Acting Cool

Writers: Aaron, Duskdog, Estelle, Iluva, Sia
Date Posted: 8th February 2025

Characters: M'rhas, A'ten, Jevikas, H'lem, Tannock
Description: A few of the younger candidates hatch a brilliant and very responsible plan before the Hatching
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 3, day 18 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Nosarre, Tiyo, E'kavas, Saibra, T'mhas, M'thos, L'keri

M'rhas

With eggs steadily hardening on the Sands, the Candidates were busier
and chattier than ever. Everyone knew the time was drawing close. Their
lectures had grown rather repetitive detailing dragoncare, the freshness
of the bond and fragility of the hatchlings, and the countless
responsibilities that would apparently transform (some) lives from the
dull work of glorified drudges to that of fearless Threadfighters. It
sounded good enough to Merhaskel, but it was an awful lot of talk for
not nearly enough action.

And so it was that a rare slice of free time found him strolling into
the packed common room -- hands in his pockets and a rather difficult --
if familiar -- itch. He was bored. And in a good mood. When those two
powers combined he was often forced to take matters into his own hands;
there was nothing quite like excitement and novelty to give a good scratch.

Flopping gracelessly into the nearest open chair, he took stock of the
faces around him. An amenable crowd, he thought with a smile, and not
quite as sour as some of the older ones. “Hey,” Rhas said to a few just
within arm’s reach. “Wanna do something before curfew?”

Arten glanced up from his book, his interest sparked. After working in
the tavern, it still seemed odd to sit in class during the day and relax
in the evening. He had plenty of energy to spare for a game or a dip in
the lake, and "The Further Adventures of Captain Grydel, Bandit Hunter"
had turned out to be less exciting than the title promised. "Sure - like
what?"

Jevikas looked around quickly, as if his aunt or his father might
materialize suddenly at the mere thought of him doing anything but
sitting quietly in the candidate barracks during his free time. Or
worse, that Merhaskel's father might. "Something _good_, right? If I
gotta sit here and watch Tannock and Lemhask making faces at each other
again I'm going to throw up."

Tannock blushed a little, but laughed softly. "Sorry. But it's okay, Jev
-- you'll understand when you're a little older." He cocked his head,
curious about what Merhaskel might have in mind. "I wouldn't mind doing
something fun..."

Lemhask was good at making faces, and he shot a glare of epic
proportions at Jevikas to prove it. But it faded fast at Tannock's
voiced curiosity. Anything Tannock was doing, he wanted to do, too. He
turned to stare at Merhaskel, willing him to spill the beans about
whatever it was he intended to do.

"Well, it's true, Lem," Merhaskel shrugged innocently. "One of you needs
to Impress this time around or we're all gonna be sick." He made a face.
To the rest, he said with a dramatic, long-suffering sigh, "Man, I
dunno, but after Nosarre's stunt yesterday, it's gotta be something
_good_." His expression now bubbled into the territory of contrary;
Nosarre had messed up one of the only interesting things to happen in
here months. "Did anyone of you even get to touch more than two eggs
before Chioneth started chomping? Cause I didn't."

Arten shook his head. "Just one. If I'd known we'd get thrown out all of
a sudden like that, I'd have hurried to see a few more." He was still a
little disheartened that his first time getting close to the eggs - and
maybe his only time - had been cut short. "Do you think there's a chance
they'll let us back in before the Hatching?"

"We don't usually get second chances with the eggs," said Lemhask.
Chioneth had been angry enough to jar him out of his little reverie,
daydreaming about holding Tannock's hand. He had not managed to touch
any of the eggs.

"Maybe?" Tannock ventured, but the look on his face was skeptical. "But
I doubt it. There's only so much reasoning you can do with an angry
gold. I got the impression that the Weyrwoman was really having to push
Chioneth to allow it. What with... you know... everything..." He didn't
really want to talk about the trouble at Barrier Lake. "Everybody's
scared, nobody wants to take any chances. And I don't blame Chioneth for
wanting to protect her babies." He sighed. "It's a shame Nosarre got
greedy. I only got to touch one."

"Don't worry," Merhaskel said knowingly, "_no_ dragon's gonna want
someone who pisses their mother off like that. Serves Nosarre right."
His face scrunched up like he wasn't the type to ever do stupid things
with ruinous consequences for everyone. Like he wasn't potentially doing
that now, leaning in with a sly smile and lowered voice, "Yeah, the
Weyrwoman's pretty tough. I heard my dads talking about how she forces
Chioneth out for short periods. For her sanity or something like that.
Probably easier to get her out than to let all of us in." His gaze
panned to each face, his smile widening, "You guys wanna go for a look?"

Jevikas made a face too, both at the young couple and at the memory of
Nosarre nearly getting herself eaten. "Yeah! I'd only got a good look at
them before Chioneth raged. What if we snuck into the hatching sands to
get another look?"

Arten's eyes went round. Like anyone else brought up in the Weyr, he'd
heard stories about unauthorised attempts to see the eggs, often with
gory consequences. "My da says some kids in his Candidate group tried
that one dark night, and they were never heard from again. All they ever
found was one boot, lying on its own in the middle of the Sands. And the
next day, the queen didn't eat the meat her mate brought her." He
lowered his voice to a sepulchral whisper. "She was full."

At some point Merhaskel's eyes just glossed right over, as if his entire
life force had been diverted into keeping a full-on guffaw from leaping
out of chest and alerting the entire room. "That... is... something we
may have to look out for. Good point. But... yeah, don't sweat it, man,
it almost never happens." He assured Arten.

"Now, listen up." He said conspiratorially to the group, "If you're
staying, keep your mouths shut til we get back. And if you're coming,
double knot your boots, and follow me. And just act cool."

Lemhask eyed Tannock. He could certainly handle not snitching, but if
Tannock was not going, neither was he.

Arten felt a nervous tremor in his belly. He didn't really believe that
Chioneth would eat someone, but he remembered the bone-rattling roar and
the red glow of her eyes when Nosarre had got too close. He could stay
back...but he didn't want to look like a chicken in front of the older
boys, either. Gathering his courage, he got to his feet. "I'll go."

"Yes! Alright, lads!" Just pleased to have their select band of miscreants, Merhaskel smiled his most devillish smile. "Now let's go."

Last updated on the February 11th 2025

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Acting Cool