Eggs Over Easy: Fire-lizard Clutch! {Open}

[Narrator]

THE BACKGROUND

As always, the wild queen who hangs around the Weyr has set up her Nest in the Kitchen. Specifically, her nest is in one of the great fire-places usually used by the kitchen staff. She always seems to use the same fireplace, and anyone who has lived in the Weyr for more than a few months has seen this wild queen. Somewhere in her life, she discovered by laying her eggs here, her hatchlings would find good homes with the humans.

The queen herself is friendly but standoffish and not interested in staying with any person in particular. She's parked on a high shelf watching the proceedings with detached interest. If her pattern holds true from previous clutches, when all her eggs hatch, she'll leave...

THE SCENE

In an hourglass-shaped alcove not far from the main entrance of the kitchens. Two fireplaces face each other with counter space off to one side. On the edge of one fireplace sits a tureen of wherry stew waiting for anyone hungry to partake of its steamy contents. It lid sits nearby where Allegra left it. On the wall is a small sign that reads, please put the lid back. The wild queen steals food.

There are bowls and utensils on the counter, as well as a small stack of "dirties" pushed closer to the doorway. Across the way in the other half of the alcove the currently out-of-use fireplace that houses the newest nest of the wild gold fire-lizard who lives in the Weyr's kitchens. There are no humans present at this time.

THE NEST

Hidden among the ashes and smoldering cinders of the fireplace kept the wild gold's nest constantly warmed. Empty shells decorate the edge of the hearth. The collection of speckled eggshells suggests that some hatchlings have already left. Due to the layout of the Nest, buried so deep into the ashes, it is impossible to tell how many the full clutch holds.

The current egg/fire-lizard ratios. Currently, there are 2 eggs visible and 1 unclaimed fire-lizard - A brown.


EGGS

Small Egg 1: Small. Near the back of the hearth in a hole littered with egg shells, this egg has large cracks in it. Is it rocking? Not rocking?
Ash-covered Egg 1: The ash stirred up from its siblings hatching buried this egg again.

HATCHLINGS

Brown Hatchling 1: The dark hide of this large brown hatchling makes him difficult to see among the ashes.


IMPRESSED TO
Blue - Looks to Allegra.
Dark Brown - Looks to Allegra.

For new participants, please read the last two posts prior to your post to learn the actions and locations of each participant (fire-lizard, human, etc.)

[Narrator]

Time Reference: Continued from "Raiding the Kitchen...

---

Another crack appeared in the egg, the jagged line connecting with the first and a small fissure appeared in it. Beneath, the slick, dark color of a yet-to-be-hatched fire-lizard hide could be seen. The remnants of the egg's sac gleamed and began to drip through the cracks as the egg rocked.

Nearby, a second egg began to rock violently, casting ashes about as it rolled around in the gray nest. It's fine white exterior collected speckles as it moved around until it was near indistinguishable from the surrounding mess of char and cinders save for its rolling.

The queen hopped in place, and a worried warble issued from the mother's muzzle. As she finished warbling, she made a rather odd sound that in a human might have been considered a clearing of her throat.

Then, she began to hum, that soft resonating hum indicative of a draconic hatching. She stared at her eggs intently, and hummed...

[Deleted]

I'ke's eyes widened. Sona... I'm scared.

That's never stopped us before. Onward!

Hesitantly, I'ke stumbled forward till he hovered over the hearth and the wild queen's Clutch. He could still see the jagged cracks running up the shell of the first egg. The cracking egg became the focus of his vision, with the other rocking egg in the background. He was too frightened to touch them, for he knew the wrath of a queen was a vicious one.

The Weyrling continued to watch the egg crack in fascination. He wondered what color the fire-lizard would turn out to be. Another thought recurred to I'ke. That fire-lizard could have hatched for him. After all, he was inadvertently Standing at the Hatching of fire-lizard eggs. Knowing that he was being rather presumptuous, I'ke whispered in a soft voice to the cracking egg. "Are you mine?"

Curiously, his gaze wandered beyond the egg towards its rocking sibling. He briefly reflected on whether or not the egg would be wild or if someone would come along quick enough to Impress it.

A single person can bond with more than one fire-lizard, Sonameaith sighed giddily in I'ke's head. So why not you?

Why me? I'm... just I'ke.

I'ke... Sonameaith murmured lovingly, his voice fading away gradually.

[Narrator]

The clutch mother looked on with a mixture of patience and concern, her eyes whirling fast, the yellows and blues within them equal matched. Her humming increased in volume as the movements of the eggs continued and then settled into a constant, low hum of welcome to her brood.

As though the rocking egg heard his soft tones, it began to move with more vigor. A small plume of dust erupted around it, the continued struggles causing the shell to crack further. Dark hide exposed, a crinkled damp wing burst forth, it's owner flapping it with unrestrained vigor. Heartbeats later, the egg rolled sideways, smudges of ash now clinging to the contents. All the fighting and rustling as the first-to-hatch fought its way out of the shell caused three more eggs to be exposed. They were gathered in a clumped trio near the back of the hearth.

Leaving bits of shell in its wake the apparently black fire-lizard hatchling tumbled into a heap of limbs and wings. Bright eyes, their facets gleaming red-yellow blinked in rapid succession and the fire-lizard peered up at I'ke. Though the majority of the hatchling's hide remained patched with black globs of ash, the darkness of the rest suggested a bronze or a brown. His demanding creel explained exactly what it wanted.

The second egg continued to rock, soft chirping noises coming from within its ovid form.

Two other eggs began to rock.

The fifth remained, for the moment, still. As did the newly exposed trio.

[Deleted]

I'ke stared in wonder at the newly hatched black fire-lizard. What color is it? Black is not a possible color... so maybe... bronze, brown? For once, Sonameaith was quiet, also wondering what color the new hatchling was.

Holding his breath, I'ke offered his palm to the tiny, ungainly fire-lizard. Though logically, he expected it to feel like a miniature dragon, he wanted to say a fire-lizard walked across his palm. Aside from those that were Impressed to fellow inhabitants of the Weyr and the occasional wild ones, I'ke had never been so close to a fire-lizard. They did not think him interesting, as he never offered them food, and it was an utterly fascinating experience.

Unbeknownst to I'ke, two more eggs began to rock, however his eyes were completely focused on the dark hatchling wobbling around on unsteady feet in front of him.

[Narrator]

((Sorry it's taken so long to get back to this! November is here and we're finally getting the site rolling again ^^ Thanks for your patience.))

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Speckled Egg Hatchling

[/b]

Legs spread in awkward gait as it stumbled through the ashes, the dark fire-lizard left a trail of speckled goo in his way. He crept toward I'ke's hand, his nostrils flaring as he sniffed the digits. Everything was new and unexpected to the hatchling. He edged closer to I'ke's fingers. Then, in a flash of a few jagged 'egg-teeth', the fire-lizard lunged at I'ke's hand. If the Weyrling was not fast enough to withdraw his fingers, he would get a serious gnawing from the fire-lizard hatchling.

Mother Gold and other Eggs

The mother watched with a wary gaze, her humming steady. Her wings flared when her son struck at the human's hand. However, she would not interfere until the hatchling was in danger. This could be the bonding moment between the two she hoped for each time she laid her clutch here. Whatever happened now was up to her brood and the human present.

A spray of ashes announced the arrival of the second hatchling as the other speckled egg shattered with sudden force. She, as was obvious by her bright green wings, shook the black spots from her and settled in place. She creeled, staring at the new world with the radiant red-swirls of a hungry newborn. Focusing first on her mother, she then looked to I'ke and her cautious older brother. Her head tilted to the side and she stood up, testing her legs in her eagerness not to miss out on whatever might be 'food'.

Though none of the other eggs hatched, all now had movement. The already cracked egg near the front of the hearth broke another piece from its shell. This piece was large enough to reveal a pale blue patch of hide.

The small trio of eggs in the back of the hearth began to vibrate. Each one showed cracks forming on the edges.

[Deleted]

I'ke... maybe you'll Impress it!

Come on, Sona. What are the chances of that?

I don't know... but you are the only one here. So you should have a good chance.

Hmm... you might be right. I'ke's eyes widened, as a violent pricking suddenly flamed along the tips of his fingers. He cried out as the dark hatchling latched onto his fingers. Gently, he pried it off, and placed it back in the nest before quickly withdrawing his hand.

Maybe not that one. Sonameaith admitted sheepishly. But watch the others, you still have a chance.

However, just as he did, another hatchling burst out of its egg. This one was a green, and he peered in curiosity at the tiny female. Her eyes were glowing with emotion, but he had learned his lesson and kept out of lunging range of the hatchlings.

I'ke smiled, despite wiping off the drops of blood on his fingers on his pants. He kept his hands close to his body, but still kept a watchful eye over the cracking and vibrating eggs, including the two hatchlings.

[Narrator]

Speckled Egg Hatchling

The dark hatchling squawked in alarm when I'ke pulled back. However, as soon as I'ke picked him up, he was calm and relaxed. Looking up toward the Weyrling, the newly hatched fire-lizard had enough time to register I'ke's face before he was put back in the nest. His eyes whirled faster, becoming predominantly yellow and orange. A forked tongue flickered out across its muzzle.

While I'ke's attention diverted to the younger siblings, the hatchling seemed uninterested in anything else. He scrambled over the others until he was in front of I'ke again. Head tipped upward toward the blue Weyrling, the hatchling bobbed in place and screamed at him.

Mother and Rest of the Nest

The mother watched her dark son move toward the human. Her multifaceted eyes watched the exchange between the two. Though she looked on with interest, she did not interfere with the results.

I'ke's caution was well warranted. The green fire-lizard nipped at her older brother as he trundled by on his way toward the Weyrling. He ignored her and she squawked at him. After a moment more hesitation, she began to beat her wings. They dried with the movements. Her body trembled with her effort.

Although other eggs rocked and shifted, no new cracks appeared. It appeared for now these were the only hatchlings who were going to hatch.

[C'nic]

C'nic was making his way to the Kitchens for some food, his stomach growling angrily beneath his ribcage. Spotting the events surrounding one particular hearth, he surmised that a regular visitor had returned with more miniature dragonets for the residents of the Weyr. Feeling intrigued, remembering the Hatching at which he had Impressed Zrigmath, he drifted over, a bowl of stew being quickly shoveled into his mouth.

He finished his food and placed the dish amongst a pile of other dirty dishes, looking around for the food that almost certainly be provided for those hoping to Impress. A plate of meat was nearby, maybe for the Hatching, maybe not. At any rate, it was important to get food into the newborns as soon as possible. A young lad crouched near the clutch already, but had no food to offer.

Sweeping the plate of meat up, C'nic walked over to the fireplace and knelt, moving cautiously around the fierce mother. "Hey there, lad, you're going to need some of this. Unless you want to offer your fingers as a first meal," he teased, setting the plate on the stone floor with a click. Snagging a piece of the meat delicately between his two forefingers, he offered it to the fiery green hatchling. "Hey little girl, you look a bit hungry over there."

[Deleted]

I'ke smiled gratefully at C'nic. He picked up a piece of meat and offered it to the dark hatchling that squawked for his attention. He had felt a small maelstrom in his mind when he had touched the fire-lizard, and then a new sense of... awareness. What? "I've never seen a fire-lizard Hatching before. I've only ever seen their kind fluttering around the Weyr," he admitted, blushing slightly.

"Oh, one more thing," he looked up at the dragonrider. "I'm pretty sure that fire-lizard just tried to lunch on my fingers, and now he's practically following me. Does he just want the meat?"

To prove his point, I'ke tossed the piece of meat to the fire-lizard hatchling, wondering if he would snap it up.

[C'nic]

C'nic placed, suddenly, I'ke's face and name in his memory. A fresh weyrling paired with Sonemeaith, if he wasn't mistaken. Sonameaith. The name had a fun way of tripping off the tongue. C'nic smiled at the younger rider, recalling his own weyrling days for a brief moment. The nostalgia factor there was surprising; it hadn't really been all that long ago, had it?

I am fully grown, Zrig interjected with sly humor. C'nic hadn't realized that his dragon had been paying attention to the conversation. True, he granted silently, the briefest of smiles playing around his lips. He refocused on I'ke. "Now you're a rider, you'll see plenty of these," C'nic replied. "We've got quite our fair share of fairs," he said humorously, attempting a play on words.

"He wants meat, in general. Watch your fingers and feed him quickly, I'll help make sure you don't run out of food. It may seem hard to believe, but eventually he'll run out of room in that stomach of his. In this way, it's a lot like Impressing a very small dragon, which is basically what you're doing."

[Ja'ryns]

(Really dropped the ball on this one... lots of threads have suffered this fate. That being said - this fire-lizard clutch is still open. Just going to randomly assign I'ke and C'nic a fire-lizard)

[Ja'ryns]

(This is still open. I updated the first post to reflect the current status of the eggs. Please ignore C'nic and I'ke.)

[K'ter]

The rumbling of K'ter's stomach had brought the weyrling to the kitchen. He had been so distracted studying combat maneuvers, they were really fascinating, that he had been late to his last meal and only gotten the leftovers. It hadn't been quite enough, and when his thoughts turned towards sharing a bite of Superbiath's herdbeast, he decided that maybe he needed a snack. 

After, he had, of course, taken care of his dragon. 

His bronze always came first. 

He made his way into the kitchen, beelining over to where a pot of stew was usually kept. He filled a bowl, and then turned, the sounds of small movements catching his attention. Oh! Firelizards! The sight of them hatching didn't keep him from taking a bite of stew, if a bit messily, and he stepped closer.

How would you feel about a little friend?

Hmm. K'ter could feel his bronze thinking. That would be acceptable. He knew that the bronze meant that he should only attempt to impress a bronze or gold, but since it wasn't his firelizard, Superbiath would just have to deal with whatever color might find K'ter to their liking.

He wasn't picky. They were all adorable.

[Narrator]

No sooner had the lid been lifted from the steaming stew than three things happened. The two newborn siblings scuffled with kicks and wing slaps on top of each other in a race to see who could leap off the hearth first. While he ladled the soup into the bowl, he heard increasingly loud chirps and shrieks and from behind him felt an intense hunger presence. The siblings' scuffle revealed two more eggs but the ash that covered them gave no indication of their true size or distinctive markings.

And their mother took the opportunity to swoop down to steal a hot handful of drippy meat chunks. She'd steal it right from the cauldron if given a chance, but K'ter's soup bowl worked just as well. She preferred to stay away from humans but couldn't pass up the opportunity for a free snack.

***

K'ter turned around to see not one but two fire lizards leap at him. Maybe he had time for one or two spoonfuls before the maddened newborns sorted themselves out and pounced upon him. Their drying wings extended not in flight but spread-lizard so when they landed, all six limbs (well, twelve really) hit the hapless Weyrling at once. Eyes whirring red with their need for food, the aggressive creatures used him as a perch and did not care at least for the time being any pain they caused.

The bronze as the larger of the two turned out to be, attached himself with sharp claws to the Weyrling's shoulder. His tail and one wing tangled in K'ter's hair while his other wing flapped around for balance and his tail lashed too. The hatchling craned his neck across the boy's face and began to lap and lick the soup from his mouth and the spoon.

His smaller sister on the other hand had a more direct approach to the food. She leaped into the bowl itself. But the hot liquid burned her still tender hide and she began to shriek in terror, which made her brother cry out in distress as well. Unfortunately, her instinct when confronted with pain was to go between. She disappeared before K'ter's eyes for a horrifying moment, but the pull of that succulent smelling foodstuff turned into the focus that was enough for the little one to in a rush of frigid air return - a few inches above the soup bowl. She fluttered her damp, ice-crystal-coated wings in a few awkward flaps and then flopped down onto K'ter's arm.

Beautiful maneuver aside, the green apparently hadn't learned her "that's too hot" lesson. No sooner had she found purchase on the tender flesh than she flattened herself against his forearm, and began to stretch out as she sought to go after the soup again...