The youngest member of the EMT team, Mineko Takei, or Mink as she's often called, has learned that she must keep up with the boys if she wants to play. At 21 and with only her current year of internship sending her to the 108, she still has a way to go before she'll be a fully credited EMT. Because of that, she's able to do only the most basic of the routine: temperature, pulse and pressure, applying oxygen and simple bandage jobs - similar to the school nurses she looked up to when she was a child.

Mink is a petite woman with light yellowish skin, long black hair and dark brown eyes. Her siblings both look up to her and aspire to do civic work, but both sister Suzo and brother Eiji still have yet to complete high school locally. Their parents are quite proud of all three, and expect that Mink will have some competition in her field once they've graduated. She has a somewhat clingy boyfriend, Jun Kyang, who often keeps her out late at night. She does love the gifts that he smothers her with, and is a bit of a fashion hound.

Mineko has never thought of herself as a 'token' Asian-chick at the station, though while she was in school it was often the case that the mostly-white students would mock her. She's stood up to far more than just that, in the short time she's been with the EMTs - dangerous gang members, deranged drug users and stodgy old men. She figures she can handle it all.

Standing at Ryslen's Flurry sands was making Mink a bit nervous. Not only were there ... people who weren't quite human-people, but there were some downright strange not-people too. She was hardly out of the ordinary here.

She'd been at the first portion of the hatching, but passed up gently by dragon after dragon. It was disappointing, to say the least, but to Mink, she had a day job. She wasn't going to sweat this.

But in her heart, she knew. She just knew that this would be the time to shine.

And it was true - in the early morning hours when the dragons on the sands began to croon, Mink woke and dressed with the same urgency that she showed when they were on a run at home.

Her heart was beating rapidly, but it slowed down eventually. It had to. Because there were nearly a dozen dragons that broke their shells open and passed her by again. It was getting to be a little sad, actually. She thought maybe, perhaps... it wasn't meant to be?

But there was something so distinct about this place. It was like she had a huge case of deja vu, the walls and the people and the smell... When she was off in her own world, a hatching came from its shell.

People thought (and Mink heard them betting up there) that the queen that came from this egg would be a fine--- but this wasn't a queen at all! It was a three colored golden white red male! Mineko wasn't sure how to stop Blingbling from swooping off her shoulder and harrassing the hatchling. But it didn't matter. He was just fine with the gold.

Mink, I am...

"I know your name is Zhellecko," she said, interrupting him and smiling. There was a word flittering around in her mind, the whole time, and when she said it she just knew it was right for him.

I was going to say I am prepared to help you save people, but yes, my name is Zhellecko.

Mink laughed, "sorry - I knew that too, let's get you fed, Zhell!"

Before they could leave, however, several eggs hatched. Some were bonded right away but then a moment later a ... what was that thing?! It had several heads, it was a hydra? Here? At the Flurry?

It drew up and bellowed, and then started randomly stomping around and biting at eggs! That was no fair - one egg burst open and the copper inside it who was clearly not ready for the world rolled out, in pain because he'd been hit by one hydra mouth too many!

Many others looked ready for action - but no one could do anything about the hydra. Another of the Tiros present threw her hands into the air and magical sparks dropped around the eggs, sand and froze the hydra in its tracks. Mink and Zhell went to aid the copper, but Takei's limited knowledge of dragon anatomy was hindering her performance. She was worried she'd touch something wrong, and then that'd be a disaster bigger than the hydra!

But someone else spoke for the copper - he'd been released from the egg too soon, and while he needed some assistance, the bigger problem for him was that he was alone until his bond showed up - and that hadn't happened yet. He would wait. Silent Melody was his name.

The mage who'd sparked everything bonded off the last egg that broke, and finally the hatching was over! What a stunning turn of events!

Zhellecko raced past in a hurry, his wings tucked tightly against his body and neck stretched as far as it could reach. His hind legs pumped, and ...

"Zhellecko, you could just ask to be excused once in a while, like the others do..." Mink laughed. His rush to the middens was tradition now, the dragon refused to give even a moment to this 'undignified' act while they were in classes.

What if I have to go when you need me? I will not tolerate that, there might be errors and I might be late for something important! He said, relieving himself and finally coming out looking a little softer and more relaxed.

"Zhell, everyone has to go some time." Mink sighed.

But I will only go when I know there is no need for me!

Blingbling chirped on Takei's shoulder, and Mink agreed with the gist of what the little chibi gold said.

"She's right you know. You're a total workaholic. Loosen up a little, my love. We'll have enough time to be stressed when we get to the Station."

With that, the multicolored dragon tossed his head and looked at her with rolling green-blue eyes. When! I want to work soon!

"When you're ready, when the chief tells us we're all ready..."

"Now none of that," Mink said. "Zhell, you've done enough today. Call it a success."

But... but there are still-

"I know you still see flames. It's okay. There are no more people inside, and we're going to go back to the station now. We've done our part!" Mink was almost exaperated by the big mixed-color dragon of hers. He was the utter embodiment of work - every moment he was at Talon was a moment he wanted to be seeking out people and offering suggestions to Mink about how they should be helped.

Some of them when they didn't really need help, but...

Glumly the big dragon swung his head around and nudged Mink. Can we go back to the caverns now? I want to tidy up and you ... Have that date with Jun.

"Oh my god, I almost forgot!" Mink laughed, "thank you, my personal calendar..."

He wasn't sure whether he was meant to be proud of that or not, so Zhellecho lifted his head and carried them to the Den's space. He did his duties - and doody - and sought out the cool carved stone ledge where he was fond of sleeping.

Have a good time, but I think you should come home early tonight. It is fire season, and people - humans I mean - are being stupid in Talon.

"You got that right, sweetheart," Takei said. She too had showered and refreshed herself, and finally she walked to her dragon. "You did so well today," she told him. "I'm very proud of you, Zhell. No matter how much it seems like I'm not sometimes, I think you're the greatest."

She hugged his long face, pressing his horns and scratching behind the one.