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Post by summerrain on Dec 7, 2013 8:52:33 GMT -8
They were ready. Her eggs were finally Hatching! Renae stepped back from the eggs, giving them room to hatch.
Ymaara, the eggs are hatching!
Ymaara was near the Wallows already, and she made her way there. But, before she could, she felt something strange. Something was wrong with one of the Hatchlings! Ymaara ran in, and the deed was already done. In the sand laid the motionless form of a Panther Gryphon. A Wingless Hatchling. The black form still had a look of surprise on her face. After all, the little one couldn't have known why she had been attacked. Ymaara sighed and began to pull the body away from the rest of the hatchlings. The two eggs rescued from the ship were still unHatched, but they were moving around well. And then the larger of the two finally broke open and revealed a white Gryphon, causing Ymaara's eyes to widen and her face to light up.
And then the other egg hatched. A brown, but much larger than the Timberwolf. Ymaara stood by Renae's side, smiling. Despite the one Wingless, this was a good Clutch. All had Hatched now, in an array of colors, including a Tiger and a Redfox. Those two were playing together, trying not to hurt the other with their claws as they rolled around in the sand.
"We should call them now," Ymaara told Renae.
UnBonded Trainees, it is time! Renae broadcasted.
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Post by Lynn on Dec 7, 2013 16:19:09 GMT -8
Quiera was studying when she heard it, the unfamiliar voice in her mind. Her eyes rose, their pale depths startled and excited. Her two Yandorei rose as she did, the little Queen settling to her shoulder and the Garnet darting around her. She still had her Sunstaff with her as she padded to the Wallows, due to the need to keep the sunlight away from her hypersensitive skin, the topaz glowing ever so faintly with the magic shimmering in it. The albino stopped just outside of it, hesitating as she remembered what they'd been told about how the Gryphon Hatchings worked. Taking a deep breath, she reached ever so gently for Renae's mind.
I'm here... What am I to do?
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Post by Ivaii on Jan 13, 2014 19:30:40 GMT -8
Zakaa lifted his head as he heard the call from the RedWolf gryphon bonded to Ymaara. A small smile twitched on his lips and he dropped out of the tree had been taking post in, moving along the jungle floor silently. It didn't take him long to reach the Sand Wallow, walking into the area and giving a faint bow to Renae before smiling at Ymaara. "We were called, I see the eggs are hatched. Any casualties?" he questioned, straightening with his dagger gleaming on his belt. He had to have his weapon after all since he was patrolling. They couldn't afford to have more pirates find Shai, it was dangerous enough with the gryphons here. It was likely that they would have people looking for the gryphons, though it would take them a while to get here.
But he didn't have time to think about that now, not with the bonding so close. He peered around at the little creatures scuttling back and forth over the Sands, play fighting with each other and he couldn't help but smile softly. They were so young, but he knew they would grow up quickly. It was what they had learned after all.
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Post by summerrain on Jan 14, 2014 11:53:25 GMT -8
Al made his way quickly to the Wallows, dressed simply in an outfit of white shirt and brown trousers. He stood at the back of the gathered Trainees, noticing that a few of the younger ones looked a bit nervous, but excited at the same time.
"There was one Wingless," Ymaara told Zakaa with a slow nod. "However, given how long we were held captive, that is a very good sign. And as you can see, the others are very energetic." She smiled. "There's even an Arcticfox and an Africandog. That makes a total of eight Gryphon hatchlings." She turned to Renae, who nodded.
"Before you enter, there is something you must know." Ymaara made sure she had the full attention of each and every Trainee before continuing. "Nine eggs, eight hatchlings. When a Wingless Gryphon is born, they are swiftly killed by the mother, or sometimes its own clutchsiblings." She noted the looks on each person's face. "Rarely does a Wingless survive past the first few months of life anyway, even when Bonded. A Wingless simply does not have the necessary abilities to survive. However, it has already been taken care of." She smiled again.
"Now, enter, Trainees, and may luck be on your side this day!"
Aldric didn't understand the difference between the names, assuming that they were for colors as the Dragons names were. But he stepped inside and saw it immediately. The white one was so big compared to the others, and the tiny brown one was obviously the smallest. Along with those, there were two black ones about the same size, one that was orange and black, a red one that looked almost like the mother, and another brown one that looked more canine than the smaller brown one. The smallest one seemed more feline to him. Hm... Would one of them pick him, or would he be stuck waiting? And what about the others? He was curious, excited. This was so different from the dragon hatchings.
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Post by Lynn on Jan 15, 2014 12:48:48 GMT -8
Quiera listened carefully, saddened by the inacceptance of the Wingless, but understanding at the same time when it was explained they rarely survived. She then hesitated, recalling that her magic being in action had been commented on before and glancing at her Sunstaff. Taking a deep breath, she set it aside, immediately feeling the fading of the protective magic and moving inside the Wallows, sliding into the shadows as quickly as possible, pulling out a pair of darkened spectacles to aid in keeping the sun from hypersensitive eyes and watching the Hatchlings curiously. Would she, the failed Dragon hopeful, become a Gryphonrider this day? Or would she once more be left unBonded by one of the magnificent creatures? She could only hope, her mind adjusting the thoughts running through it. She could not allow uncertainty and insecurity, for she was sure that would only drive the hatchlings away.
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Post by Ivaii on Jan 17, 2014 12:43:43 GMT -8
Zakaa sighed slightly at the reveal of the wingless gryphon, but he knew that was how it went. There were dragons born that way as well, and it was less messy if the clutch mother killed it before someone got attached to the little one and had to suffer through losing a lifemate. He shook his head and turned his head to regard Blaze, the drakkat having padded over to the dark skinned spy and running his head over his leg.
I will wait here while you go in there, Zakaa. That way the gryphons will not feel any desire to eat me, he said, his amusement coloring the tone that danced through Zakaa’s head.
A low chuckle escaped the man despite himself and he bent down to scratch behind the being’s horns. “As you wish, Blaze. Stay out of other trouble though,” he said, smirking at the mischievous creature before he straightened and watched him run off. He turned back to Ymaara and nodded slightly, mentally preparing himself to walk into the Wallows where the gryphon chicks – pups? Kittens? No, definitely chicks – were waiting.
He walked inside with the rest of the Trainees, his eyes dancing across the expanse of sand spread out before them. Every detail was stored away in this moment, his mind was whirling and trying to figure out how this type of bonding would work. There was a reason that gryphons hadn’t been seen on Shai in years – even if he didn’t hail from this kingdom himself he had done his history research in the past days using the library available to him. This was certainly going to be interesting.
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Post by summerrain on Jan 17, 2014 13:49:36 GMT -8
The two black Gryphons, one feline and the other canine, turned toward the young ones who entered. The feline one stopped to look at each individual, usually with a tilted head, before moving on to the next. The black canine Gryphon simply walked slowly past the front row.
"That one is a Panther, and her sister a Blackwolf," Ymaara informed the Trainees. Occasionally, she felt their minds brushing up against hers, as the hatchlings realized that she was the one Bonded to their mother. The Panther and Blackwolf passed by her without a second glance. Then the Blackwolf stopped in front of a smaller girl, sitting down at the child's feet. The girl's eyes lit up, and she got on her knees and embraced the Blackwolf.
"Her name's Amilae," the girl announced. Ymaara nodded and the new pair left the Wallow. She smiled, and Renae radiated happiness. The first Bonded pair, the first Fledgelings. And now the rest.
The Panther watched as the Blackwolf trotted away with her Bonded, feeling a bit left out. She walked toward the wall and seemed to disappear into the shadows.
Meanwhile, the red one and the orange-and-black one were busy playing.
"Tiger and Redfox," Ymaara informed them.
The Tiger was obviously larger than the rest of the ones that had been from Renae's eggs, but was smaller still than the white one. It had a more feminine build than the Redfox, but he didn't seem to care. The smaller brown ones, Timberwolf and Couger, also joined in on the fun, jumping on top of the Tiger and Redfox, causing them to spill onto the sands. The dissolved in what appeared to be a fit of laughter, just laying there while they caught their breath.
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Post by Lynn on Jan 18, 2014 6:28:37 GMT -8
Quiera watched them all curiously, listening intently to the names and nodding to herself as she stored them in her memory. They made sense, she thought, her gaze tracking the dark pair as they walked in front of the others. Then, the canine-one-the Blckwolf?-chose one of her fellows and she smiled, happy for the young woman. She noted the seemingly dejected look to the Panther as it moved into the shadows and had to resist the urge to go to it, worrying her lower lip.
Then the four chicks all pounced one another, and she chuckled softly as they seemed to start laughing. They were certainly enjoying themselves, she thought mildly, her gaze going to the massive white one, which hadn't moved just yet, her curiosity tweaked by it. What was that one's hue name? she wondered, then recalled Ymaara's seeming to be thrilled by the presence of one she'd named an... Arcticfox? Was that what the white one was?
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Post by Ivaii on Jan 19, 2014 21:56:27 GMT -8
Zakaa watched with a pleased smile as one of the Trainees was taken out of the Wallows with their new lifemate. It was good to know that the people of Shai were capable of forming a bond with the Gryphons, it meant that they wouldn’t be running around as wild creatures like some of the dragons that couldn’t find the right connection. His eyes trailed back over the creatures on the sands, noting that the white one stayed off to the side with the vulpine tail tucked neatly around her. It was most certainly female after all, she carried herself in a female fashion and was shaped as such.
Said white gryphon eventually rose, bypassing her siblings to regard the candidates that were gathered around them. Her paws sank into the sand but her talons kept her on top of it as she strolled across it, for all the world looking like she owned the place. Golden eyes scanned over the group gathered there, the hissing of sand falling the only sound that came from her direction. There was much to be decided before she picked her one, the rest of the clutch had to be sure of their own first. Though she did eye one Trainee, that one was favorable.
Now the brown gryphon was different. He’d been romping with his brothers before the siren call of a mind lured him to break away from the play fight. His ears cocked to the side slightly and he turned, following the sound before moving closer to the Trainees and pausing to listen again. Now whom was that siren call coming from. Her? No, much to gentle of a voice. Him perhaps. But no, that one was also wrong. The king was frustrated, his claws sinking into the sand as his wings flared in annoyance and his feathers ruffled. All of these minds sounded wrong, but he knew that he – for certainly the mind belonged to a male – was there in the crowd. He only had to find him.
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Post by summerrain on Jan 20, 2014 6:43:42 GMT -8
Seeing movement from the largest of them, the other four who'd been playing around untangled themselves and began scanning the Trainees as they searched the minds. The Panther ventured from the shadows and stopped in front of a young boy. After examining him for a moment, the Panther sat back on her haunches before him. Ymaara nodded, smiling, even before the boy announced the name of his new lifemate.
"She's Karamae," he told her as he left the Wallows. And Aldric's line of sight to the events happening below was finally cleared. But that wasn't the end of it.
The Redfox and the Timberwolf appeared to have their eyes on the same person. The Redfox snarled, and the Timberwolf, being smaller and non-confrontational, backed down without a fight. The Redfox stopped in front of Zakaa.
Thankfully, he knew better than to come after you. He sat back on his haunches, the signal for a successful Bonding. I am Dratorae, and I couldn't let my brother have you. Zakaa, you are mine!
The Tiger wasn't as sure as her brother and sister, and the Timberwolf and the other brown, the Couger, stuck together this time. But the Tiger quickened her step, watching the girls. For the one she was looking for was in there somewhere. And the two small brown ones were over by the boys, and the younger ones at that. But none of them showed the signs of Bonding. Not yet, anyway.
Name: Dratorae
Rank: RedFox - 9e0000
Gender: male
Basics: Dratorae is smaller than his Tiger sister, but does not let himself be forgotten. He is outspoken and vocal, but tends to get easily irritated. He doesn't like showing negative emotions to anyone besides his Bonded though. He can be quiet when he wants to be, but that skill will take some practice.
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Post by Lynn on Jan 20, 2014 18:07:53 GMT -8
So they already had names, unlike the dragons, she thought, continuing to watch them as they played and chose. When the Arcticfox moved, her attention centered on her, curiosity tinging her pink gaze behind the shaded spectacles. She moved as an empress would among her people, dignified and assured, and that made Quiera wonder even more. Among the dragons, there was no "Royalty" so to speak, they earned their place among their fellows. There might be hues which were rarer, but that meant nothing. Here though, she was seeing a certain ranking system coming into play, and it made her curious about where all of the colors stood. Shifting slightly in the shadows, she adjusted how she stood so she could better see all of the remaining chicks. When the big red one chose Zakaa, she inclined her head, somehow unsurprised, and interested in how the other one, the brownish hued one, had backed down when his Gryphon had snarled at it.
Yes, there were definitely ranks here, but how were they decided? Size, or something else, some innate knowledge of where one stood among their fellows?
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Post by Ivaii on Jan 21, 2014 10:29:55 GMT -8
Thankfully, he knew better than to come after you. He sat back on his haunches, the signal for a successful Bonding. I am Dratorae, and I couldn't let my brother have you. Zakaa, you are mine!
Zakaa turned his head to look down at the gryphon, mildly surprised to be chosen by the Redfox. "Well, it's good to meet you Dratorae," he said, smiling in amusement as he felt the mental link being solidified. "You could have been a bit nicer about scaring off your brother though," he said.
Why would I worry about that? You are mine and he should have seen it, came the easy response.
He chuckled and shook his head gently. "Alright," he answered, crouching slightly to run his fingers across the feathers near the being's beak.
The Articfox turned her head to watch as the others were picking out their life mates, chirring slightly in contemplation before she looked back at the Trainees there. Spying her Africandog brother eying one of the girls she growled at him before stalking forward. This one was Hers and that one would have to get over himself. She approached Quiera and looked up at the girl before sitting back on her haunches with her wings fluttering at her sides. I am Brenichae, Quiera, and you are mine. My brother contemplated you but you are fitting more of a Queen than a King, the Articfox declared while curling her tail about her hind legs.
Name: Brenichae
Rank: ArticFox - f0eace
Gender: Female
Basics: Brenichae is the largest of her clutch siblings and gives off a regal air no matter how she may appear at the moment. Her feathers are a silvery color, darker than her fur but they blend nicely. Her tail poofs and gives off every appearance of being a fox. She is determined in spirit and well aware that she is a Queen, and also knows quite well that the other gryphons will listen to her without question and refuses to abuse that power.
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Post by summerrain on Jan 21, 2014 12:35:28 GMT -8
Al narrowed his eyes when the Gryphons snapped at the ones that were smaller. So there was an order of sorts here. Maybe it was like a pack mentality... Like with wild canines. There's the leader or leading pair, and even the pups know who is who's kid. Maybe it's the same type of thing. The large white one and the large brown one had different parents than the others, after all. Maybe the different parents was the trigger.
There were only a few left on the Wallows. The Tiger and the two little brown ones, and the large brown. The Tiger was obviously contemplating the females, while the two small brown ones seemed to prefer to stick together. The two brown ones went for a pair of brothers. The Cougar and Timberwolf had a quick, chirping discussion, and then they picked their Bondeds. The Timberwolf picked the older brother, while the Cougar preferred the younger.
"Prilae, of course," the older brother said.
"Family is forever, Chibae," said the younger. The four of them made their way off the Wallows.
Ymaara smiled at Zakaa and Datorae, stepping out as well now that most of the hatchlings had Bonded. "Congratulations to you all," she said, looking over at Quiera for a moment. "From today on, you are the Fledgelings of East Hall. The first Fledgelings of this land in generations. But, right now, I am sure your new Lifemates are famished. Inside these buckets are cubes of raw meat. Just make sure the Gryphons do not eat too fast."
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Post by Lynn on Jan 21, 2014 12:46:29 GMT -8
She continued to merely watch, calm and quiet in the shadows, her eyes taking in everything and her quick, curious mind processing it. She freely admitted she could be very nosey at times, and now was one of those. She'd been unable to really question Ymaara and Renae due to the eggs being present, so now she was trying to take in as much as possible. The Arcticfox was moving again, this she could tell, and the low snarl in the direction of the other larger one made Quiera cock her head slightly. So this white one was apparently the highest ranked, as all of the others seemed to be giving her some deference. Interesting. Then she truly took note of where the large female was heading and blinked, a bit surprised when the Arcticfox seated herself in front of her.
I am Brenichae, Quiera, and you are mine. My brother contemplated you but you are fitting more of a Queen than a King.
The voice was regal, calm and a little bit cool, and Quiera blinked again, her head cocking ever so faintly in surprised curiosity. "Queen?" she said, even as she kneeled down before Brenichae and stroked the downy feathers. The Gryphon merely chirred lightly in reply, eyes half-closing at the petting, then nudged Quiera. Her hunger was apparent, and the girl rose, gently but firmly urging her new lifemate to move a bit faster through the sunlight, feeling it burn faintly on her skin.
The skylight hurts you. Why is this? Brenichae inquired curiously as Quiera seated herself and moved to feed her, again in the shadows. She didn't dare go for her Sunstaff yet, and she had no protective Runes with her either.
"It is just how I was born. Normally, my magic keeps it at bay, but it was hinted I was not allowed to bring magic with me when around you and your siblings," the albino explained, and Brenichae considered that, even as she delicately took another of the cubes of meat from her hands and gulped it down.
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Post by Ivaii on Jan 21, 2014 13:00:33 GMT -8
The large brown Africandog backed off as his sister claimed the girl he had been moving towards originally but he didn't mind it so much. That mind that called to him was most definitely male and he turned his head to regard the last males on the sands. His eyes settled on the boy and he padded towards him calmly. Al, you show the proper qualities of a leader. I am Havochae, he said, sitting back on his haunches.
Name: Havochae
Rank: Africandog - cb561c
Gender: Male
Basics: He is large, but not as large as his Arcticfox clutch sister. Still, he has a leader air about him that commands respect from all but the Queen and her rider. He is duty bound and will do what is needed of him no matter what it is. His feathers are a ruddy brown with highlights of a light red, blending into the darker brown of his fur and tail.
Zakaa returned Ymaara's smile before stepping off to the side with Dratorae and beginning to feed the Gryphon. "What is the ranking among your kind, Dratorae?" he asked, finding that he didn't actually know. He could guess at it, but that was all.
The ranks are simple. I am middle class, along with my tiger sister. The Arcticfox is a Queen, the Africandog is a King, then there is me and the Tiger, followed by the others. Royals, nobles, and commoners, he responded, taking the cubes of meat and following the command to not eat it too fast. After all it wouldn't do to be ill on Hatching Day.
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