Sheng Stac'ver and Vassago Thain

Size comparison Piece and Knockoff/Pawn

Azon/Halloween Mutt, bipedal though often can run on all fours, with four legs and two main wings, with large claws on all; small hip-wings (nonfunctional), split-ended tail with spikes and poison stingers; angular head with external ears, sharp back swept horns, webbed head and neck spines; pupiled eyes; Note where color shifting is indicated, secondary image is provided though not all of them are the entire dragon, because look at them I'm not gonna recolor all that :D

Name she VAH, a mixture of the parents names, as apparently is now tradition for the dad's line; if bred into more complicated naming, readopt mother's ' or any other changes

Knockoff stats: all average 3 with one being 2 and one more 4 your choices; powers: while the knockoffs are less skilled than their full size Piece siblings, the White Pawns can still use Spirit powers and Verbal Speech with ease (level 6) while their Black Pawn siblings are adept with Infernal and Void powers; with 4 for Telepathy, local and nexus teleportation; and 2 for magic breath and poison stingers

This clutch debuts late in the 1 hour until Midnight countdown

Full Pieces

All family name Sheva

Bond: Aimaan, Voluntary Bond
Meeting Notes: It was nearly midnight, and Aimaan had made the rounds more than once, slinking around the dragon balconies, but also slipping down to the humanoid areas - and nearly being mistaken for one of the participants in the hatchings. Though she scoffed when one of the party-goers asked if she knew where the restrooms were, momentarily she accepted a compliment about how pretty she glowed. She wove around the dance floor, somewhat tiredly now.

But she was reinvigorated when the last clutch of the night arrived in style. They couldn't help it, even her darker side had to admit that they were stunning. As they walked on all fours with a strange gait, one of them stood upright, so that was it, they could be bipeds!

She'd sometimes wondered what it was like to have 'hands'.

Eh, they're fine, I guess. You get around faster on four feet than I will on two.

"Who said that," Aimaan snapped, "who--"

Just me, no need to be grumpy. The dragon's eyes were the only spot of color - until... the white sail parts on his big wings changed to a sunlit yellow, wait, you probably do need to be grumpy, it's fine. I can be grumpy too. Just not all the time.

"You're... you're so pretty!" Aimaan exclaimed, and felt a little wave of curiosity hit her mind. "People say I'm lovely because I glow."

You are, you do glow, wish I could do that. The dragon's colors had faded back into shades of grey.

"Maybe you could learn! Maybe..."

I'll come with you, if you really want. I am Kaztel. The dragon already stood nearly as high at the shoulder as the small and glowing hybrid. I wouldn't mind.

Before she changed her mind, the dragon resolutely sat next to her and watched the rest of the party whether she wanted him there or not.

But she was still so frail, still-- He shook off those thoughts. Naeodin was just as delightfully impish now, after everything that had happened, as the stories of her exploits in her youth. He almost wished he had seen her in her prime, but then perhaps... He bit back a little worry, a little delight, as he thought of Mia, and let the butterflies in his chest rise.

That misunderstood and amazing woman still held his thoughts when he watched a number of the Vella Crean's party-goers showed off their new draconic companions. And, distracted by a little bit of an accident at one of the tables when a newly hatched dragon appeared to leap up onto it and 'stole' someone's meal, he faintly heard Naeodin's tittering laughter and a lot of other people speaking at once. Oh no.

She was - already - leaving? With one of those hosts, the Lanes, though he couldn't tell which one it was? He opened a portal directly from their balcony. And with tunnel vision clouding the edges of his view from the floor, Onesto watched as the tall and darkly-dressed man wheeled his Empress out through a glowing orange-edged green ball of energy. He couldn't possibly reach that balcony in time to go with them, or to stop her from leaving.

Those butterflies in his stomach seemed to all drop dead to the floor; he was now here 'on his own' as she'd hinted he'd be. He knew that she was going to want to head off to the Flurry and combine these events, he knew that this was part of her plan, but just. It was so contrary to what he'd hoped would occur.

Though what he did hope was unclear, even to him. Maybe... it was time he started thinking about the future, his future possibly with an eye toward Maramia, but right now was certainly not the time or place to do that. He fretted, but made his way around the venue to try and distract himself. Somewhat successfully, after breezing through the casino, watching one of the big shows - that was amazing, with all the dragons participating on both sides of the venue and the Stage showing off those on the other side with screens - he wore himself out in the attempt to calm his nerves.

Finally, Onesto found himself a somewhat quiet seat by the bar, and attempted to collect himself. The clock on the wall said it was barely an hour until Midnight, so maybe the party had worn out the Empress a little, maybe she'd arrive and just take a nice nap. Oh who was he kidding, she'd push herself and he wouldn't be there...

You worry too much about her, and not enough about yourself, a voice said, and it was weirdly close to his ear.

Wait it wasn't close to his ear at all, it was inside his mind?

I think he worries just enough, a little worry is good to keep you on your toes, isn't it?

Another voice, different ear - or maybe 'different side of his mind'. He was definitely exhausted, both physically and emotionally, at this point, and really couldn't do anything but glance to both sides. He saw dragons, they'd cornered him.

We have not cornered you, we're here to pick you up.

We're going to come home with you, don't you want more eyes on your charge?

The considerably larger of the young pair rose to her hind feet, inexpertly but still able to stand, as her companion slid under her and would support her if she began to topple. They were as different as you could get at this event: one of them bipedal with amazing stripes all over and little wings on her hips in addition to the massive ones on her back... The other sleek and low to the ground with a distinctive Hathian set of arm wings in amazing chrome over her black and white body.

"I... I guess I do, I think," he actually did ponder that idea, and liked it more and more. "I think you'll do very well for me. Extra eyes and extra minds, maybe I might even be able to outsmart her one of these days," Onesto glanced back up at the balcony where only a few of those officials - minus Naeodin and Maramia (where was she?) now - were still gathered.

Well good, because we're going to do that for your own good. I am Juxoti Sheva, and this is Ebony Zwitterion. We met earlier, I think we make a good team.

We do make a good team, Ebony gave off a pleased clicking sound that was almost dolphin-like in its tone. And when we get over to that Flurry thing we'll make sure that whoever joins us is right for you too.

He was about to protest - he wasn't there to bond he was supposed to keep his Empress safe!

How do you expect to do that if you have your eye on her daughter? We will watch! Don't worry!

Bond: Valencia, Voluntary Companionship
Meeting Notes: "Oh they are absolutely drama queens, aren't they?" Valencia said, of the dragons that were now being marched out. And they did march: on their hind feet! Well, for a bit. Obviously keeping that upright stance was a little tough for dragons who had clearly only just hatched. Admirable. Strong. Impressive.

I am glad you think so, a voice came into Valencia's mind, unbidden. Unexpected.

Not... not entirely unwelcome though. This one, she'd walked proudly as long as she could but that wasn't saying much. So it was on four feet, with her big dark-webbed wings up and her head held high, that she came up to Valencia. Others at the table gave them a bit of space, it looked like they'd need more when this dragoness was grown. No wonder they'd waited until an hour before midnight to come out.

Valencia looked at the parents of the clutch and decided that yes, in fact, this one would do very nicely indeed.

For what, I would ask, but I already know. The dragon's mind was tinged with a little tiny bit of trepidation. I know you have a ... history. But you came here for us, and I am here for you. She paused, and butted her head up against Valencia, who all but staggered from the force. I ... am here to keep you from harming that which wants to aid you.

Valencia almost refused to continue touching the dragon.

But also to have a little fun. You need to lighten up a bit, my dear. I will keep you safe from yourself as much as I'll keep others safe from you if I need to.

"That's a bold statement from a bold dragon," Valencia muttered.

I could do no less.

Bond: Varrazos Xastrok, Voluntary Companionship
Meeting Notes: It was getting later in the evening, perhaps late in the event itself given that it was meant to be a midnight bash. The pair this time were just stunning - muscular builds in their sire who stood upright most of the time, and that long stretch of their mother. And it was one that looked in some ways quite similar to that dam, who swaggered over to the red-skinned demon whose patience had worn quite thin over the night.

I can keep her in check, a voice as proud and strong as his own came into Varrazos' mind. I can keep eyes on your enemies and your allies both.

Varrazos stood tall, his wings shifting to avoid knocking over the silver tray holding plates and his empty wine glass. Though this was still a hatchling, he stood on his hind legs, balancing with that long split and dangerously spiny tail as well as with the brightly marked wings. And he stood nearly eye to eye with the demon. It was impossible to miss the danger on this dragon - some animals had coloration that displayed their toxins or venom inclination and this one... This one was just burning with potential threat.

A smile moved over Varrazos' lips. "I would be honored to show you around when we get home."

The dragon introduced himself, "Belur Sheva, I am." He dipped back to the floor, finally exhausted from his walk and strutting. "I am... hungry," so he also displayed the ability to speak and not just with telepathy? Oh this was marvelous. It seemed the dragon knew that, too.

Bond: Sapphire Tide Serenade, Voluntary Companionship
Meeting Notes: It had turned out that Shan didn't actually require the bodyguards for the whole night. Well, everyone kept their eye on him, because that's what they were actually here to do, but.

That got to be a bit difficult when each of them started pairing off with dragons here and there... Both for keeping an eye on him and keeping an eye on their coworkers. In fact most of the night had gone by in a whirl of music, gambling and winning, gossiping in the balconies, gambling and losing, and watching all the varied clutches of dragonets being brought out.

Most of the night. But not all of it. It was around an hour to go, though what an 'hour' felt like here was definitely not the same as any they'd known - and they'd known a lot of hours. In that last hour before the black and silver clock struck midnight, Seren got the strange feeling that they were being watched. It was supposed to be the other way around!

They helped raise a toast to the newly minted dragon pairs, and were going to head back in to the casino after hearing there would be another stand-up act on the small stage. Offworld standup was quite telling of their social systems, after all, you could tell a lot about a world or their social climate by what jokes were in circulation.

Serenade did not reach the casino. Because a sleek strong form with wings and tails got in the way. The eyes were like copper pieces without tarnish, under a mask of black and grey.

What is 'stand up comedy' and why are you interested in it? When there's me? The dragon then proceded to sniff Sapphire Tide Serenade up and down, thoroughly, even going as far as lifting their arm, pushing under their knee, snuffling behind their ears. The dragon... stood up and reached those ears with ease. Even as a freshly hatched youngling.

Seren let a grin spread on their lips. "That, my friend, could be stand-up comedy all by itself..." They held the masked face of the dragonet in a strong hand, "but let's go watch it anyway, you might learn something new."

Everything is new, the dragon commented. I'm new. Funaar Sheva is my name. I'll be interrupting you to ask questions.

If only there was a way to record that conversation for later, Seren laughed to themself!

Bond: Matzina, Voluntary multibond with Quicksilver
Meeting Notes: (see also EVUFAD)
It had taken everything the group could do, to get Matzina to look ready for the ball. But looks can be deceiving. Her black and white fur fluffed over the edges of her shirt and out from under her pant-legs, she didn't care for how it always felt like she should be pulling at it or brushing something off of her. Quite unlike the absolutely-natural feel of twigs pulling at just the smallest clump, or a blissful heavy drag of freshly-earned mud from a good romp around the pond.

This place was anything but 'a pond'. It was an ocean, and Matzina finally drew to a halt when she realized the scope of this locale. The others moved around her, but not without a pause and half-heard reminder or scold not to get into too much trouble. That they expected her to get into trouble was obvious. There was quite a bit of trouble to be had here, it dawned on her.

Of course there were the stern looking men in their black suits, and one much bigger human with the same look, but even so. She wasn't the first one to kinda-accidentally-on-purpose suggest in the restroom lounge that that feather cap was slightly bent - and only just after saying it realized it wasn't a cap, it was a bird-lady's crest... This went on all night, pretty much. Not insulting so much as listening in and if there was a devil's advocate to be played, she played it. Not seriously, and definitely not with the people who had such an air of importance that even she 'got it' and left them well alone.

Matzina did enjoy her time at the ball though. Over the evening she even won some card games, listened to the weird but fun music, watched a drunken elf belt out unusually colorful songs about dragons. Oh - and the dragons! Over the course of the evening numerous nests of them came out, she even heard Zhuo-Ji's exclamation ("magnificent!") at one point.

But it was now getting toward 'an hour' to Midnight, and something strange started tingling in the back of Matzina's mind. Like she could hear added conversations, or at least one side of them. Not quite clearly enough to know what was being said. It felt odd. Almost intrusive.

"We didn't mean to intrude," a voice that matched one of those in her head proclaimed, quiet but clear, focused. A second one chimed in with a little titter.

"Well I did, but that's fine."

On glancing around, two dragons became the focal point in her vision, Matzina couldn't help but see them. Shiny silver, and the most improbably checkerboarded littler companion... The smaller one trotted up, rather horse-like, and nuzzled Matzina's hoofed hand, and rubbed up against what could be felt of her much-abused fur.

"So soft, come feel," that checkered dragon told their companion.

"I will ask permission," the bigger, silvery-and-striped one said, eyeing the llama morph carefully.

"She likes it," the smaller asserted. Matzina wasn't actually sure what was going on but she definitely felt like she was being mocked just a little...

"I am Quicksilver Sheva, this is Bun ahlTahnhadaa," the bigger one announced, still not rubbing up against her, "we met earlier, and now we've found you, so we are complete."

"On that we agree!" Bun giggled, and took a nibble of the nice shirt sleeve... Well this would work out perfectly, wouldn't it!

Bond: Jaseu, Voluntary Companionship
Meeting Notes: He hoped that the night was going to go smoothly, and it seemed like it might be all but perfect. The people organizing it were certainly running a tight ship, not invasively so but definitely Jaseu felt eyes on them from the start. But it wasn't an aggressive glare - no, it was equally distributed across the many, many party goers and dragons. Who were also party goers, he reminded himself, as several large dragons strolled past into a big draconic version of the same ballroom that the humanoids were in.

There were shapeshifters and ferals, though they called themselves 'kin' or 'morphs'. One of them ran the wet bar by the ballroom floor, a raccoon woman with a puffy hair style and an obviously keen eye for detail. "See anything interesting tonight?" She asked, and it wasn't in the words, but the way she said them, the way she had her head tilted, and was that the faintest of grins with a hint of a fang poking out? She knew he was blind, she knew that he only saw thanks to his monocle. It wasn't just him being a touch paranoid: she wasn't lying and wasn't being mysterious, but she also hadn't read his mind that he could tell.

"A little color here and there," was his reply. She mixed an incredibly good drink that he wasn't sure of its name - sharp, tart, but with a warm bloom at the end. He took the glass and mingled once more, looking around at all the people's shadows. Wait, he cracked a bit of a grin, tonight, he'd been made aware, everyone was in shades of grey and black and white... how he always saw them.

He saw more red around people in the casino than anywhere else, obviously, but it was all in fun. It was getting late, after hours of conversations with off-world people who may or may not be on the short list to communicate with again. He was almost relieved, an hour until the end? And no dragon had come to him even though plenty of them had passed through the area. A couple of them sniffed at him, moved on. Maybe he was too old for some of them, he'd heard that some dragonets required youth or whatever - foolish in his mind because an adult was far more capable of caring for a young dragonet.

It seems foolish to me too, someone said. I prefer confidence and wisdom, strong will. And a little bit of extra fun now and then of course.

There was suddenly a knot in his gut, because that voice wasn't spoken and it wasn't an onlooker. But it was from an incredible source. He could all but feel the waves of admiration or even envy from those around him, because the dragoness that was speaking telepathically was clearly 'his'. He could feel the warmth of her, she was large, she'd be quite big and upright. He then felt the wave of smugness from her - she could indeed sense his thoughts. Yet...

He wasn't afraid of this now. Because while he could absolutely trust this dragon... she seemed rather a lot like him: practical, sensible, devious, and ready to face the world with an eye for owning it all. And then... he saw what she saw. The range of colors and oh yeah that was what binocular vision and depth looked like...

You can still use that little piece of glass if you want, she told him with a draconic mental smirk, but I can do the same thing and in full color.

Bond: Jade, Voluntary Companionship
Meeting Notes: "You didn't think we would just wait the entire night, did you?" It was a surprisingly deep voice for a hatchling. Speaking the truth, too, when he added, "we didn't want to sit around any longer. And our father decided he wanted to find someone out there too. I have taken my time deciding... but I will go with you and yours."

Jade looked at the dragon with a mixture of curiosity and pride. She'd spotted the opposing leader and his group early on, they could hardly be said to be 'hard to spot' among the humanoids... being nearly twice the size and height of most of them. And he'd definitely seen her. But his response to seeing her was tame... perhaps tempered by the fact that her 'side' had won their 'game' recently.

"So now, you come to me, you will definitely be good to help us protect our-"

"I will help you see balance," the dragon rumbled. Though he was hardly up to her knee, Jade realized this dragon was among the biggest of the group and would be burly for his height too. And he was defiant, but calm. What could that even mean? "It means... your vision is clouded. Mine is clear."

So he was reading her mind? Then - he knew.

He knew that they'd stolen the invitation, that they'd snuck in to this event...

The dragon spared her the embarrassment of speaking aloud, if you got to this place, you had an invitation all along.

And with that, Jade stiffened. The rocky edges of what passed for eyebrows on her face ground around, but she didn't let that concern show for too long. As the leader of her faction, she maintained herself at all times. What the dragon had thought, intruding on her mind intimately like that, was true. So where had that invitation gone, if she was meant to have one in the first place?

Perhaps it was meant to be shared, the dragon's mind echoed her own nagging thought. The inkling of it had been bouncing around in her mind for a while, but now it was obvious. Though they were fractured, these people - her people and his people - were ... they were all still from the same stock, from the same realm. On the same board, just having chosen different steps upon it.

"I am Meebam Sheva, and I will aid you - and your people," the dragon spoke once more, sounding proud and patient. It was still difficult for Jade to reach a point where she could reply, so she said nothing, nodding to the young creature. He was quite the special looking dragon, too, with fine shiny stripes on his pale hide. What would come of this all, who knew, but she now had a different sort of advisor on her side - as did a number of others, which she was now far more interested in than before.

There was still an hour befor the Midnight bell, a magical hour anywhere, but who knew what might happen after then.

Niobu

and

Vassago

Bond: Sponsored by sire Vassago Thain, going with Striga back to the Labs
Meeting Notes: It was no secret that they wanted to wait until midnight's bell, to bring this clutch out. But the eggs had broken hours and hours ago, and while the dragonets might or might not require a true bond to take care of them, they were all hungry and getting crankier by the minute. So it was that an hour until midnight arrived and they just had to go through the shadowed arch into the much brighter ballroom beyond. While dazzling, these dragons were smart and snarky, so any commentary they had might be held in check until they knew their company.

The company that one of them wanted, however, was not to be found here, at least that was what it seemed. Niobu moved toward his sire, letting his other siblings wander away into the throng, and stared up at the bigger dragon's red eyes.

I will not find what I am seeking here, father, the dragonet asserted, mental voice as slick as the silver markings on his wings. Will you bring me with you where you go?

Are you certain that is what you will be satisfied with? Vassago replied.

I know what I'm not satisfied with, this party has nothing for me but snacks.

The dragon gave a fatherly chortle, well then I suppose I have no choice but to bring you along until you know what more there is to find.

Satisfied at least with this, Niobu moved off to pick at the meats offered nearby.

Bond: Voluntary bond to Striga, sponsoring son Niobu Sheva
Meeting Notes: She had come with daddy and the Labs, but she'd have been here anyway, because what party would be complete without Striga to ... liven it up? And while she'd flitted around the food and drink, they held no true pleasure for her, no it was watching the people and the dragons that made her truly happy. It was a lot to take in, she'd wanted to talk to so very many people.

It was getting quite late, an hour to midnight it looked like by the big silver and obsidian clock up above the stage. What was this, what was happening over there by that one archway? Proud parents, they were frequent enough in the last four hours! So many little dragons - and some not so little - that were marched or shooed around the big ballroom.

These were some ... sharp, long, and impressive looking dragons. Even their knockoffs were tall and bipedal like the main group. While the young newly hatched dragonets were still a bit wobbly on their hind legs, and often enough dropped their forelimbs to the floor, most of them seemed willing to try and stand again. The parents, amazingly marked, richly black and white, attended one another with a strong swagger. They led a dance, in fact - they led more than that, before the entire evening was over... it was quite clear that Sheng Stac'ver would be heavy with eggs once more at some point in the future.

The sire noticed one of his brood was lingering, watching as the last in line, almost as opposite in color as could be. He nudged the proud little dragon, who put up his own airs and carried on a conversation that Striga could not hear. Vassago rumbled and chuckled at the end.

But what she heard next was apt to bring static into her ears, a flush of energy into her eyes and mind. Vassago Thain spoke into her mind.

Niobu would like to come with me, he said, mental voice just as distinct as if it had been spoken. It echoed slightly, lingering like soot or shadow. And I believe we should come with you.

"Y-you..." Striga wasn't sure whether she completely understood this... She was pleased, overwhelmed, stunned, comforted. But also, what was that about another?

"We will both come with you, though Niobu may yet find his own way," Vassago indicated the bright silver-flame colored dragon who now peered eagerly at the meats being offered by ushers. "I have waited quite some time to find my one, most of my family have long since discovered theirs. What better time, than now?"

Bond: Peter Prideman, Voluntary Multibond with Yencada (CADA)
Meeting Notes: Though he was part of the 'delegation', if you could call it that, from Carramba, Peter was apt to hang with the other crews that were on the Stage and behind it - he was part of the big drag show (not dragon show, that came on later!) that professor Hidalgo and Miss Sanguine put on. It was an absolute hit, there were so many headdresses and sometimes headwings, feather boas and sometimes feathered boa snakes... He was the youngest on the stage at that time, but there were others that were around his age aside from the students he knew. He did know when to cut out of the group activity, since they were heading to one of the more 'mature audience' bars scattered around the venue to schmooze. Peter let them, he knew he'd be getting so much extra credit for this bash... Hidalgo was quite happy with his performance.

Peter heard strange words, accents that he'd never encountered on campus (which was saying something, given that it was a nexus world) so he listened in on the exotic speech. And though he did spot one of his professors among the crowd, he realized that the other was not 'in costume' - and he was one of the few who could say he knew that Nachos California was also Keenan Lane. Approaching the always-formal Lane, Peter was greeted with that quirky smirk the old man often displayed. "Impressive work out there," he said, "but the night is young. Don't wear yourself out, you might need the energy later."

The man then smoothly turned to one of his strange companions and that conversation was over. Peter wondered what he meant. Spending the next two hours mingling and showing off - there were other superheroes in training, and even a couple fully-licenced ones in attendance - he did get a strange itchy feeling later. Like something was watching him. He kept his cool, kept his mouth full with the insanely good stir-fry, and looked around for the source of this oddity.

With abilities like his, he had to know who to select for either duplicating powers, or negating them. If he did the wrong one, or choose a team mate, that might mean disaster in the field. Odd though, the feeling vanished when he tried looking for its source. Like it was hiding. Hm. He rose from the group table, excusing himself politely, and headed around the dance floor. He'd already done the dancing, lots of it, his legs were feeling it. No, this trip around the room was to get any 'ping' responses from his mental energy. Peter yoinked another stick of dango dumplings, and ate them (stick and all, he wasn't picky... he could eat anything)(those fangs weren't just for show... and Miss Sanguine was quite intrigued by them... having her own) while looking casually at some of those now-dim archways. They had brightened and opened during the course of the evening, with the dragons that hatched for the event coming from them and distributing themselves among the patrons of the party.

It was getting kind of late, an hour until midnight, when he felt the ping again. This time it was two-fold: he got a buzzing like tinnitus or the way your mouth felt during a dental numbing... Weird. This time, however, he spotted a location that seemed to be the sensation's source. Up on one of the balconies, he hoped he could reach it in time. He was getting a bit weary, wouldn't want to miss the next hour's events.

We don't want you to miss it either, he heard. He knew from experience that this was telepathic speech, even though it sounded like he'd been whispered to.

Well I know I don't want to miss it, but I still don't know what the 'it' is.

Well you'll see, won't you?

So... there were definitely two of them. And, from what he could tell, it was ... two dragons. Those two dragons, who had seated themselves up in one of the smaller private booths overlooking the entire ballroom. It was only designed for about five humanoid shapes, but then they were hatchlings, and neither of them was going to be tremendously large like some at the event. The one, dark, sat with its chin on its thick-clawed hands (they were hands, they looked much more like hands than the paws on the other one) looking down at the event. The other, brightly white, held its head up and watched as Peter approached.

Dun dun dunnnn! He arrives! At last!

With that, Peter chuckled and bowed with a flourish. "I have arrived! And ... who might you both be?"

We decided that you would be good to go with, and each other.

We might not be as powerful as our big sibs, the dark one announced, but we will do our best to show off what we can do.

I am Yencada, and this is Edasheva, your shoulder angel and devil, at your service.

Now how did a dragon that was barely three hours old even know what that was?!

Bond: Phoebe Humble, Voluntary Companionship (may turn into bond later/if desired)
Meeting Notes: "You are anything but humble," the dragon stated.

"You are probably correct," Phoebe replied. She didn't even flicker her hazel eyes down to the chess board, moved a pawn, and captured the dragonet's knight. That dragon didn't pry its own much more green eyes off her the human girl's, as it picked up its rook and moved it to capture the pawn.

"Check," the dragon stated with a very faint twitch of its ear. It did notice that Phoebe's narrow, plucked eyebrow trembled, and her lip very briefly went up. The dragon's face was much harder to read, even if it didn't have that checkerboard marking to complicate things. Phoebe sat up straighter, rolled her shoulders, and glanced away at last.

"Good game," she announced. She looked over her shades which were clipped to her long, narrow nose, at the dragon, whose own nose was also long and narrow. "How'd you learn it?"

"I learned it very well," the dragon purred. It picked up a piece of thinly sliced meat with one heavily clawed finger, and its tongue sped out to grab it from the air with a toss of that claw. The tongue and its eyes were the only bits of color anywhere. And Phoebe almost wanted to dye her hair white, now, or maybe checkerboard.

But she did crack a smile, "indeed," she said. "I suppose it was before you came out here to join me, but was it before you hatched?"

The dragon remained silent save for a bit of chewing. Polite chewing, at that: no open mouthed smacking for it.

"Do you think you'll want to attend the same classes with me? Or did you want your own schedule?" Phoebe selected a cooked piece of that same meat, and equally delicately ate it, then dabbed her lips clean.

"I am sure that we would share some, I think we have... similar interests." Was the dragon's reply. That was absolutely certain, Phoebe seemed to have an immediate understanding that this dark dragon would have somewhat... shady skills. Like her.

"Like you," the dragon spoke with an actual smirk. Phoebe noted its eye moved to look faintly over her shoulder, and it was clear that the dragon spotted someone. "Like him," it said, and she knew that it meant Lane. She could sense him, somehow, even if she wasn't 'magic' or even psychic. They had an understanding, he and the student; she'd be working for him, soon enough. Maybe offworld. Maybe on Twoarth, who knew. But now she'd be working together with this dragon, as well. And according to the information provided to her, getting around the multiverse would be quite a lot faster and easier with it as her companion.

"Eigasheva," Phoebe said slightly louder than her conversational tone with the dragon, "this is Mister Lane, but I'm sure you already knew that." She could hear the man behind her adjust his tie, causing her to do the same simply by reflex. "Eigasheva should probably sit in with me for a while, when we get back to school."

"I will make sure that they... have adequate resources to make their decisions, once you're both settled in again." Though anyone else watching this happening might have thought there was some super-serious tense issue among them, it would be far from the truth. Eigasheva and its new companion went back to playing chess, while Lane smiled to himself and went back to the dance floor with his fiancee - who did not ask questions.

Bond: Ezio Zwitterion, Queen Gleam et al, Sponsorship, Multibond (See EVER, etc)
Meeting Notes: The end of the evening was upon them - or at least, the middle, given how much celebration there was still happening around both sides of the venue. Queen Gleam and her smaller charges, including her newest, gave off howls and croons of delight. Normally she wouldn't have cut loose but... tonight was special. Maybe there was something in the water fountain (a full sized fountain, for dragons to drink fresh water) ... maybe it was just the euphoria of the whole night catching up with all of the dragons. Some had been a bit on the rowdy side, but no lasting harm was done, and plus there was that sparring contest put together for just such a reason late at night.

Sleepy little Taeuth was nestled closer to Tempered, but still gave her own little warbling call at midnight. They had chosen a spot befitting of a queen and her group, a large nook on the second ledge up from the floor, lit by plants that glowed and crystals that hummed with life of their own. When a shadow passed over one of those plants, it shrunk, like a snail's eye would, suddenly dousing the area in darkness for a moment. Boldly shot a glance over, but there were no attackers.

Rather, two dragons that hadn't been there before. Boldly rose and sniffed them over, but they sniffed right back. Croak joined in, these were dragons that... intended to remain. The weird 'flitter' that Croak had found in a gift bag earlier rode on her snout and somehow managed to remain there even while the dragons all jostled to see their new company.

I found this one sneaking around, the lighter colored wing-armed one bespoke to all. But they just wanted to come along with me... and you, if that is all right?

I wasn't sneaking, I was approaching! The queen should have her proper court and what court would be complete without me?

This is Luysheva, and I am Ezio Zwitterion, I know it's late, but we got a bit caught up in the fray on the other side of the event... You know how those humanoids can get, they want to see everything...

Can see why they would look at you! Croak was barely bigger than this Ezio, but had already decided she liked him. The dark and checkerboard patterned Luysheva gave a little huff, split tail carefully sweeping around behind them.

I have heard you inhabit a ... a space station? That means technology, doesn't it? I'm bound to be good with that, Ezio proclaimed.

A small dragon has their uses, Gleam said, and both Croak and Boldly fluttered their wings a little.

Oh but I don't have to be small! Ezio then moved to the side of the ledge and grew half again bigger! With a bit of effort he did a 'ta-daa' with his wing arms, and then reverted to his hatchling-size. Interested now in earnest, she appraised the dragonet and decided it would be good to have such a feature among her colony.

Her gaze then went to the dark dragon, who was having no trouble at all standing on two legs - didn't even have to flap like other dragons to do that. Gleam did the draconic equivalent of raising an eyebrow very slowly at them, and Luysheva did the draconic equivalent of 'oh, you!'

I am good with sneaking, if I'm not being tailed unexpectedly, they gave a roll of their head toward Ezio, even if I'm... heavily decorated. They indicated their wings, which turned to a mottled, slightly marbled looking grey - mixing the bold black and white in a way that looked quite a bit like Taeuth's hide!

Having stealth on our side is important, Gleam announced quietly. Now, enjoy the rest of this festival, we leave when you young ones are ready to sleep. You will wake in my colony.

Bond: Saevel, Voluntary Multibond with Hutamsh (AMSH)
Meeting Notes: Everyone here was living, well almost everyone, and that set Saevel apart. But their power over souls was actually... not as unique among the powerful of this group than the Gatherer expected. They did notice how many dead still lingered near the one exit, the one to the facility beyond called Rapture. Oh, not all of them had drowned, loitering on the sea floor with the pull of the tides not even reaching them. Some had died from violence or self inflicted passions, overdoses, odd power use that came from locally produced magical potions called Plasmids.

All of that, Saevel simply knew. They also knew how far from the sky, the stars, the heavens, this place was, at least the physical manifestation of it. It overlapped numerous dimensions, one of which was their own. The place probably wouldn't remain connected, of course. Saevel gave a nod of respect to the pair of human-appearing men nearby; they were not human, in any way, nor were their souls mortal. They both had extremely strong ties to this place, both magically and physically. One of them had resided here long before, the other - the same man from another dimension - had come with dragons.

And it was a dragon that sat, staring patiently, at Saevel, around three hours until midnight. It had very dark hide and black and white wings, a paler belly. We are waiting, the dragon bespoke. Though there was a strange tug at Saevel's deepest self, the dragon's mind only brushed up against it, didn't invade nor push on it. We will continue to wait. You will see.

What Saevel did see was that this dragon was ... bonded to his very essence, delicately, gently. The dragon's mind was tired, well more exhausted than sleepy - though apparently the 'knockoffs' were engineered and created using machinery and magic, they still hatched out of shells and were still little baby dragons when all was said and done. Saevel gleaned that the word moving through their mind was a name: Hutamsh. Bigger versions of that dragon's siblings had... stars on their wings, or other such markings, so the stars were still in its blood. That, for whatever reason, pleased Saevel.

Now two, they wandered the floor silently. Sometimes, Saevel carried the dragonet, but it felt a little odd doing so. This was not a body, to be split from its essence. It would need care, which Saevel would certainly provide.

And me? Will you provide for me too? I would like to learn what you do. I see them too, the spirits. This dragon was almost as opposite as you could get from Hutamsh: upright, brightly white, but also bearing those checkerboard markings common to the ones that had been formed for reasons unknown.

Saevel understood that reason: because there were a lot of people here, who would benefit from this companionship, just like they were going to.

"Yunsheva," Saevel said, and the dragonet nodded once in reply.

Bond: Akio, Voluntary Companionship
Meeting Notes: (see also Bardrasa and the Duet)

It was such a lovely night, so many faces, so much fun! And sure, sure, they should probably have put effort into getting on the Stage rather than just interrupting that group of furs while they were over there. But... It was a challenge, and they had to meet it! That strange kid with the green glowing microphone bumped right into him! And then the two girls - a human and a Na'vi - showed up with their own posses and things just got absolutely rolling! They were all so talented, and he thought that the addition of such unique sounding 'tribal' instruments brought a lot to the jam.

Akio half wondered if anyone had recorded it. Their target audience wasn't exactly here at the time, after all, it being more or less a 'keep your kids at home' party. But then they'd probably have to think about legalities and deals with those other groups and...

As everyone was moving around back to their own fun activities, another group of dragons had entered the ballroom. Something nagged at him, they were intriguing. But for the time being, nothing more came of it. Not until about half an hour later that is.

**

It was so close to the Midnight bell when that feeling came flooding back - a sense of confidence, satisfaction, pride, the 'job well done' of something or other. He didn't know what though.

"I was helping my friend," a voice said, high-ish but it didn't sound like anyone he knew. Akio glanced around and ... spotted the brightly checkerboarded face of a dragonet. It was standing on its hind legs? It wasn't tall yet, but it definitely would be. And strong, it used its checkerboard-socked tail for balance, a tail which might pack a whallop if used to smack things around.

I wouldn't do that, not unless I needed to keep you safe from harm, my new friend.

"So... it was you, earlier?" Akio tapped his temple, and the dragonet nodded while slipping down to all four paws for comfort.

It was. I am Plysheva. We need to talk, over there, the dragon's mind entered Akio's as if to confirm how serious it was. Not a bad-serious, but ... definitely something more important than raising a champagne glass with a bunch of already-drunken revelers.

Bond: Erwin, Voluntary Companionship
Meeting Notes: Dancing and drinking, eating and chatting... Everyone was so active even up until the final hour before the midnight bell. Erwin watched many dragons approach his dance group, and they seemed happy enough. He wasn't certain that this trip would bear any fruit, for him anyway.

I beg to differ, A mental voice proclaimed. I would like to see what you do, I want to learn how to solve mysteries too.

He turned with wide eyes, to see the checkerboard faced dragon standing there, eye to eye as he sat. This would be... a big 'small' dragon, that was for certain. Erwin caught the sound in his mind, and said, "Ibesheva, I'd be happy to show you around."