Fishing for Happiness [Hatching of Freshwater]

[Kira]

When the green hatched, S'ren crowed in triumph and lightly punched L'cin in the shoulder. "I was right! Pay up!" She extended her hand expectantly, having won the bet on that one. They hadn't been allowed to come touch the eggs this time since they were already Weyrlings, but they had still come to spy on them a time or three.

"It's not over yet, dimglow," L'cin grumbled back. So he had guessed a blue. You couldn't be right every time. "I might not have to pay you at all, if I get more right." Which...he probably wouldn't. But he seemed to prefer delaying the inevitable. ...Plus, he'd left such trifles as marks sitting in his room in favor of getting here faster, but he didn't need her mocking for that.

Settling back down, they huddled together in excitement.

.o0O0o.

Tess jumped up and let out a loud cheer when the feisty green claimed Hers. She flushed a little after that at the unabashed snickers from the Riders standing off to her right. She very maturely stuck her tongue out at them. She was allowed to let loose a little tonight, so long as no one was injured.

As Kailee wobbled over to them with the one she wondrously announced was Rasath, Tess greeted her with a smile. "Congratulations, dear one." Steering the new pair over to the Riders for food, she eagerly returned her attention to the Hatching.



((Hey! Where are my other non-Candies?! XD Come sit with the twins or help with the feeding!!! You know you want to! :D))

[Lissa]

"Ooooh!" A tiny squeal more appropriate for a girl than a young lad involuntarily escaped Aidaen's lips as the rocking Puntius egg was joined in spasmodic movement by two others. The boy's face, so usually sullen, was lit by an eager glow as he watched in awe. A hectic flush from the heat colored his fair skin and ran together with his riotous freckles, almost but not quite, obscuring them from view.

But just then a movement to the side drew Aidaen's attention from the rocking eggs back to the gold as she seemed to glower directly at him. Her teeth, nearly the size of his hands were visible and a menacing growl seemed to be aimed directly at him. He shook in fear. Now she had seen him and she knew he did not belong, that he was a trespasser near the precious eggs. He began to panic. She didn't want him here. It was all a mistake. The gold had seen into his heart and found him lacking.

He was going to be removed from the sands, just like the Candidate Master had threatened would happen if he broke a rule. The fearful boy paid no attention to the fact that he had not broken a rule. He simply was convinced that he had done something unthinkable, broken some Weyr taboo and now was to pay for his transgression.

Aidaen took a stumbling step backwards and then another, away from the rocking eggs. He half-turned, ready to bolt from the hatching grounds in disappointment and terror, sure that the gold would chase him out if he did not leave. All his deeply hidden hopes seemed to shatter and fall to the sands at his feet. A sob welled up in his throat and he tried to choke it back, knuckling at his eyes with a pair of grubby fists.

But just then, an egg that hadn't even been moving, the Pocilidae egg split cleanly in two pieces spilling its beautiful green occupant onto the hot sands. Aidaen couldn't help himself. He stopped in his tracks and stared at the hatchling for a moment, then couldn't help but notice the gold who was just a moment ago glowering at him, was now thrumming encouragement to the dragonet. So maybe he hadn't done anything wrong.

Aidaen stiffened his back with resolve. If he left, he would never know and would surely never be able to stand again. If the queen wanted him gone from the sands, well she could just remove him herself! Besides, there weren't so many candidates that they could afford to kick him out. He didn't know much but he knew enough to know that Weyrs preferred to have many more candidates than were needed. His chin shot out and he stood belligerently on the sands for a moment, before his shuffle from one foot to the other ruined his determined stance.

Staring straight at the little green, he focused hard on her trying to forget about the queen waiting nearby, wondering if the hatchling would even see him. And then she started moving...but not toward him. She quickly impressed on a girl with brown hair nearby and Aidaen turned his attention resolutely to the remaining eggs, hoping beyond hope that one would hatch out his lifemate.

[Trith]

With one hatchling successfully bonded and another several on the way, Trith was mighty pleased with herself. Never you mind that she wasn’t the real mother, she was proud enough to be. Samhara had to give a small smile at the antics of her gold, but she was familiar with Trith’s hatching behaviors by now. She just hadn’t expected them with a donated clutch. Apparently, Trith just had a heart large enough for everyone.

The Puntius Egg struggled so to get out of its shell that it actually fell over to the side against a clutchmate or two, eliciting an unhappy wail from within. Concerned, Trith leaned over the unfortunate hatchling just as a pale tan colored head finally popped free of the shimmery shell. Peering owlishly up at her, the Puntius Brown gave an excited chirp as he saw his beautiful ‘mother’. Trith hummed encouragingly, and the brown began struggling anew to gain freedom from its shell. A loud tapping began from the previously quiescent Corydora Egg as it gave a small rock back and forth before stilling yet again. This one seemed unready to come out, but it continued to test its shell with tappings that echoed all around the hatching bowl.

No matter, the Puntius Brown was finally free as his legs punched through the tough shell with a final burst of effort. Kicking free of his glittering confines, he rolled back upright, looking down to inspect himself. Licking a few piece of shell from his tan colored body, the brown flapped his wet wings, then returned to staring at Trith. He scooted closer, clearly eager to remain in her presence. The Frenatum Egg chose this point in time to break free in a shower of broken shell as it escaped. A multitude of blue hues splotched over this hatchling’s body as he gave a definitive and energetic wriggle from head to tail, splattering the fluid from his egg over his neighboring clutchmates as he avidly attempted to flap his almost comically overlarge wings. They dragged in the sand behind him when he pranced out of the group of eggs, giving a sniff here and there to the bright eggs. He paused by the last egg closest to the Candidates, and plopped his rear right on the sands, his wings drooping to the sides as he lost the strength to hold them up. He began looking at each Candidate in turn, a careful scrutiny.

The Puntius Brown suddenly let loose a raucous wail as Trith returned her watch to the clutch in general, clearly unhappy that her attention was no longer on him. The Frenatum Blue turned to look at what all the ruckus was over, and snorted at his clutchsibling making such a fuss. No need to be so loud. As if to show him a better way to act, the blue slipped back up to all fours and set out with a determined air towards the line of candidates. He paused by Lialla, wrinkling his nose at her before trekking on down the line. He became increasingly agitated as the line of Candidates drew closer towards the end and His was not yet in sight.

Finally, at the end, he gave a quiet chirp of joy. G’lenmine! You’re so far away from your Caith! Why were you so far away? He stumbled into the youth who just caught him.

By the clutch, more movement was evident in the Xiphophorus Egg as it began rocking with a vengeance. A sharp cracking sound split the air as the egg fairly burst from within, littering the surrounding few feet with egg shells as a large strong brown with a rich mahogany hide began looking about. He shook his large wedge shaped head to rid it of the remaining egg shards and nearly took a tumble over his own tail as he moved to step towards the line of candidates. Ungainly wings flapped wetly out to steady him, and he was off again, each step accompanied by a small grunt or chirp or other such noise. He sniffed at the other eggs in passing, but he was mainly interested in finding His and finding His now.

It didn’t take him too long before he was sitting before a youth. He tilted his head, then leaned against Kheron’s legs, letting his mind open as he streamed colorful thoughts and feelings to his chosen. Your Calzanth has found you, K'ronmine! Don’t worry anymore, Calzanth is yours, and Calzanth is hungry! The brown began letting his hunger splash through, now that the urge to find his bonded was past and satiated.


(Note: Gillen's player Audio isn't here right now, so I took over for her. It's not an NPC impression, but I didn't realize it was Gillen's dragon hatching until I'd already wrote most of the post )

[Maykat]

Batavia rolled with sweat, both from nerves and from the heat. She fidgeted, moving from foot to foot, crossing her arms, then hanging them at her sides, then crossing them again. Batavia couldn’t think about the fact that she had a good line of work to fall back on, or that she would be old enough for at least two or three more clutches before aging out. All she could think about was the clutch in front of her. Like the ground would just open up and swallow her whole if she walked away alone again. She wiped her hands on her robe, rubbing her palms against her hips. Trying to calm herself, she stood with her feet apart and hands on her hips, trying to root into the sand. She might be slower off the mark if a confused dragonet came barreling towards her, but Batavia trusted her ability to get out of the way.

She started moving again when the Puntius Brown let out his wail. The noise stoop up the hairs on the back of her neck and made her shudder. She smiled as two boys Impressed, looking just as happy as pie for them. She tried to keep down her jealousy, and nagging doubts, and watch the rest of the clutch. The Puntius Brown was still out there, and she kept an eye on the hatchling. If he took too long to find his mate, he might get agitated and then dangerous. Blood on the Sands would not be a good way for the new Weyr to end its first Hatching.

V'mio clapped for the boys and agreed with his neighbors that the Xiphophorus Brown was a strong looking creature. He kept one eye on the Corydora egg as the rest of the Hatching unfolded. It kept moving and then stopping, as if it needed to rest between attempts. He could feel Felath's amusement in the back of his mind, almost calling him an old auntie but refraining from it. V'mio wiped his eyes and leaned back in his seat. We may be in for a long affair, he thought, noting that several eggs had yet to move.

[Mello]

As Ranen watched, a tan dragonet emerged from the Puntius Egg, and then a blue from the Frenatum Egg. He held his breath as the dragons took their first looks around, hoping beyond everything else that one of them might turn their heads his way. But the little brown seemed more interested in his mother than the candidates, and remained close to Trith. Ranen found himself smiling at the antics of the brown, as it began wailing for the attention of its mother. Clearly he did not like being ignored. He hoped that it would be able to turn its attention to the candidates and find someone suitable for it. He had been at a hatching where one of the blues hadn’t been able to find anyone, and had gone Between. It was an awful day, the beauty of the occasion marred by the tragedy felt by the entire Weyr, and Ranen hoped earnestly that it wouldn’t happen to the tan dragon still trying to draw the attention of its mother.

The blue, meanwhile, was examining the candidates, and once more Ranen had a vision of it choosing him. But it was not meant to be, it seemed, for the dragon stumbled into another boy, clearing having found His. Ranen barely had time to feel disappointed before the Xiphophorus Egg broke open to reveal another brown. And then the disappointment was back as the dragon quickly found His.

Doubt began to run through Ranen’s head. Was this just going to be a repeat of so many previous days, when he been found lacking in some way? Maybe it was something he was doing wrong, something about him that made the dragons turn away. Maybe he wasn’t meant to be here at all, maybe it was just a hopeless dream he had carried over from his mother’s tales.

Determinedly, he pushed away those thoughts. There would be plenty of time for doubt after the Hatching, if the occasion called for it. And there were still unhatched eggs, and the little tan brown had yet to find His, so perhaps there was hope for Ranen yet. He tried to focus all his attention on the brown and the eggs still sitting on the sands, leaving as little of his mind as possible to wonder about what might or might not happen.

[Kaemi]

A brown appeared halfway out of the Puntius Egg, drawing a smile to Lialla's lips. It was quite the sight to see: the Puntius Brown's first reaction to the dim light of dusk, and of his adoptive mother, of sorts. He began to escape the rest of the trappings that his egg provided, with Trith's encouragement, and it was all very sweet. However, even after he escaped, he seemed to want to stay near the gold who watched over his egg, and so Lia's eyes travelled over to the Frenatum Eg-- Blue, that is.

The blue was no definite color, instead seeming to be a mixture of many shades, and he seemed to be more considerate and yet eager to Impress, unlike his clutchbrother. Lialla had never even considered riding a male dragon, always figuring herself to Impress a green, whenever she happened to think about it. Really, that had only ever happened here at Cerulean, since being officially Searched and taken to a real Weyr- and maybe a little when she was a little girl, who romanticized her parents and the older folk around her. But maybe a blue was the correct dragon for her. She didn't allow herself to visualize it, not even for a moment, as she had for the Poecilidae Green: not when his clutchbrother gave a sound of discontent, or when the blue continued on his journey down the line of the candidates. Not even when the dragonet stopped and looked at her, although her heartbeat sped and she had to force herself to not move a muscle. And when the Frenatum Blue moved away again, she was thankful for it.

After making his way down the line a few more candidates, he found His, and Lialla joined in for the applause again. The mass' attention, however, was quickly drawn again by the Xiphophorus Egg moving vigorously, it's occupant becoming impatient and wanting out. He quickly found a boy, another who was vaguely recognized by Lia. Shells, she really didn't know many people at the Weyr-- she couldn't even search through the crevices of her mind to find his name. Deciding right then that, if she did end up staying at Cerulean, she would get to know a few more people (notably her peers), Lialla focused on the rest of the Hatching.

---

Why would you go to another Hatching? Is it because you want to Impress another dragon? Am I not good enough for you? Dalisth lamented as L'mar drew on his boots and adjusted one of his nicer shirts. He sighed, straightening to look at his green. They'd had this discussion countless times since he mentioned, in passing, that he couldn't wait to see the Hatching. Now that the humming had begun, less than five minutes ago, the weyrling had been listening to her litany of worries.

"Dali, sweetheart, you know that I'm not Standing. I'm going to be up in the Stands, with all the other bystanders, waiting and watching as the eggs hatch and the hatchlings Impress. You also know that it's utterly impossible for me to Impress another dragon, not that I'd ever want to, since I've already Impressed to you." L'mar sighed, reaching out a hand to scratch his green's eyeridges. He loved her to pieces, but shells, she could be strange. "What surprises me is that you didn't mind me finding our little blue, and you encouraged me to Impress him when he hatched." He really needed to think of a name for him. Sitting on the bed (he knew that Dalisth wouldn't let him leave until they finished their discussion, anyways, so he might as well be comfortable), L'mar cocked his head at the green.

He's little, she replied point-blank, ending the conversation further when she finished with, Fine. Go. If you Impress, then I will be angry with you.

Laughing quietly, L'mar left, making his way to the Hatching Ground with a few of the stragglers, and snuck in the side. He was late- eggs had already Hatched, and three people had already Impressed. Shards. Only when he was climbing up the Stands, looking for an empty seat, did he remember that he probably should have wished Raelwyn luck. Dalisth... love... could you please wish Raelwyn luck? For me? he asked sweetly, searching the Sands for his friend. There she was. It took another minute of persuasion, but eventually the green gave in. She had already determined that she liked the girl, after all.

Raelwyn... Mine and I wish you luck today, she said, before curling up in the Barracks and attempting to go to sleep. They both hoped that they didn't ruin her concentration for the Hatching... oops.

After another minute, L'mar caught sight of two of his fellow weyrlings. He raised his hand in hello, and sat in the Stands with them. “Hey S'rin, L'cin,” he greeted. “What'd I miss?”

[Kira]

S'ren grinned and tugged L'mar down to sit on her other side, easily ignoring any protests from people behind them. "Hey, was wondering if you were gonna make it!" she just loudly enough to be heard. She didn't want to piss off the people around them more than necessary. "Let's see...a green got some brunette girl, a blue got the cute guy who I heard was a Trader, a huuuuuge brown got this one tall guy, and that one brown doesn't seem to want to leave his mama. Haha, what if he's like a fire-lizard and Impresses on his cluthmother instead?"

"That isn't even close to funny, S'ren." L'cin shot her an exasperated look.

"Hush, wait for the adults to finish speaking."

"I'm the elder tw-!"

"Anyway," she cut him off again as she turned her attention back to L'mar, earning a frustrated growl and a huff from her brother as he just gave up. "Oh! For a second I thought that blue was gonna Impress this one girl. I wouldn't be the only female bluerider here! Ummm...it wassss...that one." She pointed to Lialla. "The one that apparently sleeps all day and kinda looks like a girly you. ...Well, girlier." She grinned devilishly at L'mar.

"Oh, and I'm one up on S'ren for our bets. You owe me, sis." And with that, L'cin got his revenge and returned to watching with a satisfied smile. He didn't even need to look to know she was scowling darkly at him.

[Kaemi]

He went with it when S'ren tugged him down to sit, shrugging and grinning at her and then the people behind them as they grumbled loudly. "Dalisth didn't want me to come because she was worried I would Impress again and then love the new dragon more than I love her." He shook his head in exasperation, although the fondness in his voice was undeniable. His green was crazy, but he loved her with all he had. "Three've Impressed? That means that there's only five left! Shells," he cursed. Then he looked down, examining the Sands to see if he recognized the Impress-ees more than his two companions. It seemed that Kheron, one of the boys he had done Kitchen chores with, had Impressed, but that was the only one he recognized.

Despite L'cin's denial of the amusement of whatever kind of joke S'ren had just made, L'mar just laughed and shook his head. Not so much at her words, but at the banter from the twins. It was never dull when the two were together, that was for sure: they were plenty of fun. Winking at S'ren, he made a show of searching the Sands for the girl that might have become a bluerider. "Well, if she looks like me, she must be one lovely specimen," he told her, following her finger. Dark reddish-hair, short, kind of plain, but not entirely bad-looking. He shrugged.

"She's not as pretty as I am, but she's not in any way ugly. I'll accept resemblance," he said with a grin. "Sleeps all day? Does that mean that she's, like, a party animal at night?" L'mar laughed quietly, and then continued to watch the banter between L'cin and S'ren. "The only bet I have is that the front egg, near the really bright, multi-colored shards-" L'mar pointed to the Axelrodi Egg -"is going to be a green." He nodded solemnly, pleased with his vote. There was little doubt in his mind that it could be anything else, except maybe a dud-- it was a pretty small egg, after all.

[Mango]

M'ma had hurried his old bones to the Hatching as soon as Heneth informed him of it. He had almost been ready for bed, which made it slightly annoying, but he hurried anyways. This was too exciting after all. This would be the chance to see all his new Weyrlings. He got there just in time to see a girl Impress a Green. He cheered for her heartily. Many more eggs hatched and soon a Blue and a Brown were both Impressed with another Brown on the Sands. What a lovely clutch.

M'ma watched the unImpressed Brown. He was sitting so closely to his adoptive mother, it was really quite amusing. He seemed like he didn't want to be out of her sight. How would he Impress like that though? Trith would, hopefully, move him along. He needed to Impress or else he'd between. The Weyr needed as many dragons as possible. Especially strong, sturdy browns. They always made great dragons and many rose to wingseconds.

---

Cheko watched as everything happened in a blur. A green, a blue, a brown, another brown. The first three Impressed. He watched them walk off the Sands, greatly jealous of them with their new partners. Still, though, a smile was on his face. What did he have to frown at? He was at a Hatching after all, right? He had the chance to Impress a dragon. And even though there were only five left, one very much could be his.

He turned his attention to the brown on the Sands. He was sitting to closely to Trith. What was up with that? Was it a momma's boy? Technically, Trith wasn't the dragon's mother. Did it know that? As he mused this, Polo rubbed the boy's cheek. He needed to pay attention to the Hatching! He had already missed so much!

---

The dreamy look in Valee's eyes never left as she stared at the dragonetts that hatched. They were all so lovely. She felt herself flash back to the disappointment of last time. What if the same thing happened? She fell inwardly more and more as each dragonett passed her by. Well, she didn't know if she saw herself Impressing a Brown or a Blue. But the green had seemed nice.

She couldn't get too down though. There were still eggs left. And maybe, just maybe, if she didn't Impress she could try again. She would have to ask if that was the case. She forced her mind to stop thinking about the past and future and focused on the present, applauding as each pair walked off the Sands. It was a happy occasion and she needn't bring anyone down.

[Thorney]

Raelwyn shuddered slightly as the Puntius Egg fell over and the dragonet within cried out sorrowfully, the sound tearing at her heart. Hatchlings always had the ability to tug at her emotions and make her want to do nothing more than dash over and soothe their troubles. Trith, however, was already comforting the little one, her whirling eyes focused on the egg as she leaned over and the brown head finally poked out. Obviously, that was all the encouragement he needed to start kicking his way to freedom. The brown looked to be a light one of his color, and the harper smiled as his struggles increased and he finally was free. The Puntius hatchling did not make for the candidates, however, instead opting to stay close to the queen and stare at her with admiring eyes. Rael thought it was sweet that he wanted to stay with the gold, but he also needed to find His. She didn't want to see him go between.

The echoes of the Corydora Egg started to worry her, but the hatchling was probably just waiting a bit longer before it had to strength to break out. Or so, the harper hoped. The girl had seen still eggs on the sands before, the dragonet unable to break out or unmoving, and she hoped with all her heart the Corydora would hatch soon. "Come on, lovey, come out." She whispered softly, finally tearing her gaze away from the smaller egg as the Frenatum Egg broke. The dragonet that emerged was a handsome color, certainly, Raelwyn took a moment to admire the myriad of blues that chased across his hide. As he started towards the line, inspecting each of them in turn, the girl held her breath as he came to her, then let it out softly as he continued on his way. Again, it was not to be. Staying optimistic, the harper clapped for Gil--or rather, G'len as he was now. She had not been able to really get to know all of the candidates, but she knew their names for the most part.

Suddenly, the largest egg in the clutch began moving violently, and Raelwyn fixed her green gaze on the Xiphophorus, wondering what color it would yield. Barely resisting the urge to flinch as the shell practically exploded with the force of the dragonet within, the girl grinned as a large brown stood proudly, shaking the bits of egg off him. The hatchling was built very sturdy, that much was clear, and Rael clapped happily for Kher as he Impressed. She had met him only briefly in the weyrhall one night, but he seemed nice.

Watching the weyrlings leave the sands, the harper suddenly gave an involuntary jerk as a voice echoed in her mind, and a smile as bright as the sun when it rode high brightened her features. Dalisth and L'mar wanted to wish her luck, and that much warmed her greatly, but the fact that the wonderful little green had actually spoke directly to her made Rael all the more happier. Turning her head only slightly, the girl tried to see L'mar out of the corner of her eye, but she couldn't find him. Focusing her full attention back on the clutch before her, Raelwyn took a deep breath and leveled her green gaze on the remaining eggs. Worry started within her, but the harper pushed those feelings aside and felt only love and hope. Hope that one of the hatchlings would find her worthy.

Meanwhile, Tydus, who had been flitting around in the air and keeping away as His girl had instructed, finally spotted him. The twoleg bonded with the green bigwing! There he was! There! There! The bronze chirped excitedly and zipped down, careful to stay away from the sands and out of trouble. He practically crashed onto L'mar's shoulder, grabbing the weyrling's shirt in his little clawed feet to keep himself from falling. Finally steady, the flit, who was growing larger now, looked at the boy with excitedly whirling eyes, chattering and chirping nonstop.

~~~~

Amber eyes concentrated on the eggs, the wrangler’s body tensed of it’s own volition when the next shell began to crack further. The Puntius Egg wobbled, then fell, the dragonet within howling most unhappily. Kheron hoped the little one would get out soon, and would be plenty healthy. When the brown head appeared at the top of the egg, staring at the lovely Trith, the boy couldn't help but smile, glad to see the fellow finally working his way into the world. In the back of his mind, the ex-beastcrafter wondered how long the brown would stay with his mother figure as the Frenatum Egg hatched. The blue was a striking specimen, with shifting hues painted across his hide, and the boy watched the hatchling's progress intently and hopefully. When the dragonet passed him, Impressing to another boy, Kher felt disappointment within, but nevertheless clapped and smiled, waiting for the next egg to hatch.

'The next egg' took the form of the Xiphophorus Egg, the biggest one on the sands, and the dragonet wasted no time in practically bursting the shell in an instant. The hatchling that stood in the egg's place was a very handsome brown, and from his candidate lessons, Kheron could tell that he was a big boy for his color. The impressive dragonet gave mild interest to the other eggs before him, but it was clear that he was more preoccupied with finding his chosen one among the candidates. Amber eyes followed the brown as he approached the wrangler and the others beside him, and the boy’s heart began to thud in his chest. Outwardly calm, inside he was raging. The hatchling was coming closer to him, and almost before the boy even knew what was happening, the brown was leaning against his legs. Their eyes met, a whirling rainbow and amber, and Kheron felt the most powerful, unfathomable feeling wrap his entire body in it’s grip.

Your Calzanth has found you, K'ronmine! Don’t worry anymore, Calzanth is yours, and Calzanth is hungry!

Bending down, Kheron lovingly scratched the brown's eyeridges as he had been taught in lessons, almost unable to believe the sheer strength of his emotions for his new partner. He knew that it was going to be powerful, but the boy did not know just how amazing it was going to be. It was like he had been half a person all his life, and now suddenly, the wrangler was whole. "Then let's feed you, my Calzanth." The boy said, smiling, then stood, ready to lead his weyrling off the sands. As he did, Kher turned to those assembled, knowing this was not the time to be quiet. "His name is Calzanth!" He shouted, then the two approached the riders to get the dragonet fed.

"Howdy, kiddo. Somehow, I knew you'd Impress." A familiar, slow drawl caught the weyrling's attention, and K'ron turned to find H'seo standing beside a meat bucket, grinning. "Congrats, boy."

"Thank you, sir." Smiling, the wrangler led his new, beloved brown over to the bluerider, taking some of the proffered meat and leaning down after nodding his thanks. "Here, Calzanth."

I may eat now? The sturdy, handsome brown asked, more than ready to fill his stomach.

"Now you eat." K'ron said softly, running his hands over the dragonet's hide as he did. It just seemed almost impossible to believe that he had Impressed to someone as perfect and amazing as his Calzanth. Along their new, intense bond, the boy felt the same love and adoration for him. It was....indescribable.

[Trith]

Around the time the mottled blue was steered away from the sands, the Colisa Egg began showing its willingness to hatch by violently rocking back and forth. As the second largest egg of the clutch, its rockings could cause damage to its clutchmates if it hit. Fortunately, fractures began at one side before it could do any harm, and nearly half of the egg just sort of collapsed outwards as a rich, dark bronze hide shown forth. Half in and half out, the bronze hatchling stretched the freed half of his body, and worked his head free, splintering much of the rest of his shell in the process. Red and yellow shards of shell stuck to him as he gave himself a shake, and as the pieces fell from him, lighter bronze spots could be seen dotted here and there on his stocky body.

Trith finally nudged the Puntius Brown away from her with her tail, hissing at him. The brown gave such a forlorn wail that Samhara winced, a sad frown coming to her face. If he didn’t look for his bonded, this one would surely between. Here she had hoped for a sadness free hatching, but they just weren’t that lucky it seemed. It was at this time that both the Axelrodi Egg and the Splendens Egg began rocking, but with significantly different tempos. While the Splendens seemed content to work steadily, the Axelrodi Egg was knocked around from within with such force that it actually rolled into the wailing Puntius Brown, who stopped in surprise as this unexpected attack.

The brown tapped at the small shell curiously, and the hatchling within responded with renewed effort, breaking the shell into several pieces as a very light colored green emerged, chirping with joy to finally be freed. Seeing something else to latch on to, the brown attempted to show his clutch sister some love, but the very small green would have none of that as the little ball of energy got her little legs moving in a hurry. Shell pieces fell away from her as she took a full turn around the clutch, peering at everyone and everything with obvious enjoyment.

The Colisa bronze seemed about ready to move, and he took a step away from the clutch, only to be run full tilt into by the Axelrodi green. Both hatchlings took a tumble, the green more so than the bronze, and the much larger bronze snorted as his green sibling and ambled towards the line of candidates. He peered around at the males, and finally made his selection, coming up to Lanzalin and pressing his need against the boy, who dutifully led him off the sands.

The green, having rolled at least two times, came to rest near the closest candidates. She peered up dizzily at Raelwyn. What, this wasn’t Hers! In a mad flap of wings and arms, she scrambled to right herself, catching the girl deep across both legs with her tiny but sharp claws in the process. Instantly aware that she’d hurt someone, the Axelrodi green hiccupped and scooted away on down the line, finally coming to rest with a hurt wail at the feet of Lialla. Mine, mine! Cryth hurt someone, Cryth is sorry! The tiny hatchling clung to her legs, clearly upset, even wrapping the tip of her small tail around Lialla's ankle.

Trith began to coo worriedly at the Puntius Brown who was now simply watching the proceedings with a dejected air. While she attempted to get him to move towards the candidate line with her gentle forehands, the Corydora Egg gave an experimental wobble as its occupant finally gave effort to breaking free. The almost slimy looking egg began rocking in earnest. The Splendens Egg developed a hairline crack from its occupant's steady workings, and it was obvious that the hatchling would soon be free.

[Mello]

Everything seemed to be moving so fast. Before Ranen could fully process what was happening a bronze dragon worked its way out of one of the eggs, and two more began moving, one moving so much that it rolled into the brown who still had yet to find His. A green appeared out of that same egg soon after, leaving three little dragons on the sands. The brown seemed to try and attach to the green like he had his mother, but she wouldn’t have it, and Ranen couldn’t help but smile at the antics of the brown. Amusement turned to shock, however, when the green and the bronze collided, but luckily neither seemed to be hurt. Actually, the whole Hatching had been almost unusual in that sense- there had yet to be an injury, human or dragon.

But there always did seem to be something, and just as the bronze found his, another candidate Ranen recognized by sight but had never really spoken with, the little green fell at the feet of a girl and, in her rush to get away, caught her with her claws. Ranen fought an instinct to rush over and help the girl. After all, he was no healer, and he would only be in the way. Still, it was difficult to watch someone he knew he couldn’t help.

To distract himself, he turned back to the sands. The last few eggs were rocking, and part of his mind was keeping track of them, but more of his attention was on the brown, who still hadn’t found His. Silently, Ranen rooted for the young creature, hoping that he would find someone to be with. As much as he hoped to Impress himself, he could always stand again, but the loss of this little one would shed a dark shadow over the entire Hatching. C’mon, he cheered silently, you can find someone, I know you can! But was he talking to the dragon or himself? With each dragon gone, there was less and less of a chance that he would find the dragon he had waited for here. But there was nothing he could do but stand there and continue to hope.

[Maykat]

Why wasn't that brown finding his mate? V'mio leaned forward, his forearms against the railing. He nodded when Trith pushed the baby brown away. Even though she hadn't laid this clutch, V'mio admired how protective of them the queen had been. The little brown's wailings were enough to make V'mio want to cover his ears. He laced his fingers instead, pressing his palms together and turning his knuckles white. They could not have a dragonet go between, not at their first Hatching. At least the bronze had found his partner quickly.

Batavia was glad for Lanzalin. She liked the boy and had thought he would be a good bronzerider. But with only two eggs left to Hatch and one uncertain brown, she was starting to feel the usual resigned dread that came over her towards the end of Hatchings. She shook her head at the Puntius brown as it tried to attach to his green sister. If the little brown ever did find a lifemate on the Sands, Batavia knew it would be a deep and overwhelming bond. Every time the brown looked her way she felt a quick twist in her stomach, a small hope that maybe he was finally ready to Impress.

A small, ugly part of her reared its head when Raelwyn was clawed. If the girl was injured enough to move off the Sands, it meant one less competitor for the last three dragonets. Instantly Batavia was ashamed of herself. That was no way to be a decent human being, as her foster mother would have said. Besides, she didn’t know if the girl was hurt bad enough to leave, or would leave even if she was. Batavia had seen critically wounded candidates stay on the Sands, refusing to give up their chance at Impression. As for herself, Batavia knew not even Faranth in the flesh would make her leave before all three remaining dragonets had Impressed.

[Rouxy]

Axelrodi Green
Name: Cryth
Description – 8FFF9C If its egg was anything to judge by, this very small green is slightly less colorful but no less eye-catching for it. Almost startlingly light in hue, the mint green of her hide darkens to jade along her extremities, covering her head entirely in the darker but more brilliant shade. Her body is very small, and she will likely grow to be one of the smallest dragons in the Weyr. Despite this, her limbs are all proportionate, if even a little more muscled than is typical. Her tail is slightly shortened, but the very end is tipped in jade, and she will use it to catch the attention of someone with a flick or a soft tap.

Because of her size, and in spite of it, her Flights will be something to remember. Her agility is fairly unmatched due to her smaller wingspan, and she can practically turn on a Mark with much less bulk than many of her chasers. She'll leave them struggling in the dust to keep up with her fluid, concise turns. She suffers a loss in endurance, however, and will likely be one of the first to trade out when a Fall hits. It won't take her long to recover though, as she has a boundless well of energy and enjoys using it.

Personality – Energetic. Flighty. Spastic. These are all accurate descriptions of Cryth. She is a hyperactive ball of wound up energy just waiting to shower affection on someone. Luckily for most, her bonded gets the dubious joy of handling all her love and attention. This green craves movement, and standing still in one place for too long will have her twitching some body part as an expression of her absolute -need- to be moving. She'll be a handful for the Weyrling Master to teach, but she also wants to make a good impression so she will try, only to tap that jade tipped tail of hers over and over again against the floor, the chair leg, her bonded's leg, anything. Patience is a virtue with this one, but she's too good-natured for anyone to be mad at.

She loves making people happy or making them laugh. If a well timed tumble in the dirt will have someone feeling better, she'll do it. To this point, she's very clever as catching people off guard to gain a chuckle or a smile from them, and she's also able to read humans very well. She'll often know when someone's depressed or sad simply by looking at them. The most vulnerable person to this is her bonded, and she will stop at no ends to make her happy again. Especially sensitive to the needs of Hers, Cryth's emotions will sometimes follow the track of her bonded's emotions, but she's too lighthearted to let her bonded's emotions make her down for any length of time.

[Kaemi]

They were almost at the midway point of the Hatching, and a bronze still hadn't hatched, Lialla lamented momentarily as she watched the Colisa Egg began to rock. Judging by the egg sizes, one probably wouldn't. Weren't bronzes supposed to mean good luck? The candidate entered this train of thought, and then the Colisa Bronze escaped his shell. Well, at least that was good. A bronze was good. He didn't seem too eager to move, however, so Lia decided to, instead, watch the vigorously rocking Axelrodi Egg.

The Puntius Brown, who seemed bound and determined to stay with Trith (no matter their lack of biological ties), decided to tap the swiftly rocking egg when it bumped into him, and it resulted in the breaking of the egg. In place of the vibrant shell, a quite vibrant, minty-green creature refused the affection of her clutchbrother, instead deciding to start right away on searching for Hers. Maybe the brown would follow her superb example-- no, doesn't seem so. Lialla didn't quite understand his wish to stay near his adoptive mother, considering his instincts had to be screeching at him to eat.

But anyways. The Axelrodi Green decided to run straight into her bronze clutchbrother, who thankfully didn't try to take offense. He simply began looking for His, eventually finding him in a boy who's name, again, escaped Lialla. The green, on the other hand, seemed to keep making mistakes. She rolled to the feet of a girl, only to decided no, and then she apparently injured her... Lia fought to find the girl's name. It started with an 'R'. Rae-something. Attempting to find the name, she was (quite honestly) not paying attention when the Axelrodi Green stopped at her feet.

Mine, Mine! Cryth hurt someone, Cryth is sorry! a voice proclaimed in her head as the little green hatchling clung to Lialla's legs, her tiny tail wrapped around her ankle.

In utter shock, Lialla's first instinct was to detach the small creature, sitting a squat so as to not actually rest her weight on her. Unwrapping the green's tail, and then scooting the rest of her body at least a handspan away, the girl stared at the Axelrodi Green for a few seconds. “Cryth?” she asked quietly, still in the squat. Of course of course! she replied, her voice taking on that of cheer. But I hurt her, Mine, I hurt her! The cheery tone was gone, and the little green began to audibly make sad, creeling noises.

“Cryth, Cryth, it's alright,” she said quietly, reaching out her hand tentatively to caress her headknob. “You may apologize later, currently, you need to eat. You didn't cripple her-” she hoped. The thought made her pause and bite her lip for a moment. No, that couldn't have been a crippling blow, although it may need stitches. She would make sure to talk to the girl at a later time to make sure that she was alright... “so let's go and get you fed.”

The green brightened at the prospect of food, and the two began to make their way off the Sands: heading towards the riders that waited with food. Lialla was mostly in a daze, to the confusion of Cryth. Why is it so surprising that you were found by me, Mine? Was it... like a game? Already, the green liked the concept of games. Did you hide really well and then were surprised that I found you so quickly? Of course, it was difficult for Lialla to reply to something like this, so she promised her Cryth a reply at a later date. One where she could, hopefully, think coherently.