empty sea shells [tagged/kev]

[tovaana]

T2762 P10 T7 M1
Spitter Hatching

Muze :: Green Rylath

Her breathing came out deeply and awkwardly, just as awkwardly as she felt as she juggled her fishing gear and small crate that held her new prized possession. Even if the spitter egg was from her brother, or maybe because it was from her brother- it gave her feel mixed feelings about her little treasure… she was definitely excited, because it was a new pet (a rare sea pet!). Muze was also annoyed that her brother had found something that would soften her, or butter her up even…and she tried to ignore the pleasure at the idea that he had thought of her, because there was a small part of her that had missed him, and she wondered if they could go back to how it had been…though that was also hard to imagine, especially since it was their new life that had started the rift in the first place.

She shifted the crate on her hip as she went, the fishing net in her other arm. She grinned to herself as she went, glancing at the crate, thinking about how Tak’ril had shown her his Spitter egg many days prior. She had been jealous, but also excited for him, but now there was no need for jealousy and she could show him her own spitter egg!

It’d been a day since she’d joined Tak’ril in their morning fishing ventures (since she had spent most of her free time detangling and re-knotting her fishing net the past day or two). Sometimes they had things to say, but mostly it was the company and comfortable silence that they allowed… and it was… calming – something steady in her relatively new life as a dragon rider. She had spent mornings on her own at the beach before she’d discovered Tak’ril’s company, but after she had – she decided that she would rather his quiet company (but allowing them both a day of solitude one or two days of the seven-days – as  she was mostly afraid he would get sick of her). He never told her to go away, and she simply assumed he would tell her or indicate somehow that he tired of her company, which he hadn’t, at least not yet. So, she took advantage of it, and it allowed her an anchor to her past life while she transitioned into her new life as a green rider.

“Tak! Look!” At some point she had gotten comfortable enough to shorten his name, though she was unconscious of it. She let her other gear tumble from her arms as she collapsed in a heap next to her friend with the crate in her lap. A grin spread nearly ear to ear. “I got one too! I got a spitter egg!” She used a hushed voice, the soft tones that they both used in the quiet morning since they both didn’t need to raise their voices in the bay, and didn’t want to frighten the fish.

She wiggled in the damp cool sand and looked up at Tak’ril. Her juvenile excitement was hard to contain, though usually she felt herself acting more ‘mature’ around her fishing companion. Coyli popped in and sat on her shoulder, eying Tak’ril nervously- but most of the pale green’s attention was on the crate that had spent time warmed by the fires. “Why, Coyli! Nice to see you.” She whispered, surprised, and glanced at Tak’ril with wide eyes. She froze, afraid her very movement would scare her flit away in the presence of another. She smiled softly at her coy creature and glanced at Tak’ril – though he wouldn’t be bothered by the flit, she knew he hadn’t met her yet… her flit was extremely shy. It made her wonder how many mornings her flit had watched them at dawn, getting used to the idea of Tak’ril, much like she had finally gotten used to V’than after a long while.

kevna

[kevna]

Tak'ril - Bronze Aguryth

Tak’ril looked at the little egg in the bucket sideways. It could be his imagination, but he could swear it had moved a little. He had been pleasantly surprised when he had been given the opportunity for one of the Seaspitter eggs. He had created a little swimming hole for the spitter next to his bunk. It was a simple thing, made out of wood, and easy to disassemble for when he moved. It wasn’t very big...Maybe he could have something a little fancier once he and Aggy got their weyr. It would do for now.

He reeled another fish in, pleasantly surprised to find a whitefish on the end of the line. He could give it to Muze if she ended up showing up this morning. She normally did, though sometimes she didn’t. Probably when she was fed up with him. Or busy. He was getting used to her presence. She was pleasantly quiet most of the time, and he was content with their companionable silences. When they did converse, he still blundered, but either she was getting used to it, or she was quick to forgive. He wasn’t sure of which, girls were still too confusing to read. Either way, it made her a good companion.

The young man was looking out at the water, leaning back against Agureyth’s tail, his mind wandering from Muze to his duties he would attend to later that day. He and Aggy would exchange silent conversation every now and then, but the bronze was content to let Tak’ril’s mind wander as he too looked out at the water. Then briefly his mind wandered to Joia, wondering what she was up to, how she was doing-when suddenly the sound of Muze’s voice got his attention, and brought his mind back to the present. He looked over his shoulder just in time to see Muze collapse next to him-how he hadn’t heard her approach with her arms full was beyond him. One of her spears made as if to roll away from them, and Tak caught it and placed it back with the rest of her haphazard gear before turning his full attention back on the small girl. Woman? She seemed much younger with her obvious excitement, more boisterous then normal.

His eyes widened, as did his welcoming smile, when he saw what his small friend was talking about. Another seaspitter egg! “That’s great!” He said softly, his voice volume matching hers, just as Agureyth moved to look, his head looming over both of them so he could see her small bundle.

Good morning mine’s friend. Agureyth didn’t often speak to others, in fact it was a rarity he reserved for a select few, like Joia, V’than, and then more recently, Muze. Tak’ril decided it must have something to do with those he trusted, his bonded trusted as well. You have bundled that quite well. Aggy’s approval was apparent, as was his like for the girl. Tak’ril opened his mouth to ask if Srunae had given it to her when suddenly out popped a green firelizard.

“Hello there.” He said, his tone unchanging, and completely oblivious to Muze’s surprise. He hadn’t seen the green up close, but she had talked about the firelizard enough. He picked up one of the smaller fish he had caught, and offering the firelizard the tidbit. He moved slow out of habit when coming to any creature one didn’t know, still oblivious to the rare honor this was. “It’s nice to finally meet you. Would you like a fish?” He saw more firelizards now then he had back home, but it was always a treat to see them up close.

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

“Oh, how rude of me. Hey Agureyth!” She grinned up at the looming head, thinking the dragon had surely gotten larger from just the last time she’d come out to the bay. Her grin spread wider, if possible, feeling warm at the dragon’s compliment. “Thank you.” Her shoulders lifted as if her joy could do nothing but rise from her.

The flit on her shoulder clung on as Muze moved in her excitement, though Muze tried to keep still when she remembered the pale thing was there. She glanced at Tak’ril and then at her flit that made no move to take the fish, she just eyed Tak’ril cautiously. Muze was holding her breath, but let it out slowly when she realized what she was doing. Finally after a few long torturous moments, the flit cautiously took the fish, but then dropped it into Muze’s crate with the Seaspitter egg.

“Well, that’s kind of you… both of you.” She glanced at Tak’ril with a grateful smile. She didn’t think much about Coyli’s gift to the unhatched egg, instead lifting her excited gaze to the fisher bronze rider, though her expressions calmed down a little when she thought of her brother. “Vavi gave me the egg yesterday, and the whole time since I could only think how our spitters will have to be friends. What color do you think it is? Did you see any of the other eggs? It looks like our eggs are about the same size, but I don’t know if size would tell us differently. What do you think? Brown? Blue? Green? I don’t think bronze is likely, and definitely not gold – gold eggs are supposed to be shimmery-like right? Oh sorry, I’m rambling.” She took a deep giddy breath, her cheeks heating up when she realized what she’d been doing. You are just excited, Muzemine. It is very exciting when eggs hatch. She smiled a little at her green’s voice that seemed to pop in randomly – but Muze was getting used to the constant connection in her mind, it was almost like a blanket on a cold day. Then she realized what her green had said... 'But it's not hatching quite yet.' No, I suppose not quite yet... The voice trailed off uncertainly, not wanting to argue with her rider on the subject. 

While she’d been rambling on so, there was movement in her crate, though she’d been too distracted to notice it. It wasn’t until her green started to hum that she glanced from her green to her crate, her mouth opening… But… she had just gotten her egg. She supposed Tak had had his for a while… so perhaps V’than had just taken a while to get the gift to her? She was speechless. “You don’t think… is yours?” She asked, glancing at his bundle.

[kevna]

Tak’ril - Bronze Agureyth

The longer he sat there waiting for the green to take the fish, the more he realized just how shy she must be. He hadn’t known that firelizards wouldn’t warm to a snack immediately. When she finally, tentatively took the morsel, he was further shocked when the green plopped it into the bucket. Very weird. He looked at the basket blankly for a moment, then his eyes moved to Muze as she thanked them, him and Coyli, for the offering. “Uh, your welcome.” He offered lamely, still trying to figure the little one out.

She is being motherly, helping her bonded take care of the egg.

But it can’t eat it.

Not yet. His bronze said simply, and Tak’ril glanced as the bronze settled in close to them, offering his side for both he and muze to lean on. He shifted so he could feel the bronze at his back, looking at his egg, which had shifted from the position he had placed it in. He was replacing it, and the padding around it when Muze started her rant. He blinked as a rush of words came flowing out of his normally quieter friend, and he scratched his head, trying to keep track of all the questions. The obvious flush to her cheeks, and quick words all reminded him again how young Muze was. Normally she was such an old soul, and it was refreshing to see the youth still clung to her, invigorating her.

He gave her one of his small, quirked smiles, shaking his head. “No worries, it is oftly new and excitin.” He said, then started with the first question he remembered. “I didna see the other eggs, though these do seem awfully small, maybe we got blues or greens? Are dragon eggs like seaspitter eggs? If so, I would say they would look similar, the gold I mean...” He shrugged, unsure. He was surprised V’than had only just gifted the egg, especially since his had been having small movements for a couple of days now.

When Coyli hummed, Tak’ril’s mouth opened, and he lost all good sense, forgetting everything he had been told about firelizards hatching. His egg was rocking back and forth with violence. “Shards, It is, what do-well-“ then remembering he grabbed his knife, and with quick, smooth movements gutted some of the larger fish and sliced them into eating strips, passing half to Muze just as his started to crack. Agureyth was amused, as usual, by his bonded’s fumbling, and joined in with Coyli, humming pleasantly.

Come little distant cousins. He offered for all to hear, and a pale green, so pale it almost looked white, flippered get popped out of Tak’ril’s egg. Almost immediately he noted the sounds of chittering and trilling, as the excited little one went about, leg by leg, breaking out. Tak’ril looked at Muze’s egg, not bothering to hide his anxiety about the whole ordeal.

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

It didn’t seem to matter that she was a dragon rider, dragons still inspired awe in her – especially the larger ones. Tak’ril’s bronze was no exception and she felt a little breathless as he settled behind her and she grinned as she erased the distance between her and the dragon to accept the back rest – though she didn’t stay in the resting position. She was too excited and spent more time leaning forward.

Blues or greens? She tried to decide if she cared. She didn’t have a blue – not a pet or dragon. While she still struggled with her new identity as a green rider, perhaps she wanted another green. Still, she couldn’t make herself believe she really cared one way or the other, especially as the eggs were cracking. Muze could feel the lower vibrations of Agureyth’s humming through the ground, and then Coyli was on her shoulder – the higher vibrations making her shiver at the tickling sensation.

She felt frozen, watching the sliver sized cracks grow longer and spread, totally entranced by the hatching. There was something she was supposed to be doing, but she couldn’t seem to remember until Tak’ril handed her a piece of fish. Oh. Duh. At least Tak’ril had enough sense. She took the white-fish from the crate to create room for the hatchling as the egg fell apart to reveal dark and pale green colors on the strangest little creature. She was beautiful.

Muze was vaguely aware that Tak’ril’s had also hatched and she glanced over briefly at the chittering that wasn’t coming from her own. Though, hers was making enough noises for both of them, to make her giggle a little, feeling breathless. She’s hungry, Muzemine. Her dragon kindly reminded her and she felt like kicking herself as she fumbled for the fish that Tak’ril had sliced for her. She went to hold out the piece of fish, and the quick movement of the flit had Muze hesitating and flinching away – and the striped green missed the fish morsel and sharp hatchling teeth sliced her fingers. “Shards!” She gasped, clenching her hand to hide the blood – trying to ignore the pain as she started feeding the spitter with her other hand until she felt the tendrils of a new consciousness attach to her own…

Even with the pain in her hand, the blood she could feel in her hand, she felt giddy. “Wow.” She breathed, and finally glanced over to see how Tak’ril was doing with his – he’d gotten a green too!

kevna

[kevna]

Tak’ril – Bronze Agureyth – Green Packtail

The trilling and chittering spiked into a bugle as it completely emerged from her shell, excited to be free. She continued making bright noises, as she explored, moving closer to Tak’ril as she noticed the meat he held limply in his hands. Tak’ril felt a little dumb, staring at the gorgeous pale green spitter, her wings dark, with leafy embellishments.

If you don’t feed her willingly, she may just take it. Agureyth warned, amusement laced his tone, getting his large bronze head closer to the spectacle. Tak’ril blinked, moving his hand just in time to avoid the spitter leaping at the food. The green growled at him, but before it could disappear on him he tossed the fish at her. She caught it speedily, swallowing it whole with a quickness that belied her size. He had the next piece better prepared for the green, and the piece she wanted soon after that. He had to be on top of it, and so he was only vaguely aware when Muze swore.

The awareness of the green spitter came slowly, and he tried reaching out a hand to her, though she avoided him with a deftness, until he lured her into his lap with food. Shards but she could eat. All the while, as she stuffed her gullet full, she made loud noises, as if enjoying the sound of her own voice. Tak’ril was able to glance once or twice at Muze, noting her own green striped spitter, striking.

“Loud one, isn’t she?" He murmured, chuckling quietly. Agureyth grumbled in agreement, though he didn’t sound nearly as amused now, but more annoyed. What will you name her? Clarion? Tak’ril through a crooked smile at his bonded, rolling his eyes at him. “Right, a name. A name...” He muttered, dumbfounded. Agureyth had already been named out of the shell, doing the hardest part for him. He had never named anything, nor expected ever getting to name anything. He looked to Muze. Women always named the children, right? They also seemed to always be naming things.. 

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

The sound crescendoed and the air filled with newborn spitters - were all spitters so loud? Muze’s green just made talking noises, turning to Coyli, then Aggy, Tak’ril, to all of them in turn, telling each a story through a mouthful of fish. “It’s not polite to talk while you chew.” She giggled, shaking her head and glancing at Tak’ril’s new green. “She’s so pretty.” Her eyes traced the leafy patterns on the damp hide. Distracted, she almost got bit again, but she was quicker as the movement in the corner of her eye made a grab for the most recent slice of fish.

“They definitely have something to say!” She agreed, shaking her head a little. Her hand went out to touch the soft hide, a bit different than flits. “Clarion seems fitting!” She smiled, her attention still on her own spitter, even though she knew they had been talking about their own ‘musical’ spitter, and at the same time forgetting to hide her bleeding hand.

A name? Her lips twisted in thought. The spitter’s tail folded around in on itself and the twisting stripes reminded her of piles of seaweed on the beach. “I think I’ll name mine Seaweed.” And presence that was sliding into her mind seemed to perk up at this and looked at her, chirping and twisting around in a circle excitedly. “Do you like it?” She laughed and her bright eyes glanced up at Tak’ril. “What about yours?” And her eyes fell away from his face and down to his leafy spitter. Leaf…something? Nah…

[kevna]

Tak’ril – Bronze Agureyth – Green Packtail

The green he had been given was very unique looking, and he nodded a sort of thanks to the compliment Muze gave her, unsure if she was just commenting, or if she was actually talking to him. Then as an afterthought, he remembered Tasy getting after him. ‘Tak, I was fishing for a compliment, see I compliment you, then you compliment me. It’s supposed to be natural you dimglow.’ Right. “Yours too. Very pretty.” He noticed Muze having to avoid getting bit, leading his gaze to her carefully cradled hand. Had she gotten bit? Concern peaked in his mind, but feeding was taking too much attention, trying not to get bitten himself.

Agureyth grumbled in agreement, trying to decide how annoyed he was going to become at all the noise the two greens were making. A lot of noise for how little they are. He seemed to perk up with pride when Muze agreed that Clarion fit the green, but Tak’ril only adjusted his seat. Yes, I think so, right mine? “It’s a right name, just… a little… fancy.” He shrugged sheepishly. It wasn’t an easy word, Clarion. It definitely didn’t roll of the tongue, or at least not his tongue.

The naming of the spitter didn’t seem to dumbfound Muze at all, and the name came readily to her lips. Seaweed. He looked at her green, his hands empty of any more fish, and therefore safe. Well, safer. His green was poking around his hand, searching aggressively. Seaweed. What a fitting name. The spitter was green, and water-bound, just as seaweed was. It would flourish in the ocean. He looked to Muze’s bright smile as she asked him if he liked it, and he nodded. “Yeah, it’s right fittin for her, stripes and all.”

He itched his head as she directed the question to him, wishing she had suggested something… anything. He thought about the ocean and green things, and slowly stated in an almost questioning tone, “Packtail…” Then said as if defense for his own suggestion, “cause of the venom they spit, like the slime on the fish.” He felt more confident at his own suggestion suddenly. It made quite a bit of sense to him now.

His new green bonded only gave him a nonchalant glance at the mention of her new name. The food was gone, and even though the bond had formed in his mind, the interest in him had quickly waned. She moved out of his lap and out of reach, inching closer to Muze, and then with a quickness he hadn’t expected looked to snatch fish out of Muze’s hand.

“Shells-“ He swore, leaping forward to intercept.

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

“Thanks!” She said brightly, her attention constantly split.

She smiled, it was always enjoyable to witness the dynamics between a rider and dragon, especially Tak’ril and his bronze. She let it be, especially because she hadn’t meant to take Agureyth’s ‘side’ on the matter of the name.

“Of course it is.” And she flashed a smile a moment later, realizing how rude her words might have come off. But she didn’t want to feel like she needed anyone’s approval of her choices, nor that she might have enjoyed the wave of security that had come from his words. It was stupid, since she had asked the question after all.

“Packtail?” She echoed with disgust, because what fisher hadn’t been sliced at least once by the fish? Muze’s brown eyes side-eyed him skeptically while she listened to his defense, tossing Seaweed her next slice and readying the next one while still looking at Tak’ril. “Okay, okay… I see it.” A pause. “Packtail.”

She was still processing this terrible name and trying to think of something nice to say about it, when she caught sight of the darting form toward her. She squeaked and moved in time to save her finger, but the demon Packtail had hooked her teeth into the fish and for some reason Muze didn’t want to give up the fish and they played tug-a-war with the slice for a moment. “Hey, this isn’t yours!” But she was smiling, but yelped when something knocked her hand out of the way, she shook it as she watched Seaweed play tug-a-war with a feeling of play coming from her spitter… though she wasn’t sure the other spitter felt as excited about the game.

“Look, friends already!” She laughed, feeling lighter than she had in a long time.

[kevna]

Tak'ril - Bronze Agureyth - Green Packtail

But Rylath’s thinks it’s a good name, too. He dragon said somewhat heatedly, and Tak’ril tried to send soothing vibes. It is a good name, it’s just not a name that comes easily to me. Oh. Agureyth seemed to consider that and then accept it, turning his attention back to the very noisy spitters.

He was glad he had been so quick to explain, because Muze seemed to understand, though he wasn’t sure she agreed with his still. He felt a little defensive still; it’s not like she had offered a different name option, plus, now that he had given the green a name, he couldn’t go back on it. He wouldn't. It was a good name! He didn’t have time to think about it for long, as Packtail lunged for Muze.

The quickest thing he could reach was her tail, which he gripped, ready to pull her away from Muze. He was grateful to see Muze’s reaction had been quick enough, or so he desperately hoped, and their little tug of war looked ridiculous, and he fought between amusement and anxiety watching the battle, unsure what to do. Sure enough, Seaweed knocked the little green rider aside to take her place in the battle-errr, game? Packtail was ferocious, whipping her neck back and forth to dislodge the fish from the other green spitter, making noised that did not seem friendly or amused.

“Err, yeah. Friends.” He said, though his tone was laced with unsurety. Still, her laugh was a balm, she couldn’t be angry if she was laughing. He shifted closer to Muze, hands reaching for her wrists while he asked with concern. “Shards, I’m sorry Muze. She didn’t hurt you, did she?” He had some clean rags he used to oil his bronze in his bag, and he freed one of his hands so he could fish one out of the bag, and wrap it around Muze’s injured hand.

A sound not unlike a squawk emerged from his beast as the ‘game’ of tug of war came to an abrupt end, the fish breaking in half. His little beast rolled back harshly, the smaller half of the fish clutched in her jaws, and then suddenly gone. She was quick to get up, her eyes whirring red, looking first at Seaweed for a chance to reclaim the stolen food, and then to Muze, as if searching for more food. Tak shifted to put himself between her and his friend, and at the same time, Agureyth moved his head between them and the spitter. You shall not hurt mine or Rylath’s little cousin. 

The warning was very clear in the red whirring of Agureyth's own eyes. Packtail chittered nervously, as if denying she had even considered it, before hopping toward the water to see if she could find her own food, her eyes shifting every now and then away from the water, nervously back to Aggy.

“Great Faranth, I guess there is power in a name. I really am sorry, I'll work on her manners, I promise.” He growled, glaring in the direction of the spitter, who had started making noises of interest as she studied the gently lapping water and was looking as if she was about to throw herself in. The bond was in place, right? She would come back if she disappeared?

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

You’re hurt? The sudden proximity of Tak’ril, his attention, and the attention of her green that was suddenly winging from her perch and toward the bay, was overwhelming to say the least. She cradled her hand with the other and jerked away from the warmth and roughness of his hands. “I’m fine.” She rolled her eyes, trying to play it off. “She didn’t do it, it was mine – from earlier.” Muze went on, irritated at conflicting feelings of wanting him to help her and not wanting him to help her. I am coming Muzemine! And her cheeks flushed from embarrassment that she’d forgotten Rylath had also been worried. ‘I’m okay Rylath, really. It’s just a scratch.’ Rylath wasn’t convinced; she could feel their mental space get more sensitive as she came winging in. 

She flinched as the large bronze head came dipping between them and the spitters, Agureyth’s mental warning buzzing through the air like thunder rolling through the clouds. From her limited view, she saw and felt her playful little spitter chase after the other green and disappearing into the calm bay waters. ‘Be careful!’ She pushed through their new bond, hoping it would work. All she got in return was a playfulness and hunger. Then her attention turned to Tak’ril and his words. “Well, you could always change the name.” She teased with raised eyebrows.

Thank you Agureyth for protecting myMuze! She felt a strong gust of wind push over the bronze and sweep her hair toward the bay. The girl sighed, but smiled a little. “Well, that was exciting. She’s your first pet, right?”