"Once more, into the breach," Wyvern intoned solemnly, sliding carefully into the now finished Serendipity pond. She peered about in the clear water. "You'd think a turqoise dragon would show up clearly against black stone..." she mused, eyes darting about for the hatchling. Ah-hah! There she was, lurking behind some of the waterlilies. "So, still a bit cautious of me, eh? Can't say I blame ya, bein' just out of the shell and all. Well, let's get to know each other, kay?"
The dragon-fish watched carefully as Wyvern, with slow, careful motions, so as not to startle, reached into one of the buckets. After a few moments of aggrivated fumbling, she removed her hands triumphantly and slowly placed them in the water.
"And.. they're off," she announced as she released several small frogs into the pool. "Leopard frogs, all under three inches. Great for catching bass, let's see how they work on catching Serendipities." Wyvern knew she was rambling, but she figured that getting the little dragon used to her voice (however distorted it may have sounded underwater) couldn't hurt.
The aquatic beast charged from her hiding spot, flitting around the pool. With the awkward grace of the young, the she-dragon snapped up each frog. Apparently food was the key here. No longer hiding, the dragon began to swim lazily around the human in her pool.
Wyvern couldn't help but grin. This time she pulnged a hand into a different bucket and came back with a handful of minnows. "Now let's try non-live bait."
She released one of the dead fish into the pond and gently splashed it towards the Serendipity, who regarded cautiously. Evidently, she deemed it safe, or maybe hunger won out, for she quickly wolfed it down. This process was repeated two more times.
Encouraged, Wyvern held one carefully by the tail and waved it in what she hoped was an appetizing manner. The dragon eyed the fish carefully, but apparently wasn't ready to trust this strange two-legged creature just yet.
The Gaian laughed and grined whistfully. "C'mon, I know you're still hungry..." She whispered pleadingly.
The dragon inched closer and closer, slowly and deliberately. Wyvern held her breath, not wanting to move and ruin the moment. It was so close, she could've touched the hatchling...
Suddenly, there was a loud splash and Wyvern found herself completely soaked and minus a fish. She shook her head, trying to rid the excess water. "Wow. Guess those fins are good for something else than paddling. Oh well, see I scared you off," she mummbled dejectedly. It was true, the dragon was no where in sight. She spent a fair bit of time looking, but still couldn't see her. "How about we try again tomorrow?" She turned to go and froze.
The Serendipity was right infront of her, floating with only her eyes above water. Following that pleading gaze, Wyvern realized she still had two minnows clenched in one hand. "So, the promise of a full belly makes me not as threatening, ne?"
She extended the hand, open palmed towards the dragon-fish, minnows resting with easy reach for the little dragon. The dragon's gaze not leaving her own, Wyvern watched breathless as the little dragon gentley took one fish, then the other and devoured them. "Hey there, you eat just like a little Manatee."
The dragon, for her part, made a watery chirring sound and thrust her snout into Wyvern's empty palm. Discouraged at finding no more treats, she proceeded to nuzzle against Wyvern's bathing suit, obviously searching for more food.
The woman laughed. "Definately like a little manatee. Always looking for handouts. Well, fine then. My little Manatee you shall be," she laughed, extending a tentative hand to the hatchling's head. Her fingers brushed the rubbery hide, eliciting a delightful squeal as the newly dubbed Manatee enjoyed the affection.
Wyvern couldn't help herself. She let out her breath in one large whoosh. "Wow, they weren't kidding about that imprinting thing. I'd heard baby birds do the same thing when they first open their eyes, but whew. This is something else!"
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