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"Without even trying, the half-elf Xaira Carlsen had already attracted a little friend, and seemed somewhat unsure of what to make of it! The darkish-red female at Xaira's feet was cuddled up against the half-elf's legs, despite her egg-dampness, and purring her fuzzy little head off, and hadn't said a word! If it wasn't for the bond between them, Xaira wouldn't have even known the tiny girl's name was Shhra'yalii." -- Abstract Destiny Biosynth 13 Hatching
Xaira parted from Westen, taking her place on the floor some distance from him. It wasn't that she didn't like his jovial attitude, even with it wrapped with his current needs or concerns, but she felt this particular event deserved a little ... personal space. Particularly given the size of the ... batch? Clutch... yes, clutch of eggs over there. Her eyes widened a little; she didn't realize it was going to be this big, especially from a couple who, from what she knew, could bear no children. Then again, given the number of people -- er, "beings" filtering into the room, maybe this Dr. Schroeder was just making sure there was enough to go around?
She blinked, shaking her head a bit. They had their reasons, and that wasn't why she was here. Xaira focused herself, eventually plucking the doctor from the crowd. He'd obviously been through this a dozen or more times before, and she was relying on his knowledge, not her own. She watched him, keeping her mind from wandering again until he seemed to think that things were getting started, at long last.
Xaira endured the minor ceremony and obvious prepared remarks -- yes, she knew there were new-bonder classes afterward, thanks -- and remained calm until the wobbling eggs could no longer be ignored by anyone. She was all but fascinated, watching the eggs turn about and eventually crack, for her own specialties, though they were hardly as far removed from "the normal way" as genetic engineering, dealt very little with the, ah, natural way of things most of the time. It was all so enamoring, watching the kittens spill onto the floor and seek out their newfound partners, that she failed to notice the darkish-red creature that was heading straight toward her until it was almost halfway there.
She smiled down at the kitten, her mind working, but for all the preparation and research, she really didn't know what to do as it came up to her. The kitten, however, seemed to have no such hesitation as it let out a rather audible purr and immediately commenced smearing her brown pants and shoes with egg residue and bits of shell. Xaira had to chuckle a little, not minding in the slightest -- after all, she'd seen much worse on the battlefield, and egg was something that could wash out. She crouched down, giving the kitten's mane a light touch as her smile became a little more genuine.
"Hi... I'm Xaira. Not that I mind much, but... think you want to go find a place to clean up a bit?"
The kitten purred a little more intently as it looked up to Xaira, its beaked face resembling the likes of a grin. It tilted its head, blinking its eyes once. :: I know your name... and it's the same stuff I ate for the past month. I don't mind. :: Then a slightly quizzical expression overtook it -- or her, Xaira was pretty sure. :: ... or has it been longer than that? It was pretty weird in there... ::
A chuckle escaped Xaira's lips, and she took a light breath to respond... but then it really hit her that the kitten hadn't really spoken. She had bonded; she was certain, for here in her mind was the kitten's name. Shhra'yalii. While she was thrilled that she had fulfilled the reason for her coming here, that thought at once brought back some frightening misgivings from the night before.
On her homeworld, the power she and others held was jealously sought after by those whom, in the eyes of the Jikuu mages, could use it for questionable means at best. As a way of protecting themselves, the mages had eventually come across one who could give them each a vicious retaliatory mental shield that was capable of "convincing" potential mental priers that they had better, safer things to do -- mainly through random outpourings of Jikuu power toward the intruder. Xaira had meant to ask someone about it, as soon as she found one she was willing to trust with that bit of information, but she hadn't managed that in the time she and Westen had been here.
Basic mindspeech could work around her shielding, but this wasn't some shallow thought that was flung in Xaira's vague direction; it literally felt like Shhra had placed the thoughts directly in her mind. This mental bond had somehow wiggled its way past anything that would attack it, which solved one problem, but presented another: Xaira fully planned to head back home as soon as she figured out how to do so. How could her secret be kept safe then, if she was bonded to someone like this? How could Shhra be kept safe from someone who was willing to abuse that bond? Xaira's mind reeled with the thought, fresh though their bond was.
:: Hey... :: Shhra had been watching her new friend for a moment, unsure what to make of all the feelings she was getting, but now she nuzzled (and thus coated with slime) one of Xaira's hands. :: Lots of people have secrets. ... even them. :: She nodded toward the other side of the room, where Xaira spotted two newly-hatched white dragons that seemed to both be talking at once to their new bond. Hah... she imagined that fellow would have his hands quite full, and fast. She couldn't help but grin, and Shhra followed with her own little smile.
:: We'll find a way. You're smart, and I'm gonna help. You'll see! :: She nuzzled Xaira again, and Xaira couldn't help but to put her arms lightly around the kitten's furry little neck. Shhra was right, she knew... and it was the same thing she told herself last night. They would find a way, even if it was working up some kind of shield for Shhra, too.
After a moment, Xaira took a breath and lifted her head, looking over in Westen's direction. She grinned, watching him play with his "tiger" and growing more relaxed still. Well, he certainly seemed to be getting along... and she was certainly glad that he wound up with a friend, even if it was almost the last one to hatch. Shhra, though, after taking a few more moments to build off her bond's good mood, followed Xaira's glance and spotted Comar'ssavi straight off. Hmmm... she bet she could sneak up on this "tiger" herself. She moved and crouched down, ready to try it, but Xaira caught her thought and laughed.
"Come on, you... let them get to know each other before we say hi to your brother. Aren't you hungry after all this?"
Shhra blinked, her minor disappointment fading away as she considered that. "Well, now that you bring it up..." She grinned up at Xaira, and Xaira laughed again, shaking her head a little as they headed over to the food tables. There would be plenty of time to catch up with Westen... later.