Fine, Great, Perfect
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: Noli
Date Posted: 22nd July 2025
Characters: H'rell, Calonice
Description: The clutches smallest green is great, thank you.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 9, day 18 of Turn 12
H'rell watched with a critical eye as the new Weyrlings and their baby dragons filed past him. It was feeding time again for the little dragonets, and most of the candidates seemed to be feeling the exhaustive effects of the constant attention their partners had required of them over the past month. Certainly the line was moving more slowly than last sevenday, despite the increased stamina of the dragons.
“Calonice,” he gruffed out as the last Weyrling approached where he stood and made to file past him.
Calonice paused, turning tired eyes to the Weyrlingmaster Third. “Yes, H'rell?”
Beside her, Umbranth turned her tiny head upwards to gaze between Hers and the brownrider. His dragon" Umbranth couldn't quite remember his name" was a friendly fellow who loved to chat with the babies. Umbranth felt a twinge of anxiety. Hers was annoyed at being stopped in their trek, but surely the rider of the friendly dragon would not hold them up for very long? Not when her tiny belly cried for food, as it now did.
H'rell had been inspecting the little green as they had approached, and now noted the way she tried awkwardly to fold her oversized wings to her back.
“How is Umbranth doing?” He addressed Calonice. “Is she eating well?”
“Yes, she's eating fine,” Calonice responded cautiously. Her hand instinctively reached for the green head of her lifemate. “She eats as much as any of the other greens.”
H'rell nodded, absorbing the information. This wasn't the first time he had asked about the littlest dragon of the clutch, but it was the first time his questions had been targeted.
“Her excrement habits are good? No mucus in her feces?”
Calonice flushed at the question, a reaction to the embarrassment she felt from Umbranth. The little dragon did not understand why the boss rider was asking so many questions about her. She was fine" well, except for the fact that she was _hungry_. Could they please go now?
“Yes, all good. They did her checkup, everything was normal.” Calonice shifted uncomfortably. Despite the fact that Umbranth was not yet creeping, Calonice could sense that hungry cries were not far away.
H'rell nodded again. “OK, that's good. You guys can catch up with the others now. Thank you.” He continued watching the pair as they moved off, the little dragon struggling to balance her large wings as she skip-hopped over the threshold.
}:Why did he stop us,:{ she asked her rider. It was half question, half complaint. }:Doesn't he know that you take good care of me?:{
**Don't worry, love. He just wanted to check on you,** Calonice reassured her. **Come now, let's get our lunch.**
Umbranth was still worried. It did not make sense why that rider had only asked about _her_ and not any of her brothers or sisters. They all ate meat, didn't they?
Cautiously, she reached for the big friendly brown who belonged to the boss.
}:Excuse me,:{ she inquired politely.
Coranth's familiar voice was pleasant in her mind. }:Hello, Little One. How are you doing?:{
}:I'm great,:{ Umbranth replied, utilizing the phrase Hers had used to describe her moments ago. }:Why did Yours ask Mine those questions? Why did he stop us from following my clutchmates to the meat?:{
Coranth projected gentle amusement. }:That is his job, Little One. You are the smallest of your Hatching. He is supposed to make sure you are growing well.:{
}:Of course I am growing well!:{ Umbranth cried. }:Mine says every day how much more hide I have to oil. I must be growing!:{
In reality, Umbranth could not remember if Calonice said such a thing _every_ day. She did not remember much from before today. But Calonice had definitely said it this morning, so Umbranth felt confident in assuming she had the day before as well, and the day before that.
}:Yes, you are growing,:{ Coranth agreed. }: Soon you will be even bigger, and Mine won't worry so much about you. Be patient, Little One. We all just want what is best for you.:{
Umbranth was not completely satisfied with that answer… but she obediently thanked Coranth and fell silent.
At last, the Weyrlingpair rejoined the group. Umbranth salivate as she saw the wonderful meat that was disappearing down the throats of her bigger clutchmates.
}:I promise, I will eat well. I will keep growing. Soon, we will fly together.:{ She projected confidence into her voice as she addressed her rider. It was a trick she had learned from Calonice herself.
**You're doing great, love. Don't let what H'rell said bother you. You're perfect.** Calonice gave the green muzzle a loving scratch before grabbing the first piece of meat from their assigned bowl. Before long, it would be empty, and then in a couple of candlemarks it would need filling again.
Umbranth sighed mentally }:Yes, perfect. _We_ are perfect.:{ And with that, she began to eat… _great_.
Last updated on the August 1st 2025