A pleasantly warm day presented itself
on Lantessama. It was a day with sunshine that warmed the sand and invited
to come outside. A cool breeze helped to keep people there while others -
who commented about people risking a sunburn - sought the shade of the
trees. In the bay, nekrats cared for a small clutch of eggs. The donated
eggs were all relatively the same age and once one started to crack, the
others usually followed. And it seemed that today would be that moment as
the sun coaxed even those hiding in shells to come out and play.
The call to gather went out and soon the lazy relaxation of the day was
replaced with the buzz of expectation and exhileration. A hatching meant a
feast and everyone interested in joining had come as soon as they could.
Some were selling food and drinks while others gladly sampled their wares.
But these things were of no importance to the prospective candidates.
Yimeo Inavito stood knee-deep iin the water, her greenish skin blending in
seemlessly. Next to her stood her newly bonded dragon Verderame, whose
copper-coloured wings contrasted with the cool water. Some distance away
stood Christo, a lanky teacher from Dawn Cove who looked a bit out of
place with his pale skin and stiff posture. Deeper in the water waited
Sforzando, a Loch Nexian who had come to see whether or not she would find
a companion here.
The people didn't have to wait long for the tell-tale fountain spurts that
indicated some of the eggs had hatched. Suddenly the bay waters were alive
with fins, tails and the occasional head. Spectators craned their necks in
an attempt to make out the colours but it was hard as most of the
hatchlings had blue or teal colour, but one did stand out. The
orange-brown kitten had splashed her tail and now popped her head out of
the water, making her way to Christo.
"I see you are of a similar mind as me."
She told the teacher in a rather commanding voice,
"You may call me Melbasue."
Not much farther a blue Wave male and an aqua Lake female were circling
Yimeo and Verderame. The Wave seemed to be looking for head-pats and pets
from Yimeo while the Lake kitten seemed to approve of the group as a
whole, giving out rubs and hugs of her own accord.
"Let's play! Chase! Tag! Anything!"
the Wave begged.
"Where will we live? Are the people there nice?"
the Lake inquired.
Yimeo had to straighten out the information so it took her a while to form
a reply, but she managed well:
"Byegol, aren't you hungry? Let's eat first and then we can play." she
told the wave.
"We can make up the
rules while we eat." Verderame added.
"And we can talk about home too, Alversa." Yimeo addressed the other new
addition to their pack.
While the first three nekrats were being fed by their new bonds or
packmates, a last nekrat hatchling swam out toward Sforzando. The
turquoise-coloured Pool was a male. He was quiet by nature and preferred
to keep away from the bustling shore. He met up with Sforzando and
recognised a like-minded soul. The Loch Nexian introduced herself with
both her real name and the meaningful concept it entailed. At the end she
added an inquiring thrill.
The Pool considered the response and then chose a name that would fit. He
wove a little hummed melody that he had heard while in the egg and that
had appealed to him.
"Ritornello." he added, requesting to
be allowed to become a constant in Sforzando's life.
Sforzando hummed his name in consent and then she went to hunt for food,
Ritonello in close pursuit.
Yimeo Inavito (f) and Wave
Byegol (m)
Yimeo Inavito (f) and Lake
Alversa (f)
Sforzando (f)
and Pool Ritornello (m)
Christo
(m) and Pebble Melbasue (f)