Lythvin stood sweating on the sands, fidgeting nervously. There were only three more visible hatchlings...oh, now there weren't any. And he, son of the Weyrleaders, hadn't Impressed.

Wait! Lythvin could see a flash of pale hide and then--a glistening white dragon stood up from the remains of his egg and walked forward. Toward...towards him?! Lythvin could hardly believe it...Oh, Lythvin, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, I wanted to make a dramatic entrance, that's all. a chiming voice said, apologetically.

"Of course, Juhuaytonth," Lythvin laughed, "And that was quite an entrance you made, would you like something to eat now?" he asked cheerfully. Juhuaytonth looked up at him, cocking his snowy-white head. That would be nice. the little dragon answered thoughtfully.

Lythena and N'vin, his parents, were waiting outside by the Weyrling Barracks. The queenrider was almost glowing with pride, and her bronzerider weyrmate was beaming wider than Lyth--no, L'vin, had ever had seen.

Lythena threw her arms around her son. "My baby, Impressing a white! I can't believe it!" she exclaimed, smiling down at the curious Juhuaytonth. Who is she? the dragonet asked, puzzled. L'vin grinned and replied quickly, She's my mother.

Juhuaytonth's eyes whirled a little faster. Oh. Clearly the young dragon didn't understand. His rider chuckled and rubbed the delicate eyeridges. Don't worry love, you'll understand later. he reassured the hatchling. Juhuaytonth warbled and plunged his head into the bucket, his long pale tail swinging back and forth as he ate. L'vin was almost dismayed by the rapidity with which the meat was being consumed.

Lythena's eyes sparkled understandingly. "They're all like this when they're young. And I must say, your Juhuaytonth is quite big for a white. Beautiful conformation." she remarked, much to the whiterider's pleasure. "Thanks." he responded, gratified by his mother's approval.

"I was expecting you on a bronze or a brown, but this! This is as much as a father and Weyrleader could hope for!" N'vin spoke up, thumping his son soundly on the shoulder. L'vin smiled tenderly down at his hungry lifemate. "Yes. It's more than I ever expected." he said quietly.

Seajewel suddenly winked into appearance over L'vin's head, chittering happily and flying around in circles.

Both Lythena and N'vin ducked. "Got yourself a firelizard too, huh?" N'vin said, his tone amused as he straightened. L'vin nodded and mentally ordered the green flit to stop her antics. Seajewel chirped and complacently landed on her Impressor's shoulder. "Her name's Seajewel." the young man said, stroking the tiny eyeridges. Seajewel crooned in pleasure, her faceted eyes whirling bright blue.

Lythena put out a tentative and stroked the green's headknobs. "Well-mannered little creature." she commented. L'vin's attention was back on Juhuaytonth; he merely nodded absently in answer.

The first sevenday they were allowed to go between, L'vin kept his promise and went to visit Maylette at Andromeda. Juhuaytonth was quite amused at the whole affair, for some unfathomable reason.

Telling his dragon to wait outside, the whiterider dismounted and strode into the Lower Caverns, looking around for the dark-haired girl. He spotted her just about to exit the kitchens, and ran to catch up.

"Maylette! I'm back!" he grinned at the young woman's startled look. Maylette recovered herself and obediently followed him out to where Juhuaytonth was waiting. The white dragon dipped his head politely.

"What-is that your dragon?" Maylette asked in a scornful voice, completely taking L'vin by surprise. "Yes, that's Juhuaytonth." he affirmed. Maylette looked over the white with a condescending eye. "You--I expected more from you than a--a monstrosity." she told him scathingly.

L'vin was incensed, but managed to keep his anger mostly in check. "How dare you insult my dragon! Who gave you the right to call him that!" he spat, making the girl recoil. "I expected a more open outlook, but I guess holdbred girls don't ever change." the whiterider said coldly, climbing up to Juhuaytonth's neck and giving him the order to go back to Talor Cliff.

As soon as they landed, L'vin jumped off and began pacing around, muttering furiously to himself. Juhuaytonth lowered his head and looked up at his rider. What is bothering you, L'vin? he asked anxiously. The young man stopped pacing and looked at his dragon.

"Didn't you hear what that girl said?" L'vin demanded. Juhuaytonth cocked his head. It does not bother me, why should it bother you? he replied, nonplussed.

L'vin continued pacing.

"Queens Wing?! You want me to join the Queens Wing?" L'vin asked, incredulous. "Isn't there another wing I can join?" he nearly pleaded.

Weyrwoman Lythena appeared to think for a moment, then looked at him speculatively. "Well, there is the specials' wing." she remarked. L'vin leaped onto the opportunity. "Yes! Yes, I'll fly with them!" he exclaimed, nodding vigorously. His queenrider mother smiled. "Very well. You may go now." she told him. The whiterider executed a quick bow and ran outside to where Juhuaytonth was waiting.

"Well, Ju, it might not be a proper wing exactly, but we all fight Thread!" L'vin remarked as the white glided back up to their weyr. Juhuaytonth merely rumbled in response as he landed. His rider turned to the dragon in concern. "What's wrong, love?" L'vin asked gently.

I should have won that flight. I could have won that green! The white almost wailed, pressing his head against his bondmate's torso. L'vin hugged him comfortingly. Yesterday afternoon, Juhuaytonth had flown in his first flight, and lost. "It's all right, Ju, hardly any dragon wins their first time. You'll do better next time." the young man assured his dragon. You think so? Juhuaytonth asked hopefully. "Of course. You're the best white in the whole Weyr." L'vin said staunchly.

Oh L'v-innnnn....Juhuaytonth called teasingly.

Yes love?

You know that dragon that came from Ryslen the other day?

Yes...

He said they're having an all-whites mass mating flight over there.

Now that got L'vin's attention. And so you want to participate, don't you.

Of course. I am white, and I'm sure those lovely females won't be able to resist me or you. Juhuaytonth replied archly, preening.

L'vin grinned and went back to his paperwork. "Sure, Ju. Just don't let that head of yours swell up too big or you'll float clear out of the flight." The rider made a mental note to head over to Ryslen as soon as possible.