Birayen and Ceyanith

Caleve, as much as Birayen loved his son, could be quite annoying. Especially when he was trying out his matchmaking skills on innocent dragons. Birayen thanked the powers that be that he was already permanently mated to Ialee, otherwise he'd really have a headache on his hands.
As it was, Caleve was nagging at him, yet again, to get a bond. His oh-so-beloved mate wasn't helping much, either.
"Oh, come on," Ialee laughed, tossing her head. "What's so bad about bonding? Antliath is wonderful, and I'm sure you'll find a bond that's perfect for you as well."
Birayen raised his head and huffed, reluctant. Is it so hard to believe that I just don't want to bond? He asked dryly.
Yes. Caleve replied with a draconic frown. Everyone wants to bond. Well-every dragon, anyway.
Birayen sighed at his son's naivete. He decided it was pointless to argue with both his son and his mate at the same time. I'll consider it. He said, and curled up, obviously intending to go to sleep. Ialee stopped him, however.
Oh, no you don't! She said mentally. You're always going to sleep in the middle of the day. Don't be so lazy!
Birayen groaned. Could he help it if he preferred to stay up all night instead of during the day?
Ialee pushed him up and herded him toward the entrance of his weyr. Hey! Where are we going? He asked plaintively.
Ialee giggled. Uh oh, this couldn't be good. "To get you a bond, of course! Aren't we, Caleve?"
Yes, mother. The midnight-moon said demurely.
Huh. Traitor. Birayen muttered as they left.

They arrived at Starburst Weyr-in Birayen's case, reluctantly. He hissed irritatedly to himself. It was too bright. This made sense, as it was the middle of the day, but it didn't help Birayen's case any, as he was used to the gentle light of the stars at night. Sighing wistfully, he made his way to the Weyr entrance, thankful for the dimmer light of the interior. Ialee and Caleve followed behind him, whispering among themselves mischeivously and making sure he didn't make a run for it. He craned his head around and glared at them, but they just stared at him innocently, and he sighed.
Is there any reason, in particular, that you decided to drag me to this Weyr? He asked.
Ialee nodded. "Remember Strewth's bond, Kimitheth?" She said, referring to one of Darkling Dawn's (formerly unbonded) dragon residents. At her mate's nod, she continued. "Well, she's clutching here, so I thought we could visit her and Strewth while we're here." She explained.
And if we're lucky, they might even agree to sign you up for one of the two clutches on the sands right now. Caleve piped up, causing both of his parents to turn and eye him scrupulously. Blinking, he asked, What?
Ialee shook her head. "Nothing, it's just..."
Why haven't you ever mentioned anything about bonding yourself? Birayen questioned his son.
Caleve hung back, coughing nervously. Oh, it's just that-I just haven't-I'm still looking for-I haven't found the right place to stand yet, is all. If I'm going to bond, everything's got to be perfect. The young dragon said at last.
Birayen fought an urge to roll his eyes at his son's idealism.
Well, anyway, why don't you two talk to whoever's in charge and tell them we need temporary weyrs. I'll go and check out the rest of the Weyr. With that, Caleve ran off, leaving Ialee and Birayen glancing at each other with amused looks.
Might as well do what he says. Ialee pointed out.

Birayen awoke later that night in the weyr which he and Ialee shared. He was in a better mood now, partly because he'd finally gotten a decent amount of rest after his abnormally long day, and partly because he always felt better at night. Careful not to disturb his mate, he stood up and stretched, then decided he'd go and actually look around this Weyr.
He stepped outside. A nearly full moon hung in the clear sky, which was bare of clouds and allowed the light from myriads of stars to shine through. It was a beautiful night, and the cool mountain air made him feel invigorated.
He winged his way down to the Weyrbowl and began his exploration. Naturally, it wasn't long before he came across the Hatching Sands, and unable to contain his curiousity, he peeked inside. A large dappled silver dragoness lay curled around her clutch, breathing gently. That would be Kimitheth; he recognized the bulk of her green-white bond some distance away. The other clutchmother was smaller, and had a smaller clutch as well. Her brilliant hide was a pearly, irridescent green, amplified in the dim glowlight lining the walls.
Quickly losing interest however, Birayen turned away, intending to explore the rest of the Weyr by night; then he saw another doorway leading out of the Hatching Sands. His curiosity got the best of him, and he crept inside, following the hall into another spacious cavern, where the bulky shapes of four large dragons lay, curled in sleep.
One of the largest dragons, which Birayen took to be a gold-nothing else could be that big-looked up at his approach. Obviously, she had not been as asleep as he had thought, though the other dragons didn't stir.
I'm sorry, did I wake you? Birayen asked kindly.
The gold shook her head. I wasn't sleeping, anyway. She yawned widely, disproving her earlier statement, though Birayen didn't comment on it any further. She looked at him questioningly. What are you doing here, anyway? It's the middle of the night. She pointed out, curious despite herself.
It's like noon for me. Birayen said cheerfully. Besides, it's a beautiful night outside, you should spend a night out there sometime.
The gold shook her head. I'll pass, I think. Who are you, anyway? She asked, cocking her head to one side.
Ah! How could I forget my manners? Birayen dipped in a bow to the gold. I am Birayen, oh Queen.
The gold snorted, though she seemed sad. Just Ceyanith, please. You can't be a queen without a rider. She said wistfully.
Birayen dipped his head calmly. He was beginning to see what this particular cavern was...Would I be correct in assuming, then, that these are the abandoned sands?
Yes, you would be correct. Ceyanith said quietly.
My condolences.
Ceyanith blinked, taken aback momentarily. Thank you. So what brings you here?
Birayen sighed ruefully. My mate decided I wanted to bond. She just forgot to consult me on it. He said dryly.
Ceyanith rumbled in laughter. You are not bonded, then? But you have a mate.
The silvery-blue dragon nodded in agreement. That's right. I didn't bond at birth, I wasn't interested. Still not, in fact. Birayen said with a start and a roll of his eyes. But I met Ialee later, after she had bonded a female blue, called Antliath. The rest...just came naturally. He said with a shrug of his wings.
How sweet. The gold laughed, then she continued on, sadder now. I was bonded once. But then the fires came and destroyed the old Weyr, and my rider disappeared. I was so scared, I didn't know if she was hurt or dead, or if she'd just left...
And now? Birayen asked gently.
Ceyanith stirred. Now? I think I'm ready for another bond. Maybe... She trailed off, sounding uncertain. Her reverie was broken suddenly as she yawned, causing Birayen to laugh, and the somber mood was broken.
I can see you're tired. I'll leave you then, I'm sure I'm not the only one who gets cranky after not getting enough sleep. He stood up, preparing to leave.
Ceyanith smiled, despite herself. It was a pleasure talking to you, Birayen.
He nodded as he left. Likewise.

He was in love with the night. The warm darkness of the sky, the solace of the shadows, the cold light of the moon and stars. It was mysterious, calming yet invigorating. It seemed to give him an energy he never had during the day. So it was only fitting that he had been born at night.
He could still remember that night clearly, how the shadows slunk into the deepest corners of the cavern and the rain pattered a tatoo on the walls from outside. He remembered wondering how the cool raindrops would feel on his silver hide if he stepped outside, away from the heat and light of the hatching caverns.
He'd been the first to hatch, along with his brother. Immediately upon being barraged by heat and light, he made his way, through the cover of a dust cloud, to the cooler and darker shadows, followed closely by his brother. He crouched in the darkness, wary of the towering, grim specters of the humans.
The adult dragons called out to him and his brother reassuringly, and reluctantly, they both stepped into the light. He winced, ever so slightly, as the white light touched his silvery hide and blue-black wings. His pale blue eyes squinted against the bright lights, and he turned to his sunset-marked brother.
Dirayath...
Yes, Birayen?
I see my destiny in your eyes, can you read yours?
I can.
Darkling Dawn. He decided.
Dragonwillow. Dirayath answered.
Darkling Dawn. The name intrigued him, indeed, fascinated him. He knew from the start that would be his home. Someday.
He glanced outside, where the storm was raging and the night was calling. He shook his head and turned away, to where food had been set out for the hatchlings. There would be time enough to explore later.