View source for Dragon:Zmeyth

{{NorConDragon
|impressee=V'ros
|name=Shadow and Smoke Brown Zmeyth
|date=2014.07.18
|size=34.02
|color=Brown
|egg=Rain and Cloud Egg
|dam=Conqueror of Worlds Gold Hraedhyth
|sire=Kinetic Knucklebones Bronze Cadejoth
|clutch=36
|egg credit=K'del
|dragon credit=Aishani, with K'zin & Azaylia on the description
|puppeteer=Aishani
|body=
== Quote ==

"Don't think for an instant that I wouldn't do terrible, unspeakable things if it could save someone I love." <br />
-- Ibrahim "Abe" Mazur

== Rain and Cloud Egg ==
Shades of grey envelop this egg, entirely monochrome from a misty, foggy background to the more solid patterns that lurk about the foreground. Even those patterns are somehow insubstantial, as though reflected in a puddle, or lost beneath heavy clouds. A solid row of geometric shapes winds its way about the lower end of the egg, as if to fence in the hatchling resting snugly within - or protect them from whatever it is that lurks in the shadows beyond.

''The insubstantial patterns lurking in the Rain and Cloud Egg sway and warp as the movement inside becomes more insistent and willful. After a few more focused, deliberate shudders, the fog begins to dissipate, the grey disintegrating into shards to reveal a bright-eyed, long-limbed brown lurking in what's left of the shadows of his shell.''


== Shadow and Smoke Brown ==
Intricately reptilian patterns scale the hide of this deep, dark brown, their fine charred lines lending him a sinister, disreputable air that's only enhanced by the bright cunning in his brow-shadowed gaze. Further charcoal smudges his neckridges, seeming to dissolve into campfire smoke at their well-honed tips, a haze that drifts all the way down his tail. His wingsails are a smoldering veil, burnt nearly to black along his wingtips and spars, casting even more shadows upon the lanky leanness of his body; he's a dragon well-suited to darkness, sly and swift and unquestioningly self-assured.


== Temperament == 
Zmeyth doesn't believe in luck. He believes in creating your own opportunities; in being in the right place at the right time. In his mind, finding you, V'ros, had nothing to do with providence and everything to do with making the right decisions at the right moment, with paying attention, with determination. If he were human, Zmeyth would be the kind of guy to break kneecaps to get his way; obstacles aren't meant to be surmounted, they're meant to be ''destroyed''. He may not immediately give you a purpose in life, but he will certainly give you a challenge.

Shady and secretive, cunning and manipulative, Zmeyth is a born negotiator... even if he isn't born being ''good'' at it, his initial fait accompli with you aside. He'll live to strike deals, haggle over numbers, and do his level best to influence the terms... even, at least at the beginning, when not even necessary. (If one of his smaller siblings scarfs down some of his food while he's trying to negotiate for less gristle, it's a lesson he'll be able to learn from... eventually.) Indeed, it entertains Zmeyth to insist on working out a 'fair' trade for just about anything, major or minor - you want to go on a trip when he's tired? Get ready to give up a long oiling when you get back. He'll also use his dealings to push you to do things outside of your comfort zone (sometimes far, ''far'' outside), more than willing to do whatever you want... just as soon as you talk to a clutchmate about swapping for a couch with an easy exit or, later on, to your wingleader about that promotion. That's the 'bright' side to his tendency to manipulate you: he wants the best for you, and ''thinks'' he's doing everything for your own good. You'll have to develop some immunity to his games and the ability to stand up to him ''if'' you don't want him to take the lead.

This need to strike the right bargain will cause some issues in weyrlinghood, as Zmeyth is the sort of dragon to see the merit in shortcuts and bending the rules. He'll try to get out of exercises he doesn't like or chores he's not interested in you doing by attempting to trade with other pairs, or going so far as to flatter Olveraeth in hopes of influencing both he and his rider. It's not that he's lazy, it's simply that he can think of better uses for your time, things that are more enjoyable. Duty to anything other than you and others he comes to care for will have to be learned. He'll do better in a wing that isn't too regimented, and better still in one that ''uses'' his talents. That may be another bargain you need to make; surely there's got to be a wing that will let you both do things you're good at. 

He'll also have to learn how to manage his long limbs, especially during growth spurts that challenge whatever coordination he's come up with. Being lean and lanky will eventually be an advantage in the air, but at first, on the ground, it will take some work for Zmeyth to stop getting tangled up in his own feet. He'll be frustrated and anxious to fly, to actually ''feel'' the grace of which he ''knows'' he's capable. It's then that he'll appreciate your reassurance and support; although most days he's less insecure than Zvaraseth, vulnerabilities will always be difficult for him, even with you, his other half.

An outgoing dragon, Zmeyth likes to get to know lots of dragons in lots of different places, so will be constantly interested in his clutchmates, to start - what they're doing, where they're going, what they're interested in... everything he needs to know to sway or influence them should the occasion arise, in a way that might remind some of his grand-dam Ysavaeth. He's rather more hands-on in this than Cezveth, who prefers to encourage rather than manipulate; still, they may well influence each other in their own ways, and even find themselves sharing information (especially when Cezveth isn't trying to boss him around with his bronze-liness). He'll encourage you to follow his lead and chat up riders, talk to the weyrfolk, pay attention to gossip. It's vital for him to have that information, in his mind, for you both: whatever you choose to do with your life or career, he wants to be ready to back you up and offer a plan. He won't be unprepared. 

This is likely to help Zmeyth develop disturbingly accurate insights into the behaviour of dragons and people that he knows. He'll also be a good friend or a bad enemy, holding grudges when he's been wronged, even if he can't remember the reason why. (Though he prefers to bargain, there are always the aforementioned kneecaps...) If Zmeyth and Zvaraseth should get into a grudge match, Pern may not survive. On the flip side, Zmeyth will do anything, use any means necessary to protect those that he cares for - and you, V'ros, are at the top of that list, always. Beware of what may be done in your name.

Though Zmeyth isn't afraid to get his claws - or any other part of him - dirty, he does care about his appearance, particularly picky about his cleaning and oiling. He has an affinity for fine fabrics, and will try to connive his way into something devastatingly expensive to line his couch. This aesthetic, sybaritic tendency is something he shares with clutchmate Savroveth, one point they can always agree on.

Another thing Zmeyth will share with his clutchmate is a keen interest in greens and golds as he matures. Zmeyth is likely to be something of a 'ladies' man,' quick to flatter and flirt, but he is most attracted to those females who are strong and capable, not afraid to challenge and fight - much like his dam, Hraedhyth. It's in flights that his charm and determination will come in; if he can't woo a lady with words - and in the flight itself, words do tend to fall by the wayside - he'll do his damnedest to outfly the rest of the chasers. If he has the opportunity to sire a clutch, he'll likely do whatever is necessary to protect it from the clutching on, always a little protective of his 'children' afterward... at least, as long as he remembers.

Zmeyth doesn't believe in luck. It wasn't luck that made him hatch out of that egg, and it wasn't luck that made him Impress you, V'ros. Zmeyth chose you, deliberately insinuated himself into your mind and your life because you were the conscience he didn't know he needed. Now that you have his audaciousness, his tenacity, his sheer ''sneakiness'' as part of you, is it so hard to believe you needed that too?


== Public Impression Message ==
Shadow and Smoke Brown Hatchling has taken his time. He's deliberated, assessed his options to the best of his fledgling abilities... while distracted by all the activity around him and the fact that he's really ''really'' hungry. As quickly as he can manage long limbs without sacrificing what little slime-covered dignity he has, he marches right ''through'' a few candidates, claws be damned, to stare at a dark-haired young man. Decision made.


==Private Impression Message==
The hot sands don't do much to lessen the anxiety of the moment, waiting waiting waiting for something, ''anything'' to happen. It's so hot it feels like there's a fire burning beneath you, so hot you can ''smell'' the smoke, see it drifting past your- Wait... that's not right. Suddenly, everything is thrown into shadow, almost as if you'd passed out, but you can ''feel'' yourself still standing, still conscious. << Here's the deal, V'ros. >> Zmeyth is settling in, comfortable ''in'' you, as if he'd always been waiting for you. << I picked you. You get me food. We go from there. >> The smoke swirls into fantastical images of possible futures, as quickly gone as they appeared. More later. Food now.


== Mindvoice== 
While Zmeyth is a gregarious sort, he's also careful with both words and images, taking time in choosing them, waiting for the right time to use them... at least, as he matures out of youthful impulsiveness. Though certainly less calculated with you, he'll still take care in conversation, particularly if he's trying to get you (or, more often, someone else) to give up information. His thoughts are darkened with the shadows of night-time assignations and secret missions, back-alley deals and backroom negotiations, always faintly sinister, sometimes openly threatening... even when seeming more sunlit and less complicated might get his way more readily. He obfuscates with the smoke and fog of battle and campfires, reminiscent of his dam, but cryptic and mysterious where she is straightforward. Imagery is used to highlight his words, his baritone rough and sly, faintly flavoured with an indefinable accent.


== Itchyspots ==
As Zmeyth grows, he'll be plagued by dryness and unbearable itching in his long limbs - it'll seem like they need oiling constantly until his growth begins to slow down. Though they'll eventually need less attention, the hide around his face, the ridges along his nose, and over his eyes will always want scratching, even if you've just scrubbed and oiled him. (It might be a side effect of him sticking his nose in everyone's business!)


==Inspiration==
As requested, Zmeyth is inspired by Ibrahim 'Abe' Mazur from the Vampire Academy book series. The clutch theme is 'creatives,' and Abe's inventiveness has definitely helped him carve out his own place and power in a society dominated by vampire royalty. As you know (and likewise requested), 'Zmey' is Russian for 'snake' or 'dragon,', and is Abe's nickname in certain parts of the world.

''Egg Inspiration:'' This egg was inspired by this photograph: [http://www.deutscherandhackett.com/node/242/ here]. I (K'del) have a print of it hanging in my living room, and I can never get enough of staring at it.
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