Lithya's eyes fluttered open at the sound of knocking on the door of the Barracks. "The sun's up and the dragons are hatching!" came Baeris's voice, muffled slightly through the wood. Lithya rolled over and sat up on her bed, blinking away the sleep from her eyes.
The dragonsong was getting stronger now, nearly vibrating the ground. Lithya looked around and saw a neat row of red cloaks hanging behind the door. She shrugged and grabbed one, flipping it over her shoulder. She waited a few moments to make sure Ead was awake and then stepped out the door.
Telanor, still sporting a black eye, appeared near her while Lithya walked into the Hatching Grounds. Ead followed close behind, his ears hidden.“You should just take it off,” Baeris said of his disguise. Lithya glanced at the elf. I don't think it matters now. She told him. He took off the bandana after a second's hesitation.
Behind them, Lithya suddenly heard a giggling shriek and a happy voice yelling, "Popcorn! Get your popcorn!". Illerion. Of course, the poor boy was getting mobbed by Striker and Hope, but he didn't seem to mind all the much. Telanor, meanwhile, was showing off again, despite the black eye....Lithya shook her head.
And then the Hatching began in earnest. Egg after egg cracked open to reveal their strangely colored and marked inhabitants. Horns, flame patterns, speckles, stripes, lights and darks....those were but a few varieties.
Lithya watched as Eadwyn Impressed a lovely violet-blue dragon with deep blue horns. She clapped happily for him when he glanced back at her, then turned to face the teal-black dragon in front of her.
Surely you were not going to ignore me all this time, Lithya.
“Never,” whispered Lithya. “And I’m so glad you’re female...”
What else would I be? I am sure that if I were male I would not be so perfect. I am Buszketh. I want to see that pretty purple male who just walked out of here with yours. Come along.
Lithya waited, looking around at the other dragons, while Buszketh daintily finished her first meal. She didn't notice who Buszketh was staring at until Ead brought it to her attention with a chuckle. She hadn't been listening to his thoughts; thinking that he would like to have som privacy with his new dragon. Lithya, I think Vlad's a bit interested in your lady over there. her fellow weyrling had said. Lithya could only snort in amusement and grin, just as Ead's Vladmirth acknowledged Buszketh's gaze politely.
And that was how I Hatched. Buszketh finished for her rider, fanning her magnificent curved wings idly. Lithya nodded. "That's about it." she answered, folding her hands behind her head.
I see. The black-teal dragoness remarked, settling down on the ledge and gazing out with a queenly aura. I am evaluating Vladmirth. she told her rider calmly. Lithya smirked and sat down beside her lifemate. "And?" the young woman asked expectantly. She knew that her dragon was fond enough of the blue-purple male, but Buszketh would probably rather bite her own wings off than say so. Although, in her lexicon, 'fond enough' meant that she deigned to converse with Vladmirth, didn't snub him, and didn't flaunt her speed in the air while in his company.
He is much smaller than me. But perhaps he will be worthy.
Buszketh snorted, disbelieving and haughty. I will believe what I choose to believe. And even you cannot change that, my rider. Why should I be wary of Vladmirth? I can outfly him and any other dragon just by twitching my wings.
