hear her, if she tries. She frowns a little, trying to think hard, or loud, whichever will help. I'm just fixing your crest, Raikinu. I won't pull, she adds, carefully fanning the feathers wide with her fingers. Her concentration on the thinking is absolute enough, her attention caught up enough by this beautiful little Kyrka in front of her, that she's barely aware of the worried, focused little group around the springs. She'll feel bad later, if that egg never hatches, but right now she has Raikinu and that's occupying her whole world.
((Eeeeeeee! I'm sorry I took so long to reply, I have family stuff going on... but she's adorable! *crosses fingers for the big egg*))
She jumps at the sudden, piercing shriek, twisting frantically around to look for the source, and goes still when she sees the little beige hatchling racing towards her. She stumbles as the Kyrka bowls into her legs, half-falling on top of the hatchling; catching herself with one hand on the ground, she scrambles to get off the Kyrka before she squashes her, and lands on her butt. Undignified as it is, she's too excited to worry about it, words spilling out to mix incomprehensibly with the hatchling's noisy squawks. "I'm sorry, are you all right? Are you- am I-" She's beginning to hear a voice, in her head, and she immediately falls silent and tries to listen harder.
I found you! I found you! I found you! I've always wanted to meet you! I am Raikinu! The hatchling scrambles into the gap between Lesa'ah's legs, a foot resting on one thigh, though Lesa'ah barely notices the scrape of claws. Raikinu is still trilling, the gem on her forehead swirling with dark blue shading into purple and back, unlaid in some places with an unexpected dab of white.
Lesa'ah muffles a too-girlish shriek, which makes it come out as a squeaky breathless noise instead, and reaches out to touch the Kyrka's wet fur. It's starting to stick up a bit as it dries, not helped by the squirming hatchling's movements, and she gently smoothes it down on her neck and chest, then under her eyes. "You're adorable," she says, staring at Raikinu with a look too entranced to be a smile. "I wanted to meet you to, so much. You're perfect. Let me just...." And she raises her hand to touch the Kyrka's damp crest, pinching feathers between her fingers to squeeze some water out.
Raikinu squawks, twitches her head away, and then bumps it apologetically against Lesa'ah's hand again with an excited little chirp. It's okay! You can do that! What're you doing?
"I'm just-" Lesa'ah says, and then stops. If she can hear Raikinu like that, then Raikinu should be able to hear her, if she tries. She frowns a little, trying to think hard, or loud, whichever will help. I'm just fixing your crest, Raikinu. I won't pull, she adds, carefully fanning the feathers wide with her fingers. Her concentration on the thinking is absolute enough, her attention caught up enough by this beautiful little Kyrka in front of her, that she's barely aware of the worried, focused little group around the springs. She'll feel bad later, if that egg never hatches, but right now she has Raikinu and that's occupying her whole world.
((Eeeeeeee!
I'm sorry I took so long to reply, I have family stuff going on... but she's adorable! *crosses fingers for the big egg*))
It took a little while for Kire to be fully regained from her bonding experience. She'd hug her Kyrka the way Amirr did, but she understood Sullar's character. He wasn't too keen on hugging. It was probably obvious to the other hopefulls as well. She was only half aware Lesa'ah and Kette had bonded as well. She wasn't even fully aware Asak stood among the hopefulls as well.
Kire seemed surprised Sarasha allowed Karah and Nira so close to her egg. Especially figuring it hadn't hatched yet. She was even more surprised to hear everyone else was invited to touch the egg. This looked like a bad omen to her. Whatever she could do to help, she would."Come along. Let's try and get your siblings hatched. Your presence might just be a good example for them."
Very well. Was all Sullar replied, though even with a bond this fresh, Kire knew he was worried. He just didn't like admitting it. The fisherwoman joined the rest of the group near the spring, wrestling herself in between a few hopefulls to place her hand on the egg. She remained quiet though.
Kire seemed surprised Sarasha allowed Karah and Nira so close to her egg. Especially figuring it hadn't hatched yet. She was even more surprised to hear everyone else was invited to touch the egg. This looked like a bad omen to her. Whatever she could do to help, she would."Come along. Let's try and get your siblings hatched. Your presence might just be a good example for them."
Very well. Was all Sullar replied, though even with a bond this fresh, Kire knew he was worried. He just didn't like admitting it. The fisherwoman joined the rest of the group near the spring, wrestling herself in between a few hopefulls to place her hand on the egg. She remained quiet though.
Kenway sighed as he sat where he was watching. his hazle eyes where still sad and pail. he thought that he should just leave, nobody had even spoken to him so he figured he was just a pest.
Laylar crosses his arms as three of the four hopefuls lay their hands upon the egg--and even one of the newly bonded, to encourage it. The Alpha looks at Kenway for a moment, waiting for him to respond to the offer, but when the boy merely sighs and keeps his distance, he shrugs. He doesn't blame the boy for his melancholy. It did seem like impossible odds.
And their encouragement didn't seem to be helping, anyway. Laylar's heart sinks as he watches the motionless egg, surrounded by desperate people. The room is silent save for soft breaths, and plenty of those are being held anyway. The hopefuls (and Kire) would feel nothing coming from under the egg's grey surface. And then...
Nira? Karah?
A tiny voice whispers in the mind of both the girl and the woman. If not for the silence, it might have gone unheard, so weak it is. Then, miraculously, something starts to tap the inside of the egg, at first softly, and then increasing in volume. A second tapping, from near the bottom, follows it.
You have to help... help me!
The tapping fades out again. Sarasha's ears flick forward as she senses the psychic disturbance in the air. What is going on? Something is wrong, and yet... perhaps it could be righted. In a rush of golden feathers and fiery fur she's on all fours, trundling towards the egg and four Serra. She bats Asak and Kire away as casually as swatting flies (though neither would be too terribly injured by it) and stares down at the two left: Nira and Karah. The matriarch then places her hand on the egg as well, dwarfing theirs, her talons piercing the shell as carefully as she can. With Karah and Nira's help, she tears away the mucous membrane and splinters of grey shell...
The tangle of fur and the multicolored teal and bright yellow-gold feathers confused the huge mother Kyrka for a moment, and she withdraws her claw hesitantly. A bi-colored Kyrka, somehow bonded to two people... ? But no! As the eggshell is ripped away, not one but two chicks fall from the egg and sink into the water, which gently laps them apart from one another. Both are pathetically scrawny, their legs weak and eyes shut tightly. They are motionless, and Sarasha fears they might be dead... but then one, the brown-and-white furred one, snaps open her bright orange eyes from under the water. Nira! Help! In that moment, Nira would feel another word, an impression of the little teal's name: Lyrris.
Spurred by her sister's struggle, the blonde Kyrka stirs as well, her vibrant yellow eyes cracking open. She cries out, water flooding into her beak. Karah! Like Nira, Karah would feel the blonde chick's name brushing against her mind: Lillua.
From the milky cataracts in their eyes, it's clear that each of the sisters is half-blind from where they had been cheek to cheek in the egg.
And their encouragement didn't seem to be helping, anyway. Laylar's heart sinks as he watches the motionless egg, surrounded by desperate people. The room is silent save for soft breaths, and plenty of those are being held anyway. The hopefuls (and Kire) would feel nothing coming from under the egg's grey surface. And then...
Nira? Karah?
A tiny voice whispers in the mind of both the girl and the woman. If not for the silence, it might have gone unheard, so weak it is. Then, miraculously, something starts to tap the inside of the egg, at first softly, and then increasing in volume. A second tapping, from near the bottom, follows it.
You have to help... help me!
The tapping fades out again. Sarasha's ears flick forward as she senses the psychic disturbance in the air. What is going on? Something is wrong, and yet... perhaps it could be righted. In a rush of golden feathers and fiery fur she's on all fours, trundling towards the egg and four Serra. She bats Asak and Kire away as casually as swatting flies (though neither would be too terribly injured by it) and stares down at the two left: Nira and Karah. The matriarch then places her hand on the egg as well, dwarfing theirs, her talons piercing the shell as carefully as she can. With Karah and Nira's help, she tears away the mucous membrane and splinters of grey shell...
The tangle of fur and the multicolored teal and bright yellow-gold feathers confused the huge mother Kyrka for a moment, and she withdraws her claw hesitantly. A bi-colored Kyrka, somehow bonded to two people... ? But no! As the eggshell is ripped away, not one but two chicks fall from the egg and sink into the water, which gently laps them apart from one another. Both are pathetically scrawny, their legs weak and eyes shut tightly. They are motionless, and Sarasha fears they might be dead... but then one, the brown-and-white furred one, snaps open her bright orange eyes from under the water. Nira! Help! In that moment, Nira would feel another word, an impression of the little teal's name: Lyrris.
Spurred by her sister's struggle, the blonde Kyrka stirs as well, her vibrant yellow eyes cracking open. She cries out, water flooding into her beak. Karah! Like Nira, Karah would feel the blonde chick's name brushing against her mind: Lillua.
From the milky cataracts in their eyes, it's clear that each of the sisters is half-blind from where they had been cheek to cheek in the egg.
[From now on, Karah's words will be normal, but Lillua's will be in bold.]
Karah frowned and started to cry again as it appeared that the egg was dead. Then she heard a weak female voice in her head calling her name and she started to frantically claw at the egg as she cried out. "I'm here!" With Sarasha's and Nira's help, They were able to free, not one, but two chicks from the egg.
Karah then could hear the thoughts as well. feel the emotions of the Blonde chick and started crying happy tears. She helped to get her chick out of the spring before Lillua accidentally drowned herself and then hugged the baby tightly. The young Serra just sat there sopping wet with tears running down the sides of her face and into Lillua's fur for several minutes.
Only after she finally let go of Lillua did she notice the Kryka's contracts. "What is that? What's wrong with your eye Lillua?" This was spoken outloud as she wasn't used to the new found mental bond yet. "I can't see out of it and I can't hear you from the ear on the same side either." Was Lillua's reply to her little bonded one.
Naturally this news did not go over well. "Someone help Nillua! She can't see or hear on the right side of her face!" She quickly clung tightly to Lillua with tears streaming down her face and fear in her heart. When her animal friends had ended up with problem's like the ones Lillua had....they normally didn't live very long. Was Lillua going to die like they had to? Would the Kyrider's reject her or even put her down.....She had seen some animals be put down when they were born with problems. Did the kyrider's do the same to chicks like Lillua? She didn't care if Lillua had problems, she was her's and she belonged to Lillua.
Karah frowned and started to cry again as it appeared that the egg was dead. Then she heard a weak female voice in her head calling her name and she started to frantically claw at the egg as she cried out. "I'm here!" With Sarasha's and Nira's help, They were able to free, not one, but two chicks from the egg.
Karah then could hear the thoughts as well. feel the emotions of the Blonde chick and started crying happy tears. She helped to get her chick out of the spring before Lillua accidentally drowned herself and then hugged the baby tightly. The young Serra just sat there sopping wet with tears running down the sides of her face and into Lillua's fur for several minutes.
Only after she finally let go of Lillua did she notice the Kryka's contracts. "What is that? What's wrong with your eye Lillua?" This was spoken outloud as she wasn't used to the new found mental bond yet. "I can't see out of it and I can't hear you from the ear on the same side either." Was Lillua's reply to her little bonded one.
Naturally this news did not go over well. "Someone help Nillua! She can't see or hear on the right side of her face!" She quickly clung tightly to Lillua with tears streaming down her face and fear in her heart. When her animal friends had ended up with problem's like the ones Lillua had....they normally didn't live very long. Was Lillua going to die like they had to? Would the Kyrider's reject her or even put her down.....She had seen some animals be put down when they were born with problems. Did the kyrider's do the same to chicks like Lillua? She didn't care if Lillua had problems, she was her's and she belonged to Lillua.
Kenway watched, feeling his heart sink ~ I guess i'm meant to be alone for ever~ he thought as a tear fell from his eyes... ~guess i'm just to weak, to stupid and to different to have a Kyrka~ his tight putting his face in his knees and tried not to cry.
((Urrrrrrhghhhh *muttermutter* The internet access can suck my-))
The egg is still and silent for far too long. Kire joins them in the effort, but the woman barely notices Kire's presence as she is focused on the gray shell before her. Nira bites her lip, refusing to give up on principle but feeling a shadow cloud her heart. Glancing over at Karah, she reaches to put a consoling hand on the girl's shoulder, though anything she might say to soothe the girl's tears seems empty and hollow. Her throat constricts, though there is a drought inside of her that prevents her own tears from being shed.
When she hears the small plaintive voice, she looks around for a moment, her first instinct being that one of her children has wandered here somehow. Then she cocks her head toward Karah, as the voice calls her name as well. Then comes the tapping. There's not a moment to waste, and Karah has the right of it, frantically working to free the voices from their prison. With a wild, wordless shout, Nira goes to work clawing her way into the egg, trying to be mindful of whatever is inside. Sarasha's foretalons swim into view, helping them, the flash of hands and claw working to strip away the layers of imprisonment from the kyrka inside. It was working!
The almost feral grin of triumph dies on Nira's face as the mass of wet fur and feathers drifts into the water and splits apart. They were too late, she thinks in sorrow as she bends to tenderly scoop the brown chick from the water, as it was the closest to her. Suddenly the large, pale eyelids snap open and there is a hot flush of panic in Nira's mind. Help! Help!! Plunging her hands into the water, she pulls the chick free as though the little one were a fish that might possibly get away. In her panic, Lyrris flails out with her forepaws, snagging Nira on the shoulder with claws that are still, thankfully, quite soft. Woman and kyrka go tumbling backwards, landing in a heap on the ground. Lyrris clings to Nira, trembling and peeping in soft distress as she buries her head against Nira's shoulder.
As the little kyrka chick calms, she seeks comfort in Nira's unconscious reassurances. As her panic melts away, Lyrris begins to nudge clumsily at Nira's mind with her own thoughts, the jewel on her forehead swirling a greenish blue. Lyrris examines each thought curiously, like a child peering at a picture book. Though she's never seen them in her life, the kyrka knows her bondmate's husband and children by the strong connections Nira feels for them. Rather than jealousy, Lyrris reacts with delight at the pleasant and happy feelings of these other bonds.
For her part, Nira feels her new connection to Lyrris blazing a trail through her heart, and it leaves her as breathless and fluttery as a girl with her first love. No time to marvel at such things now, however. Lyrris' rather harrowing birth warrants further concern.
"Come now, little love. Let's get a look at you, then," she murmurs, gently prying the kyrka's talons from her flesh. Unsteadily, Lyrris wobbles to her feet, spreading her still-tiny, sparsely feathered wings to aid in her balance. She never takes her eye off of Nira, turning this way and that to keep the woman in her field of vision. Gently tilting Lyrris' head up, Nira peers into first one eye and then the other.
That one's all misty, I can't see you from it!! I need to see you! Lyrris squawks in dismay, her hindquarters waggling in a dance of impatience. When Nira speaks aloud, Lyrris tilts her head further to catch the sound of her voice. She squawks again, tail lashing in growing apprehension as her jewel bleeds as orange as her eye.
Never fear, little love, all is well, Nira soothes, sending Lyrris her emotion as much as actual words. You've nothing to worry over, and you've lots of growing to do. We'll not be out of one another's sight for but a moment at a time, I can promise you as much.
Content with this, Lyrris burbles happily and tries her best to run her beak through Nira's braids. Another feeling wells up inside the kyrka, one that Nira herself shares.
"Food," Nira says aloud, looking around for some agreement. "We'll get on that straightaway!"
The egg is still and silent for far too long. Kire joins them in the effort, but the woman barely notices Kire's presence as she is focused on the gray shell before her. Nira bites her lip, refusing to give up on principle but feeling a shadow cloud her heart. Glancing over at Karah, she reaches to put a consoling hand on the girl's shoulder, though anything she might say to soothe the girl's tears seems empty and hollow. Her throat constricts, though there is a drought inside of her that prevents her own tears from being shed.
When she hears the small plaintive voice, she looks around for a moment, her first instinct being that one of her children has wandered here somehow. Then she cocks her head toward Karah, as the voice calls her name as well. Then comes the tapping. There's not a moment to waste, and Karah has the right of it, frantically working to free the voices from their prison. With a wild, wordless shout, Nira goes to work clawing her way into the egg, trying to be mindful of whatever is inside. Sarasha's foretalons swim into view, helping them, the flash of hands and claw working to strip away the layers of imprisonment from the kyrka inside. It was working!
The almost feral grin of triumph dies on Nira's face as the mass of wet fur and feathers drifts into the water and splits apart. They were too late, she thinks in sorrow as she bends to tenderly scoop the brown chick from the water, as it was the closest to her. Suddenly the large, pale eyelids snap open and there is a hot flush of panic in Nira's mind. Help! Help!! Plunging her hands into the water, she pulls the chick free as though the little one were a fish that might possibly get away. In her panic, Lyrris flails out with her forepaws, snagging Nira on the shoulder with claws that are still, thankfully, quite soft. Woman and kyrka go tumbling backwards, landing in a heap on the ground. Lyrris clings to Nira, trembling and peeping in soft distress as she buries her head against Nira's shoulder.
As the little kyrka chick calms, she seeks comfort in Nira's unconscious reassurances. As her panic melts away, Lyrris begins to nudge clumsily at Nira's mind with her own thoughts, the jewel on her forehead swirling a greenish blue. Lyrris examines each thought curiously, like a child peering at a picture book. Though she's never seen them in her life, the kyrka knows her bondmate's husband and children by the strong connections Nira feels for them. Rather than jealousy, Lyrris reacts with delight at the pleasant and happy feelings of these other bonds.
For her part, Nira feels her new connection to Lyrris blazing a trail through her heart, and it leaves her as breathless and fluttery as a girl with her first love. No time to marvel at such things now, however. Lyrris' rather harrowing birth warrants further concern.
"Come now, little love. Let's get a look at you, then," she murmurs, gently prying the kyrka's talons from her flesh. Unsteadily, Lyrris wobbles to her feet, spreading her still-tiny, sparsely feathered wings to aid in her balance. She never takes her eye off of Nira, turning this way and that to keep the woman in her field of vision. Gently tilting Lyrris' head up, Nira peers into first one eye and then the other.
That one's all misty, I can't see you from it!! I need to see you! Lyrris squawks in dismay, her hindquarters waggling in a dance of impatience. When Nira speaks aloud, Lyrris tilts her head further to catch the sound of her voice. She squawks again, tail lashing in growing apprehension as her jewel bleeds as orange as her eye.
Never fear, little love, all is well, Nira soothes, sending Lyrris her emotion as much as actual words. You've nothing to worry over, and you've lots of growing to do. We'll not be out of one another's sight for but a moment at a time, I can promise you as much.
Content with this, Lyrris burbles happily and tries her best to run her beak through Nira's braids. Another feeling wells up inside the kyrka, one that Nira herself shares.
"Food," Nira says aloud, looking around for some agreement. "We'll get on that straightaway!"
Sarasha lets out a shriek of joy as both tiny minds connect. In the hatching pools, only splintered grey shells and membranous mucous remain, here and there a small, downy feather or tuft of wet fur. Sarasha draws herself up to her full height and cries again, wings half-spreading and making the room seem far smaller than it actually is. Her jewel is so bright with violet and blue that its normal burgundy color is practically invisible. She threatens to drown out Karah's urging until Laylar calms her by gently touching her shoulder.
"This sort of thing has happened in the past," Laylar tells the little girl, though he includes Nira in his gaze as well. "Two chicks to an egg. We should be thankful that there isn't anything more wrong with them, and that they have bonded. If they were going to die, they probably would have already." He doesn't even think to address her unvoiced concerns--they aren't even on his mind. He can't keep a grin from forming across his dark face.
Asak, meanwhile, slowly struggles to his feet. Sarasha hadn't hit him hard, but he's getting older, and surely he would have an ache or two the next day. The sight of the two little hatchlings fills him with simultaneous jealousy and relief. At least they were alive. He scans the crowd... one Serra, other than him, seems to be without a bondmate. But he was still just a boy, and would have many hatchings to attend in the future. Asak steps up to Kenway and rests a hand on his shoulder. "Was this your first time?"
Kette has her arms looped around Kayna's neck, her fingers twined in his wet fur. He doesn't smell very good, but she doesn't care. Both of them are transfixed by the sight before them, of Sarasha and the two babies, and their newfound bondmates. Kette doesn't realize tears are streaming down her face until Kayna nuzzles them away with the cool flat of his beak. The Serra girl scrubs her cheeks, going red with embarrassment. You can't hide it from me, Kayna tells her in a soft voice. It's okay.
"I'm just emotional," she mutters aloud as she gets to her feet.
Sarasha finally folds her wings and looks out over her brood. Laylar puts the names and the faces of the new Kyriders to memory, hoping desperately that he has them all correct. He clears his throat and lifts his hands to get everyone's attention. "The hatching is over," he says. "We welcome six new lives when we only expected five. This is a miracle given to us in our time of need." He sweeps his eyes across Sarasha's babies and their new Serra companions. "As mandated by tradition... now we will hunt."
Sarasha warbles happily at the prospect of food, but even more so at the thought of hunting. Laylar has been feeding her for the weeks she has sat on the eggs, so to tear into warm flesh for herself is a relished notion. She stands up to her full height and splashes through the hatching pool, brushing gingerly past Nira and Karah. Laylar walks at her shoulder with one hand on her spikes, partly to be in contact, and partly to keep her from moving too quickly. Those familiar with the hatching ceremony would know to fall in line behind the matriarch, and those who aren't would hopefully be smart enough to follow her anyway.
Asak knows this ritual very well from the number of hatchings he has attended. He offers a hand to help Kenway up. "Come on, lad. There's always next time."
Kette straightens up. She spots Amirr from the night before and flashes him a toothy smile and a little wave. He bonded, too, she sees! As she turns to follow Sarasha, she beckons him over. "What's his name?" she asks excitedly, her usual sullenness forgotten for the moment.
"This sort of thing has happened in the past," Laylar tells the little girl, though he includes Nira in his gaze as well. "Two chicks to an egg. We should be thankful that there isn't anything more wrong with them, and that they have bonded. If they were going to die, they probably would have already." He doesn't even think to address her unvoiced concerns--they aren't even on his mind. He can't keep a grin from forming across his dark face.
Asak, meanwhile, slowly struggles to his feet. Sarasha hadn't hit him hard, but he's getting older, and surely he would have an ache or two the next day. The sight of the two little hatchlings fills him with simultaneous jealousy and relief. At least they were alive. He scans the crowd... one Serra, other than him, seems to be without a bondmate. But he was still just a boy, and would have many hatchings to attend in the future. Asak steps up to Kenway and rests a hand on his shoulder. "Was this your first time?"
Kette has her arms looped around Kayna's neck, her fingers twined in his wet fur. He doesn't smell very good, but she doesn't care. Both of them are transfixed by the sight before them, of Sarasha and the two babies, and their newfound bondmates. Kette doesn't realize tears are streaming down her face until Kayna nuzzles them away with the cool flat of his beak. The Serra girl scrubs her cheeks, going red with embarrassment. You can't hide it from me, Kayna tells her in a soft voice. It's okay.
"I'm just emotional," she mutters aloud as she gets to her feet.
Sarasha finally folds her wings and looks out over her brood. Laylar puts the names and the faces of the new Kyriders to memory, hoping desperately that he has them all correct. He clears his throat and lifts his hands to get everyone's attention. "The hatching is over," he says. "We welcome six new lives when we only expected five. This is a miracle given to us in our time of need." He sweeps his eyes across Sarasha's babies and their new Serra companions. "As mandated by tradition... now we will hunt."
Sarasha warbles happily at the prospect of food, but even more so at the thought of hunting. Laylar has been feeding her for the weeks she has sat on the eggs, so to tear into warm flesh for herself is a relished notion. She stands up to her full height and splashes through the hatching pool, brushing gingerly past Nira and Karah. Laylar walks at her shoulder with one hand on her spikes, partly to be in contact, and partly to keep her from moving too quickly. Those familiar with the hatching ceremony would know to fall in line behind the matriarch, and those who aren't would hopefully be smart enough to follow her anyway.
Asak knows this ritual very well from the number of hatchings he has attended. He offers a hand to help Kenway up. "Come on, lad. There's always next time."
Kette straightens up. She spots Amirr from the night before and flashes him a toothy smile and a little wave. He bonded, too, she sees! As she turns to follow Sarasha, she beckons him over. "What's his name?" she asks excitedly, her usual sullenness forgotten for the moment.
Amirr’s entire universe was sitting in his lap, staring into his eyes and probing through his thoughts, memories, and dreams. He was completely unaware of whatever else was happening around him; the boy had bonded, and he was absolutely smitten. He could think of nothing else; Marurri’s bright green eyes looked searchingly into Amirr’s dark green ones, and Amirr stared right back in wonderment. Occasionally his tail or ear would twitch, but the boy was otherwise motionless. From the intensity of their respective facial expressions, it would be clear to anyone watching the bonded pair that they were having a lengthy mental conversation with each other.
You’re going to be Alpha one day?
I dunno. I hope so!
That’s a big job.
Yeah, you’re telling me.
You can’t be a chicken if you’re going to be Alpha.
Yes… I am very aware of that.
You have to be confident and be able to talk to pretty girls without stammering.
Maru!
Well, it’s TRUE!
Yeah but…
You can’t hide anything from me, remember?
How could I forget when you’re constantly reminding me by bringing up embarrassing memories?
If I keep doing bringing them up you’ll get used to it and eventually stop being embarrassed (because only wimps get embarrassed by things).
Hey!
Am I wrong?
Amirr wrinkled his nose and growled low in his throat, exasperated by the cheeky little hatchling’s sass but enamored nonetheless. Regardless of the chick’s attitude – which was endearing, really – Amirr couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear. He had bonded! HE HAD BONDED!
You’re grinning like an idiot. Maru teased, his jewel flashing silvery blue. The Serra just giggled and pulled Marurri in for another hug, despite the hatchling’s protests. It wasn’t until Sarasha began celebrating the birth of the twin females that Amirr snapped back to the real world and realized that something serious had happened with the last egg. He and Marurri both watched in wide-eyed wonderment as the two last hatchlings bonded with their Serra, much to the rejoicing of all. Warm feel-good fuzzies spread through Amirr’s body and he shivered with excitement. What did the future hold for him, now that he had bonded with a Kyrka? What adventures would they have together? The young boy felt like his jaw would break from all the grinning he had been doing. Oh, what a day!
And it seemed the day wasn’t over. Laylar and Sarasha announced a hunt, which apparently was part of the hatch-day tradition. Amirr could have leapt for joy; he thoroughly enjoyed hunting, and his rumbling stomach was quick to remind him that he hadn’t eaten since the night before. He got to his feet and fell into place behind Sarasha as the big female exited the cavern. Maru padded along happily beside him, chirping at his siblings and nipping playfully at their tails. When Kette calls Amirr over, the young boy makes his way over to her and smiles from ear to ear.
“His name is Marurri.” Said hatchling’s ears perk up briefly and he looks their way at the mention of his name before purposefully bumping his shoulder into Kayna’s, his jewel swirling with purple hues. “He’s a Grade A Stinker.” Amirr laughs. “I found that out quickly.”
It takes one to know one! Maru shot back playfully. Ignoring him, Amirr continued speaking to Kette.
“What about yours? What’s her name?”
You’re going to be Alpha one day?
I dunno. I hope so!
That’s a big job.
Yeah, you’re telling me.
You can’t be a chicken if you’re going to be Alpha.
Yes… I am very aware of that.
You have to be confident and be able to talk to pretty girls without stammering.
Maru!
Well, it’s TRUE!
Yeah but…
You can’t hide anything from me, remember?
How could I forget when you’re constantly reminding me by bringing up embarrassing memories?
If I keep doing bringing them up you’ll get used to it and eventually stop being embarrassed (because only wimps get embarrassed by things).
Hey!
Am I wrong?
Amirr wrinkled his nose and growled low in his throat, exasperated by the cheeky little hatchling’s sass but enamored nonetheless. Regardless of the chick’s attitude – which was endearing, really – Amirr couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear. He had bonded! HE HAD BONDED!
You’re grinning like an idiot. Maru teased, his jewel flashing silvery blue. The Serra just giggled and pulled Marurri in for another hug, despite the hatchling’s protests. It wasn’t until Sarasha began celebrating the birth of the twin females that Amirr snapped back to the real world and realized that something serious had happened with the last egg. He and Marurri both watched in wide-eyed wonderment as the two last hatchlings bonded with their Serra, much to the rejoicing of all. Warm feel-good fuzzies spread through Amirr’s body and he shivered with excitement. What did the future hold for him, now that he had bonded with a Kyrka? What adventures would they have together? The young boy felt like his jaw would break from all the grinning he had been doing. Oh, what a day!
And it seemed the day wasn’t over. Laylar and Sarasha announced a hunt, which apparently was part of the hatch-day tradition. Amirr could have leapt for joy; he thoroughly enjoyed hunting, and his rumbling stomach was quick to remind him that he hadn’t eaten since the night before. He got to his feet and fell into place behind Sarasha as the big female exited the cavern. Maru padded along happily beside him, chirping at his siblings and nipping playfully at their tails. When Kette calls Amirr over, the young boy makes his way over to her and smiles from ear to ear.
“His name is Marurri.” Said hatchling’s ears perk up briefly and he looks their way at the mention of his name before purposefully bumping his shoulder into Kayna’s, his jewel swirling with purple hues. “He’s a Grade A Stinker.” Amirr laughs. “I found that out quickly.”
It takes one to know one! Maru shot back playfully. Ignoring him, Amirr continued speaking to Kette.
“What about yours? What’s her name?”
As quickly as Kire managed to get her hand on the egg, she was thrown off even quicker. The smack wasn't that hard, but enough to send her tumbling to the floor. She quickly regained her compusure, though. She didn't want to look vulnerable around Sullar. He picked up on those things! The former fisherwoman had no idea what to make of the sudden clawing at the egg. Were they alive? Dying? Dead? It was a painful wait for her. Dead Kyrka chicks would defininetely put a huge downer on what was supposed to be a happy day.
But luckily these chicks seemed to be alright! Kire sighed with relief, not caring about the bruises she felt coming on her upper back."Look, Sullar. Your siblings made it! This is nothing less of a miracle!" She spoke to her companion. But Sullar wasn't as positive as Kire was at the moment."Yes, but look at them. Look at their eyes! They're partially blind!" This was confirmed when she heard Karah cry for help. This was shocking, though not unavoidable. Kire could do nothing to help the newly bonded and their chicks.
"How can they ever hope to achieve greatness like this?" Sullar proclaimed, clearly not impressed by the fact these unlikely chicks had survived."Oh, they'll find a way, Sullar. Sure, they won't have it easy, but they'll make due. They have strong bondmates, after all." Kire reassured her teal winged companion."We'll see how justified your optimism is..."
Looked like a happy ending after all. Except for two hopefulls. It was sad, but there's always more oportunities to be had. She would give her condolances, but the mention of a hunt got her occupied. Finally, she'll get to show her skills and learn how to work together with Sullar, who was just as anxious to go hunting as Kire was. He was a hungry, and big chicks required plenty of food to sate that hunger."Time to go outside for the first time." Kire spoke to Sullar."Want me to hold you in case some big Nuru scares you?"
"Want me to cut you like I did that kid? I'm not the one who gets nervous around big animals, might I remind you!" Sullar replied, unamused. Kire just chuckled. It was strange, having Sullar know everything about her. Her life, her secrets, everything! It was just something to get used to. She quickly joined the rest, observing their Kyrka and how their bondmates reacted to their presence. The way Amirr lighted up around Marurri was especially touching.
But luckily these chicks seemed to be alright! Kire sighed with relief, not caring about the bruises she felt coming on her upper back."Look, Sullar. Your siblings made it! This is nothing less of a miracle!" She spoke to her companion. But Sullar wasn't as positive as Kire was at the moment."Yes, but look at them. Look at their eyes! They're partially blind!" This was confirmed when she heard Karah cry for help. This was shocking, though not unavoidable. Kire could do nothing to help the newly bonded and their chicks.
"How can they ever hope to achieve greatness like this?" Sullar proclaimed, clearly not impressed by the fact these unlikely chicks had survived."Oh, they'll find a way, Sullar. Sure, they won't have it easy, but they'll make due. They have strong bondmates, after all." Kire reassured her teal winged companion."We'll see how justified your optimism is..."
Looked like a happy ending after all. Except for two hopefulls. It was sad, but there's always more oportunities to be had. She would give her condolances, but the mention of a hunt got her occupied. Finally, she'll get to show her skills and learn how to work together with Sullar, who was just as anxious to go hunting as Kire was. He was a hungry, and big chicks required plenty of food to sate that hunger."Time to go outside for the first time." Kire spoke to Sullar."Want me to hold you in case some big Nuru scares you?"
"Want me to cut you like I did that kid? I'm not the one who gets nervous around big animals, might I remind you!" Sullar replied, unamused. Kire just chuckled. It was strange, having Sullar know everything about her. Her life, her secrets, everything! It was just something to get used to. She quickly joined the rest, observing their Kyrka and how their bondmates reacted to their presence. The way Amirr lighted up around Marurri was especially touching.
" but when will next time be.." Kenway said looking up. " with my luck i'll be dead the next time" he said ignoring the hand and just sat there " Nobody wants me not even a kyrka." he said closing his eyes sadly
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