Now I Have You

Writers: Francesca
Date Posted: 1st June 2024

Characters: A'lin
Description: Arlin is surprised to Impress.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 13, day 1 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: Lenorin, J'nic, Videryn, Nikhayden

A'lin

It was time. After a few Hatchings, Arlin had become somewhat
accustomed to the dragons humming and the frenetic activity as final
preparations were made and dragon and rider pairs were dispatched to
pick up guests.

He tried not to think as he walked quickly to the Candidate barracks
and changed into his robes. He shifted his shoulders a bit, realizing
the robe was a bit tighter around the chest and arms than it had been
at the previous Hatching. He glanced at his brother next to him,
wondering if they were now more similar in size or if Lenorin had
grown as well.

Then, it was time to line up and, what felt like moments later, they
were on the hot Sands. His anxiety rose as he stood there, feeling
like everyone was staring at him. He kept his eyes on a nearby egg
that seemed to be shaking more than most of the others, distracted
only when Lenorin nudged him and pointed out their family in the
Stands. He waved and made his best attempt at a smile before turning
his attention back to the eggs.

He knew he would Impress a green, or maybe a blue, if he Impressed at
all. He had avoided admitting this to anyone else, although he had
wanted to tell J'nic, and wondered if Videryn would react positively.
Every time he considered sharing his secret, he was held back by the
fact that it made no sense to say anything while he was still a
Candidate. If he never Impressed, then no one would need to know. And
if he did, it wouldn't matter as much, because he would be a
dragonrider. And once he was a dragonrider and out of weyrlinghood, he
could transfer somewhere else; somewhere far away from his family,
whose views had never been spoken out loud but were abundantly clear.

"Look!"

Lenorin's loud whisper brought Arlin abruptly back to the present in
time to see the first dragon, a brown, hatch and Impress Nikhayden. He
smiled and vowed to remain focused on the eggs and thinking open,
happy thoughts.

When Videryn Impressed a blue, he was thrilled, and also wondered if
the dragon color indicated something about the man's preferences.

And then it happened. A dark brown dragonet made its way towards him
and Arlin looked, trying not to get his hopes up. They locked eyes for
a moment, then the brown turned towards his brother and Impression was
made.

Arlin was so shocked, he didn't give any congratulations. However,
Lenorin probably wouldn't have heard, since he seemed so engrossed in
his brown. Arlin's attention was split for the next minute, half
watching the eggs and half his brother escorting his brown to his
first meal.

He felt numb and alone. Now what would he do? How could he be a
Candidate without his brother to keep him company and speak up for
him?

He tried to keep his mind on the Hatching and was able to see the
surprising Impression from the Stands. Looking around, the majority of
dragonets had already hatched but a number of eggs remained. He still
had a chance, but the odds weren't great.

He watched as one of the smaller eggs rolled to its side and split,
revealing a light blue dragonet with slightly darker coloring on his
snout and the tip of his tail. The dragonet lay on its side for a
moment, as though confused about what it was supposed to be doing,
then slowly rose to its feet and attempted to remove the bits of shell
from him. After a final shake of a leg, he finally turned his
attention to the Candidates.

A green was also seeking her lifemate, and seeing her seemed to spur
the blue forward. He ignored the girls and walked to the boys, passing
a few and then looking right at Arlin. }:Hello. I'm Oberlith. I'm
hungry and sticky.:{

Arlin had a silly expression on his face as he looked down at the
dragon, _his_ dragon. So that's what a dragon's voice sounded like. He
had wondered.

"You're mine," he said. Then, realizing he didn't need to speak
verbally, thought **Oberlith.**

}:Yes. And, you're A'lin. I'm very hungry. Do you know where I can eat?:{

It was strange to hear his new name, especially because he hadn't been
sure if he would become A'rin or A'lin. But he didn't have time to
dwell on the change, since he felt like his own stomach was almost in
pain from the hunger.

"This way. Let's follow the others," he said, unable to stop smiling.
For once, he was too happy to worry about what others would think.
That didn't matter, now that he had Oberlith.

Last updated on the June 1st 2024

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Now I Have You