The Missing Pieces of Me
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: 29th May 2024
Characters: V'dryn
Description: The Hatching!
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 13, day 1 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned Arlin, Lenorin
"Today! It's happening today!" one of the Candidates yelled as they came pelting into the Barracks. "The eggs are Hatching today!" Some of the Candidates immediately began rushing to get ready, some waited for the Weyrlingmasters to confirm the news. Videryn was in the latter group. And once they had their orders, Videryn purposefully took his time in an attempt to quell the flutters in his stomach. He let the pristine fabric of the Candidate's robe move through his fingers, feeling the smooth fibers flow, feeling as though every moment of the last few months was suddenly coming to a head here. Now.
For one irrational, nauseating moment, Videryn considered leaving. Finding a runner, hitting the nearest road, never coming back. For the last few months, he had projected this aura of ease, of unworried confidence that came with the inward agility of someone who would always figure out how to land on his feet. And for the most part, it had been easy. Videryn had been involving himself in exploring everything that the Weyr had to offer, escaping reality in the form of personal adventure.
But today, the real reason he was here could not be avoided. Today the dragons would decide.
Would his father the Steward be here? To witness his Impression or remark upon his failure?
Videryn must have been standing there for too long because someone clapped him on his shoulder, jarring him out of his thoughts abruptly. "You're going to miss it!" that someone said with a happy grin. An exaggeration, to be sure, but the Candidates were gathering, getting ready to stream into the Hatching Grounds together, so Videryn quickly pulled on his robe.
"You must be on your best behavior," he admonished Mora gently as she clambered into place on his shoulder. "Please do not embarrass me." Not now, not today. Mora gave an understanding trill and then rubbed her cheek against his, resonating encouragement. Somehow, it made him feel better. Mora had always believed in him. He needed to believe in himself.
They streamed into the Hatching Grounds, some Candidates drifting away to stand alone, others, like Videryn, drifting closer to familiar faces. He took up a spot near the brothers Lenorin and Arlin, winking at Lenorin with some of his usual confidence, none of which he felt. But appearances had to be maintained, right? At least, it made him feel a little better to tell himself that. Mora, in the meanwhile, had joined the dragons' song, crooning softly in Videryn's ear.
Just when he thought that they were far too early to this momentous occasion, the first egg cracked. A brown dragon tumbled out and wasted no time choosing his partner. But if Videryn thought that was going to set the tone for the rest of the Hatching, he was incorrect. There was a lull before the next egg cracked, and then it was three at once -- two greens and a blue. "How lovely," Videryn remarked quietly, admiring the colors of the three. The little cerulean blue turned his head Videryn's way and...
Pieces. A hundred missing pieces. A thousand. Pieces he hadn't realized were missing.
Just. Finally. Fit.
The hatchling crooned at his stunned rider. }: I'm hungry, mine, :{ he said. No, Zhomoth said. As surely as the sun rose in the east, without needing to say it, Videryn knew that the dragon's name was Zhomoth. Just one of those thousand pieces suddenly fitting in place.
**We have food for you over here, Zhomoth,** Videryn thought back with a spreading smile. He cleaned off a piece of shell, folded Zhomoth's wings back into place, and offered his hand, intending to use it to gently guide the hatchling away. He instead found that Zhomoth's cheek fit just perfectly against his palm. Another piece.
"What's his name?" one of the Weyrlingstaff asked, grinning with mutual understanding at how wondrous an Impression could be.
"Zhomoth," Videryn obediently, absently answered. He now so very keenly understood why dragonriders often wore that look on their faces whenever they were asked about this moment.
}: V'dryn, :{ Zhomoth declared quietly, looking up at his rider. A perfect name for a new beginning, V'dryn thought. Another piece fitting into place.
And as Mora wheeled in dizzying circles around them, as V'dryn walked out with Zhomoth towards his first feeding, it would not occur to V'dryn until later that he now no longer gave a damn about what his Steward father thought. He had Zhomoth and Mora and that would forever be enough.
Last updated on the June 1st 2024