The Last Time

Writers: Kaysea
Date Posted: 14th July 2007

Characters: Xara, Dargan
Description: Dargan Stands for the last time...
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 4, day 16 of Turn 4

For the last time, regardless of the outcome, Dargan shrugged into his candidate robes and slipped his feet into the soft wherhide boots. For the last time he took a look at himself dressed in this way and wished himself luck, but after so many times walking out onto the hot Sands, he really didn't hold out much hope. Going through the motions. He gave a sigh and turned to follow the other candidates out.

The short walk to the Hatching cavern seemed interminable. His thoughts were distracted as he watched once more the last guests arriving on dragonwing high above them. He watched as the great beasts flew low and glided through the entrance into the cavern; from this angle some looked to barely make it through the entrance way, wing tips brushing against the outer walls, but he knew they still had plenty of room.

This was the last time he would get to see this activity, unless a younger sibling ended up being searched, but then, _he_ would be aboard a dragon being carried through as a guest - maybe. Another heavy sigh escaped him.

"Oh no, don't do that, it seems as though you've lost all hope." a voice whispered loudly from behind him, and he turned to see Xara standing there, a smile wide on her face.

"It's okay for you," he gave a quick grin, "you don't really mind whether you Impress or not, do you? You have your life planned even if you're unsuccessful."

"It would be nice to have someone to always be with me, to share in my life achievements, and to care about me, but it's not necessary to my happiness any more." she answered evenly. "Though I have a touch of the nerves at the moment." her eyes darted back and forth among the people still entering the cavern on foot. "I'm really hoping my father isn't here."

"He won't be able to take you back Xara, so you really have no need to worry, even if he recognises you." Dargan gave her a wide smile, "I doubt he will know it's you, and he might just turn around and go home, thinking you've already left the Weyr."

"From your mouth to his ears." she laughed, "Though I don't hold out much hope - uh oh, looks like we're going in. Good luck Dargan, though I'm sure we'll soon be calling you-"

"No! Don't say it. I don't want to get my hopes up again." he said quickly, following the line of candidates into the cavern and across the hot Sands.

He could feel the heat of the Sands through the soles of his boots as they all walked towards the hardened Eggs. Not one of them moved, not even a slight rocking. A tremor of worry went through him. It wasn't that long ago that the grounds had been flooded, it was surprising the Sands had dried out enough let alone become warm enough to have hardened the eggs.

An expectant hush filled the cavern - so deafening to his ears, or maybe it was just the sound of his own heart beat that was echoing through his head, drowning out all other sound.

A cry went out when the first egg started to rock - then cracked in half. Dargan was too far away to even consider himself in contention. But he exalted with the audience at the sight of a bronze dragonet, first shell crack and a bronze head appeared - good news for the Weyr! He watched as one of his fellow candidates moved forward and called out his dragons name.

With each shell crack, Dargan's hopes fell further. He watched as the other candidates, one by one Impressed. He was happy for them, but couldn't help the depression that was falling over him like a shadow. He glanced across at Xara and saw her face wreathed in smiles, not for herself and a successful Impression, but for her peers. Why couldn't he be like that?

}:Be like what?:{ A light voice echoed in Dargans' head. He had been so lost in thought he hadn't realised the egg closest to him had split apart, two neat halves still glistening inside with the remains of the sticky life giving substance that had born Velth to him.

**Velth? Your name is Velth? And you're mine?"

}:As you are mine:{ the warm voice filled him.

He looked up to the stands and the expectant eyes that watched from above, "Velth! His name is Velth!" he called out almost overwhelmed by the feelings Velth engendered in him. He stumbled forward and fell to his knees, hands reaching out and lovingly touching his lifemate; as a feeling akin to warm klah flooding his body, washed over him.

He lifted Velth into his arms, and carried him from the Sands, aware of nothing else but the sense of feeling completed.

}:..and I feel empty:{ Velth said plaintively.

**I know dear one, food is waiting just off the Sands.** Dargan crooned, walking faster towards the trestle tables set up to one side of the cavern. Platters of freshly killed meat, still steaming, were loaded on the tables where the Weyrling Master and his staff waited to greet the newest Weyrlings.

"Well done, D'gan!" someone clapped him on the shoulder as he walked past. His new name echoed through his mind, **D'gan.. my name is D'gan.** He was still bewildered; despite the proof of this wonderful happening struggling in his arms the closer they got to the feeding table. The warm, coppery smell of blood assailed him, and he too felt ravenous.

Velth creeled hungrily and tried to jump from his arms to the table as they approached. D'gan set his mate down, and took two handfuls of meat from the proffered tray. Velth almost snapped at him as he held one hand out.

}:I am sorry, but I am _so_ hungry:{ the dragonet intoned snapping once more at the second handful.

**Easy, go easy!" D'gan encouraged, "You must _chew_ your meat. Please, be careful, you don't want to bite the inside of your mouth." It was all he could do to keep up with the ravenous dragonet, one handful after another was snapped at, and D'gan watched as Velth's stomach began to expand in lumps.

Just when he thought the dragonet would pop from greed, Velth released an enormous belch and his eyes immediately began to close, one layer after another.

}:I'm so sleepy:{ Velth relaxed so much, D'gan feared he would topple over as the dragonet rested backwards on his tail. It was only now he realised the other newly hatched dragonets and their mates, were crowding around the tables. He hefted Velth into his arms and followed the other departing Weyrlings to their new quarters.

A hand on his arm stayed him for a moment. "Hey, D'gan, this _was_ your last time on the Hatching Sands. You were just waiting for Velth." Xara stood on tiptoe and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Congratulations!"

Last updated on the July 18th 2007

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The Last Time