Andri

Biting her lip, she looked up at the passers-by, as they glanced at her with disdain. She grimaced, and looked at a few scrapes on her knee. A tiny dot of blood could be seen on the stinging flesh, and Andri winced, slathering a bit of numbing salve on the offending cut. Getting back up, she raced through the halls, and into a warm room. At the hearth lay a few delicately shaking eggs, mottled and small. A Rider, by the name of Thorn, stood nearby, and gently smiled. "Hello, Andri. I see you've come to Imprint a dragonchen."
Andri knelt by the closest egg, which was rocking rather violently. A servant child handed her a bowl of meat, and Andri nodded.
"I heard that someone had found a clutch, so I hitched a ride from K'dron. His dragon, Oroth, grew up! A splendid blue!" Andri's face grew sober. "I'd like to Imprint a dragon, someday.."
Thorn seemed about to say something, but then her eyes grew hazy, and Andri knew she was talking to her dragon, brown Liranoth.
"I'm sorry, I have to go. I hope that your wish comes true! Bye."
"Bye," said Andri softly, and focused on the egg. A large crack split down the middle, and from the shards of egg emerged a shimmering, golden starry dragonchen! Andri gasped in profound wonder and amazement, and wasted no time in shoving meat at the still damp flit. Within a few moments, the bond had been made, and Minos, the golden dragonchen, had Imprinted Andri.

Andri started proudly home, for nestled in the crook of her arm was a brilliantly shining Minos!

Thanking K'dron and Oroth for their transportation, Andri walked toward her little room in Utopian Keep. Stepping inside, she noticed her sister, Darci, sitting at a low table. Darci grinned, winking one large gray-blue eye. The identical twin sisters shared a special bond, and although not completely the same in tastes and artistry, they were practically bonded at the heart, like Siamese Twins of the Soul.
"Hey, Andri!" Darci greeted her sister. "Heard you Imprinted a little dragonchen, congrats. And, " she said, in an undertone, almost a whisper, fervent and excited, "you might Imprint something else, something bigger, if you're willing!"
Andri nodded slowly, then leaned toward Darci to catch the last few words.
"What? You mean, like a dragon?"
Darci chuckled, grinning.
"I mean just that! There were two dragons abandoned in the last clutch at Wu. A green and a brown. If you hurry, you might Imprint one, give it new hope."
Andri bit her lip, eyes the color of the sea on a cloudy day stormy and distressed.
"Why would anyone abandon their dragon? From what I've heard, it's hard enough to be accepted to Imprinted!" Her passionate outburst made her sister raise thin eyebrows incredulously.
"Well, you know, you could give one new hope, like I said."
"I will! That is, I will try."
Andri spoke gently to Minos.
"Sweetling, can you go to K'dron, tell him I need his services again. Thank you, darling."
Andri formed a mental image of K'dron and Oroth at their cathair in her mind, and with a chirp, Minos went
parallel, and was back in a few moments. K'dron and Oroth followed shortly. K'dron, with a beaming smile--aimed at her?--helped Andri to mount, and Oroth launched into the air toward Cathair Wu, his birth place.

Andri walked uncertainly through the vast corridors of Wu. A woman, who she took to be Cathairte Wumai, approached her.
"I am told that you wish to try to Imprint one of our abandonlings. I am glad. Come."
Andri followed the Cathairte through twisting passageways, and into a large cathair of some sort, where a horrible feeling of pain and loss slammed into her. The room was dimly lit, but the hurtful feelings made it seem darker, bereft of any hope. But there, in the corner, an emerald flicker of hope glimmered, and Andri ran, wrapping her arms around Elath--realizing that she knew the green dragon's name!
"Oh, Elath, you'll never be alone again!"
I am glad, Andri! Thank you..
"You are very welcome, my darling!"
Minos twittered and glanced with small fear at the dragon, many times her size. Elath rumbled sweetly, and followed Andri and Minos out of Wu. Andri mounted her Elath, and felt the elation of soaring on the back of her own soulmate! K'dron, too, was in the air, and he grinned a-dragonback, right at Andri. Andri's heart gave a little flutter, and she admonished herself severely.
Why would he choose you, when half the girls at the Cathair would die to be with him?
Because, said Elath Oroth says that K'dron is open-hearted--become his friend, and he will be happy to Chase me..
Andri blushed.
That's not what I meant..
Yes, it is. I can tell
Andri, still scarlet, grinned and waved back at K'dron.
If you say so..