Drab Cloister Egg shakes a reply, from anyone else that would be cause for a challange, but these two know each other far too well.  But it /is/ a signal! And Drab Cloister Egg knows nothing if not timing. Sydelle understands now as Wedge starts to thrumm on top of her head. She nods, causing a break from the thrumming blue who chirps angrily before going back to thrumming "Alright, it would be interesting." She grins and starts to head off to get a closer look at the eggs. The Gypsy lifts an eyebrow and opens one eye to look at the guard. "Like girls? What makes you think girls need more protection then boys?" Her eye closes again after she questions the little boy. The Fish snorts at Sky, trying to see her out of the corner of his eye and eyehole. "Yes, that Tunnelsnake will have to be more careful. I'm a delicate little fish, even if I am big and manly. But on land, y'know, you can only be so strong." The Tunnelsnake herself gets what could be construed as a wink from inside the suit. "Blame me, it's often my fault. I encourage what I believe could work quite well, after all. So what else to tunnelsnakes eat, aside from Fish? I can cook, I could have you over for dinner?" Nothing to stop the finned dude to push ahead while he's still anonymous. A rustle of skirts, is the only sound made..."Oh, shake, rattle and roll. The eggs are getting restless!" Looking around to see if others have noticed... Sky grins and lets go of the tooth, now freed from its position. "You might want to start swimming now, she might want to try to eat you again." Humming sound is vaguly discerned and Sky turns to look at the source of the noise. "And a certain TunnelSnake in the vicinity may want to run soon." she adds. Humming filters in through the fabric covering Isoldi's...er...the Tunnelsnake's head. That would be Shamus, the pudgy little blue having made his appearance by crawling out of the back of her jumper, onto her neck and from there her shoulder. "Oh hush, no gloating, you," she mutters, before tumbling back into happy character. "Oh, we like nibbling on a little of everything. It'd be silly to limit myself to just -one- thing, you know. But the bigger and manlier the better." Now she's just being downright naughty. "Dinner sounds lovely..." Then she's free! Yay! Head comes up and shakes to properly align the hood. "Thank you, thank you! You're a very generous...er...sky. Run?" A woman with feathers, moves to the food table, and gathering up a few tender morsels, she places them in a cloth. Watching the festivities and characters in costume, she tries to guess at who is who... Gabriella chuckles softly at the boy as she shakes her head, "Whatever you say child." Her eyes open as she hears that the eggs are hatching. Bright green eyes glow with a little more life to them. She loves to watch hatchings...they are so much fun! The Pirate gives a long groan, and not the pleasurefull kind of groan. Setting aside the red wine he grabs a half empty skin of Tillek white. Holding it over his discarded cup he pours some out and finds it normal. So then with another grimace and a mutter about it being against his beliefs to drink Tillek he takes a couple swigs swirling them around his mouth each time. Finally he bares them again at the Swordswoman, "Better now?" he asks without hope. The Shadowed Man shifts, his even, judicial strides sending him - albeit with a distinctive lack of excitement - t'wards the basket of eggs. The joy upon a young one's masked face, hidden behind a costume of dignity, of hilarity, of oddness, when Impression is made. He deliberates this thought, silence reigning a deep menace upon his shoulders. A masked hatching. How.. How fitting, for a night such as so. Perhaps the hatchlings will be the supreme judge apon the best costume! The swordswoman nods. "Yes, though they've gone from bright violet to a sort of pale lavender." And the lavender might take more time to wash away than the heavier parts of the dye. For herpart she hasn't noticed the hatching eggs, though Ivana has, the gold squalking her protests at the top of her lungs. Jalisea walks in from the Southeastern Bowl. Crown and Anchor Egg issued the signal, but gives a fashionable pause for suspence before inner occupant starts kicking at it's prison again. It's all not one, so getting out at the same moment Drab Cloister's occupant does is very important to their image. The sound of the humming finely gets through to ears designed for underwater and the Fish starts to pivot his whole body to see where it might originate from. "Did we finally get Harpers?" is asked curiously, before he positively beams at the Tunnelsnake, if that might be seen through the Fish costume. "Really then? Sounds perfect, in that case. When are you open for a nice dinner?" He finally stands, stretching to his full height and searching, tail flopping about his head, for the source of the noise which has now to him become something of an obsession. "Firelizards." Sky elaborates, nodding to the basket of eggs which the other party goers seem to be gravitating towards. "Shall we join them?" Drab Cloister Egg melts away, a shroud pulling from before the inhabitant's eyes.  Jaded Priest Blue Hatchling tumbles forward as if expelled, though it seems half forced, half of his own violation. Crown and Anchor Egg shatters into a thousand fragments, leaving its occupant out in the open. Jalisea tramples into the cavern her tiny features alight once more with adventure. After all she's here at Ista instead of 'Reaches her little self having decided to accompany a starcrafter down here. Mind you that starcrafter is nowhere to be seen and she's already up to some mischeif. A little bit of cloth tied around her head making her look rather silly but that's alright The Gypsy smiles sofltly as she pulls on the ends of her purple dress. Green eyes trace back to the flitts. Pointing to each one she counts and examines the color. "One.....Two Blues." Wow the gypsy girl can acctually count! Jaded Priest Blue Hatchling looks towards his less respectfull partner with something resembling impishness, perhaps that's why the two of them get on so well?  Ah well, he staunters forward to the rows of strange folks.  Now for the next order of business.  Anyone hungry? "Oh, I don't know...sometime after all of those silly candidates are gone?" the Tunnelsnake suggests, "See, it's so upsetting with them running around,  I have to spend most of my time hiding and dinner should really be a sit down and enjoy yourself affair." As in character excuses go, it's not a bad one. Then her attention is drawn to Sky's explanation. Firelizards! "Er...why sure! Let's join them." An elbow is offered the fish, along with a shadowed but obviously devilish smile. "Perhaps they'll find you tasty too!" Sky grabs a plate of meat from a nearby table One dark eyebrow arches, beneath the shadow of a low-slung hood. The Ominious Trader idly peers at the two blues. "Interesting," is drolled out, his dark voice roiling with the gutteral vocals of his speech patterns. His eyes shift to observe his own blue; Hyn peeks back at his Dark Master, crooning compliantly before rising to his ever-prominent thrum. Namah strides in from the South Caverns. Sydelle rolles her eyes as she sees the blues "Oh no! Blues! I hope they're not like you Wedge, if they were, they'd be vexing to their impressors." However she continues to watch the two blues, wondering who they would pick. The Fish finally detects what would be causing the hum, thanks to evesdropping on some comments from some of the other costumed people there. He nods to the Tunnelsnake, faithful tail flopping over his eyeholes again, taking the proffered elbow. "I'm sure they would. I lost a brother to a hatchling once. And let's not even get in to how my great grand daddy Fish lost his dorsal fin." The elbow is clung to at the memories of his dear family, and he tosses his head/butt to get that tail out of the way. "You'll protect me though, won't you?" Jalisea bounces her way towards the food after all that's what all young children go to first right? Sweets are the first order of business a sweetroll snagged along with some sweetsticks she filched from somewhere perhaps it was from that screaming little that's standing near the doorway now. A shrug as her attentino is drawn towards the commotion of a hatching? Blue eyes twinkle as they dart towards her pair their humming a definate yes as to the identity of this event Azi walks in from the Southeastern Bowl. The gypsy laughs softly as she listens to the TunnelSnake. "I'm sure your not the only one that thinks that way." She simply says. Gabi gives a wave to Namah. Still adjusting to the fact that thats her sister. Her eyes look back to the blues. Getting to her feet for a moment she grabs some meatrolls. These are usually usefully just incase she does impress. Sitting back down in her spot she lets out a soft sigh as she watches the flits. Infamous Pirate and Loyal Guard Blue Hatchling leaps from the egg shards to keep pace with his comrade. A bit of crey paper from the cieling drifts down to fall on his head and he flashily sinks a claw into it giving his enemy, the paper, a quick death. Stomach ripples with hunger and he turns from the fighting the good fight to peer at the big things moving around. Sky reaches for a plate of meat, offering its contents to her two companions. "Mind you, the hatchlings might prefer to eat you rather than this." she notes, moving forward slightly. "Hide behind me, for no one can see you in the night." and Sky spreads her cloak dramatically. "Ooh, two blues?" rather spoils the effect. At the thought of hungry hatchlings, Ominious Hooded Man shifts away from the cluttered crowds, snagging a plate of meatrolls. "Food," is empowered out, his low tone deepening all the whilest. He shifts between a gold dragon and a southern racer canine, before settling down the stacked tray. Come 'n' get it, everyone. Flizzen Food. Niiiiiiiiice work for Mister Darth Vader, no? Quite a few people seem to grabbing handfuls of raw meat in preparation for the eggs, but Shaiyun-Guard simply grabs a handful to make a mess of himself with. "Look!" he says excitedly to the nearest person, regardless of who it might be. "/Real/ blood." he swipes the handful down his breastplate-tray, watching the dribbles with an approving eye. Jaded Priest Blue Hatchling eyes his companion ruefully and then peers at the paper hovering over it briefly, reverently, as if performing last rights for the fallen enemy.  Death is necissary at times, but there's no reason respect should be abandoned.  With that done, he turns back to the crowd almost smugly, any more takers? The Tunnelsnake adopts a rather mournful tone of voice, "I'll do my best to protect you, but I doubt it'll do much good. I can't even number how many of my family have been lost to these little pests." It's tragic, really. Evil and menacing the painted on eyes of the hood may be, they still seem almost miserable as the hood droops and the fabric crinkles, changing the shadows of the paint. "But!" And she perks up again, all brightness and bubbliness. "I do have five pointy ends, and I'll go down fighting. Red meat, my dear Fish?" Talons tangle in a clump of raw, chopped meat from the bowl Sky's holding and offer it to her companion. "You are as generous as you are lovely, Sky..." a green creature slithers in to the living caverns having heard the sounds of fun goings on. She slinks over to the side to asses the situation and seeing the hatching that is seemingly in process snags some nice meat from a table just in case one might catch her eye. Sidles up to where she can see but she isn't in anyones way and waits to see what happens. Gabriella looks at Shaiyun "Hey mighty guard. You wanna come over here and sit? Your alittle closer to the flitts." The gypsy girl smiles at the guard before her own attention is turned back to the flitts. They are such cute little creatures aren't they? The Rainbow Wherry girl raises an eyebrow under her pink wherry mask at the guard "Ewww, but neat!" She then grins as she looks back the hatchlings.  Her own blue spreads his wings a couple of times as he readjusts himself on top of the Rainbow Wherry. Jalisea shakes her head at all the costumed people a giggle escaping as she tosses short hair in flipping manner. "Why ya'll lookin so funny?" is asked blatently of anyone close she just got here remember you people are really odd "You know people say 'Reaches is an odd place but I think they're wrong this place is just plain silly and my 'lizzen think so too!" scampering closer she even bothers to grab some meat and no it's not raw she's eating here people The Fish nods happily to The Tunnelsnake, gulping and taking a step a bit farther behind his companion. Sky is also given a grateful butt-bob. "I'd be happy to hide behind you, if you'll let me, as well. Hatchlings are evil, evil beings. More so than tunnelsnakes," he adds, squeezing the elbow he's clinging to so desperately. "Meat would be nice. Maybe it'll distract them from eatin /me/," he says in acceptance of the offer. Kidlet-Azi litterally flops into the caverns, hands clutching the hem of her dress.  "Why I wore this..argh..Selle will answer for this!" Soft murmur from her as she glances around, reaching with one hand to push the flopping 'pig'tails out of her vision and trying to locate at least one familiar face. None seen, she is just about to turn away when..low and behold there's firelizards.  Mouth forms a small 'o'..not unlike that of a kidlets when sweetsticks are spotted, and she'll head over to where the meat is being offered.  Glance to man in the costume and she'll pull out a share, before turning to the firelizards.  "Oooh..intresting.." Now all she needed was that lopsided grin..and she's all kidlet.  All, overgrown kidlet.. EbonWherry is still here, but lurking quietly in the background.  She's meat, but not to share; the wherry is tearing happily into her food, with no reguard for the hatchlings.  She has enough of the buggers, thank you just the same. And she's hungry. Infamous Pirate and Loyal Guard Blue Hatchling heads for a hunkering down human dressed as a blue flit itself, the person grows giddy wiggling it's meat around, but he just sticks his head in the top of their cup taking a quick slirp of their wine. Dashing back to his companion he puffs his barrel of a chest up to make sure the crowd gets that he's threatening. Really. Shaiyun jerks his bloody handful at the bowls of meat being set out by prepared drudges for the Rainbow Wherry's edification, then waves blood-smeared hands at Gypsy-Gabriella. "But look at m'hands...they're /drenched/," well, not quite; streaked is a more accurate description, "--wiv blood!" Soon to be his own blood, as Goober darts down the checkered length of one arm and snaps at the meat. "I thank you for the complement oh marvelous TunnelSnake, who is difficult to catch." responds Sky, holding out her own handful in blue tinged hands. She matches the pair of them. "Night will enfold you and the sun will not rise until you are safe oh Fish." Sky intones, then gives a muffled giggle at the antics of the Infamous Blue Hatchling. Ivory talons are now stained a pretty crimson as they deposit their handful into the Fish's waiting fin...hand? Ah well. A rose by any other name, and such. The Tunnelsnake then liberates a handful for her own self, but still remains tucked safely behind the protective wings of the Sky. "Tunnelsnakes aren't -really- evil," she notes in the time spent waiting for a hatchling to realize someone's hiding back here, "We're just terribly misunderstood. Get a little cranky because someone's trying to kill you, and you're villified for life..." The Gypsy laughs softly and walks over to the boy, dropping her bag from over her shoulder she gets out a old rag from her bag. Taking it she takes whatever the boy has in his hands and the whipes them down. "There..now don't get them so bloody." She presses the boy's nose and walks back to her seat. He's welcome to join her if he likes. Jaded Priest Blue Hatchling chiprs to the Guard as if calling him to order.  But two of their number are missing.  Ah me.  Price of persuit.  Now to finish htis little quest of thiers.  Who's the spy?  Or better yet, who's got dinner.  He creeps towards the gypsy curiously.  A fair lady? Green tunnelsnake breaks her concentration at being slithery and laughs at the little brave blue "careful you don't get tipsy doing that little guy." her green gloves are turning a reddish brown color from the blood in the meat she is holding but that is ok. They were just some dyed working gloves anyhow. Sydelle giggles and then her own stomach starts to growl..ohp, time for her to eat herself.  And with that she gets up and walks over to get some meat rolls to munch on.  She then goes back to her place as she sits down, still munching away.  The blue on her head coos happily for some reason. Sinead quietly steps in from the Southeastern Bowl. The Fish peeks over the shoulders of his escorts, in time to catch the actions of the Infamous blue. "it often is that way, being terribly misunderstood. Why, the same goes for some of the packtails I've known. Not everyone likes packtail, oh no, but they're amazing conversationalists! And I understand being hunted. You should try living at SeaCliffs." He shudders, whole costume wiggling, and the meat in his hand dripping a bit for the squeezing it's just receieved. He stands on tip toe to get a better view of the hatchlings and- *thud*. A common thing to happen in one wearing a costume like his. He's now flopping about on the floor, not quite in anyone's way, he hopes, as he's not too close to the Hatchlings yet. The Gypsy smiles softly and tilts her head. Picking a meatroll up off the table, where she set the group of them before cleaning the boy's hands. Bending over she offers the meat roll the Jaded Blue. Grabbing anouther meatroll she pops it in her mouth and eats it happily. Teric walks in from the South Caverns. Keydi walks in from the Southeastern Bowl. An entirely too kidlet-ish giggle escapes Azi's lips as she watches the Infamous Pirate hatchling puff out his chest.  A shake of her head sends the pigtails swishing 'round her face.  "Drat..got to stop doing that." Hand brushes them away, and feet are tucked under her as the meat is offered to the hatchlings. "C'mon now..I've meat for you.." Slap of meat against the ground even as Azi-kidlet watches the pirate hatchling.  "He's too cute.." And, at long last there's that lopsided grin. A bit of Thread makes her way into the caverns. Looking about she doesn't recognize anyone, of course, this is supposed to be a masked ball, so why would she. Pale blue eyes dart about the crowd, as is habit. The Thread makes her way towards a wall to look about, she'll mingle later. Shaiyun stares morbidly at his pink tinged hands, and gives the Gypsy a disgusted sideways look as he waves his hands at her. "Pink's a /girl/'s colour!" he complains stridently, rubbing them up and down his breastplate to acquire fresh, manly - well, herdbeast - blood on them. Goober's busy trying to excavate the contents of the poor boy's ear with his muzzle. "An' I had a /bath/ today, so 'm /clean/!" although that could be argued. Sarah glides gracefully in from the South Caverns. The Ebon Wherry watches the hatchlings, bemused by their antics.  "I forgot how adorable the little guys are, when they're so tiny..."  A glance around, and the wherry doesn't see sign of any of her pests.  Ah well.  "They grow up quickly."  Meatroll is munched happily, grabbed from some nearby person's stash for impressing. Infamous Pirate and Loyal Guard Blue Hatchling lets his fellow blue take on the gypsy while he lunges for the fish. Puffing up all big and bad like he hissis at the flopping around thing, drool drops from his bared infant teath. Showing off his moves the blue ducks a flayling leg then jumps over an arm. With a war cry he lunges for the costume head trying to take a bite out of it. Oh dear. The Tunnelsnake peers down at the landbound Fish and picks up the role of sympathetic friend. In other words, she giggles at him. "A bit more flopping now, where's that vaunted energy and agility of yours?" she teases. Then the meat she's holding is set on the floor, for lack of a better place, and claw-filled hands are both offered to the unfortunate Fish. "Your own fault for being so big and manly....whoa, look out!" The blue sweeps in then for its attack and the Tunnelsnake is torn between hiding behind Sky again, and ...well... snickering at the Fish. Laughing softly to herself, the woman with the feathered mask, watches the blue hatchling attack the fish... Sky extends the night of her cloak to shroud the TunnelSnake, but leaves a bit of room so that any hatchlings can make their way over to chew on the snake if they wish. Flopping Fish is smiled at. "That was going to have to happen at some point." Sky notes. The attack of the Pirate Blue Hatchling is watched with s grin. "Think he wants to eat you." Teric walks to the Southern Caverns. Well, the meat's ended up quite nicely on one of those bulbous eyes of the Fish, immediately turning the thing pink-ish, and somewhat grotesque looking. The Fish still cannot right himself, stuck on his side and quite unable to get an arm down or a foot where it's supposed to be. He screams at the attack, a high-pitched thing, adding "Do you have /any/ idea how long it took for me to make this thing?" The character of an aquatic creature is dropped for just a moment. Whatever is left in his hand of the meat is flung in the blue's direction, for lack of a better projectile weapon. "Soft padded paws carry the feline further into the room, gleaming eyes scanning the platters of meat with an almost feral interest. Long, black tipped tail sways behind the furry body as she prowls closer. Bits of meat are snagged onto claws tips, each adorned by one piece and one piece alone. Her nose twitches as she catches a familiar smell, that of hatchlings. The Shadow'd Man seems to be content to watch -- though 'content' might be a stretch. Rather, he seems to be akin to a supervisor, a scowling, broody sort to make sure all is in line. Indeed, his superior air is confirmed by the menace, the obvious ominousness that he carries around like a golden scepter, his height enhanced by the royal bearing. Besides he already has a blue. One psycho blue is enough. He needs another one just like he needs a lightsabre through the chest... Green tunnelsnake Laughs even harder knocking herself from her squatting position right onto her backside. It was too funny the way the little guy tried to have some yummy fish for a meal. She sits crosslegged not wanting to get in anyone elses way as the laughing stops and she concentrates her attention back on the hatchlings with a glance over to the eggs to see what is going on with them. Sarah reappears from the Candidate Barracks, looking in a slightly better mood than before. That medicine that Hy gave her made the her sick. "Hi, ya'll," she says drearily, looking for a place to sit. Luckily enough for her, she manages to sit before turning pale again. Great. "Here flitty, flitty, flitty," she calls in a drawl, stomach churning. A stray meatroll is located as she dangles it near the floor. Lady Holder or not today, she's going to do this gracefully. As long as she doesn't spill her guts. Jozzie moves gracefully with a habital swing of her hips, in from the Southeastern Bowl. Jaded Priest Blue Hatchling is as deciseive as his companion is fierce.  Ok, show's over, He sees the one he wants and moves closer to the brightly colored gypsy one, a lovely lady indeed.  One perhaps who would appreciate hidden refinements. The Rainbow Wherry starts to laugh as she watches the blue attack the 'Fish' "Oh dear, I think that one's a bit like you huh Wedge?" The blue just sits and tries to look bigger.  "Right, you're better than the hatchling, I get it." She then rolls her eyes from beneith her pink mask. "Ooh..'es vicious!" That, quite pointedly made as Azia waggles meat in the flying blue's direction.  You know, the one heading for the fish.. The beginnings of a headshake are in process, before she slides green eyes towards those pigtails turned runner tails.. "Drat..better not." And, she settles herself with watching the tenacious blues.  "Always knew they had the most spunk.." Flicker of a grin at that as meat is held out once more. Brid walks in from the Southeastern Bowl. The Thread decides that it's time to mingle, see the hatchlings, which she eventually caught sight off. She moves about, giving greetings to those she passes as she keeps an eye on the firelizard so that she doesn't step on them. This lone bit of Thread doesn't worry about getting out meat for the hatchlings, she's enough firelizards that her hands are already full. Hopefully none of these hatchlings will mistake her for real Thread. Jozzie moves gracefully with a habital swing of her hips, to the Bowl. Jozzie moves gracefully with a habital swing of her hips, to the Bowl. The Gypsy giggles softly at the young guard, "Well I'm sorry good sir. I didn't mean to make your hands a girl colour. That was hardly my intent but I feel guards must be clean so they don't get blood all over the fair ladys they impress." She nods to the guard and smiles, the meatroll still hanging losely between her fingers but her eyes are on the guard not the flit for a few moments. Bright green eyes do turn back to the flitt. Her voice now softer when she speaks. "Good day kind sir." She speaks to the flit. "Can I offer you this meatroll to make tie you over till I have more food prepaired?" She giggles softly. Brid enters with a smile below masked coutenance.. Izz wouldn't recognize her tonight.. Infamous Pirate and Loyal Guard Blue Hatchling takes a final bite out of the Fish and considors it dead, cause he would never /run/ from a fight. Turning about wild eyes scan the rest of the room, locking on two long shaking blond things that just /must/ be swords he makes all haste to get to Azi. With a lithe leap he lunges at the meat she holds. Jaded Priest Blue Hatchling turns towards Gabriella and inspects her before moveing more decisively that direction and creeling with soft insistance.  He demands satisfaction! Infamous Pirate and Loyal Guard Blue Hatchling's cries turn joyous, and he turns towards Azi, creeling piteously. Shaiyun's dripping gore and contemptuous amusement, though only the former stains his, er, 'armour'. "Loe said you gotta stick eggs inna oven," he twists Loe's actual words happily, going to sit by the Gypsy again with a fresh handful of meat. "So I wonder if you gotta do that to the hatchlings as well? -- An' it's alright," he says, the picture of generosity, "I don' mind that much. I reck'n Pyrene wouln't be too happy if I got blood in Cadgwith's nose." "Obviously he has no appreciation for fine craftsmanship," the Tunnelsnake points out in a voice that's two shades away from pure laughter. Not that she seems inclined to dart forward and rescue her erstwhile companion. That blue is a bit more ferocious than what she's willing to deal with, five pointy ends or no. She'll just hunker down over here, partly under Sky's cloak, and grin at the Fish under attack. "But...goodness, fast little fellow!" The southern feline continues to sniff the air, her small nose twitching lightly as she turns from the platter of meat. Her claws produce a small clicking sound on the stone as she pads closer, carefully holding the meat impaled upon her front claws from her fur. Hours were spent on putting this outfit together and feral or not? A girl has her appearance to think of. Her eyes twinkle as she surveys the others and admires the costumes. Oops, time to get back to feline prowling. A paw with meat waves towards some people she knows, although she doubts they can tell who she is under all this fur. Brid sighs.. having just missed a blue.. Ah well, there are planty more eggs anyway... Nodding to all and sundry, she adds to the general merriment, grabbing some wine and a few small pastries... Shadow'd Man gives a slow, rare grin under that hooded visage, pale eyes flickering at the two new owners of blue's. "Congratulations," is said, his low voice deepening with the graveness of the formality of the word he just spoke. And back to stern personality, the soft part of the lad disappears back under the plastisteel barriers of his costume. It /is/ a masque, after all. "Aiee!" Serves kidlet Azi right, wouldn't you know..teasing one like the pirate blue.  "Um..here you go..just..save my fingers?" Crooked smile as she gently pats the blue on the head while offering out the meat, fingers holding the ends with more than a little wariness.  Pirate blue will take the meat, graciously so before sending swipe of tail round to bat at Azi's hand.  A light chuckle, and the kidlet-dressed woman will slide back to give others their chance while scooping her new found friend into willing arms. You notice Magen looking at you. Vaulted Cathedral Egg shimmers with sinister portents.  Secrets woven then hidden beneath the vaulted spelendor that is itself.  Yet it waits forsomething as well.  A sign, or a person. Gabriella smiles softly at the blue and hands him the meatroll, that he quickly eats. She coons softly to himbefore grabbing abouther meatroll and handing it to him. "Thanks." She calls back to the Shadow'd Man. The Fish sighs in relief as he's left alone, then realizing that he's probably get wherry all over his nice costume. With much rolling this way and that, he manages to get into a sitting position, a few snaps coming from the frame of his costume. Gettin to his feet is not his top priority for now. The fishe's gaping maw, full of blue-haired legs, are pointed a bit more towards the eggs as he attempts to calm himself. "I suddenly understand what poor great grand daddy must've gone through," he drawls out to the Tunnelsnake, should she still be interested in him. Fins are clapped for the newly-Impressed. Azi calls to Infamous Pirate and Loyal Guard Blue Hatchling, who flies over and lands on her shoulder. Thread turns around, spotting the Sky nearby, wiat, isn't she supposed to fall from the sky? And aren't there supposed to be dragons about? A slight shrug as Thread looks about, spotting a Guard, guard hmm, we'll just have to see what he knows about being a guard. The clump of Thread makes her way over towards the guard, gown flittering around her. The Day sifts through the crowds, looking from person to person, admiring each respectively. Each movemnet causes starts to twinkle and Rubkat to blaze.. clouds drifting alnog as the air moves them. Gabriella calls to Jaded Priest Blue Hatchling, who flies over and lands on her shoulder. Tarnished Gold Egg on the other hand is innocent with a good core. Outer shell begining to crack and flake away as if in responce to the actions of Vaulted Cathedral Egg. Hatchling inside trys to break free of it's prison, will it be strong enough to make it threw? The drawled comment brings a fresh spate of laughter from the Tunnelsnake even as she scootches forward to offer the assaulted 'creature' a hand. "You handled yourself very well, I thought! The shriek was a nice touch. Convinced him you were dead, it looked like," she reassures him. The hand not being offered reaches out to pluck strips of rapidly congealing wherry from his once pristine scales. "Such a shame...you're an absolute mess...anything broken?" Calliope blinks in from ::between::! Shaiyun squelches his meat happily into lumps of gory mush, which he offers up to Goober, who's pacing his shoulders with a shrieking of talons o'er metal. "Y'can make omlette with wherry eggs, but I don' /fink/ y'can wiv firelizard eggs." he spews randomly in the Gypsy's direction, squidging methodically. "'least, I dunno if yer allowed." Green tunnel snake looks down to see that sitting crosslegged on the floor may not be the best of things in this costume. The seams are bulging a bit and the leather is starting to stretch. She shifts into a kneeling position so as not to come uncostumed in a most embarassing way. Perhaps sewing herself into this thing wasn't such a good Idea. She is distracted by a lovely sparkle in a costume She nods to whomever it is with a smile that goes unseen under the mask. She is distracted as more eggs start to shake and tremble. Sinister Shadow Man eyeballs Clump of Thread with distaste; however, his outwards emotionless countance is not compromised for a costume -- nay, this Grim Reaper plays the part perfectly. A glow shimmers the sight underneath his heavy hood; light eyes spark, seeming to draw on the light energy, showing eerie swirls of quicksilver. And the moment passes, glow re-done, and the traitorious Saverill returns, grim presence as foreboding as evil incarnate. The Rainbow Wherry claps her hands/wings at the impressions "Yay! Congrats, I hope they won't be as bad as Wedge." She adds, at which her blue, as if on que, pecks her again "Ouch! Not nice, bad Wedge!" She sighs, why can't she get a nice mellow firelizard? And with that she munches on another meat roll. The Ebon Wherry is perfectly happy to sit back and watch.  Too many people.  Too much noise.  Too many firelizards.  She doesn't need to get involved with this mess, nope, not at all.  "Huh, lotsa blues," she comments absently.  She has a blue.  He's a complete /wimp/. Sky offers the protection of her cloak to the floundered fish with a flick of an edge. "Join the TunnelSnake?" Sky notes the newly impressed "Well done to the pair of you." she says with a wave. Vaulted Cathedral Egg shimmers it's fellow's movement seeming to be the cue it was waiting for.  It broods for a moment then looms as it prepares then explodes into existance. Dark Sky blinks in from ::between::! Vaulted Cathedral Egg shimmers then parts like vestibual clothes, revealing its noteworthy inhabitant.  Letting him tumble free in a manner most undignified inappropriate to one of his station. The Fish nods, his tail flopping madly about as he does so. "Just a bit of the support... I'll call it my ribs, I suppose. That was the snapping." He shakes his head/booty at the offered hand, as well as to the Sky. "I think I'll just stay here for a while... I don't wanna fall over again, and I don't know how I'll hold up with a broken rib or two." Should've used a stronger wood for the frame of a fish, apparently. "Thanks though. I wouldn't object to some body guarding though? And thanks for cleaning me... And just..." His voie goes all quivery with emotion, "Thanks!" Gabriella calls to Dark Sky, who flies over and lands on her shoulder. Tarnished Gold Egg peels apart like gold leaf peeling from an old frame revealing it's occupant to the world. The Gypsy girl smiles softly and kisses Preston's, the blue, head. Turning her head to her other shoulder she kisses her Dark Sky's head, the brown. Picking up two meatrolls she hands them to her flits and smiles happily as they eat it up. Day eyes the bronze.. Such a fellow would certainly fly well and strong in /her/ sky. He could even become her Sun, her Rubkat! A grin to the newly hatched lizard. "You need a new place to rule.. and I offer it all from earliest dawn to deepest of hidden night. Come along with me and you will see." An offer is made of her packtail, always carried for those fireliards she knows.. Once she's plucked the last ruined bit of wherry from his exterior, the Tunnelsnake gently pats the Fish on the closest fin and tries for reassuring, "Broken rib or not, you're still a perfectly good fish. Just... a little rumpled. Think nothing of it." The meat she'd set aside earlier is picked up and divided into two portions, one being offered the quivery-voiced fish as a consolation prize. "Hopefully the next one won't be quite so eager to nibble on you as everyone else has been," she adds brightly. Fitz zips in from the South Caverns. Arrogant Cardinal Bronze Hatchling gives a sly glance towards His Magesty and sidles a little closer, his croon sweetly innocent, like honey'd poison over the gulible brown.  It is the rest of those present that he eyes with more suspicion.  Them he does not know... time to remidy that error. Green Tunnelsnake watches as the stately bronze bursts out of his shell. What an unusual color scheme. She looks over to the fish who is finally righted with only a few stains and a couple bite marks to his great costume. Maybe he won't look so tasty to these hatchligs they look more refined. She moves her hands with the meat in them. Stretching out fingers as she switches hands. The blood is soaked all the way trhough the gloves and she can feel her fingertips getting wrinkles in them. "Bronze." says the Guard wisely, nodding sagely, as Goober settles himself like a somewhat bizarre mantle over his shoulders. "That's s'posed to be good luck, but I betcha he doesn't have as many boogers as Goobs here has." he tells the Gypsy proudly, giving the brown a proprietory pat. "I betcha Goober could pin him in a fight." Thread darts about, reminisent of the real thing, rushing down from the sky towards Pern, but thankfully this Thread isn't deadly. She dashes here, and there, slipping around the Sky, halting for a moment or two to send her a greeting. "hello.' Shadow'd Man's eyes flicker, beneath his silver-lined hood; the platinum-hued hem shines eerily, as the man sentances the Cardinal with an intent gaze. Is it possible? Is there.. one who could counter his darkness with an aura of oily villaintress? A twitch, and his heavy cloak falls from his shoulders, covering the skin-tight leather. The brown is looked upon with a vile glance -- too easily persuaded, too easily fooled, that one. He would need a stronger leadership; quit being spineless. Give in to the vile smoothtalker nearby, and you -- and your kingdom, your domain of perpetual eggshards -- might fall in a blaze of bronze glory. The Fish begins to tremble as two more eggs crack. Peering down down his costume towards the new-Hatched, he notices the pinky blotch on that one bulging eye, and attempts to lean down to pick that off. "Ow! The rib's pokin' me!" Is said as the one inside the costume once more slips out of character, an arm disappearing into his body suit to rub at the newly-wounded side. "A little help with the meat, eh?" is called up towards the Tunnelsnake and the Sky. He gives the tail on his head a flop, as if he could discourage those terrible lizards from following in the first blue's footsteps. His Magesty the King Brown Hatchling struts, back kept perfectly striaght, out of the shards of his egg. Looking down at the bronze he blindly see's what he wish's to see, a loyal subject. The rest of his subjects around the room are survayed with a little two step of boyish exuberance. It's his day of birth, only good can come today right? Smiling at the Impression, the southern feline almost pokes a hole in her chin with her fangs. Ruhroh, small flaw in costume design. Sharp fangs and smiles /do not/ go together..le-ouch. Recovering her composure, she finds a spot to perch, tail wagging with anticipation as she eyes the hatchlings. In character they appear quite delicious and her small nose twitches as she watches them escape their egg shelled prisons. Waving her front paws she tries to entice them towards the meat impaled upon her claws, her gaze fastened mostly upon the bronze. "Fresh, safe and sooo perfect is this meat. Ignore what holds it." is purred towards the small winged snack...err hatchlings.  The Gypsy laughs softly at the boy, "I'm sure your right. Do you have anything to feed the little ones young guard?" She listens to her two flits chitter softly at her as she mentions food. "If not I can give you some meatrolls." She offers two more to her little flitts and once again they take them. "Beauty comes in many forms," the Lady Holder muses, clutching her uneasy stomach for support. "So my dears, which one of thee whilst take on thy challenge," she says as she peers at both bronze and brown contestants. "For I am but a wee lass who has need of thy great protection," the Lady says in a sharp tongue, her emerald eyes surveying both of them with interest. Let them come to protect their damsel in distress. Her poor stomach. "Ouch, shards," she says, letting a quiver of pain run through her. "My loyalty, I pledge," she says in a voice that commands attention in a regal way. Prim, she nods her head in consent. Sage struts in from the South Caverns. Sky eyes the newest hatchlings. "Bronze and Brown." she notes, pushing her cloak back to reveal a little more of the TunnelSnake. "I'll try to guard you." she comments to Fish. Thread darting nearby is given a nod and a smile in welcome, sun-hued brow bobbing. The Tunnelsnake leans back on heels and tail, safely tucked away beneath Sky's protective cloak and yet close enough to keep a painted eye on the hatchlings roaming about. "Now -that-," she whispers to both of her companions, indicating the bronze, "Is a creature that seems as evil as a tunnelsnake. Shhh. Don't tell anyone though, we hate to be singled out. Ruins our plots." So it is with all innocence that one taloned hand sweeps out and oh so casually dangles a strip of still dripping meat before her. She's not looking at the hatchlings. Really. And just because she's being innocent, she will also reach out to clear the Fish's eye. A few good smudges should do it. The Rainbow Wherry claps for the two hatchlings "Oh they're so lovely, I like the Brown, I don't think he'll cause trouble like you!" The blue just peers at the brown and pecks the wherry for her insolence "Hey, don't forget, I'm Captain of the Lake!" For nay! Do not fall for the birthingday trick; a present of the wicked sort shall come, if you keep that blinded view of upturned idealism, dear king! Open your eyes, see the truth.. Wait. Is this /Darth/Vader/ talking? Crazy. The traitorous Saverill is revisited; nay a traitor for this king, is he. Fitz pads into the living cavern, arms crossed over his chest. He asked the drudge to help him find a costume but he had no ideaa /this/ would happen. "What's going on?" he asks, sulking. "Goober eats all my meat, an' m'name's Shaiyun." the Guard tells the Gypsy, adjusting his saucepan of a helmet, and squinting at the bronze and brown tableau in front of them. "That bronze s'all oozy, like T'ramp at our Weyr. He oozes." the boy nods, flourishing his 'sword' in the general direction of the firelizards, in case Gabriella missed them. "'least, that's what P'rude said, that T'ramp was a slime." Arrogant Cardinal Bronze Hatchling croons reasurance to the brown.  Let the child drown in his folly.  All the more for /him/.  and he prowls,  A tunnelsnake he spies... no that one would too easily see through him.  Ah, but who are these others, the bright blue one? (Sky) or perhaps the seafood...(Fish)  now which would make the best hencheman? Kilbane calls to Corsair, who flies over and lands on his shoulder. Day studies the movements of both bronze and brown.. The king in all his comely grace and the bronze, awe-inspiring, but with that streak of disquiet.. a shiver is sent and recieved.. But surely he can still be turned from his evil intenbt? And who better to do so then a loving heart of open day? Food dangled.. always welcome regardless. Sage enters into the Caverns, looking more elegant and graceful than she has in turns.  Her cheeks are faintly flushed behind her mask, and her old training kicks in.  No one would guess it was Sage- especially with her acting so ladylike.  The Butterfly, peeping through eyeholes in her mask, walks nearer to the group, interested and curious, "What's going on?"  She asks no one in particular. Thread nods to Sky's companions before darting off again, staying in one place for but a few minutes. Then over the noise and clatter she hears a familiar name. She turns and moves in the direction of the voice, darting like the thread that she is. She steps up to the Guard and nods her greetings. "Greetings Guard," she says. Southern feline purrs again towards the small bronze, her claws tapping in staccato on the floor, the meat bobbing up and down. Her feral gaze drifts over the small one, appreciating his manner. Kindred spirit this one. Entice with honey....or meat...and then when lulled into a false sense of security...wham. All yours to do with as you may. Good plan. Now if only the little bronze is so arrogant as to think he is safe. Puuuurhaps? Don't look for Shadow'd Man to become your newest Rochefort, dear Cardinal. Your villainous nature is spotted, and seen, by the cloaked figure. But... if only the king could rely apon himself, then those shaffing guards -- the need for swordfights would be null and gone. Open your eyes, dear king! The Gypsy girl smiles softly and nods the guard also known as Shaiyun. "Well I'm Gabirella. Its a pleasure to meet you kind sir. But I fear i must me off. Us gypsys tend to sleep more in the day that way we can party all night." The girl winks to him then waves to everyone else as she head out of the cavern. Sky eyes the bronze. "The Sky awaits you." she says, spreading the folds of her cloak to show the star lined inside. "If you care to fly that way." Eyes glance to the fish. "I don't think he wants to eat you yet." she hisses towards him. Concientious bodyguard, isn't she? Gabriella goes home. Kilbane looks quite out of place among the florid guises. As he walks by the various peoples, some earn a, "Nice.." Or a, "Impressive.." type word. Tracking towards the hearth, the candie takes advantage of the sweet confections and other notable edibles. A Hatching as well? This is quite festive.. The Fish just glares at the bronze through his little eyeholes, giving a thankful nod to the Tunnelsnake for having cleaned his eye off, despite the still-present smears of pink. He begins feeling all over his costume for some spare meet, finding a nice bit in the crook where he bends, and in some strange In-Fish_Character way, tosses the meat right in front of the mouth of the costume. "And now, I'll eat them. And then they'll be sorry! Teach all the 'lizards a lesson of messing with Fish!" Evil laughter here. "Good that /he/ doesn't want to eat /me/" is said with a velvetty tone to Sky. Thine great Lady is too pure and proper to be a henchman, "Whilst the flame flickers, we need not worry about thine enemies," she recites, sending a look to the trecherous bronze. "Your loyalty should not be tested," she says to the bronze, but turns to the king. "I am at thine disposel," she says and bows her head to the brown. Thine Lady is waiting for thee. And she is waiting with a plate off food no less, a feast fit for a king. The Tunnelsnake, rather than take offense at being passed on by the bronze, snickers in delight. The Fish is wounded and can't escape! So she'll just give into the evil little inner voice and nudge that pile of rescued wherry strips over until it's positioned right next to Fish's leg. Her other hand, talons positively dripping with gore by this point, continue to wave their messy burden about in front of her and Sky, provided the bronze instead goes towards the cloaked one. Sure, an invitation is nice, but blood helps to entice too. Squaln shuffles in from the South Caverns. With the Gypsy's exit, the Guard shuffle-slides between the press of bodies, a random smear of herdbeast blood smudged just above his eyebrow giving him a decidedly nefarious look - inasmuch as a waifish looking boy clad as he is /can/ look wicked. "He looks too snotty to have much boogers," says the boy, grammatically incorrect perhaps, to the quivering mound of cloth and bells standing beside him, who tinkles agreement with every nod. green tunnel snake moves over toward the gypsy girl. "Gabe? er... Gabi? I'ts Namah." Is whispered softly trying not to let too many others hear her. She doesn't want her costume revealed but this /is/ family. Or so she thinks so far. She tries to smile but remembers that the mask is hiding her face. Sage heads toward the food table, and grabs a mug of juice.  All these people...she realizes it's a hatching and ohhs.  "Of course," she mumbles. She really shouldn't try for any.  She's enough for her to handle...or something like that.  She eyes the hatchlings wistfully, then sits down alone at a table.  It didn't seem anyone wasn't trying for them, so she's decided to sit back and watch the show.  This butterfly is pooped anyway.  She lifts her mask enough to sip her juice, and drops it back down, wondering who all the people were behind the masks. The Rainbow Wherry hasn't been paying much attention to the goings on...could be because she's fighting over her meat rolls with a now hungry blue which has moved from her head to her lap "Go away Wedge! My food!" The bunny hops over to the nearest table and tries to reach for a cookie, the length of the costume's arms a bit restrictive. He gets on his tiptoes and hops up and down, ears flopping. "Gaah!" a growling bunny? Ee! Green Tunnelsnake frowns as the Gypsy girl wanders off. Guess she didn't whisper loud enough. She turns her atention back to the hatching looking to see what was going on. She settles in near the little guard and kneels again remembering the results if she sits again. Both of her hands are uncomfortably wet now but she doesn't want to put the meat down or take off her gloves. She needs the meat for any hatchling that may wander her way and the gloves would get lost in the crowd if she put them down. She sighs oh well... She has delt with worse. Thread eyes the Guard, apparently she can easily be ignored by him. She turns about, moving along, deeper into the throng. A waves is sent to the dissappearing Gypsy as a nod in greeting is offered to the Bunny. A hello to Day as well as Rainbow and Ebon wherries. Thread moves from the center of the crowd out to the side opposite from whence she came. Arrogant Cardinal Bronze Hatchling is in a quandry, he has food, and such easy victims in such atantalizingly easy reach, and yet there are those here who /dare/ defy him.  But he's not in a position to get his own hands dirty... ah where's a good lacky when you need one?  The fish is given a long look with the sinisterly cloaked form giving a poisonous glare.  Must he do /everything/ himself? Cue the Darth Vader music once more -- he's evil incarnate; more machine than man. Shadow'd Man, a Saverill with repentance borne, watches the pair with unguarded peril; a flutter in his never-erratic heartbeat. A dark glare, delivered with full backing, to the Cardinal - and then, anxious glances t'wards the brown once more. Will the king see in time? Or will the guards have to go into action -- and save their king, once more? Putting lives on the line is not a good thing, m'lord. Though if you weren't so utterly clueless with that beshaffed idealism, your guards would have hardly a thing for fun. Well.. Other than to drink, seduce, and be merry. So -- what'll it be, Your Majesty? Day nods to Thread, returning the greeting with a smile.. If it could be seen.. Eyes the bronze with suspicion . Will he decide to mend his evil ways or merely find a new lackey to attend to his needs for him? She can offer guidance to help with a turnaround, but as to an attendant dancing to his tune? nay, not this one. Kilbane selects a fruit tart and a glass of water to abate his hunger pangs. Corsair warbles sweetly at the new hatchlings, he himself not being that old. Squaln is dubiously noted and a wave is given to his vicinity. He renders a long sip from the glass, the water swirling over his tongue before finally being swallowed. Rabid Bunny decides to grab a meatroll instead and hops over to where the others are, trying not to step on his own big feet. Whiskers tickle his nose, and he winces as if about to sneeze, breaking open the meatroll and stuffing part in his mouth. His Magesty the King Brown Hatchling closes his eyes to ponder on what to do, no good King jumps right into things, when he hears a faint voice 'King I am your fathe..' er no 'Open your eyes, dear King!' Rising up again he stakes claim to his Kingdom, it shall be called 'Sikkyen Land'! With a lunge and flap of damp wings he hurtles himself at Sikkyen creeling for food. Kerali sways her hips as she walks in from the Northeastern Caverns. Folds of cloak are re-draped around her as Sky regards bronze once more. With a flick of blue-tinged hand, meat is held out from her crouched position. "Is this good enough to satifsy your hunger?" she asks it dryly, before looking at the TunnelSnake behind her. "What are you doing?" she asks the Snake. Southern Feline purrs at the small bronze. "No need for muss nor fuss. See? Rich pickings at your disposal, clean, neat and no need to work hard for them. Ask and you shall be given." Her feral gleam flickers dangerously behind ebon rimmed lashes, her claws poised with her outreached offering. Of course, if he /does/ take her offer, he will not find a willing lackey, but more the measure of his own machinations. But then, who better to understand his nature? White teeth gleam by light of glows, sharp and dangerous, rapier tip of tail twitching in suspence. The fish eyes the pile of wherry pushed towards his 'food's' blue legs, wishing now that he could possibly swallow those darned legs and get them out of the way. And what if the legs get in the way as he attempts to lure the bronze towards him and down his gullet? What a terrible way to go, choking on human and firelizard. The tail flops about his head as seductively as he can convince the tail to flop, the Fish now bent on one and only one task: Food. Of course, with supports rigged around the lips, he may encounter one of the problems of how to close his mouth. But tat will be taken care of as, perhaps, the time comes. The Rainbow Wherry finally get part of her meat roll back from her blue and starts to repremand him but stops to watch the Brown run for the Shadow man. She eats the meat and claps her hands "Congwats!" She says with her mouth full. Thine Great Lady is one of those loyal to her king, and only her king. "Those who dare defy m'lord shall be punished," she states in a tone which can only be described as a warning towards the bronze. "Your Highness, I pledge my loyalty, and my services to only you, my dear king," she says and makes a sweeping head nod towards her majesty. "Even though you seem to be strong, you are weak," she chides the bronze. She will not be victom to his disloyalty. Nilst anything else of his type. "I won't be swayed," she says, eyeing the king's chosen. Ahh well, his knight regarded before his Lady. But she would never subject herself to the evil of the bronze. "Kilbane!" she calls and leaves the circle for a bit, "Squaln!" Removing her mask for a minute, she winks. "Hi, dears," she greets with a smile, slipping it back on. The Tunnelsnake, arms getting somewhat tired of waving meat near her two companions to draw the bronze in towards them, lets out a rather undignified snort at the glare from the little thing. Unappreciative booger, to steal a word from the guard. "They'd make perfectly good lackeys," she murmurs with a hint of humour, "Either of them." What more could one want than a broken but still manly fish, or a gracious welcoming sky? -She- certainly wouldn't hesitate if presented with one or the other. You paged Tstar with: Debajirin pages, "I've found I like his personality better than the browns, really." Shaiyun plunks himself on the ground, in the way of various awkwardly costumed people, with a flapping of his skirty-thing - /warrior/ thing - comprised of tea-towels around his legs. "I like hatchings." he says conversationally to no one in particular. "'cause no one yells at you for gettin' messed up. I've even gotta /song/ about 'em." Day applauds the brown's choice, best to them both... And again, the bronze.. whom and what direction will he pick? Could he even been shown the error of his ways and guided to the Light? Lifted from the Darkness and shown how to better himself, to reach his shinig best? Fish dangles, eyes are watched, all in curiousness. Darth Vader-turned kingdom property would have toppled -- a meatroll is snagged, proffered, and grinned apon. Of course; the Shadow'd Man shakes off his evil Eletian countance, from Gre--er, black one, to Darth Vader, to.. king's kingdom? Very odd. A pile of raw meat is stacked, as he observes the brown with befuddled gaze, under his hooded visage. A warrior, and two kings. Let's hope that His Royal Highness won't find just cause to sacrifice Hynerian for the Greater Good, shallst we? Arrogant Cardinal Bronze Hatchling wrenches around to see the defiant one steal his victim from right under him, and flees, as exile will surely result from his treason, strait into the... fish?  POuncing on the costume first then blink.  Ok, so that /isn't/ his dinner, instead he creels almost pitifully. Explanations are in order. Arrogant Cardinal Bronze Hatchling saunters to Debajirin with disdain and begins whuffling around, as if inspecting a dubious specimine with whom he just /must/ work.  Then, apparently comming to his descision he creels demandlingly. Arrogant Cardinal Bronze Hatchling looks at you with whirling eyes.  You have Impressed him. His Magesty the King Brown Hatchling has choosen his queen to reign at his side, and with a regal trumpeting noise he bows towards Sikkyen with a creeled demand for food. Kilbane is having so much trouble trying to latch onto bits of conversation, he inevitable gives up and turns his attention momentarily to his tart. His name suddenly pops up amid the steady cacophony, and looking up, he pinpoints the rough locale of the voice's owner, though he missed the mask lift. A Kilbane grin is shot that way at any rate. The Thread's attention is caught by a flopping guard, apparently he keeps catching her attention for some reason, other than the fact that he offers to....Yeah, we'll just leave that part out. Stepping closer to the Guard she simply asks. "Didn't want a more realistic guards uniform?" Of course, he shouldn't know who she is, if he does, than he's rather perceptive and can see under her mask. "Oooh! Let's hear the song!" Tunnelsnakes=Evil, remember. Besides, who could resist such a fiendishly grimy little example of guardliness? Not Isoldi...er...Tunnelsnake. Then she's caught up in the glee of seeing that wicked little bronze claim the fish. And he thought -she- was bad... "Now -that- is going to be amusing to watch," she chuckles, settling back on her tail -- convenient cushion, that -- and applauding meat-slick talons together at the Fish's catch. Sky grins.. seems the bronze has found willing lackey and all is again in balance. As a good day should be, ne? Sikkyen is downgraded to a.. queen?! Good /heavens/. That cloak must be hiding alot of secrets, if so. Oh-Shadow'd-One is half-tempted, but.. He just feeds His Majesty with an exasperated air. A male-yet-female Darth Vader? Should he have purple armor instead of his ominious black? Apparently. Green tunnel snake watches the impressions with memories of her little one. The first shimmering thought is such a surprise. you were chosen and it felt good. She grins with a glint of teeth showing through the small mouth hole in her mask. She watches the newest arivals hatch with anticipation. What will the story hold next? The Fish is mad now. The Fish is fuming. The Fish is not at all pleased. "You don't eat /me/!" the aquatic one cries at him, squiggling backwards in an attempt to clear the firelizard out from his legs. He goes to sit midway, pivotting on his side, or the costume wearer's bum, to get to a place where his arms might be able to twhap at the bronze. Instead, some of the dripping meat is given, the fish scowling and grumbling. "You're just lucky I can't close this mouth, or you'd be /so/ gone." Wow, was that almost affection in that last comment? Shaiyun gazes first at The Thread, and then down at his 'armour' with a wounded expression. "It /is/ realistic...s'what /real/ guards should wear." he argues, and then points out: "Anyway, how'd you know? You're a /girl/, and girls're /stoopid/ an' /crybabies/ - " he's about to add more, all puffed up and indignant under his teatray, but the Tunnelsnake diverts him and he obligingly launches into loud, strident, ear-exploding song. Mountains of Austria Egg shakes slightly, but as mountains are hard to move, so, seemingly is this egg, yet tense it is, anticipation... then the final march. This one is not waiting, this one has waited long enough! The dear Lady settles down near both Squaln and Kilbane, rolling her eyes under her mask. "Really now," she says and looks them over. "Why aren't you two in costume? I seem to be one of the only reconizeable Candidates in this bunch," she says with a grins, taking the mask off. Sarah's smile penatrates as she eyes the two of them. "You guys need to get out more." What is she talking about? She's the one who's been talking like a sharding puritan for the last few minutes, hmmmm. "Now, dears, get into the fun..I command thee," she adds with a giggle. Country Honor Egg hops so hard and high it's a'wonder the brash hatchling inside doesn't get himself killed. As it is the fragile eggs structure starts to buckle.. Country Honor Egg can't hold it's occupant inside any longer, with a challenging cry out streaks the bold young firelizard. Aspiring Duelist Blue Hatchling Whisp thin firelizard of the most brilliant sapphire nature can create was not only born blue hided but has blood of the same hue pulsing hotly in his veins. Like a lovingly carved piece of art brash young creature is all angles and lines. Strongly jawed muzzle arcs into glaringly prominent brows over wide square eyes that whirl with a wild animals keenness for detail. Sinewy neck seems to go one forever, ridged with lighter hued notches. From shoulders sprout huge midnight black sails so nearly translucent as to be the night sky azure of a luxurious high bred mans cloak. Cerulean cream blankets tender underbelly flowing smoothly up the bottom of sinuous rapier of a tail. Well formed but nearly chicken thin legs barely seem to hold the powerfully muscled body of honorable winged monster. Izz'y walks in from the Southeastern Bowl. Mountains of Austria Egg shatters into a thousand fragments, leaving its occupant out in the open. In a rush of emerald, an unknown woman enters the room...or is she known to all? Nodding politely at the other masked attendees, she weaves her way throughout, smiling at The Fish, nodding with a blink of feathered eyelashes at The Thread.  Slowly, she makes her way towards a table, and turns to eye the folks in the room.  Who is this mysterious Green Lady?  Day gasps... His lordship matches and meets her needs.. shall she bow and offer her sustenance or wait til he has had a chance to offer the challenge? A glove is drawn, should she deliver the blow and toss it at his feet? Thread glares rather annoyedly at the boy. "Hmm, now you wouldnn't want many more people to find out about your wooden sword and Bratta would you?" She enquires, thinking by know that this boy would recognixe her voice. "Besides, several of the guards from High Reaches are female, indicating that we are most certainly not stupid." Thread's gone through this once with this boy, and she expects that he will apolagize after he discovers who she is, but she'll not tell. Squaln mock bows to the Lady and sips his mug of klah as he stands, watching the rest here.  They're all decked out in costume and here he is, not even in the festive mood.  Evil smirk.  "I figured I'd just be myself." he says in reply to her.  "Isn't that scary enough?"  The candidate then starts chewing his thumb nail and eyes Kilbane next to him.  "Right, 'ol pal?" Debajirin calls to Ribot, who flies over and lands on his shoulder. The feathered lady, crouches down. Waving a hand over her folded cloth, she unfolds, revealing smaller pieces of a sweetroll. Laying a table fit for Our Lady the Queen ..."Here little one, be hungry no more..." Smiling at the freshly hatched green. Sky claps as the bronze dives on the Fish. "Save yourself this time." Sky advises, turning her attention back to the eggs. A visible wince is given as 'Guard' launches into song. "Noisy." she comments, before placing a pile of meat on the floor before her. "Another blue, and a green." is noted for those who can't see because of their costumes. If there are any. Green tunnelsnake oohs as two eggs hatch almost at once a pretty blue and a green who could be matched with the little brown from earlier. She croons as she looks at the green. Oh you would match my costume. She giggles at herself. The little green looks like she can take care of herself. She will just have to wit and see if her meat is appealing enough. Between the Guard's song and the Fish's predicament, the Tunnelsnake is having a jolly good time. Just witness the near constant stream of chuckles and snickers that pour from the gaping mouth of her hood. "It's just too easy sometimes. Really." Gory talons are clicked together to indicate satisfaction before she retrieves the meat she'd formerlly been waving about. Given that her arms have tired somewhat throughout the course of the hatching, she will only casually dangle those strips, the effort lacking the energy of before. "Indeed," she remarks to Sky. Aspiring Duelist Blue Hatchling leaps out of his egg darting this way and that, back and forth, must secure the area, must challenge everything I see to a dual. Not expecting an attack from below the slippery floor sends him into a chair leg, snarling he fights it with his all! Swinging about he looks for his next opponent. The Rainbow Wherry claps her hands as she sees the green "Oooh, look! A green, and a blue! But the green!"  Wedge seems not to care and goes for another peace of the Rainbow's meat roll. "No Bad, I want to give this to the Green, she reminds me of a Queen, and she's pretty...and more mannerly than you." She then offers the meat roll to the Green hatchling. Shaiyun squints up at The Thread, and never particularly quick on the uptake, completely fails to recognise her. "S'proper /sword/," he insists childishly, ignoring the reference to 'Bratta'. "An' why dun' you try fer that green," he jerks his head towards the freshly hatched, regal green with obvious contempt. "She's all sissy girly like girls, an' yer a girl...right?" Sage lifts a hand as she sees Squaln and Kilbane, waving.  "Hey Kilbane! Squaln!  Come over here!"  She calls, hoping they'll do as they're told. She's bored.  She then ohhs as the two new hatchlings and shakes her head with a murmured, "Beautiful."  Winged arm is lifted to take off her mask, and she smiles for the freedom, "It's kinda hot in there." Our Lady the Queen Green Hatchling unferls herself with regal splendor, not the most comly of her kind, yet her moves lack nothing in grace and poise.  She inspects those present:  A force to be reconed with. Day grins at entering rider, motioning him to her side, eyes still attendant on challenging blue. Glove has been thrown, landing by said firelizard's feet.. to be taken up if he dares.. Southern Feline oohs and claps her paws together as the brown and bronze make their choices. This of course causes meat to go flying from claws tip. Sailing through the air, it manages to avoid anyone, much to the cat's gratitude. Wincing at the almost disaster her clapping could have caused she pivots to spear more meat onto the ends of those sharp gleaming appendages. She turns back in time to spot two hatchlings and the sliding blue. Quickly she dips her claws back towards floor level, their gleaming sword-like appearance flashing in the light. En gaurd you tiny duelist, en guard! Fight or the meat shall defeat you! Sarah rolls her eyes at Squaln, "Dear, I'm proud of this dress! It's the first I've actually hand-made in awhile," she chides and taps her fingers on the tables. "You guys aren't scary...just freaky," she says with a wink as she rests her head in her hand, elbow on the table. Not a real lady-like stance, but ahh well. "Let's see, dears.." She likes calling people dears today it seems. Eyeing Sage, she stares at HER boys. Mine..not yours. Rabid Bunny finally gets his paws on a cookie, only to have it taken away and a fingerroot shoved in its place. He opens his mouth to protest, then 'blehs' and drops a bit of his meatroll to the ground, inky black eyes darting back and forth, big bunny feet kicking it forward toward the hatchling to see if he'll get rid of it. The Green Lady oh's slightly...a flizzen hatching, at this fanciful faire? Smiling, she deigns to say nothing, for her voice might give away her true identity.  Settling daintily in a seat, she shimmery gold skirt flourishes around her ankles as she amusedly watches each hatchling size up its new surroundings.  Like a whisper of wind through a grassy field, she raises one hand to rest her chin upon, smiling rather curiously. Sage eeks and didn't see Sarah, so amending, with a squeal, "Sarah! almost snarls at the boy, but not really, she's far too nice to do that. "I'll have you know that guards don't typically wear swords, we wear belt knives," she states as she remains towering above the Guard. "And at that, I've already my share of firelizards, perhaps more than my fair share, and I am not a sissy girl." Well, know that she's done with this part of her speech she'll stop and allow the boy to speak. Sikkyen calls to His Magesty the King Brown Hatchling, who flies over and lands on his shoulder. The Fish gives a slightly indignant look to the Tunnelsnake for deriving such pleasure from his new-found predicament, and inches his way away from the crowd, bronze on one of the Fish's lips where some meat has ended up. He manages to back himself right into a chair, and just stays there, being glared at by the bronze, and glaring right back. Now all we need to do is teach the little fella him how to fish. Kilbane poises his arm onto the polished surface of the table, the attached hand made to support his smooth chin. "Hullo Sarah," Liquid smile. "That's quite the costume." A nod is agreeably in accord with Squaln's excuse. "I guess I've grown out of dress-up." He simply states with no tinge of ill will. "But if you really want.." Pause. He grabs someone's stray make-up and creates two deep streaks of kotl on his cheek bones. "There." Is temperately stated. Aspiring Duelist Blue Hatchling is just minding his business looking for something to challenge or a conversation to stealthily overhear when he's attacked from behind! The evil bunny types meatroll sails right into him knocking the young blue on his arse. Jumping up and spinning around he shreds it into bits, a few of which he munches on. Once done he peers around hissing, who did that? Shaiyun gives Sinead a nasty, narrow-eyed look. "Are too." he argues, and then, giving her the cold - indeed, metal covered - shoulder, he launches back into his song with little regard for whether he's hitting the right notes or not. Shriiiiiiiiek. Deka swoops at break-neck speed to the Bowl. Sarah goes home. Sydelle goes home. Kethri flies in glory from ::between::, charging into the fight. Night slides through the crowds, quiet of course, and a little aloof. A mask covering only the top of his face allows for a little half-grin to show. He makes his way to a spot just behind a lady clad in blue. Observing the little new-born flizzen, he cocks his head to one side, but keeps quiet. Green Tunnelsnake watches as the stately green unfurls so gracefully and she sighs. Her legs are cramping and her arms are tired she stands up to stretch and lowers herself onto the other knee kneeling once again. Too bad her flit isn't here to see. He has quite an eye for the ladies and this is a lady before her. She dangles her meat slowly from side to side. Day glares at the offensive attack.. No fair duel was ever fought in such a manner! Her challenge was made honestly, her glove flung with style to be peroused at his leaisure as it were. Fish scented it may be, there is indeed that food about for sure. but more the game is afoot. Squaln refills his mug with klah and notices Sage waving at him from a distance.  Nodding his chin towards Bane and Sarah, he invites Sage to join them in leisurely conversation.  Beamkle.  Leaning against the wall and grinning a little at all the people draped with costume, the lad clears his throat before taking a sip. "Hey, gimme some of that face paint.." he requests of Bane. Mimicking his friend, Squaly puts two streaks of make-up on his cheeks.  Tres spiff, no?  "There." is repeated. The Green Lady laughs at the flit's antics, brown eyes sparkling behind the emerald mask upon her face.  She lifts her other hand to her lips quickly, hoping that her laugh doesn't give her away.  Tilting her head sideways, amusedly, she shakes her head, shoulders shivering occasionally as another chuckle fights to break free. Eyes continue to scan the room, smiling as she recognizes some, pausing as she tries to figure out the others beneath their costumes. Thread ignores the singing and refuses to take the cold shoulder as an answer. "A real guard are you? Then how come I've never seen you in the Guards Barracks?" Since she knows who this 'Guard' is and just where he lives she knows that he's not a guard. "And /we/ do not dress like that, /we/ dress in uniforms, not pots and pans. /We/ also don't carry swords everywhere we go," now she's having fun, not really minding that he isn't wearing a guards uniform, though it does bug her that he has no respect. Our Lady the Queen Green Hatchling pauses a moment to get herself in order, while she still has that luxury.  But the luxury is short lived as she starts to move, her steps are anything but slow as she dives into the crowed as if persuied by bandits. The feathered mask, sits back on her legs, all the while, watching the little green hatchling. Re-arranging the tasty morsels on the cloth, spread out before her. "Hmm." Looking at the green hatchling and looking over at the The Green Lady... Kilbane shoves the make-up away to it's formerly occupied position after Squaln uses it and crosses his arms squarely onto the table. "Sage!" He hollars, "Over here!" He must yell to get his point across. Yep, Squaln and he are the only two Indian braves present. We want wampum! "Now they can't nag that we didn't get dressed up." Rogue grin at Squal. Rabid Bunny giggles at the little hatchling and tosses some more meat down, scooting it along with a furry foot. He crouches down, his chubby stuffed belly bowling him over onto his cotton tail. He challenges the hatchling. Rabid Bunny-  I choose you! Er wait, wrong show. Sky adjusts her position, sitting rather than crouching. Small pile in front of her is added to, with idle patterns being formed. "He's behind you." she calmly advises the blue. Well, he could be. "That greens speedy." is also noted. Sage goes home. Karanaya walks in from the Southeastern Bowl. Aspiring Duelist Blue Hatchling would throw his hand over his ears, if he had hands, or ears for that matter. The Guard aka Shaiyun is hissed at. Lunging forward he tail whips the guards legs, then swiftly retreats again. Whatcha gonna do about it? Puffing up his chest he awaits a challenge, or perhaps this one is a lilly livered girl who doesn't have honor? As if in responce to a distress call the blue swivels it's head just as his lady's tail disapears in the crowd. With a wail of 'I'll protect you's' he chases hot on her heals into the midst of the humans. Shaiyun, the Guard of teatowels and saucepans, breaks off his harrowing song just long enough to stick his tongue out at The Thread - indeed, he half moves his hand as if to rub squished meat, bloody and raw, over her foot, but thinks better of it and waves it in the direction of the hatchlings instead. "Here! Come an' get a bite of sissy girl!" he invites serenely, gesturing with his knobbled stick at The Thread's feet, and then, of course, he starts singing - if it can be termed that - again. Squaln nods to Kilbane as he leisurely leans against the wall, holding his mug of klah like it was a wine goblet filled to the brim.  If only.. Ahem.  Yep, it's true; Bane and The Squal are the braves.  "So which costume do you like out of them all?" he asks his pal.  His gaze falls upon The Green Lady, simply because green is his favorite color.  Beam.  Green Tunnel snake looses sight of the pretty green girl and she leans from side to side looking in the crowd for where she went. She is worried the tiny thing may be stepped on in this crowd. She stands to get a better view dropping some meat scraps as she does. Our Lady the Queen Green Hatchling twists to one side with snakelike ease, what she lacks in looks she makes up for in agility indeed!  And she creens by a wherry, running towards a patch of blue.  Could that be a safe haven?  Or is the green just taunting those who are suposed to be protecting her? Crimson talons are twiddled merrily at the Fish as he withdraws from the fray, leaving the Tunnelsnake crouched beside Sky completely unprotected. Without the fish as a distraction for the hatchlings, it's only logic that says she'll be attacked soon as well, as the vile but oft-misunderstood creature that she is. Oddly enough that realization does nothing to dim the Tunnelsnake's good humour, and drippy little hunks of tempting meat still dangle from those wicked claws to bring possible doom in closer. "They're all speedy. Frightening, isn't it?" The Green Lady raises one eyebrow beneath her mask as her eyes fall upon upon Kilbane...a smirk appears upon her lips.  If only he knew.  This, is replaced by a wince as Shaiyun begins to emit something akin to singing, she supposes, but not-quite-there.  Feeling a pair of eyes, she turns, her own eyes meeting Squaln's, and she graces him with a wink.  Yet still, she says nothing. Better to continue the masquerade...after all, it's great fun! dAY WATCHES THE SMALL BLUE DART AFTER THE qUEEN, A SMALL OF APPROVAL ON HER FACE. HE IS A TRUE GENTLEMAN AFTER ALL.. AND AS SUCH WOULD NOT TAKE NOTICE OF THE KNAVES ABOUT HIM. Southern Feline watches as the small blue attacks the meatroll and giggles a little. Still she flashes her claws like small rapiers, the meat not holding on, but flying once more. This time though it goes not too far, rolling and bouncing on the floor. Swiftly as she can she attempts the spear the bouncing meat back onto her claws, those claws gleaming with single minded purpose. Beware the bouncing meat, beware the flashing claws aiming for it. Karanaya glances around with a slightly confused look An evilish grin is ellicited from the Thread, just wait until the Guard finds out who she is, then he'll be running for his life. "Boy, if I wanted to Impress this hatchling than I would have food out and would be trying to, but, as you can see, I don't have any food out. I have enough fun trying to tend to four male firelizards, much less trying to tend to five, one of whom happens to be female," she states simply to the boy. However, the Thread does keep an eye on the litte green hatchling, wondering who Her Majesty will turn to. Shaiyun throws half his handful of much mangled meat after the blue, though it misses and graces the rump of an unsuspecting gentleman instead. "--I bet yer just /scared/." he states to the Thread, too manly to do more than give his knee a quick rub, but he doesn't try his...singing, again. Kilbane counters, his tart now gone and his glass empty. Looking craftily from the corners of his eyes, the candie steals quietly a few paces away a thiefs a lone bottle of mild ale. Well, more like fizzy water. "Well," Mulls he, his eyes skimming over the swarm of masked people. "I like the feline costume.." In case Squaln can't see, he points at his preferred costume. "You?" The housekeeper arrives to cart Sikkyen off to bed. Green tunnel snake sees a flash of green as the little lady flit runs about. She looks like she is agile enough to avoid the feet of those not paying atention. Trying to keep an eye on her as she uns amok The green tunnel snake squats back down so she can see the green. She hears an awful ripping sound as she does and notices her costume has ripped out the seam from the knee up to her hip. Oh how embarassing. "It is rather." Sky notes, flicking back a strand of blue dyed hair that chose that moment to slip forward. "Hard to dodge when they can move that fast." Sky's growing pile is shoved a bit further out. The feather masked lady, slumps over, having fallen dead asleep. Or maybe her corsette is too tight... The Thread eyes the boy. "Now, explain to me why I would be scared of a firelizard, when I do, in fact, have four of my own, and I live in a Weyr at that? You can't fear firelizards if you live with dragons," she states. Too bad she isn't Thread, she'd miss here, miss there and hit this wannabe guard. Our Lady the Queen Green Hatchling's cries turn joyous, and she turns towards Kaslarna, creeling piteously. Squaln rolls his shoulders in a lazy shrug and takes another sip of his klah, looking into the mug afterwards.  "I like the green costumes." he drawls in reply.  "None in specific.  Just anything that's green."  Yes, this candidate is obsessed with the color green.  Couldn't you tell?  Blue optics scan the room and flick to one costume to another. "'Cause yer a sissy girl." says Shaiyun unequivocally to the Thread. He sticks to his guns. "A sissy girl am I?" The Thread glares an icy gaze at the boy, almost surprised he hasn't recognized her yet. "We'll see about that." Aspiring Duelist Blue Hatchling looses track of the fair maiden in the crowd so darts around suddenly wild with the need for food. Out of chance he ends up infront of the guard again, a brave soul, who sings even worse then his fellow muskateers. With a happy warble he jumps at the mans chest scrabbling with his claws to get a grip on him. Picking up the mess before her, she stands up, shakes off her gown, stretches, yawns..."G'nite all" Magen goes home. Entil'Zha blinks in from ::between::! Aspiring Duelist Blue Hatchling has found an equal to forever dual hearts with! Creeling pitiously he turns to Shaiyun eyes whirling with pledges on his honor, and an intense need to be fed some more. A hand drops lightly on Day's shoulder, and Night leans down a little closer. "They're pretty aren't they?" He asks quietly. A second hand is held near the other shoulder, to comfort, incase this delightful person might not have noticed him, and might be startled. Click here to go to the next page of the log (Told you it was long)

Masked Ball Part 2!!!!

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