Eliksni young
Baby Eliksni have weak legs but very strong arms and can climb most sheer surfaces within a few hours of hatching
Anyone who stands still too long in the communal nursery will be swarmed. Babies love climbing adult Eliksni best, for food and attention
The Eliksni have a saying, “One to whom it is easy to cling.” It’s used as a battlefield insult to lazy comrades
On board ship, being easy to cling to is seen as a good thing. Eliksni adore their young and parenting is shared
Mothers have the least to do with the hatchlings, but spend more time with the young once they’re old enough to learn basic battle training
Once Captains grow large enough from ether they’re able to produce a very deep purr. The young Eliksni adore this
It’s not uncommon to find Captains in the nursery asleep in a chair with dozens of hatchlings nestled in the folds of his cloak, especially after a hard battle
A favourite game is a Captain or high-ranked female going about their business pretending they don’t know they have dozens of hatchlings clinging to their garments
Anyone who encounters a fellow Eliksni like this plays along. Sometimes the hatchlings transfer to a new Eliksni, who also pretends not to notice them
The Kell usually refuses to play unless it’s a celebration day, when he or she strides into the nursery and announces “I SEE NO HATCHLINGS HERE” which is the cue to s w a r m t h e K e l l
The Kell then visits every one of their Captains who complement him on his impressive “armour”
Published
Time's Vengeance 