Meroka

STATS
Name: Meroka
Age: 16
Gender: Female 
Description: Meroka is a slight girl, with delicate features and a short stature. She has long dark brown hair with a bit of a curl to it. Her eyes are nearly black and very expressive. Every thought and emotion shows clearly on her face. 
Personality: Meroka is a sweet but determined girl. As the youngest in the family and the only girl, she's been a bit spoiled. Coming from a loving family with two older brothers she can also count on, she has never felt unsafe. She trusts the world to give her every possible opportunity and let her do and be whatever she wants to. Meroka loves to read and dreams about becoming a doctor or pharmacist. 
Family: Meroka is the youngest child of a couple of caravan-traders. Older brothers Ponkau and Baraesu. Their wagon sells furs, rugs and clothes. 
Pets: Pink Seadrake Wourry (m) from Dragon Tears

~~°~~°~~°~~

HATCHING
Evening was approaching after a long and hot summer day when Serise notified her bond that her eggs were close to hatching. They weren't exactly moving yet but there was something in the currents around them that was different. As cryptic as a message that was, when a dragon told you her eggs were hatching, you got the candidates. There were a lot of candidates present for this hatching, but not all of them would bond today. Several larger groups had appeared from offworld. There were about four people from Kynn and two groups from Dawn Cove. All of these would return to their homeworld and establish nekrat colonies there. This made the hatching feel more like an informal gathering to eat, drink and socialise. Locals asked about how candidates had fared after previous hatchings, wondering what had happened after they'd returned home. Others were curious about the planets the candidates lived on and wanted to discuss flora and fauna. Close to the beach about a dozen people were standing with their feet (or fins) in the water, waiting for the kittens to come to them. 
Ponkau was the first to feel movement and though he was a big man, the tanned caravan-member from Gremyne was nearly knocked off his feet by the energetic wave nekrat male that wriggled himself between the man's legs. 
"Play! Play!" the young nekrat called to him, "Basit will play with Ponkau. Fun!"
Both his brother and sister were grinning and cracking jokes while he swam to the side, following his new bond. But it didn't take long for Ponkau to start laughing as twin jets launched from the water and drenched his siblings. Meroka was still looking around, not knowing what had happened when she was pulled under by a bright Foam female who hugged her tight and whispered in her mind: "My name is Aesha."
Baraesu had figured out after the initial splash that he should brace himself. But unlike his siblings, the nekrat that had chosen him for a bond was a quiet sort and didn't like to be too flashy. The pool nekrat was almost invisible in the bay waters, but he poked his head out of the water for a moment, just long enough to show himself before he swam away, Baraesu following.
"What's your name?" the middle sibling asked.
"Alnahr." the pool replied coolly and then hurried for the food.

Foam Aesha (f)

~~°~~°~~°~~

ADULT
Aesha and Meroka were busy studying their herb books when the familiar sounds of cheers came that signalled some people had returned. Meroka had been waiting for Shunki to return so each time someone called out in cheer she jumped up and ran outside. So often she'd been disappointed but she couldn't help her heart leaping at the thought of her friend returning. 
"This time it's definitely nekrats returning." Aesha told her.
"I would go check either way." Meroka confessed.
As they raced toward the beach, Aesha in the water and Meroka on the shore, she couldn't wait to see what kind of nekrat Shunki had bonded. 
"I'm curious too." Aesha said, getting even more excited than she usually already was.
And then they turned the corner. Shunki just swam up to the beach, followed by a bright white, red-finned fountain nekrat. 
"We match!" Aesha giggled while at the same time Lizaro uttered: "She's pretty."

***

Time had passed and Aesha and Lizaro were both adult nekrats. Shunki and Meroka had likewise grown and cemented their connection from a deep friendship to teenage infatuation to a true love. The two of them had started living in one of the newly built homes. Meroka had started growing herbs and making rudimentary potions while Shunki had joined the local builders in making new houses for the ever-growing community. 
On nights they often went swimming with their nekrats. It was on one of those warm summer nights that found them floating on the surface a few miles out at sea. What a normal human wouldn't dare do was something a bond of a nekrat found normal. They'd have no problem getting back home but far enough away from everything to feel like they were the only people in the world. All around them was water, sky and stars. Overtaken by the romantic mood, the two nekrats started to chase and play in the water, dragging their bonds with them under and over the waves. 
Laughing Meroka finally had to let go while Aesha sped on, beckoning Lizaro to follow her. 
"Stay with Meroka." Lizaro gave a quick instruction and then sped of when he felt Shunki's hold loosen. 
And then they were off. Aesha teased and beckoned. Letting Lizaro come close before speeding away again. Lizaro humoured her, letting her keep the lead until he couldn't keep from getting close. With a quick manoeuvre he was upon her.
"You always turn right after a dive." he let her know before he caught her.
"Maybe I just wanted you to catch me." Aesha retorted but privately promised to try not to be as predictable next time. 

~~°~~°~~°~~
Story - Intro - Mate

~~°~~°~~°~~
All images found with google
Nekrats impressed at Lantessama Isle