Just Like The Old Days (Firelizard Eggs!)

And just in case!

Nessa was much better off than she'd started in this new place, but some experiences were always going to be quite out there for her. The rest of her slowly growing horde of friends had stayed at the Weyr aside from Teppei padding along beside her. Though he perked up with interest as they passed close by the person handing out eggs Maybe Miyazu and Aogami could use a friend? might keep Aogami from sleeping all day heh. The thought in her head from Teppei made Nessa blink but she turned toward where he was looking too "why? you don't like being the only one napping daily? heh the eggs do look pretty though". She stepped closer beside M'lona "hello sir? are you selling these?" smiling at K'reesh as she spoke "if no one's claimed the one next to I think that symbol means seven? I'd like to give whoever hatches from it a home". Below the table Teppei facepawed at his non human bonded.

Void had been happily told of the Firelizard eggs by Stella, their own Firelizard who had been eager for a companion of her own species for some time. They had been to Haven Village and the Weyr on a few occasions, and Void was always happy to explore and see new things; they were, after all, primarily interested in learning about anything and everything. As the pair approached the gathering of egg pots with someone sitting near them, Stella trilling in excitement as she perched on Voids shoulder, her strangely feathered wings flapping.

Void nodded their head down towards Khareesh, taking a moment to crouch down- though it appeared as though they just grew shorter, with the way their absence of light form was, it was difficult to see where body ended and limbs started. They blinked their bright starlight eyes, looking over the eggs curiously before turning to Stella. "Which do you feel is right?"

A simple question with a simple answer, and Void extended a hand-shaped void to motion at the Quirk of Quark Egg while Stella chirped happily. "I would like this egg, please."

---

Edrei yawned and stretched her arms over her head, wiping the tears from her eyes afterwards as she looked down at Skoenthuba, her Athid. His metallic segmented body made soft clanking noises as he moved, the caterpillar shaped body actually able to move at a healthy pace when he tried. Somehow he had become aware of a clutch of firelizard eggs up for grabs, and had convinced Edrei to get out of bed and go get one.

She didn't actually mind, of course, as she had actually been admiring the small draconic creatures for a while- they reminded her of the young dragons in Coerthas that she had actually helped from time to time. But- she couldn't help but to prod at Skoe and tease him a bit.

"M'shocked you are interested in the eggies, Skoe." She said, her voice teasing. "Not very ~magical~, eh?" She continued, chuckling when her bond rattled his segments together out of frusturation.

If you must know, I do find the idea of something growing in an egg quite magical, considering how I was created.

Edrei couldn't help but laugh, shrugging her shoulders. "Fair enough- ah, here we go." She said, stopping to grin at Khareesh as he greeted them, her eyes scanning over the remaining eggs.

"Mmh.. I'll take this one." She said, motioning to the Legionary Legend Egg.

Yo. Myth's greeting to Reli wasn't terribly dragon-like, but that was the attitude sometimes, with mottles.

"Of course!" Khareesh told M'lona. "Take the egg! I'm seeing all of Jhem's little consequences off to good homes."

The next to approach was Nessa. Again with the shyness! Khareesh waved to her to just take the egg pot. "Don't be so shy, my friend! Help yourself to an egg. You do me a favor in doing so."

At least High had the initiative to take an egg, although the running and secrecy was...not so necessary as all that. Little did High know that Teragaia had different terrors, but certainly not the ones from which they'd come.

Khareesh turned to the gentle tugging on his sleeve and found Wonder, and chuckled. "Of course, you may have an egg too, my friend." Khareesh handed down the indicated egg, charmed.

Void and Stella were next up, and Khareesh simply handed off the indicated egg pot. "Wise counsel, you have there," he observed of Stella, finding a jerky snack for the firelizard.

"That looks like a good egg," he said of Edrei's choice, seeing her off with the pot.

Jeremi, he told, "I have a good feeling about that egg. It's special, you'll see." And then to Mildred, "You...may wish you had chosen differently. No returns!"

Hello, rider of Rissinoth. I do hope that egg isn't copper. If it is I told K'reesh this was a bad idea and he didn't listen to me!

"Myth, my heart, you're being dramatic."

Khareesh leaned easily into Tide's presence when he felt her arm come over his shoulder and he laughed freely at the situation. "You came just in time to claim the last egg, my dear! Ah, exactly what I'd hoped. Ten eggs, ten worthy homes."

---

Alright alright, you all have your eggs! And ALL of little Jhem's eggs have found homes, this is ideal. Now to the fun part. The writing challenges that help me design your little lovelies more personally~


The night is dark and stormy, the night is cold and long.
Sleep escapes the weary mind, accepting shelter just seems wrong.
A howl, a scream, a cry, a keen, into the darkened gloam-
Just enough for you to know: you are not alone.

It's a dark and stormy night, and something appears! The specifics of the storm, and what appears, is up to you. Think of it like a mad-libs Pokemon-style encounter. A wild (fill in the blank) appears!

Void focused on keeping the etherial 'robes' around them solid, their firelizard Stella tucked into the front fold with her body and feathered wings wrapped tightly around the Quirk of Quark Egg to keep it warm. Somehow Void had managed to pick the worse possible night to take a flight with Cassiopeia, their Night Roc. They lay close to the back of Cassi, lightless 'fingers' gripping carefully to the feathers around her neck as the massive avian dodged a lightning bolt.

The sky had been clear only minutes ago before a crack of lighning shot through the suddenly appearing clouds, triggering a massive storm that was now downpouring on the group.

"Cassiopeia, can you find somewhere safe to land?" Void asked, their echoed voice almost torn away with the wind if it hadn't been for the connection between their minds.

Trying. She responded shortly, her wings twisting to angle them downwards and towards a rocky outcropping- they had been flying near mountains before the storm. Hold on! She warned before tucking her wings and diving quickly, opening them up again to soften the sudden skid-land, dirt and rocks kicked up by her talons.

Void went to respond before a roar from above caught his attention- a Blue Mottle dragon flew through the clouds above, twisting and twirling among the clouds as they shot their lightning breath into the sky, triggering another roll of thunder. They were safely at the entrance of a cave just big enough for Cassi to squeeze into, Void slipping from her back and holding the bundle of firelizard and egg carefully.

"Fascinating.." They said, voice trailing off as they watched the dragon fly further away, pulling the storm with them. Stella chirped angrily from the folds of his starry robe, her head now poking out as she mentally scolded the creature that hadn't even realized they were there.

---

Edrei shifted the load on her back- she had managed to strap the pot keeping the Legionary Legend Egg warm securely in her bag. She wasn't sure how long it would take for the egg to hatch and wanted to keep it close, just in case. The warmth radiated through the pot and bag, a constant reminder of the fragile life entrusted to her.

She was starting to regret not staying indoors that night as the rumble of distant thunder was coming closer- they were heading back home but they definitely wouldn't make it, and Edrei wasn't about to try and fly through a storm.

Tymbwaht strode alongside her, the massive volantil turning her head to look back at the storm approaching, a low growl coming from her every so often as if trying to fend off the storm. Edrei couldn't help but chuckle at it- there was a reason Tymb had her name, after all. Just as the Roe woman was about to comment on it a blur came from out of the dark forest near them and slammed against Tymbwahts arcane barrier- a flash of orange energy that made up the barrier appearing only for a moment as it instinctively warded from the attack. Edrei yelped, startled, and nearly fell over but was able to steady herself against Tymbs leg.

Behind! Tymbwaht said through her mind, audibly growling and snarling at whatever had attacked them, fur standing up on the back of her neck. Lightning cracked through the sky and lit up the silhouette of the Volantil- and the Rynther mother who had found the traveling group a bit too close for comfort.

Edrei saw a small cluster of smaller figures in the distance behind the mother, snorting and pawing at the ground as the naturally volatile creatures they were. She saw the mother lowering her head to charge them again, and Tymb was ready to launch an attack- but Edrei gripped her fur and tugged sharply. "Damn it all- Tymb, we don't have time for this!" She shouted over the wind, pulling herself up after using part of the Volantils leathering wing as a foothold. Once she was mostly on top of her bond she smacked her side with an urgent hand, urging her to move. "Quickly, before the storm gets worse or you get stabbed!" She shouted, Tymb hesitating for only a moment before leaping clear over the now charging Rynther and taking off towards home.

Mildred was out hiking, still a little steamed at the fact that Khareesh had given her a warning about her egg. She had known it wasn't a good idea to tag along with Jeremi! But noooo. Her cousin had to have his way and there she was. Stuck with an egg that had a no return policy. Her luck had never been exactly good and this only proved it further.

Thunder sounded off in the distance. A low rumble that made her feel like she was still perfectly fine. It wasn't loud and she hadn't even noticed the flash of lightning. She and the stupid egg she was carting around like some videogame critter were perfectly fine.

Till they weren't.

All of sudden the sky darkened and Mildred found herself soaked to the bone. She would never admit the sound that left her mouth was anything but a yell as she rushed to a rocky outcrop for shelter in between flashes of light. Water cascaded to the floor from her shirt hem as she grumbled to herself. Of course it had to rain why she was out hiking. Hadn't she learned nothing from her last hike?

At least this one didn't taste like strange chocolate milk.

Sighing, she turned on her heel to see if she could find an indent to make herself cozy and froze. She could see. While not blind by any means, the clouds had blocked out the light so completely that Mildred figured she would have to depend on lightning to make her way around till the storm moved on. That was quite the opposite case as the rocky wall had a thin, bright orange vein flowing along it, giving off cozy glow.

The frown that appeared on her face only deepened as she took a quick step back out into the rain and the glow completely disappeared. Under the rocky outcropping, it reappeared. "Great. Just what I needed. A magical light source that doesn't seem- What the hell?!" Now that was a yelp as the orange vein shifted and coiled up, a low hiss filling the air.

Mildred froze once more as the snake slowly took shape. The light made it hard to define shapes, but much like how the kirava could be identified as having a bat shape, this was most definitely a snake.

A clue as to what kind became apparent as a hood unfurled, the cobra watching her wearily as if it was weighing if it wanted to strike of not.

With an expert motion, Mildred's amethyst ring was turned around, the cool stone pressing against her palm. It would help against the poison...Somewhat. At least enough that she wouldn't die right away. Maybe. It took all of her focus not to attack and run.

It was dark outside and while not a math genius, Mildred knew her chances were better with the light cobra over the uneven terrain in the dark.

After what felt like forever, the hood lowered and the snake pressed itself back against the wall. For all intents and purposes looking like the strange glowing vein Mildred had first thought it was. All her breath left her lungs as she collapsed to the ground. Laughter bubbled up into her throat as she looked toward the ceiling.

Today was not her lucky day was it?

~*~*~*~

Jeremi watched the storm rage outside the window, a cup of tea warming his hands. It was late at night and he couldn't sleep. His mind simply wouldn't let him and when thunder had rattled the windows, he decided that hot tea sounded like the perfect solution.

Slipping out into the kitchen, he hadn't bothered turning on any of the bigger lights, preferring to work by the faint glow of the small nightlight he kept in the kitchen to keep people from stubbing their toes. Which made a cozy backdrop to watch the rain pelt the glass.

Just as he was thinking about moving into the living room to listen to it, a scream shattered the air. Jeremi started at the sound, dropping the mug, spilling tea all over the floor (only a miracle of the illogical field had kept the mug from shattering). That wasn't thunder!

Calling out to Kemori that he was going to go investigate, he grabbed his bag, forgetting as he hefted it over his shoulder, that the firelizard egg was still nestled instead, surrounded by a heat pack. It was only after he had stepped out into the rain, umbrella over his head and flashlight in hand that he realized the weight in his bag wasn't all due to his medical supplies.

It was too late now to go back. In Jeremi's mind, every second was now consider precious. Whoever or whatever had screamed could be hurt and he had to help. It didn't even cross his mind that between the rain and the fact that he had been inside when he heard the scream, he might not even find the source of that horrible sound.

Luck was on his side though as he all but tripped over what had made the scream. Scrapping along the ground, Jeremi had twisted to make sure his side without the bag too the fall. Letting out a groan, he sat up, blinking as the beam of the flashlight caught something shiny.

And whimpering.

It wasn't long before his hair was plastered to his face, a hand coming up to push it back away. Yep. That was a big old teapot. A big, shiny, silver teapot that was whimpering in the rain. Thank you illogical field for the heart attack.

Eyes scanned the object, taking in the scuffed up bottom and the dent along the lid. He didn't see any face, but it was clearly making sounds and it was also clearly in distress. "Hey there. Easy. It is going to be okay." Reaching out, Jeremi's fingers skimmed the surface of the teapot.

And the scream that broke out of it was enough to cause his ears to ring.

Okay. He deserved that one.

Taking a deep breath, he steeled his nerves and boldly picked up the teapot. The teapot screamed loud and long as Jeremi reached for the umbrella, teeth gritted against the pain in his ears. Tucking the umbrella against his side, he kept making soothing sounds at the teapot, hand rummaging in his bag.

Not really knowing if the teapot could hear him or not, Jeremi finally dug out what he had been looking for. The small hand towel was still warm from the heat packs as he wrapped it around the teapot, like a small babe. The screaming stopped then. As if the teapot realized that it was safe.

Or that it was about to be eaten and all the screaming in the world wasn't going to do it any good.

Jeremi didn't speak as he waited for some hearing to come back into his ears. Shifting slightly, he picked up the flashlight and stood up slowly, the teapot tucked into his side.

"There there. Everything will be okay. I don't know much about fixing up living teapots, but I'll see what can be done for you. And I'll take you to the local tea shop in town. Surely they will know the best person to make you as good as new again. For now though, I'll patch you and keep you safe. You have my promise on that."

~*~*~*~

Gertude looked up at the sky, worry gnawing on her mind as she patted the egg she had strapped to her chest. It hadn't taken her terribly long to figure out how to knit herself a baby-like egg carrier. But apparently it had been long enough for her to get caught in the storm.

And her without an umbrella.

She suppose she could always reach out to one of her companions and ask them to bring an umbrella, but no. That would put them out into this storm and she simply couldn't-

Crack!

Jumping at the sudden sound of thunder right by her ear, she pressed herself further against the wall. Maybe she should go back into the yarn shop and-

Gertude let out a yelp as she felt something against her legs. In the dark, she had missed Elizabeta slipping up to her, the fainting ringing of the bells she had placed in her fur that day drowned out by the constant rumble of thunder.

I does apologizes. I has no intentioned of scaring you. The perk of being able to use mindspeech was that Elizabeta could still hold the umbrella she had used on the way there in her mouth. I notices the storm and brings you a umbrella.

Silent laughter shook her shoulders as Gertude bent down to lean her forehead against Elizabeta's, very grateful for the thoughtful gesture. Thank you Elizabeta. I appreciate it. Here, let me carry that on the way home. What do you say to a spot of tea when we get back?

Oh! Teas sound nice. Yes, pleases. Handing over the umbrella, Elizabeta would stick close by Gertude's side as the pair made their way home. Oh yes. Tea sounded wonderful indeed.

~*~*~*~

Tide blinked into the storm, pushing her hair back as it tried to cling to her face. She hadn't meant to be gone so long. Certainly hadn't meant to be caught by the storm that had threatened for most of the day. And she most certainly hadn't meant to somehow get lost in the forest on the way back.

She hadn't even been near the trees when she left the library that day!

Hugging herself, Tide made her way carefully along the path, blinded by the wind slapping rain into her face. Progress felt slow as she hoped she wasn't worrying anyone back home. The last thing she wanted was for anyone to join in her the lost in the woods club!

A shrill whistle broke through the air, causing Tide to jump and spin around. What was that? Where had it come from? Was that this storm's way of thu-

Something brushed behind her, causing her to whirl around again, trying to catch a glimpse of it. There was nothing there. Just what was going on?

Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly. Trying to bring her focus back to the problem at hand, she lifted a foot to take a step forward when she was suddenly yanked backwards by the collar of her shirt. Yelping, she landed on her back in the...

Not mud and leaf slime.

Tide blinked up into the bright sunlight of the forest clearing she had been yanked into. For as long as she had lived with illogical fields, she could still be surprised by them from time to time. She could hear the storm still raging, the wind howling through the trees, but in the clearing? It was a warm, spring like day.

She heard voices as she sat up, still trying to get some of her bearings.

"You didn't have to be so rough!"

"But she was going to miss it!"

"Yanking someone is the most unrefined thing you could have done!"

"Did you think about saying hello? Or you know...Asking?"

"But that would have ruined everything!"

"Well I for one am glad that she is just here."

It was hard to make out just how many voices there were as Tide stood up slowly. Taking a deep breath and bracing herself, she turned around and then blinked. Before her was a table set out for some kind of party. A banner hung between a couple of the trees, the words shifting between 'congrats to your graduation' to 'happy birthday' to 'happy anniversary' to anything else someone might want to celebrate and have a banner for.

"It wouldn't be a surprise party without a guest of honor, ya'know."

"But what are we even celebrating with her?"

"Dunno. Even the sign hasn't decided. But does it really matter?"

A small group of people about the size of a squirrel were gathered around one end of the table. They were dressed in party outfits, little cone hats on their heads and glitter twinkling on their clothes. There was no one fashion style and by Tide's guess, there was about eleven of them gathered around the circle.

Just as she arrived to that conclusion, one of the strange party hosts caught Tide looking at them and let out squeak. That got the attention of the others and all turned bright, round eyes the color of sparkling water onto Tide. Then as one, as if they rehearsed it, they shouted, "SURPRISE!!"

Tide didn't bother stopping the laughter that bubbled up in her throat. Who would have thought she would have stumbled upon a party in the middle of a storm? Though she couldn't fault them. It was certainly a surprise.