Court Clutch 2023

Hatching Story
The island's Aelith geneticists had arranged for the eggs to be brought to the dunes. Due to the larger than regular size of the offspring, they had deemed it more ideal to install some means of living off-land on the largely water-based planet. Both Amarlon and Liciya had however promised that the resulting court dragons would be able to prosper both in the water as on land and that their adult forms would be capable of flight. None of this mattered much to Amaria who remained close by to guard the eggs. Eguth who had donated the eggs and Merel, her bond, helped while Komenth, the clutch's opal court father, provided the three ladies with anything they asked for. Which turned out to be a lot but the opal-speckled blue did not complain. He was granted his bond and mate's biggest wish so it was all worth it.
It was late in the afternoon, the sun's rays still warm and welcoming but not as hot as they'd been that afternoon with a cool breeze that showed that the weather was changing. Amaria had been worrying about what the colder weather might mean for the eggs but she would worry no longer as small cracks showed that the eggs were indeed ready to hatch. Excited and proud, she let Komenth know, at the same time letting out a sound that was between a bark and a cough to alert those around her.
"The eggs are hatching! Come to the bay!" the dragons picked up on her excitement and relayed the message while Eguth bugled.
The green blood court dragoness would play the second fiddle for now, but anyone who would hurt these dragonets would have her to answer to as both Amaria and Komenth were far too kind to deal out proper punishment for such a grave misdeed.
Within half an hour the beach was filled with people, shifters, sea elves and a few oddities that weren't as easily classable. The 6-armed centauresque Lyteek was one of them, but the red-skinned 8-tentacled Waratah was equally noticeable. But not all that stood out were strange in build. A couple of humans from a place called Schwung were dressed in ornate robes and wore turbans in bright colours on their heads. And though largely going undetected, Laz the gem faerie was definitely the oldest candidate ever recorded at Lantessama. The shipmate dragonkin Gid and the dwarf Mts'Are had strange names but hardly fazed the locals as they'd seen their kind before. But of course all that mattered were the hatchlings and who they'd pick. Locals were already wagering with friends about which egg would hatch first or what colours would appear. Court clutches tended to not have as many colours as Lantessaman clutches. Would a white or a black appear today? Some dared to bet on the chance.
A hushed silence overtook the crowd when a loud crack signalled the first hatching. A beige-bronze hatchling with a white belly and stripes rolled out of the egg, right into the water. When he got up the first thing the people noticed was the absence of wings. The little bronze had finned ears and a couple of small appendages at his tailtip that seemed to be able to move independently. The hatchling moved toward those waiting in the water and finally settled on a passionate, dark-skinned sea elf.
"Krydderi, you're mine. My name is Haitinth."
More hatchlings had hatched and while some also headed for the water, a few were also exploring the beach moving with just as much ease. One of those, a red male with a faint rainbow speckle, headed for a Pernese young man, the healer Aredan.
"It's a good thing I saw you here. Why didn't you wait in the water?" the hatchling asked with a playful wink.
"I didn't know what to expect honestly, Pavelth. And the eggs were on the beach."
"Fair enough."
A blue female with a lighter belly and zebra-stripes on parts of her body, had also wandered toward the candidates waiting on the beach. She seemed to have a hard time deciding, looking all around but never venturing closer to any one in particular. Finally she started to dig, sending sand flying. Surprised chatter broke the focus of the hatching as people started to only look at the blue with the strange behaviour. But this little one knew what she was doing as she uncovered the Lapis Lazuli gem that was the resting state of her bond. Awoken by the sudden closeness of her bond, the gem faerie Laz changed into her more mobile form and stretched.
"Oh hi Juleeth, I must have fallen asleep while I was waiting for you."
"I don't mind, it was a fun game."
A larger hatchling with a hide that was mostly green but also had a bit of a blue sheen to it, had taken the opportunity to go to her chosen while Juleeth had been causing a commotion. She was after all one who believed more in being quiet and discrete. And she knew just who would appreciate those qualities in her. It was to the sea that she headed and to Nezreo, a somewhat misunderstood sea-elf who could use a bit of support.
"My name is Yeuldath and I will stand by you." she told them quietly.
At the edge of the water, a sun-tanned, beach-blonde young woman was waiting next to her friend. Both had come from Ryslen and had come as one of the most recent arrivals. They hardly knew anyone here but still they tried to look the part. Kimberis for one, didn't like to look weak so she stuck out her chest and tried to remain calm when a dark purple male with bright blue stripes approached them. She figured he'd go to Toheril but as she stepped out of the way to accommodate the match, the hatchling mirrored her move.
"Wait, are you here for me?" she asked.
"Why else would I change my directory?" the purple asked.
"I can think of a number of reasons but I'm glad they're not true, Veulenth."
Two brown dragons had dropped from one of the larger eggs some had pegged to house a gold. While one had darker patches at his snout and paws, the other had zebra striping on part of his hide. They looked pretty much the same otherwise though and it was difficult to see which was which when both headed in roughly the same direction. The one with the blood-court like points finally settled down in front of Ziad, who dressed in his red and orange finery looked very formal.
"Ezgurpth is here to help you govern your lands."
Ziad let out a relieved breath and held out the offering he had poached before the start of the event. It was always wise to bring a gift to a strong ally after all.
The other brown hatchling seemed to shy away from the more densely populated areas of the beach and in the end made his way to the treeline where a grumpy dwarf called Mts'Are was watching the hatching. He'd almost given up on bonding a dragon so he was quite surprised when the brown hatchling approached him. In fact the young court dragon seemed to perk up when he got closer to Mts'Are and quickly sniffed the dwarf's hands, smelling the sweets he had handled today.
"You want some of those? You're in luck little one."
"My name is Mukiath and I won't stay little." the little dragon said matter-of-factly.
Another purple dragon, this one a zebra-striped male, was having fun in the water, splashing his tail and paws so the water hit the people he passed. When he passed one who had similar colouring though, the hatchling stopped and stared. Portent, a Sagan Nymph with white hair was a fortune teller and a good one too. Only they didn't know what would happen to themselves. But Atruith knew. They would be together from now on.
"Maybe you won't be able to read my fortune either." he told Portent.
"Why?" she asked.
"Because that would spoiler your own life."
A green female without markings, was in the vicinity and felt a happy surge as she saw the matches around her. Only, she wanted one of her own and not just anyone would do. She needed someone special. Next to her a sea elf laughed at the top of her lungs, clearly enjoying life. And Silkeuth knew that only good things would come to this person.
"Nalkaloun?" she asked.
"Are you talking to me?" the lively sea elf asked after having looked around.
"Yes. My name is Silkeuth. Might I join you?"
"Don't mind if you do."
Lilium, the cat-eared Raksha who was still on Kynn but also at Lantessama, was resting on a blanket, watching the happenings. She was here to bond but how could she miss the festival atmosphere with it's music and dancing? She might have just enjoyed the festivities a bit too much the night before but she had managed to come out. So she did see the bright blue female with zebra stripes and a yellow belly hurry her way. The hatchling tripped and fell on top of her but actually felt quite cosy in the cooling air.
"Hello. Nice to meet you. My name is Nefrizyth." she said, a bit shy suddenly.
"Thanks for picking me." Lilium replied simply.
Three females, a red, a purple and a green met each other on the beach and decided to play a little game of tag. They chased each other, none of them wanting to be the one to lose. They growled and taunted and bumped into more than one candidate before Waratah finally got them caught in her tentacles. She lifted the red one up to her face and said:
"Now dear Inbaruth, it's not nice to make a lady wait."
"I'm a lady too!" Inbaruth challenged back but then her stomach grumbled and she was ready to get food.
Waratah gently placed the other two hatchlings down and left them to seek out their own bonds.
The purple hatchling, who had bright yellow stripes, finally sagged down next to the travelling bard Hani, nuzzling her hands and then dropping down to sleep with her head on the woman's lap.
The green with the bright belly and stripes, turned her attention to Toheril, the other novo from Ryslen.
"Want to play tag?" she challenged
"Shouldn't you be hungry or tired, Zoamuth?" Toheril asked.
"Far from it." the feisty girl grinned a draconic smile.
A second bronze, this one with darker stripes and lines, stumbled away from the minefield of sharp eggshells. He had avoided injury but had spent a lot of energy in his efforts. Sagging tiredly, he called out for his bond and she came for him. Lyteek scooped him up with ease and returned to a safer spot away from the crowd.
"Are you alright Kavyketh?" she asked.
"Yes, just tired." the bronze replied and dozed before he could eat.
An impulsive blue had found a quicker path through the shards. He'd simply dashed through, straight into the arms of Ambel, a reptilian handyman.
"I made it!" the blue said smugly.
"Good work, Rouendith." Ambel praised, "Let's get you some food."
Another blue, this one darker with opal speckling, sat down on the beach and yawned. A strange rainbow-haze escaped his mouth and seemed to settle on the beach with varying effects. The hatchling bugled in triumph and turned to Iminti, one of the sea elves to say:
"I did that! I helped!"
Iminti couldn't help but smile at the sudden enthusiasm although she hardly ever showed her feelings.
"I see, Gaorkth." she said, quickly regaining her cool, "How about we go celebrate with food."
A purple female with opal speckles had snuck quietly away during that last bonding. It was difficult to hide but it would be worth it to surprise her intended bond. Gidun Launches from the Prow, "Gid" to his friends, could feel something approach him but played along and acted very surprised when Jalanuth finally jumped him from behind.
"I caught you!" she squealed.
"That you did." the dragonkin replied and led her away to get food.
The hatching was reaching the end as only a red and green female remained on the sands along with a single egg that was still intact. All eyes were upon the two The green was definitely the most striking in appearance with zebra stripes appearing on her limbs while the red was more subdued with only a lighter belly. The green seemed to not be all that hurried to head for the remaining candidates but the red was having none of it. She wanted the green to bond first and she would not move until that had happened. Finally the green got the memo and she lazily made her way toward the sea where Thread was still looking for a bond. Her dad Tapestry stood right beside her as the small - even for a green - hatchling came toward them.
"I guess you knew I was coming." the hatchling said.
"I never doubted it, Unalinth."
After that, the red made her way to Qarsa, the old witch who was on Lantessama by chance.
"Nineteen is a much better number." the red said, "My name is Dezigith."
"It does make you rather unique." Qarsa agreed.
No hatchlings were left but the last egg, as if the dragon within had been waiting for this moment, finally shattered and released a bright golden dragon with lighter stripes and lines. Letting everyone have a good look at her, the hatchling sauntered toward Tahira, who dressed in turquoise blues looked regal as well as she stood with perfect posture and poise. The two looked at each other and Tahira gave a little bow with her head.
"My name is Tulkaeth." the hatchling announced to her.
"Be welcome to all that is mine." Tahira replied
The spectators and remaining candidates were ushered toward the nearby fields where music was playing and people were partying. Food and drinks were handed out to all who came asking and the light slowly faded to dusk.

Tahira (f) and Gold Tulkaeth (f)
Lyteek (f) and Bronze Kavyketh (m)
Krydderi (m) and Bronze Haitinth (m)
Ziad (m) and Brown Ezgurpth (m)
Mts'Are (m) and Brown Mukiath (m) - to Phe
Qarsa (f) and Red Dezigith (f) - to Dragonflight
Aredan (m) and Red Pavelth (m)
Waratah (f) and Red Inbaruth (f)
Portent (nb) and Purple Atruith (m)
Hani (f) and Purple Bavulath (f) - to Dragonflight
Gidun Launches from the Prow (m) and Purple Jalanuth (f)
Kimberis (f) and Purple Veulenth (m)
Iminti (f) and Blue Gaorkth (m)
Laz (f) and Blue Juleeth (f)
Ambel (m) and Blue Rouendith (m) - to Ktrenal
Lilium (f) and Blue Nefrizyth (f)
Nezreo (m) and Green Yeuldath (f)
Thread (f) and Green Unalinth (f)
Toheril (m) and Green Zoamuth (f)
Nalkaloun (f) and Green Silkeuth (f) - to Ktrenal

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