Difference between revisions of "Dragon:Zibeth"

Revision as of 10:58, 23 March 2015

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Sparkling Splendor Egg

Simplistic at first glance, this egg might well trick the eye into believing that this is the blandest on the sands. White. Just plain white. Its when viewed from the right angle that the complex beauty that compiles the composition of this ovoid becomes all too obvious. Dusted in a sprinkling of snowy white, this egg captures every bit of light with its intricate glittering that is unlike that of any other egg ever seen before in all of Pern's long history. Half-buried in the sand, the gleaming white rises like a little hillock freshly frosted with a wintry pillow of snowflakes, it looks lovely, if wholly out of place on the hot sands. White... but then again, in the right light- could that be, gold?

Sparkling Splendor Egg shivers on the hatching sands despite the heat. Perhaps the look of its snowy exterior is so convincing that the occupant inside has actually grown cold! No, more likely, the hatchling is simply aching to be free. For some reason, it has suddenly had pause to question if where it is is truly where it wishes to be, and has decided that out may be the better course! Maybe its just time. Either way, the shivers have grown more intense and the shell begins to flake from the top, shedding gold-glinted white snow caps, shell shards raining down from the narrow muzzle of the Flip of the Setting Sun Gold Hatchling until she's standing in a mere husk of a home, ready to find new adventure in the wide world.

Flip of the Setting Sun Gold Hatchling

From head to tail this petite queen is kissed with the ruddy hues of the setting sun reflecting off the animate sea. Textures rise and fall across her body, lending her an ever-changing look when in motion. The color seems to rise to peaks of burnished gold and fall back into valleys of the more dominant dusty hue all across her back. Narrow-muzzled and refined of face, large liquid eyes peek out from beneath delicately arched brow ridges, seeming to hold both the innocence of youth and wisdom of the ages all at once. Elongated headknobs sweep back towards delicately curving, antiqued ridges that highlight the serpentine curve of her neck like a lady's golden chain. That smooth length winds down into a compact torso chased with absinthe flashes that catch the eye unawares, only seen from certain angles. Lean, athletic lines trace her form from shoulders to haunches, slender limbs and a lithe treasure of a tail, granting the elegant grace of a dancer. Talons gently curve from broad tips, extending from coin-bright roots in the curving arc of a cutlass.

Temperament

"Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me." Zibeth is a dreamer. Wild adventure calls her to attempt feats unbefitting a gold and to seek out knowledge on topics not be entirely appropriate for a proper young queen. « Renegades? What are renegades, Berit? I wonder what it is like to live as they do. I find that absolutely /fascinating/. » Zibeth searches for the thrill of adventure, for the unpredictability of life outside the safe walls of the Weyr.

In her infancy, Zibeth is content to be molded by you and her elders. It doesn't occur to her to question the way of things. Society and manners are things she comes to understand through your excellent breeding and training. She has a voracious appetite for knowledge, and, in the early months, she wants to learn all the "rules". With this comes an understanding on her part: a defined difference between "rules" and "guidelines," the latter of which may be ignored or bent as needed. Unfortunately, these precious months of innocence and peace are doomed to end when she discovers the single word: 'why'. She never outgrows the questioning phase. Expect any statement that begins with "Golds are..." to be challenged. « What does he /mean/ golds are proper? I'll show him! »

The "rules" and "guidelines" are the first things to be questioned. « Why can't I chew firestone with the rest of the dragons? Why do you get to have fire and I don't, Berit? » Zibeth yields to the /rules/, but she won't stop trying to be the best /bronze/ she can be. Especially in her youth, the tomboyish facets of Zibeth manifest in the form of trying to prove she's just as good as Mikhuth or Valioth. « But the Queen's wing is so /boring/. Can't we do search and rescue, Berit? » With questioning comes rebellion. During weyrlinghood, she has a certain innocence that she seems bent on losing by surrounding herself with the most unsavory sorts of dragon-kind. Bring on the surly and uncouth, the charmingly scandalous, the devilishly witty. She tolerates nice dragons, does her duty as a queen diplomatically, but she doesn't like it. Her knack for diplomacy needs refinement to avoid blunt and outspoken blunders. Truthfully, Zibeth would rather verbally spar or banter with dashing Zhoroth than to have a humdrum exchange of pleasantries with Tiasheth.

As a weyrling, she's eager to learn! She never wants to be treated differently and hates the natural segregation of a queen. Zibeth is a stubborn, strong-willed leader, so expect to find yourself in trouble more than once because she's decided to lead an expedition to somewhere forbidden. Perhaps it's because one of the older dragons, or even you yourself, told her a story about treasure, or star shine, or even flowers. Whatever the goal, she tromps off through the mud, rain, snow, or worse to follow the course of her heart's desire, though she's always fastidious by day's end.

As she matures, the strong will evident in her youth crystallizes. Experience makes her clever, decisive, and a little manipulative. She has a keen political mind, though she's occasionally out-foxed by one of greater fore-sight. Her knack for diplomacy becomes a finely tuned talent thanks to you, especially playing mediator between weyrlings. « Ask them both to come sit on your cot and negotiate! I'm sure it'll all get sorted out! » Her absolute faith in honor amongst 'brethren' is both her strength and weakness, as are the internalized 'rules' of negotiation. Her knowledge makes her seem wise, but when others don't fall into line as she expects, it leaves her slightly perplexed. These occasions lead right back into the question of rules and guidelines. Her favored solution to any problem: a polite parlay. « We can just talk it out and come to an accord. » Unfortunately, she's not always thorough in thinking things through. It may have her finding herself in situations that she wouldn't have chosen to put herself into, especially because she always adheres to her word. (To the letter if not the spirit!)

In the air, Zibeth shines with strength and grace. Her length and lean physique let her cut the air neatly, like a ship's prow breaking waves. If there were Thread to fly, she'd be valiant against it. She's a stunning sight to behold when she takes to the air and a powerhouse position in any wing. As the Weyr turns to Interval pursuits, she shows her competitive streak, egging everyone on in Intra and InterWeyr games and throwing herself into them whole-heartedly. Her jibes are subtle, and, for the duller-minded dragons, the coaxings are lost, but for the cleverer who might prove her match? She's sure to taunt them into trying to prove they can out-do her.

Evidenced in her aerial prowess, Zibeth's mating flights are breathtaking. There's something alluring about the way she turns and twists, and she draws the males in coyly: « Oh the heat is too much for me, you simply /must/ catch me as I swoon! » Her wily tricks flabbergast suitors and surprise even /you/! She's a tease and with that comes a lighthearted edge to her flights that really become one big competition. Her competitive streak ensures that the males know that this is no easy 'flap-flap-catch!' flight, but that she is a prize that goes only to the best. « Valioth, you'll have to fly a little faster than that if you intend to stand a chance; its easy, just watch me! » as she flips her tail, turns about and leaves the pack in the dust. She keeps an eye on her suitors, though, and it may well prove that she has had someone in mind the whole time; it's even possible that, if he's the right bronze, she might become quite dedicated to him as a companion for some time. On the sands, Zibeth suffers extremes of temper. At times, she's dedicated and affectionate in the tending of her eggs, even going so far as to tell them 'bedtime' stories of adventure and excitement. Then she's restless, wanting to be off the hatching sands and /out there/ seeing the world again. She relies on her mate to trade off with her so she can get some relief -- and on you.

As part of a wing, Zibeth wants to have a hand in /everything/. Even after she's outgrown her 'why' phase, she never understands why, in an Interval, she can't fly with the fighting wings. She wants to participate in search and rescue, in construction efforts, in the usual diplomatic duties of her color, and- well, anything and everything else! She wants you to learn about dragonhealing while she learns about how to properly aid injured dragons. Reluctantly, she flies with the Queen's Wing.

As if all of this weren't enough, Zibeth has other quirks. She knows your passion for pretty clothes, and shares it! She's the first to listen to you go on about the newest fashions for the season and happily helps pick your attire. None of this, however, keeps Zibeth from encouraging you to dress down when the work asks for rugged attire. Zibeth balances the ladylike with a core of feminine strength, unafraid to face the odds, the unknown, the difficult, but doing it all with grace, style, and more than a little courage; elements that may draw out or help to balance those same qualities in you.

Public Impression Message

Flip of the Setting Sun Gold sways where she is on the sands. A far away look claims this hatchling, as has oft been seen as she traversed hot sands seeking- something. Her neck lengthens as though she were suddenly focusing in, like one hearing snippets of some distant tune. What is this something she's searching for? Her head tilts, perplexed. Perhaps the answer will be found with the treasure of her search. Setting off with a flip of her tail, leaving a trough dug in the sand behind her, forgetting to hold it up properly, she follows the clue. White robes? Check. No, not you. Girl? Whoops, not you. A little stamp is given to the sand, the gold irked by her failings. Then suddenly the answer is right in front of her as she spots through the sea of faces on the sands the object of her treasure hunt. The little queen moves quickly, ducking all other obstacles to come to a dark-haired girl with sage-green eyes. She hesitates in the sand a few paces away, almost shyly, but the undercurrent of bold movement brings her stepping forward a moment later and a dainty talon is lifted. Her head bobs like the most polite of all Lady Holders. Eyes meet eyes and one lady, however young and naive, chooses another of like kind.

Private Impression Message

Echoes of a distant melody sung eerily in a voice too young to know its true meaning, ripples across the suddenly pervasive fog that encompasses your senses. A soft creaking of wood and sloshing of water heralds a caress to your mind. The salty scent of the free winds of the open sea tingle in your nostrils, though mixed with a second definable odor. A more feminine perfume of crushed lavender entwines itself to soften the roughness of salt air. The touch is sisal-soft and comes in a slow regular wash of waves until it surrounds you. Pale dainty shades of cream and blue swathe your eyes, accented by marigolds that seem to stitch embroidered embellishments with each new touch and thought. One word blooms in a beauteous clustering of purple and blue petals: « Fascinating! » She is enraptured - and /you/ can feel that wash of emotion that rushes over her. And what is it that enthralls her so completely? « You! My lifemate! Its all right. My name's Zibeth. I'm watching over you, Berit. » And with that, the deal is struck more bindingly than if it had been an oath sealed with blood. She is suddenly more real than anything you've every experienced and as you blink, you find her lithe-limbed golden form there on the sands before you, adoration clear in her purple whirling eyes.

Mindvoice

Sisal-smooth, Zibeth's touch comes across as a complex combination of the softness of fine fabrics and the firm strengh of forged steel. Unlike many dragons, Zibeth's sendings are highly mutable and change depending on her mood. At times, the willowy innocence of a child's softly sung melody plays through her words, but often, this sweet sound has has an eerie undertone, accompanied by a haze that seems to cloud her understanding. Other times, the propriety and mannerisms of maturity infuse her tone, making her seem wise beyond her turns. The colors of the wealthy, used in the decor of larger Holds paint the canvas of her mind; cream, blue, pale pink, and gold accents picking out decorative traces like a lady's fine embroidery. The salty scent of the sea contrasts with these soft hues and the twining tang of sweet lavendar, a complex feast for the nose. Like the waves on a beach her thoughts come and go, punctuated by the soft creak of a ship's deck, rolling over the blue. When she chooses to include tastes, good moods fill your mouth with the flavor of the finest creamed klah, scones, rich wherry roasts and expensive spices. Bad moods chalk your tongue with the dry clay of sailor's tack, lumpen and flavorless.

Dragon Inspirations

Elizabeth Swann, the Governor's Daughter and Pirate Queen from "Pirates of the Caribbean". As Zibeth begins her life, she is more like the Governor's Daughter seen in the first film, innate feistiness hidden under manners and grace. Over time, as Elizabeth does, she grows into a strong, confident woman who makes her own decisions, tempered by the experiences of life. Her description is based in part on the physical presence of actress Keira Knightley who played Elizabeth, the gleam of pirate's gold and the green flash that heralds the flip of the world in the third film.

Egg Inspiration: Snow!

Name Meaning

Name is inspired by " Elizabeth" with the zing of that letter Z on the front. There was some serendipity in this choice as T'aren and Paddy were brainstorming names before the final application was posted and came up with this same name and nearly fell out of their chairs when it turned up on the application.