[CC] Hatchery Quest: Xato

The dense forest closed around him, but to Xato it felt like home; if he was honest, he was just glad to be warm, though he had managed to track and trap a creature with a stunning pelt, which he had plans to work with; either for his own use, or maybe to barter. He hadn't decided yet. Xato halted, lowering his body closer to the ground as something tugged at him. He looked around, slipping his bow free and notching an arrow. He'd learned to be wary, especially in the wilds such as this. When nothing appeared, he inched over the ground, stepping carefully to minimize any noise he created; it was slow going given he had an arrow nocked in readiness as he moved in the direction the tugging originated from.

Finally he halted, looking up into the massive tree that towered over him, just one of many that covered the entire area; curiosity drove him to put his weapon away and test the trunk for footholds, once he got up to the base of the branches, it would be quicker; but what was up there that was tugging at him so. Years of practice at climbing made it easy, he'd been climbing even when he hadn't been allowed, and the past few years had only refined that skill. Up and up he went, weaving through the branches as the tugging grew stronger, until literally it was there.

He stared at the shape nestled amongst the branches, perfectly at home as if a bird had laid it, but he knew enough that it was no bird egg, the size alone gave that away. A dragon egg. It was a gentle brown all over, but, as if someone had taken black paint and drawn it, for the shell was covered in black lines, scribbling this way and that in a haphazard pattern, blending into the darkness offered by the canopy above. Pulling himself fully onto the criss-cross of branches that supported it, he pressed a hand to it, feeling it pulse in response.

He wiped the tears from his eyes, when he'd left home he'd been so hopeful that a dragon would call for him, and yet, when it hadn't happened he'd given that up. But here he was, sat besides an egg, one that he dared not move, at least, not until it hatched, he had no wish to jar the unborn hatchling by taking it from its 'nest'. Especially as it seemed quite secure and safe, and he knew this area well enough to know what was edible and not. "I can't wait to meet you."? Xato said, rubbing the shell gently, almost reverently.