Fortunes Unfold {Tasseography Hatching}

[Trith]

Who: Trith, egg-babies, and there had better be Candidates!
What: Hatching of the Tasseography Clutch.
When: A perfect, lazy summer afternoon.
Where: The Hatching Sands.
Warnings: Distraught, agitated, and protective Trith + hatchlings. ...Anything is possible. o_o





Trith twitched and grunted as she slept, growing annoyed at the tiny little skittering noise she kept hearing. Thrice she had awoken, only to find nothing amiss. No humans, save for the Healer woman who, per Samhara’s dying request, had rarely left her side. The fire-lizards had cleared off after she’d seethed at them for disturbing her with their chatter. The few dragons nearby either dozed in the hazy afternoon light or were standing quiet vigilance - none so much as twitching save to eye her carefully when she’d awoken to look around warily for the noise.

She had just laid her head down to rest again when she heard it - much, much closer this time. Lightning-quick she oriented on it, ready to snarl - only to stop short when she realized what it was. Leaning forward she tapped gingerly on the Ginseng Egg, resulting in a little shake and a series of more skittery noises. Ah, so that was it. Her children were ready. A little of the happy shade of blue swirled into her eyes, which had been a pale yellow with the occasional hint of red since the attack. Caressing the bright little egg maternally, she gave it a quiet croon before sitting up. She could feel the attention of those around her as she rose to her full height, the majestic queen for one last time.

Bugling loudly, she hoped to catch the attention of every square inch of the Weyr. For a moment, she hesitated. For that brief span, she almost wondered if it was kinder to let her children flash to between instead of ever having to suffer the loss of their partners. But the thought was quickly replaced by the memories of joy she had spent in Samhara’s company for the time they had. No, it would be no kindness to deny them a chance at the very same. And when one day their partners did fall to age or sickness, accident or violence, then they would follow quickly behind them into the Void. Only her golden daughter risked a fate such as hers, but Trith knew that seeing her children into the world was worth this brief span of agony. And soon enough, she would join with Hers again.

Gathering her thoughts, she gave one gaze across the whirling eyes riveted on her before she began a great thrumming in her throat. Those gathered around her eagerly took up the sound, beginning the Humming that would usher her last clutch into life. Candidates! Come, and bond my children into this world! she called, her voice ringing beautifully within every mind in the Weyr. If her get were to survive, they would need every choice they could possibly have from among the human young. Gazing down at the seventeen colorful eggs before her, she noticed that the Ginseng Egg was now twitching and shaking harder - the slight squabbling drowned out by the sound of the Humming. Also, one of the larger eggs - the Black Tea Egg - had begun to rock gently as soon as the Humming had begun in earnest.



List of Eggs:
Apple-Cinnamon Egg: Hatched 11th - Bronze Mneketh - NPC Male.
Black Tea Egg: Hatched 1st - Bronze Orith - E'ric.
Chai Egg: Hatched 7th - Green Iveth - Valee.
Chamomile Egg: Hatched 4th - Blue Skeith - A'den.
Darjeeling Egg: Hatched 9th - Blue Absinth - Keiko.
Earl Grey Egg: Hatched 6th - Green - Betweened.
Five Fairy Flower Egg: Hatched 13th - Blue - NPC Female - Betweened.
Ginseng Egg: Hatched 3rd - Green Geveneth - Sa'niel.
Green Tea Egg: Hatched 16th - Brown Hearth - Batavia.
Jasmine Egg: Hatched 14th - Gold Ellenath - Raelwyn.
Lemongrass Egg: Hatched 8th - Blue Drailth - NPC Male.
Mint Egg: Honey-Mint - Hatched 17th - Green Priyath - Synchella & Peppermint - Hatched 18th - Green Seriath - M'vren.
Oolong Egg: Hatched 12th - Green Violith - Z'lor.
Oriental Spice Egg: Hatched 5th - Brown Kaith - R'lian
Pekoe Egg: Hatched 15th - Blue Flith - NPC Male.
Rooibos Egg: Hatched 2nd - Brown Desyth - D'uo.
White Tea Egg: Hatched 10th - White Trivaruth - Mu.

[Thorney]

The weather was perfect today. It was a gorgeous summer afternoon, ideal for lazing on the beach in as little as you would dare to wear. To Raelwyn, it almost seemed like a slap in the face. To see such a beautiful day after what had happened upon the sands was nearly surreal and cruel, only serving to show them how the world moved easily on despite how Cerulean seemed to stand still. Samhara was dead. That thought seemed to play in the harper’s mind over and over again, never letting her forget what happened the day of the Touching. It didn’t even seem real, not even now, when Trith watched over her children with the healer Tess at her side constantly. And no rider in sight. Blinking, the candidate listlessly pushed the food around on her plate, staring dully at the table. And not only the Weyrwoman, but many other brave men and women from Cerulean, including L’mar’s sister. That seemed too cruel, too wrong. Tydus and Cloud were curled near, watching her with slowly-whirling eyes. Even the firelizards knew that things were wrong. But then, like a beautiful dream in the middle of a nightmare, Trith’s voice echoed in the girl’s mind, and she blinked, anticipation and excitement breathing to life inside her. The eggs were hatching! Taking a deep breath, the harper stood, quickly making her way out of the weyrhall and up the steps to the candidate barracks, followed by her two precious flits. Samhara’s final sacrifice had been in the name of Trith’s clutch, and those eggs were now their hope, their future.

Quickly, the girl pulled off her clothing and unfolded her Impression robe, allowing the white cloth to fall over her body. Despite the hurt and sorrow inside her, the harper also felt a wonderful happiness beginning to bloom. It was time! Yet, it almost felt wrong for her to be happy, especially after the death of so many, but she couldn’t stop the small wriggling joy that curled inside her at the thought of new dragons being born into the world. She could honor the memory of those who were gone by honoring what they had given their life to protect. The clutch, and the future of the weyr. The candidates were lined up and cordially marched to the hatching grounds as usual, then admonished to show the upmost respect before being allowed to continue. Stepping onto the sands, the heat enveloping her sandals and quickly creeping up her legs, Raelwyn gazed at the clutch before her, eyes hiding so many desires and deep uncertainties. She barely felt the hot touch that danced up her skin, because her own blood was on fire, racing through her veins and causing her heart to pound in her chest. Her dragon could hatch this very day, this very candlemark! And yet…the candidate knew that she could be left standing again. Left standing alone. That thought caused her heart to lurch painfully in her chest, and the girl squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, forced the feeling away. It didn’t matter how many times she had to stand; she would find her destiny with the dragons! She could feel the supportive and loving touches of her bronze and brown from where they sat in the stands, not truly understanding all of her emotions but knowing that she was sad, so they let her know that they loved her. She smiled. Letting out a soft breath, the harper paused as the other candidates did, bowing reverently to Trith while her breath caught in grief at the absence of her rider, before continuing onward to stand before the clutch, ready to be weighed and judged by the dragonets. She glanced over at the mighty gold once more, feeling a terrible weight in her stomach. After the hatching…she would be gone.

As she stood, Raelwyn couldn’t help but feel a shudder run down her spine as she was once again on the sands. She so vividly remembered what she had done the day of the Touching. The harper had killed that day, something that constantly haunted her now, that gave her nightmares and caused her to awaken in a cold sweet, her pulse racing like the hooves of a runner. It hadn’t gotten any easier the sevendays after, the vivid memories playing in her mind every time she closed her eyes. The candidate couldn’t force herself to come to terms with the reality of taking another life, but in an odd way, some small part of her had accepted it, realized that it was necessary. Raelwyn’s emotions rebelled against that thought, vehemently insisting that she had ended the life of more than two men, but her mind, the rational part of her, insisted that she had only done what she had to in order to protect the clutch. In the innermost parts of her heart, the harper knew that she had done the right thing, had protected the dragonets within from the madness of Silver Cove, but she also trembled at how she had done it. However, as her gaze travelled over the eggs, beautiful and precious, the girl took a steadying breath and calmed her raging emotions. It had been worth it. To save these small ones from the fate of the mad dragons that had attacked Cerulean, she would do it all over again. When compared to how important it was to keep the clutch safe, the guilt of her act couldn’t even compare. Especially when compared to what they had done to Cerulean. Samhara was gone because of them, and soon Trith would be too, as was many others who had stood in defense of their weyr. The anguished screams of dragons had filled the air that day, and that was something Raelwyn could never forgive. They had broken eggs! Destroyed unborn dragons on purpose, and that set her blood on fire.

When the first eggs slowly began to move, every single nerve in the girl suddenly leapt to attention, all of her senses hyper-aware of every little movement and sound around her. Would she Impress? Oh, how desperately she wished it. The harper had lived in weyrs for over four turns now, had stood upon the sands so many times her gut wrenched at the memories of rejection and pain. None had found her worthy so far, or at the very least had found her to be a suitable partner. Nothing hurt more. And yet, she would never waver from her chosen path. The candidate knew that she would stand as many times as it took, even to the day that she grew too old to do so. Raelwyn was stubborn when it came to accomplishing her goals, yes, but this went beyond simple determination. It was a deep infatuation, a reverence of dragonkind and a love of them that drove her to do so. The harper vividly remembered the first time she had truly seen a dragon, the blue that had landed at the Hall gazing at her with whirling eyes. She remembered the sound of his voice echoing in her mind, the feel of his suede-like hide beneath her fingers. And Raelwyn would never forget her first ride a-dragonback. The same blue had waited for her, his rider grasping her hand tightly as he pulled her up and helped her settle between the neckridges. Fear had crept upon her skin lightly, icy fingers spreading over her body quickly, and yet excitement had also danced down her spine, her eyes bright and wide as the dragon had leapt into the air. It had been exhilarating, and frightening, yes, but the girl had gasped in delight, the sound quickly stolen away by the wind that whipped past her face. It was a feeling like nothing else she had ever experienced, and her deep love of dragons was born in that moment, her adoration only further heightened by her turns of living among them. No, there was nothing more that Raelwyn wanted than to Impress, and today…today she could only hope her deepest longing became a reality.

~~~~~

Curled up on her bed, Keiko twisted the blanket under her between her fingers, staring at nothing as she tried to keep her stomach from heaving it’s small amount of contents onto the floor. She had been given infirmary duty that month, and that was something that always turned her stomach. After being released for the afternoon, the girl had quickly went straight back to her room, trying to keep from puking her guts out the whole time. Jazzy lay on the floor before her, staring at his girl with worried eyes and an occasional whine. The sound of his distress made the candidate squeeze her eyes shut, making her think of a different keen of pain. A dragon’s keen. Gritting her teeth, Keiko refused to remember, refused to think about what had happened that day. Ignore it, ignore it and make it go away! Pushing away the thoughts of dying men, women, and dragons, the girl was about to find something to apply herself to when Trith’s voice was in her mind, beautiful and wonderful. Latching onto that like a lifeline, Keiko focused on nothing else but getting ready for the hatching, finally able to smile and feel happy. The candidate, for once, forewent any jewelry at all, wearing the Impression robe and nothing else besides her sandals. She would honor the clutch and it’s queen.

Lined up with the others, the girl marched sedately to the hatching sands, though she began to feel her old excitement beginning to bounce back. After bowing to the queen, steadfastly trying to ignore the absence of her rider, Keiko stood among the other candidates, too excited to stand still. She wanted to move, but knew that she couldn’t and so instead took to bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet, the restless movement giving a release to some of her pent-up energy. As she stood before the eggs, the girl felt unbidden memories try to surface, and she stubbornly pushed them down, refusing to allow them to play in her mind. Keiko was inwardly torn over the fact that she had killed on the day of the touching, and she frequently had horrible nightmares that sent her scurrying outside to retch violently after she jerked awake. Everything she had done haunted her, but she refused to think about it, to consider what had happened. Instead, the candidate forced the memories to the back of her mind, reminiscent of a child covering their ears and screaming when they heard things they didn’t wish to.

And that was exactly how she felt. If she refused to think about it, to acknowledge it, it couldn’t plague her. Yet, on the same hand, Keiko wouldn’t have changed a thing about that day, for she knew that protecting the clutch was the most important thing. Trith’s babies were safe, and that was all that mattered. Most of them, anyway. She had done horrible things, but the men hadn’t given her a choice, had they? They had killed Samhara, and soon Trith would be gone because of it, and many, many more, including her follow candidates, weyrfolk, and…eggs. They had broken eggs! That, more than anything, made her guilt seem ridiculous. They deserved it! Glancing over, the candidate’s grey eyes searched for a certain face, and she smiled slightly as she caught sight of the boy. Zanalorin. He had saved her life that day, and she hadn’t left him alone since. In fact, the girl knew that she could have almost passed for a puppy, but it didn’t matter. He had saved her, protected her from a blow that could have killed her, and she couldn’t forget that! Not to mention she sort of had a ‘hero worship’ mentality now, but she couldn’t help that. He was now big brother Zan, and she adored him.

However, her focus was quickly taken by the eggs before her, and Keiko had to press her hands against her mouth to hold back the squeal that threatened to break through. Oh, how exciting this was! The girl felt a huge grin curve her lips, and she bounced more, impatient to see the little ones break shell. Of course, she had stood and not Impressed before, but that was back at stupid old Benden. Their dragons were probably just as uptight and stuffy as their riders. This was Cerulean, and she loved it here. Surely Trith’s babies would know that she was going to be an awesome rider! Stifling a laugh, the candidate couldn’t hold still, and so went to twisting a lock of her hair between her fingers restlessly, her grey eyes darting over the clutch in anticipation. Which would be the first to hatch, and who would be the first to Impress among them? Oh, she couldn’t take the suspense! Yet, an even greater hope and nervousness danced within her heart, and Keiko chewed on her bottom lip slightly. How badly she wanted to Impress, to have a precious little baby dragon all of her own! The candidate knew that it was possible that she wouldn’t Impress…and that thought was an icy one. Underneath all of the girl’s makeup and slightly-airheaded tendencies, she wanted to be a rider, to adore and pamper a gorgeous dragon all of her own. Ohhh, how much she wanted it! She ignored her pain, ignored the sadness, and tried to not think about what would happen to Trith when her children had all hatched…

~~~~~

Though only a moment ago engrossed in his afternoon meal, Elric was suddenly moving, his body coursing with energy and a thrill as that powerful, mighty voice thrummed through his mind. The time had finally come, the final challenge of the weyr. The hatching. As he was in excellent physical condition, the boy made it to the candidate barracks in record time, entering his room with quick steps. He appeared calm, yes, but his eyes were filled with too many emotions to name. This was it, the moment of truth, the occurrence that could change his life and alter his destiny from now on. But…would he Impress? Only the hatchlings could answer that now. Squaring his shoulders, Elric felt his resolve harden as he pulled out the customary white robe, quickly kicking off his boots. Yanking his tunic over his head, the candidate tugged his clothing off quickly before once more picking up the Impression robe and pulling it swiftly over his body. As he did, a large, ugly bruise was clearly visible upon his lower back, a lucky blow from a madman carrying a hefty, wicked club. Yet, Elric ignored it as he moved, never even flinching as his battered muscles stretched and flexed with his movements. He had known pain greater than this.

Though not betrayed upon his face, emotions coursed through the boy as he waited to enter the sands, his heart hammering in his ears. Elric felt a need to strive higher and higher, an urge to change his life hot in his veins. It was an inner voice that spoke, a whisper that told him to become someone who could protect others. His family had been destroyed, washed away in a single tragic day, and for a long time, the candidate had lacked a true reason to live his life. He lived, yes, and his uncle had always been a supportive figure in his life, but Elric held an emptiness inside, a lack of…purpose. He had nothing to strive for, to push himself for. For turns, he merely survived instead of lived, searching for something to pledge himself to that could give his life a true meaning. After he had left his home, he had learned much, and had pushed himself many times, but no destiny found him, nothing gave him something to strive for. Nothing, that is, until the rider approached him.

Here was a destiny, a future that made a man want to push himself until there was no breath left within him. To become a dragonrider, to protect those under his charge with every bit of strength he possessed…now that was a future worth striving for. That had been it, the one thing that he had been searching for. A noble purpose. A truly righteous cause to pledge his life to. A higher calling. This was the time, here and now, the zenith of his desire, the one path that would lend him the challenge and the noble life he craved. Elric stopped as they stood at the edges of the sands, bowing to Trith respectfully before continuing. It was a painful thing to see, the mighty gold alone and her rider gone. Outwardly calm, the candidate stood silently beside his peers, eyes dark and unreadable as he watched the clutch. The boy was still and unmoving as he gazed ahead, yet within him a storm raged. Though he had not been at Cerulean long, it was still home, and he was beginning to find a place for himself here. Though there were those who did not approve of his demeanor, there were also those who seemed to accept him, to make him feel welcome. From a small weyrbrat in the crèche to some of his fellow candidates, Elric had found a home here, and when Silver Cove had dealt their terrible blow…it had infuriated the normally aloof boy. They had killed riders, weyrfolk, and their Weyrwoman, and soon her golden queen would between and leave them alone. They had stolen eggs, crushed others, and left an unforgettable black mark upon their lives. Elric would never forget, or forgive.

However, the candidate did not allow his inner battle to affect his determination, his eyes never wavering nor his breathing even hitching slightly. Elric was a rock in a storm, holding a tight control on his emotions and allowing himself to still think logically despite how much he wished to Impress, and how the events of the Touching had affected him. This was the future he wanted, the one he had craved and fought for the day of the touching, and this…this was something he wanted to have. Something he had been willing to kill to protect, and that more than anything was proof of how desperately he wished to pledge himself to the creed of the dragonrider. Straightening his shoulders, Elric stood tall upon the sands, determined and strong. He was ready to face whatever the future brought, steeling himself for failure or success.

[Lothyna]

Mikovren had been working through some of the dried herbs they’d been shipped recently, noting down what had come in, and how much, when Trith’s voice echoed in his skull. Since the touching, he’d been hiding out most of time in his rooms, doing what work he could in there, and somewhat avoiding S’lain, too. The events were still too harash and forward in his head, and after a mini-battle over being assigned chores when he wasn’t a candidate, he’d retreated, trying to handle the confusion and turmoil. He couldn’t get the haunting memory of keening, and rage, the screams and blood from the battle, or the horrifying sight of three eggs stolen… and three which would never hatch. Even thinking about that memory made the bile rise rapidly in his throat.

Shuddering, the healer ran a finger over the light bandage on his arm, covering the last remnants of stitching, and rose, stretching carefully. He left the desk as ordered as he could, and wrote a note for no one to mess with it. He knew his best chance to avoid anyone (though Tess rarely left Trith, now) was to get there as fast as possible. Still, refusing to dress as what he wasn’t, Mikovren only took the time to make sure his hair was bound back into a tail, still too sore for a braid, and that the clothing he wore (for once in a green healer’s robe) was neat and tidy. Picking up his own kit, and making sure the knives he’d had to start carrying in a couple different places thanks to injury were set, he sighed.

Part of him wanted nothing to do with the hatching, given that Trith was, he knew, going to vanish Between after today, if she hadn’t already, and the sands would always be a tainted memory to him now. Scowling, he realized he had come to know in the past few days why Cerulean was the way it was, what S’lain had meant the last time they really talked. Yet he couldn’t bring himself out of his shock and reaction yet enough to grasp that. And Hatchings were supposed to be for the happy. Unfortunately, though, Mikovren’s conscience kicked in. He knew there would always be a chance for another attempt to occur, or them to try and force their candidates on the dragons, and feared that.

Muttering some choice words at his new lack of spine, Miko’s eyes flashed. As a healer, he had a duty to be there, especially given the potential for problems or Trith’s aggression at this event. Grumbling, he finally made his way towards the sands, knowing that if he didn’t start to at least go through the motions, he’d likely go insane. Staring at the dragons overhead winging in guests to watch, or coming to see the hatchlings for themselves, the healer found a small sense of creeping wonder and joy refusing to be squashed out at the happy event to come. If nothing went wrong, they’d have 17 new dragonets today, and their happy bonded, though he tried not to think of Trith, forced to stay for her clutch, soon to be loosed from that onerous burden to join Samhara.

Slipping down onto the sands, he bowed once to the queen, in silent recognition, then moved away, standing near the risers about half-way between her and the eggs. From here, he could spot any trouble as it happened, and hopefully get there in time. He studiously avoided staring up at the blue dragons, despite the desire to see if Jaxith had healed fully, or S’lain were present. One foot tapped impatiently, almost, and he could remember all too well the brief flash of desire, almost, to actually be among the candidates, having been graced enough to touch the eggs that day, their flashes of personality waking something he’d thought long hidden. ~Faranth, please… Keep this event unsullied from more than it must…~ he begged, unsure if he or the Weyr could stand another attack.

[Lothyna]

In the barracks, Savaraniel stared at the packs on the bed, debating. After recovering from the events, he’d gotten into a few…debates, with himself, Shen, and with S’ren. The latter was the most trying one, given that she was rather forceful. After all, he was the first search Feynth had done, and they both were being extremely stubborn. Still, despite the protests, he’d finally agreed to stay through the hatching, then decide. Yet, this morning, he’d packed, figuring that since he’d never Impressed while at Fort Weyr, he wasn’t likely to here. Thus, the bags. As soon as this was over, he was at least moving into the Weyr proper, and revoking his candidacy, if not moving to the Hold.

While he loved the dragons, the pain and memories roused by Silver Cove’s attack were almost too much to bear, and he’d been isolating himself from the others since then. Though, he had to admit, after talking to a few people, that the idea of staying at the Weyr as a hunter and it’s Smith for general weaponry and the like was rather tempting. Being alone at his cave-homestead had shown him that even with Shen and Paxars 9who had thankfully not been injured in the attacks) left him missing other company… Most especially when Shen rose.

Before he could decide, though, he felt Shen burst forth from Between as a voice he’d heard only once before echoed through his skull. Swallowing dryly, the young man seriously debated hiding-though he also knew he’d promised. And of the eggs left on the sands, what if, just maybe, a dragon hatched looking for him after all? It was a painful thought, especially now that those self-same sands were a tainted ground in his mind-the site whence the attack was launched, the precious eggs, stolen and killed, the death of Samhara. The sands from which Trith would forever leave after the hatching, if she hadn’t already, now her clutch was assured a birth.

Lost in thought, Savareniel wavered, not noticing his little green’s paying attention to his moods, and suddenly yelped, jumping in surprise as he felt teeth sink into his rear. Eyes wide, he belatedly realized that Shen had finally gotten fed up with his inability to settle on a course of action, and she knew he was supposed to go see the bigbigBIGgolds eggs hatch. Shen, being the little devil she was, had decided to take matters into her own paws, after hearing some interesting phrases and seeing some funny actions, and had bitten him smack on the butt. At times like this, he really hated her mimicry of others, but after a second, realized he couldn’t blame her. With a gentle smile, he carefully caught her, and petted her eyes ridges for a moment, then sighed.

“Fine, Shen. I’ll go.” He muttered, still somewhat disgruntled, and the fear in the back of his head brought anew by the deaths and nightmares which resulted, rose ever greater. Slipping into the white robe, Sav hesitated again, before shaking his head, pulling his hair back behind his shoulders and buckling on his sword and daggers again. After the more recent events, he’d never go unarmed again. And really, Trith would have to accept it. He just hoped she wasn’t angered by it. He figured that worst came to worst, he’d have to hand the one visible blade off to someone for the duration, or just would be moved to the stands.

Stepping outside, once he’d sent Shen winging off to find a perch for herself with the spectators, Savareniel slowly made his way towards the sands, before stopping as the sorrow and fear overwhelmed him. Unfortunately, he was rather unawares that it made him a perfect target, and that a certain blue had conspired against him. Later, he’d find very good reasons to believe that Shen had learned her trick from Feynth and S’ren, but at the moment, he only knew that he was suddenly lifted by a pair of paws, and winking Between in a dragon’s grip, then being dropped a foot to land next to the other candidates, eyes wide in shock. As he felt and heard Feynth’s amusement, he turned enough to see S’ren’s dragon rise to find a perch, and growled in his throat.

Turning, he swallowed nervously, and forced himself to actually look at the clutch, instead of just reacting, take in the eggs left here, and the site of Trith, magnificent to the last, behind them. Hearing the hum, he could feel the swell of hope and joy at the occasion from the dragons, and felt it soothing, so slowly, the memories, removing them from an immediate impact. Taking a bit of heart and courage, and using his indignation at a certain blue as a bolster, the young Smith edged forward, bowing low to Trith in both acknowledgment and honor, for the sacrifices she had made. “Thank you, Trith, for allowing me here…” The words caught in his throat, before being forced out, since he knew, without doubt, that even on such a joyous day, there would be sorrow at her passing.

[Mango]

So much had happened in the past few days. Two important people in the Weyr had died. While the Weyrling Master was a very sad occurrence as he was generally well-liked man, the death of Samhara was a tragedy. The beautiful golden Queen was surely pained inside. The only thing keeping her here on Pern was her glorious babies.

U’ar was leaving the Lower Caverns when the call came. He hurried to Odyth, who was humming deeply along with the rest of the Weyr. They would attend the Hatching but they’d be on the lookout. Who knew what could happen? U’ar was just glad he kept Mu out of Candidacy.
---
Tazar couldn’t believe it. With all this happening…they still wanted him…him to do chores. Disgusting. It was just an excuse for the drudges to be lazy. He had felt that they were a little bit more plump and unattractive than at his home Hold. Yes, they spoiled those nasty old women.

Luckily, the former Lord Holder was to be rescued. A strange humming resonated throughout his body. What was going on? The flying feet of Candidates reminded him. Oh yes. The Hatching. Finally. He kicked the pile of clothes that he had barely touched and ran to his room. On any normal occasion of this magnitude, he’d wear one of his finest jackets. However, he had heard about the violence that could occur. And they were required to wear those robes. He frowned as he put it on. But, he determined, he didn’t look as horrible as he was sure others were going to look.

As he reached the Sands, he bowed. Of course, the bow was about the same as his Touching bow. He was stubborn and since he saw no obvious repercussions, he wasn’t about to change. After his stiff, respectful bow, he joined the male Candidates. His arms gently crossed in front of him as he stood at his full height, looking over the clutch slowly. When would something happen?

---
Valee had finished chores early today. She was glad of it too. Especially as the humming grew. That way, she was already in her room. That way, she could change more quickly, but still meticulously, and get to the Sands. She ran the whole way there, her curls bouncing the whole way. She had left Yarn on her bed. The blue was sleeping again. And that was probably a good thing. Trith was bound to not be in a happy mood.

Poor thing. Losing one’s Mine had to hurt deeply. As she approached the Sands, her sympathy and heart for the golden queen was translated into her bow. It was low and deep and displayed the girl’s infinite respect.

After bowing, the round girl hurried to the girl’s side, staring at the eggs with wide, excited eyes.

((Sorry. It would have been better if my post didn’t disappear.))

[Trith]

Quickly after her call, people began pouring into the stadium from almost every door. Gradually, Trith felt her hackles rise as the multitudes of unknown faces swarmed in. She felt a gentle, tentative presence to her side, sparing a glance for the nervous, tired woman there. Samhara had trusted this one, and asked her to keep Trith as calm as she could - and in turn had asked Trith to accept the temporary presence - as her dying request. Trith could feel from the other’s mind the sadness and the fear and the doubt, but also the determination, and drew her own strength from that. If this human would try to do what Hers had willed, then Trith would attempt to comply.

But it was difficult, as seeming waves of unknown humans poured into her realm once again. There was a voice in her that shook as it whispered about all the harm these humans could enact upon her young, as other humans had already done. Letting out a growl of warning to the amassing crowd, she sat up on her couch and flared her wings. Let any of them dare, and she would be ready this time. Her dragons were around her now, and as much as she still shied from the presence of some of the males, she also built that presence into a wall to shield her and her beloved children.

It was only a quick burst of emotion from the Healer woman that prevented her from striking out as the first of the Candidates made their way onto the Sands. The familiar robes of white - seen many times before - calmed her nerves a bit, and she settled back onto her couch - though not before issuing a long growl as she trailed her way down their line. They would keep back until her younglings had chosen, if they were smart.

Thankfully, it was only a short time after the rumble of the filled stadium had built that the eggs took center stage for her attention again. The Ginseng Egg was thrashing even harder than before, clearly excited by the commotion it could hear outside its egg. A few of its harder twitches even sent it rolling a short distance from where it had been carefully placed. However, the more sedate pace of the Black Tea Egg seemed to be more advantageous. More twitching, and then the sound of hard blows could be heard from various places in the egg. Cracks grew over every inch, until finally it began to swell.

Bursting from the egg in a rain of shell-bits and liquid, a large bronze stood tall and regal in the light. Dark and reddish in color, broken by the crimson streaks visible along his muzzle and limbs, he still shone with a brilliance that had nothing to do with the slickness of his skin. Stretching his surprisingly small wings, he let out a tentative bugle and shook his head. Crawling away from his shell, he paused, surveying the entirety of the arena from the stands to the dragons to the Candidates, a small twitch wracking his frame now and again. When at last his eyes fell upon those in white robes, he began to tilt his head this way and that, as if reasoning with himself. A look was spared to the rolling egg next to him, along with a soft snort of amusement. Nodding to no one, he made his way sedately forward to the line of boys, precisely to the point he wished to be.

Bumping his nose gently into Elric’s shoulder, he brought his face back to gaze at his mindmate. Yes, I believe you are the most sensible choice. Greetings, Elric; I am your Orith. Might you have something for me to eat? I am terribly hungry, he intoned cordially, seeming pleasant despite the gnawing hunger that could now be felt along their bond.

Cheers went up as the first to hatch was not only a bronze, but one that had found his bonded so quickly and without fuss. At the sound of the cheers, the Ginseng Egg began an even more rambunctious set of maneuvers. Rolling again, it managed to knock into the Rooibos Egg and knock it off-kilter. Almost as if startled by the other egg, the Rooibos Egg twitched a couple times of its own before long cracks swept across the shell. The back end of the egg was knocked away, and the crowd began twisting in their seats to try to catch a glimpse first.

Out from behind the remaining wall of egg, two giant, black wings snapped out, causing a waves of murmurs. Fluorescent green talons sneaked around the edge of the shell, connected to startlingly dark claws, and in an instant the rest of the shell was leveled. If the hatching itself had seemed ominous, the dark, almost midnight-colored brown seemed amused - and if he knew to do so, he would have readily yelled ‘boo!’ to the gathered crowd. His attention, however, was drawn quickly to the rolling, brightly-colored egg that had knocked into him. In a move more suited to a kitten, he leapt forward to pounce on it, missing by inches. Trith took that moment to scold him for his antics, giving him a gruff grumble. Shrugging as if none of that mattered, he effectively shook off the last of the goop on him instead.

Making little fuss over it, he sauntered his way over to the line of boys, though not without eying the girls curiously. Before moving completely out of range, he managed a swipe of his tail that knocked into the Ginseng Egg, almost as if swatting it back in an ongoing game of tag, reaffirming the other as ‘it’ now - and then quickly scampering forward before Trith could swat at him herself. Looking high and low amongst the boys, it took him two quick passes before he finally found His. Having to push through two boys to find the short youth half-hidden behind them, he stopped just short of pouncing on the young man. Hihi, DacktuoMine! Your Desyth was looking for you - you’re good at hiding! was the exuberant greeting. But we can play more later, I’m too hungry right now, Desyth added, seeming genuinely saddened by the fact that he was too hungry to continue the game.

Finally, the Ginseng Egg began to show a few cracks in its bright shell, and mid-roll the egg finally split apart into a multitude of shards. Unfortunately for the minty green within, that left her to continue rolling for several paces until she fetched up against the Chamomile Egg. Clinging to her clutchmate a looking comically dizzy for a moment, it now became apparent that there were some darker greens woven into her hide, as well as a curious smattering of red and purple freckles here and there. Shaking her head in finally recovery, she crooned her adoring thanks to the Chamomile Egg, nuzzling it as if to thank it for steadying her. Finally looking up, she sighted the other two that had already made their way out of the clutch.

Chirping indiscriminately to Orith and Desyth to wait for her(!), she made to scramble after them, crawling over the Chamomile Egg in the process. Nuzzling playfully against both of her clutchbrothers, the Ginseng Green finally took notice of the other being there. Oh! How exciting! Fetching up against another of the smaller boys, she crooned her happy affection at him. Sava- Sana- SavvieMine! she chirped, giving up on getting his name right for the moment. I almost didn’t remember you were waiting, but I found you anyway! I wanted to get to you first, but they distracted me, she said, almost conspiratorially. An odd grumble sounded from her stomach, and if a dragon could turn bashful, she did. Quickly curling around Savareniel, she made to hide in embarrassment from the two nearby males. Can we eat now? was the quiet, sweet inquiry that echoed from her mind, clearly chagrined at having made such a noise.

Left in the wake of the excited green, the Oriental Spice Egg began to rock powerfully, with the Chai Egg giving its own tentative twitches and the Chamomile Egg rocking lazily as well.

[Lothyna]

The chores she’d been assigned took a great deal of the young Lord of Benden’s daughters’ time, and truthfully, were one of the things which kept her sane. The ability of the young to bounce back from trauma was an inspiration, even if it was partly fuelled by naivety and being sheltered. Still, delight and healing or no, between that, catch-up lessons, and training her dogs and maintaining her own skills, the young woman had very, very little free time. Some days, it felt as if she was constantly on the go, from sun-up, until long after Rhukbat had sunk beneath the rim, darkening the world as it turned. Even though much of this was her own doing, to stave off the grief, and the memories of blood and gore, the loss of three precious dragonets, and the impending death of the only queen, Syana desperately needed a break.

Thus, when the call came, she had been up to her neck in a nice, steaming bath, soaking after having gotten clean prior, enjoying the light scent of flowers from the salts. She still ached at times in her back from the fall she’d taken, though it was healing, and these soaks were one of her saving graces. At the voice in her mind, though, all rational thought fled, and she yelped, tried to jump up, and ended up falling back into the bath. Scrambling out, and thankful that her hair had been kept up and dry, she hurriedly tugged on the white robe, sticking her head into an arm area by mistake first. Cursing, and wondering at her sudden excitement, the young woman finally got herself straightened out, and slipped her feet into sandals.

Whistling for her dogs, the young woman ran a brush through her hair and tied in a colorful scarf, forcing herself not to remember the deaths, or think about what would happen to Trith, after. Scrambling towards the sands, she watched the crowd, and felt the cheers rush over her. Knowing that meant that at least one dragon had hatched, Syana cursed, and hurried inside, bowing to Trith as she joined the ring of candidates. A quick command left her dogs at the entrance, waiting for her, lest she raise the clutch-mother’s ire, and she belatedly checked for the daggers she normally wore, realizing she’d left them behind in her haste.

Sending a quick prayer to the dragons gone by, she hoped that nothing sorrowed this day more than the inevitable, noting that already, three dragons had hatched and Impressed-so quickly too! Eyes wide, she saw the bronze-who must have been first given that the others had hatched as she entered, Impress, and clapped happily for the boy. Seeing the second, a rather…ominous… brown, and blinked. Such strange colorations, and slightly worrying, but.. he seemed rather playful, and drew a smile, too. Clapping for that Impression as well, the young woman glanced about briefly, noting the filling stands, and Trith’s reactions.

Sucking in a worried, and nervous breath, she almost laughed at the seemingly clutzy green, and then couldn’t help a fond smile as she saw her head with a chirp towards another male, nudging up to him. Tears in her eyes, born of joy and a fevered excitement driven by the hum of dragons, Syana shifted from foot to foot, gaze roving over the rest of the clutch, wondering who would hatch next, and to whom they would Impress. Settling her gaze on the three moving, Vladisyana spared a thought to wonder where her brother was, hoping he’d make it in soon, since the hatching was moving so quickly.

[Thorney]

Feeling her heart lurch as Trith growled at each of the candidates, Raelwyn tried not to gaze at her with sad eyes, knowing how hurt and angry she must be. In fact, the harper was amazed that the queen was as composed as she was, considering the multitudes of wrongs that had been done against her. Forced in her Flight, injured and violated, Trith had finally begun to seem like her former self again by the time the Touching had occurred, only to have everything ripped away again. Silver Cove had attacked, stolen and even destroyed eggs, and had killed her rider, their Weyrwoman. In the girl's opinion, it was remarkable of the gold to merely growl at those who sat foot upon her sands. The presence of Tess, though, was likely a large help to the great queen, having been so close to her rider. Fighting back her sorrow, swiping away a tear that trickled down her cheek, Raelwyn tried to think of how happy it was to see the eggs hatching, of how wonderful it would be to see healthy dragonets Impress to their riders. A strong, good set of weyrlings is was exactly what the weyr's morale needed.

Taking a deep breath as the eggs suddenly began moving with a vengeance, the harper's attention was drawn to the Ginseng Egg as it rocked wildly, her heart hammering in her chest. The girl tried to calm her nerves, but her pulse was racing, her blood rushing through her veins in a frantic beat. The steady tattoo of her heart pounded in her ears, and Raelwyn clasped her hands, standing still and steady despite the excitement that danced through her. She hoped desperately that she Impressed, but even more, she hoped that each of the hatchlings found a suitable partner amongst she and her fellow candidates. To see one of the young ones go between after all that had happened...it would be too cruel.

However, her attention was quickly commanded by the Black Tea Egg as it practically burst, a large bronze standing in the wake of the shards of egg and embryonic fluids. A bronze had hatched first! That certainly bode well for the rest of the clutch, especially given his size and noble bearing. Raelwyn knew that Trith had to be proud. Green eyes locked upon the handsome dragonet, the harper bit her lower lip as he glanced around, seeming to take everything in and study them all quite closely before moving forward. She had never seen such a calm hatchling before, and she grinned as he bumped the shoulder of his chosen. The boy...Elric, she believed? Yes, that was his name. Clapping wildly for the first Impression, Raelwyn could feel her sadness slowly ebbing away to joy, happy to see things off to such a lovely start. To see all of her children Impressed well and contentedly would be the best thing for Trith before...before she left.

Glancing back at the rest of the clutch, the candidate's gaze centered upon the Ginseng Egg, Raelwyn suddenly tilted her head to the side as the Rooibos Egg began to twitch, trying her best to discreetly lean over slightly to see the dragonet that had hatched. However, as the two large, black wings snapped up, the girl blinked in surprise, having never seen such a color before. Her shock was only heightened as the dragonet's talons appeared, their coloration an oddly bright green. The harper had never seen such a hatchling before, but he was undeniably handsome, very unique in appearance. Smiling at his antics, Raelwyn was glad to see him finally find his among the boys, having grown worried for him when he passed the line once. Clapping loudly for the brown and His, Dacktuo she was sure, the girl once more looked back at the clutch. This time, it seemed the Ginseng Egg was ready to hatch, only her movements sent the green within rolling across the sands. Fighting the urge to rush forward and aid the youngling, the candidate could only grin as she nuzzled the Chamomile Egg after it stopped her tumbles. When she, too, found her Chosen with a boy, Raelwyn clapped profusely, delighted to see the hatching going so well. With all the madness and anger and pain that Cerulean had been forced to endure recently, this was the perfect salve to their raw emotions.

~~~~~

Standing tall and still upon the sands, Elric's black gaze focused upon the queen as she growled at them, unable to blame her for her actions. She had fair reason to be mistrusting of humans after what they had done to her and her clutch, and even the rational, logical boy was having a hard time keeping a cool mind when it came to Silver Cove. He had seen horrible and unforgivable things the day of the Touching, and it was a scene he would never forget. Much the like the sight of his own mother lying in a pool of blood by her loom. In an odd, twisted way, the runner could understand how Trith felt, how hot and cold you suddenly felt when you knew that there were people in the world who could do such things to those you held precious. Within his composed demeanor, there was a man who knew what it was like to have the things you loved taken away by the cold disregard of others, to see your most precious treasures shattered by those you didn't even know. Yes, Elric could understand the gold's ire.

Black eyes cutting over as the Ginseng Egg moved, quickly thrashing, the candidate could feel excitement begin to heat his blood. However expressionless his face appeared, the runner did indeed have warm emotions suddenly flare to life within him, and though he never moved, Elric was anxious to see his first hatching. As the egg finally shattered, bursting quickly from the force of the dragonet inside, the boy's gaze wondered over the bronze that stood regally before them all, blood-hued and strong. Abruptly, upon seeing the handsome youngling, the drive within the runner suddenly flared white-hot, becoming even more intense than before. This was the destiny he wanted. Standing with a intense stillness born of self-discipline, Elric's black gaze was upon the crimson bronze as he moved forward, his muscles tense and face utterly blank. It seemed rather illogical to believe, yet...it almost appeared as if the first hatchling was approaching him.

Gazing at the bronze, the runner felt one brow quirk impossibly high as the dragonet bumped his nose against the candidate's shoulder, pulling back to gaze him. As his dark eyes met those of the bronze, whirling a myriad of rainbow hues, Elric suddenly lost himself in that colorful regard. In that moment, nothing was the same. Yes, I believe you are the most sensible choice. Greetings, Elric; I am your Orith. Might you have something for me to eat? I am terribly hungry. The rather cordial, articulate voice echoed in his mind, and without warning, a hundred emotions rushed through the normally composed boy, causing his heart to beat frantically and his blood to dance through his veins at a pace that nearly made him dizzy. No lesson could have prepared him for the emotions of Impression. For a moment, he could only blink once, the only visible sign of surprise he gave, and Elric merely gazed back at the large dragonet, working to master everything that was happening to him. The onslaught of emotion was overwhelming, especially to a man who prided himself on logic, but suddenly a smile unlike anyone had ever seen broke across the stoic boy's features, and he laid a strong, steady hand upon the crimson-streaked muzzle.

"My Orith." He said softly, cool, even voice richer than usual but no less articulate and polite, "I shall endeavor to prove myself worthy of your choice." Elric, now E'ric, slid his hand higher, strong, calloused palm wandering over the eyeridges of his bronze.

Leaning into the caress slightly, Orith rumbled lowly, pleased with the boy's response. A favorable reply, my rider. Logic dictates that you and I shall be a formidable team, though I do still require substance, if you would. My kind do hatch hungry, though I am quite certain you can feel this across our bond.

Brow quirking again, E'ric was surprised to find that he could feel the hunger of his dragon as his own, knowing instinctively what Orith needed. It was incredible, both amazing and unsettling at once, and unusually beautiful. "My apologies, Orith. Come, what you require is provided in abundance." With that, the first new weyrling of Trith's clutch turned, his calloused hand sliding down his bronze's neck to rest solidly against his blood-hued hide. Without breaking their touch, the dragonet and his Chosen walked calmly off the sands, Orith nodding and sending a mental brush to his brown and green clutchsiblings as they did, both welcoming and encouraging them. Approaching the riders who had been sent to help them feed their young dragons, E'ric took a large pail of meat and carried it a bit away from the large group, the weight nothing to him. "Take your fill, but abstain from over-indulging yourself. It is unfavorable for your health." He said, then quickly began feeding his large bronze chunks of herdbeast, unable to believe how he felt. The boy's head was filled with emotion, belonging both to him and Orith, and it was...amazing. He had never realized that he was only half a person until he had met his dragon. Now he was whole.

[Lothyna]

One of the good things about working on the docks, aside from the cool water and the enjoyable company of the dolphins, was that the work was intense, and numbing, allowing one to exhaust themselves by the end of the day, falling into bed and sleeping easily. After the fast, furious unfolding of the soured Touching, and the tally of death and injury that he had no desire to even know, despite having sent the information to his family and kin along with a warning, the young Trader had delighted in his job. The soothing ocean and the joy of the dolphins had been a balm, calming him after sorrow, distracting him as he went over what he’d learned from his lessons as a candidate.

He’d been contemplating that, while cleaning his blade in his barracks, and realizing that despite the trauma, the Weyr was still pulling together. While he wasn’t in the council leading it now, he had seen them gathering, and had to assume they were working to find a solution. He didn’t know where the other wing had come from, or who they were, but he was curious about them, as were most of the people he talked to, it seemed. Still, that was over-ridden by most with a concern that another attack would occur-on the day of the hatching. And the joy that was unstoppable, and the hope that accompanied it, about the dragons would come from it. Even with the knowledge, people seemed impatient for the imminent event, as if it occurring would mean an end to the troubles.

He’d just started to worry that line of thought, though, when a call interrupted, and he felt himself stiffen, before he grinned. Even knowing that Trith was for all intents and purposes dead after this, he couldn’t deny the desire to see the babies born-not just because he was a candidate, either. More, he wanted to be there, to pay his respects to her one last time. She truly was a strong, great queen, and it was a tragedy, what had happened. Shaking his head, Haverisen quickly shucked out of his clothes and pulled on the robe, making sure his knives and sword were in place, just in case. While he hoped to avoid a dangerous event, there was no telling, now, what would happen.

Racing towards the sands, he grumbled about being late, and nearly sprinted, seeing only a few straggling dragons winging towards the sands now, where he could hear and feel a rather intense hum, which was unmistakable for aught but the event. Swearing under his breath, he slipped inside as the first egg cracked, and grinned in relief as he saw a bronze, who knew immediately whom he wanted. Clapping whole-heartedly for that good note, he froze at the sight of the…brown? From the Rooibos egg, before slipping into the line, after it had too chosen it’s human partner. Bowing low, and watching Trith with a saddened knowledge, Ver turned again to see the Ginseng egg hatch out the first green, and had to stifle both worry and a grin as she set to rolling, fetching up against a clutch sibling.

Her demands to her brothers were rather adorable, he noted, and felt a flare of hope that he might be found worthy by a dragon himself, even as she obviously found her mate in a young man with long hair to his side. Taking the brief reprieve, he scanned the others present, and frowned faintly, wondering where the rest of the candidates were. Deciding that it wasn’t his worry, he turned back, eyes widening at Trith’s display of maternal anger and fear for her children. Staying firmly in line, he kept one eye on her, and the other on the clutch. Given how quickly the first three had cracked their shells, he couldn’t imagine that this would take much longer.

[Lothyna]

Despite her day of trying to cheer things up, Selene was still a wreck, and V’taph’s duties calling him away made it harder, though she’d never admit as much to her daddy. She knew how hard he worked, and she was almost ten now, old enough to deal with her own issues herself-or so she felt. In the days following the attack, the young girl had found a somewhat surprising (only outwardly, though) friend and ally, in the young candidate whom she’d gravitated to when he was aiding in the crèche chores. Despite his appearances, she was easily able to feel at ease with his iron control, and know that there was far more going on beneath the surface with the reclusive (emotionally, at least) candidate. The slight rivalry with him and F’ren amused her to no end, as well.

Still, that sense of friendship, and an honest desire for his success, was what had driven her to face the place of her nightmares again. She’d slipped into the sands that morning, feeling the hum almost before it started, and had greeted Trith sadly, but with a lingering love for the great gold whom she’d spent so much time talking to. She’d wanted to caress her hide, but settled instead for a place in the risers near here, more focused until she actually called the candidates on the queen than her clutch. When they started filing in, she’d risen, tears tracking her cheeks since she knew what would happen, and faced the gold from the sands.

Dropping into a somewhat wobbly curtsy, she gave Trith a tremulous smile. “Goodbye, Trith. I know they’ll do you proud.” And she knew it would be the last time she spoke to the gold. Walking backwards, Selene turned after a last, sad glance, and all but ran to the entrance, almost fleeing the sands in her desire to avoid the death of a dragon she liked, before she forced herself to stop, hands fisted, fingernails digging into her palms, and trembling. The line of white reminded her that this should have been a joyous occasion, that she should be there, welcoming the new dragons and their riders-to-be, with the rest. Sniffling, she took several long moments to calm herself, ignoring the bodies moving past as candidates entered, and spectators went to find seats.

Finally, she turned, face scrubbed hastily clean of tears with an arm, and edged back in, aiming to get to the risers in the sands. As her foot first touched the ledge up to where she wanted to sit, close enough to the exit to feel safe, and not too far from the trestle tables being set up with meat for the would-be starving hatchlings, she heard the first crack of an egg. The attempted bugle drew her gaze like a lifeline to the bronze, and she felt a rush of pure, sweet relief at the thought that the luck of a strong, proud bronze to be first! Sighing, as he seemed to know whom he wanted-always a good omen, she knew- she started, watching him move unerringly towards… Elric?

Eyes wide with a sudden perverse delight that swept away the rest of the events, Selene couldn’t help a cheer of joy, watching her friend find his partner in the stately bronze hatchling. Dancing in place as he led him to the food, she wrapped her arms about herself, then laughed, softly, but it was there. Tumbling back onto the sands, the child darted over to the tables, running up despite all protocol and whatnot, to throw a hug at Elric, eyes bright and cheerful. “You did it! You’ve got a dragon! And he’s a gorgeous bronze! What’s his name? Oh! Congratulations!” She almost babbled, delight keeping her attention focused on the one person she’d really shown up to see aside from Trith, whom she couldn’t bear to face right now.

[Maykat]

Batavia shuffled her feet on the hot sands, ignoring the sweat trickling down her skin. It felt slightly surreal; putting herself at the mercy of little starving dragons again. She was up to her elbows in patients in the infirmary, where she could actually be doing something useful, the girl thought scornfully. She shook her head, causing her braids to slap against her shoulders. It was just dehydration, she told herself. And lack of sleep. She belonged on the Sands; she had to at least give herself this chance.

But with her luck, the egg with her dragon in it was in Silver Cove or smashed to bits.

Batavia cursed at herself under her breath and focused her attention back on the eggs. Several were moving and looked like they should start breaking soon. Even more than she wanted to walk off with a dragon of her own, Batavia knew the most important thing to happen today would be every dragon Impressing. The Weyr couldn’t handle a dragonet going between. She looked behind her and caught a sight of Hefty with the other firelizards, humming along with the rest. He’d been a source of comfort for her since the attacks, about the only one she had. Batavia had withdrawn over the sevendays, keeping to herself during her free time and being unusually quiet during chores.

Batavia made the appropriate noises when each candidate Impressed but her heart wasn’t in it. Her mind kept returning to the dragons in the infirmary, and what care was needed for each. She wiped her forehead, hoping things would hurry up.

[Lothyna]

The surge of emotions from the dragons overhead was a force that Savareniel could not stand against, now that he was once again on the sands. After recovering from so rudely being dropped by his friends’ dragon, the young man felt himself once again with a near painful hope stubbornly forming in his chest as he faced the eggs, and the visage of their mother behind them. Eyes darting from shell to shell, the young man had to bite back an appreciative cheer of his own for the first hatchling, the bronze, who knew immediately whom he wanted. It was a badly needed good omen, and he felt a hint of tension ease slightly at Elrics’ Impression to the first. Clapping for the other, he found his attention suddenly riveted, though, as the Rooibos egg, which he’d found so entrancing even if he suspected the inhabitant wasn’t for him, cracking its shell.

All breath left him at the sight of such dark wings, and a thrill of fear accompanied the show of claws, before he stared at the… what had to be a –very- dark brown, throat dry. The actions of the dragonet, though, brought a small chuckle to his lips of appreciation, and he noted with interest than the brown seemed to chose the candidate who’d caught his attention at the fight the day of the Touching. Curiously gazing at the young man, and noting again the shocking violet eyes, Savareniel almost missed the next hatching, and shook himself visibly to retain his focus. It was worth it, though, at the rather comical site that met his gaze, when the first green of the clutch appeared in a rather haphazard manner.

Biting his lips in a grin that he failed ot hide, the young Smith watched her dizzy façade, and the Chamomile Egg, before smiling. She seemed rather sweet-though her demands to her brothers were adorable beyond words to him, Savareniel almost laughed outright to see her climb over the egg she’d landed on. Tracking her progress, he found himself entranced by her sweetness in nuzzling her clutch mates, and then froze. As she came near, he noted in a distant corner of his mind that her hide, damp from hatching, against his skin was soft, supple, and he was petting her, tracing the delicate ridges of her eyes and marveling at her wings.

His world tilted, and refused to return to normal, at the bright voice in his mind, as a rainbow engulfed him and the meeting of a mind to his-so very strong compared to his beloved Shen, changed everything. Speechless, though certainly not thoughtless, he felt a grin stretching his face, and the memory of D’el and Z’ch, hoping that somehow, they would have been proud, surfaced, for once without pain. Swallowing, he let his mind caress hers, still unable to speak, and felt a wave of love for the little hatchling swallowing and muting the past pains.

~Savviemine?~[/color] head tilting to one side, Geveneth peered up at her bonded, aware in that moment that something had changed in him-for the better-because of her, and liking it, but curious. She could feel a little green bonded to hers as well, and pushed a questioning image of Shen at him. Another grumble form her stomach, though, made her wings droop, and she buried herself further in her’s robes, hoping that her brothers hadn’t heard. ~Savvie, I need to eat… it hurts so! And surely you want to meet my brothers? Orith and Desyth are rather handsome…~[/color] her voice turned almost calculating, and she nudged hers towards the tables. His caresses were wonderful, but her stomach demanded food! And really, it was so horrid to make such sounds…

The voice in his head reminded Sav instantly of the needs a newborn dragon had, and he contritely moved to aid her in heading over to food. “Of course, Geveneth! I’m so sorry! And don’t worry, love, we’ll get you food right away. See, there are already people waiting.” He avoided mentioning aught about the other males, though he did look again at Dacktuo.. would it be D’uo now? And hid a blush, feeling Geveneth unerringly pick up on it. He was surprised by the burst of curiosity coupled with her seeming modesty and shyness, but figured he could learn more as they grew together. He was still in awe of having actually been chosen by the lovely little green-with a beautiful color, and amazing tones in her spotting, as he shyly pulled a pail of meet down, sitting down on the ground to be closer to his new parter.

As she tried to get her muzzle in the pail, emitting a few pleading meeps, he chuckled, and blocked her gently. “No, love. You need to eat –slowly-. I don't want you to get sick!” ~Besides, dear, let’s not draw attention from the other two, hmm?~ He added, noting that if she could, Geveneth seemed to shrink slightly, and moved to curl behind him, head near his knee, waiting patiently. Fishing out a chunk of meat and carefully popping it into her maw, he waited, and admonished her quietly, “Geveneth! Chew the meat, don’t swallow it whole! Trust me love. I’ll let you eat til you’re not hungry, but you have to chew!” As she nudged him apologetically, and shot a glance at her clutch-sibs, he slowly fed her more pieces, aware of Shen hovering to one side, so happy she couldn’t even sing that hers had found his partner.

[Thorney]

Though sad as she watched Trith, Keiko couldn't keep the excitement from nearly overtaking her as the first eggs moved. Bouncing on the balls of her feet as the first one hatched, she nearly squealed, clapping her hands together in delight. What a strong, handsome fellow! That was a good omen for the rest of the clutch, as well, which also made her happy. The girl steadfastly ignored the niggling sadness that hovered at the back of her mind, focusing completely upon the hatchlings. The handsome bronze Impressed easily without much fuss, to a strong, rather attractive guy that appeared rather...emotionless, that is, until the smile broke across his face. Clapping furiously, Keiko practically bounced in place as she cheered for the first weyrling, glad that everything seemed to be going smoothly. If only every dragonet could find their partner, the hatching would be perfect.

After him, yet another egg hatched, and the candidate raised up on tippy-toe in an attempt to see the hidden dragonet behind his shell. The black wings made her eyes widen, as did the neon green talons and finally his dark hide. When he pounced, the girl giggled to herself, grinning at his antics. He was adorable! As he made his way past the line of candidates, though, she began to worry a bit, but he finally found His, and Keiko whooped and clapped enthusiastically. Two great Impressions with no mishap. That raised her spirit quite a bit.

The green that took a tumble made her gasp just a little, and the girl bobbed from foot to foot as she watched the hatchling sit dizzily for a moment. Laughing lightly, Keiko watched as the green chirped towards her clutchsiblings and then bounded after them, crawling over the Chamomile Egg as she did. Still grinning, the candidate was glad to see the green Impress easily as well, finding her bonded while the boy looked absolutely delighted to have her. Clapping quite happily for the new weyrlings, the girl watched them leave the sands, truly glad for them and also hoping that she would soon find her partner among the eggs as well. Turning her attention back to the rocking shells, she saw the Oriental Spice Egg rocking quickly, as well as spotting movement from the Chai Egg and Chamomile Eggs. Back to bouncing on the balls of her feet, Keiko gazed at the eggs, anxious to see more of the babies.

[Trith]

((OOC: Just assume from here that all Candidates were already on the Sands.))


Pleased with the first round of Impressions for her children, Trith was feeling a bit more lulled, though ever watchful. Crooning softly to those who had begun to move, she settled back more on her couch, content for this fleetingly blissful moment. Another egg began to show life at her croon, the Earl Grey Egg beginning to give off a few odd shudders.

Despite the power of its rocking, the Oriental Spice Egg seemed to be having quite a bit of trouble breaking through the egg. Several cracks had appeared, and the shell itself could almost be heard creaking with strain by the nearest Candidates, but it held fast. As if spurred into motion by the manhandling of its green sister, the Chamomile Egg set about a very methodical session of twitches, almost as if trying to break the egg with as little effort as possible. Slowly, cracks appeared all over, culminating in the egg practically falling apart to reveal a soft blue hue.

Sitting up a little and stretching, the Chamomile Blue showed little will to divest himself of the remaining fluids coating him, as well as the little bits of egg still stuck to his hide. An amused look was angled to Geveneth as Hers led her from the Sands, and then he turned to sleepily regard the Candidates. Though he was stock still, his eyes were fiercely intent as he surveyed those gathered, eyes twitching back and forth. Miiiiiiiiiiiine, he finally called out to Aidaen, I’m hungry! Bring your Skeith some food? And with that, he gave a large yawn and curled up, content to wait despite his gnawing hunger.

Trith sat there, bemused with her lazy blue hatchling for a moment before giving a huff. This one was almost as bad as that brown! Flicking her tail forward gently, she squarely whapped his hindquarters. It wasn’t at all hard, but it was enough to make him exert the effort to turn his head and glare balefully at her. Grudgingly he picked himself up from the Sands, granules stuck all over his underbelly in the goop, and began to make his way toward the feeding tunnels. Glancing back at His, he gave a small motion to follow and trudged off, droopy and slow and letting his wings drag along beside him and not making any more effort than necessary to move away. Despite the outward quietude, there was sure to be quite a bit of grumbling into A’den’s mind the whole way.

As the blue passed by it, the Oriental Spice Egg finally decided to hatch with a ferocious tearing noise. Sprouting from the top of the large egg, a powerful brown surveyed the area around him, his medium-reddish hide gleaming with slight slickness in the bright afternoon light. Now aware of the various smaller eggs clustered around him, he exhibited a bit more gentleness than his form would suggest in breaking away the bottom half of his egg, careful to not bump into the others. His thick tail raising to lash the air behind him, he began to saunter his smug way over to the Candidates - but his attention was caught by the Earl Grey Egg.

The odd shudders of the egg had grown in violence, and soon the thin shell was flaking away in patches. A bright green leg jutted out of one of them, and then another, and another, and yet another of a much darker hue. A dark wing popped out of another hole, followed quickly by a brighter one at an odd angle...and then another. Gasps took the crowd as a fifth leg made its way out of the shell - and then the shell crumbled completely. A couple shrieks filled the arena as the green was finally unveiled, a mismatched set of seven legs, four wings, and two tails - swirling apple and neon green mixed haphazardly with a dark, forest green shade. She raised her distorted muzzle and let out an ear-splitting shriek, her eyes whirling fast with fear. Immediately, she began to try to retreat from the loud noises of both the crowd and the other dragons, her disorientation evident in her haphazard flailing.

The ruckus over the hatching of the Earl Grey Green had mostly overshadowed the much quieter hatching of the Chai Egg, large wings drooping to the Sands as the dark green shyly crawled from the remnants of her egg, seeming apologetic for having destroyed it. Unfortunately, the careful stepping of the Chai Green led her right into the path of the anxious Earl Grey Green, causing the latter to squawk in confusion and round on her clutchsister. The tiny chirp that issued from the Chai Green only seemed to scare the Earl Grey Green more, causing her to launch into an attack.

The Chai Green let out a loud squeak, cowering back from her even larger clutchsister with wide eyes. The larger fell upon her with swipes borne of a fearful-madness, and she was unable to move with her giant wings tangling her and weighing her to the spot. With a roar, the Oriental Spice Brown was there, knocking the Earl Grey Green off their helpless sister and swatting at her powerfully to drive her away from the smaller dragon. The roar that Trith gave to the violent green only seemed to incense her further, and with a scurrying yelp she switched direction and took off.

Turning to nuzzle the injured green, the Oriental Spice Brown gave her a soft croon of affection. She gently nosed him back in return, giving a small, sweet trill of thanks. The moment of adorable calm lasted only a moment, though, before yells rang out again. Turning, it was now visible that the Earl Grey Green had headed for the Candidates instead! With an apologetic chirp, the Oriental Spice Brown took off once more, bounding over to drag the green mutation away from the Candidates by one of her tails - but not before she had done quite a bit of damage. Tazar received a large gash to his left arm, and Haverisen to his right leg. Zanalorin was battered by one of the wings, likely leaving some dark bruises along his chest as well as a tiny cut along his right cheek. Relian, however, had taken the brunt of the attack, having been toppled over by the rampaging green. The Oriental Spice Brown crouched low between his mutated sister and the fallen Candidate, letting out one more ferocious roar.

The Earl Grey Green spun in place for a moment, torn between the too-bright lights and the too-loud noises and the scary things around her. Nothing made sense! Wailing, she keened her sorrows and fears to the crowd as she wished it would all just go AWAY! The narrowed eyes of the defensive brown didn’t even quiver as the angry, frightened green found her way between, more thankful that she wouldn’t be harming others anymore than he was that her own plight was over. Turning to regard the scattered boys behind him, his demeanor once again became gentle as he padded over to the fallen boy. Are you okay, RelianMine? the brown asked the prone form, worry flowing along their bond. When a weak hand laid itself on his muzzle, relief flooded the area around him. It’s okay now, because your Kaith is here, and I will protect you always. And with that, the large brown ignored his own hunger to curl up next to his bonded’s side, vigilant to make sure harm would never again come to his perfect mindmate.

The Chai Green watched with a much more horror-struck visage as her sister first went for the Candidates and then disappeared between. Beginning to feel her own injuries, she meekly took a few steps over toward the section of girls, peering at them with eyes wide with innocence. Sliding over to Valee, she tried to curl her form around the girl, smearing green ichor all over her white robe. My sister tried to hurt me, my Valee... She was so scared... I didn’t mean to scare her! Why would she want to hurt your Iveth? the sweet voice sounded in Valee’s head. Wide eyes turned up to stare at her in sadness, and if dragons could cry they surely would have been pools of liquid.

Nudging her new bonded’s side, she sought comfort for her difficult entry to the world. It only took a moment, though, before the joy of their bond shone greater, and the dragonet curled closer again in an imitation of a hug. I was so sad, at first, but now I’ve found you, so I am happy again. I am hurt, but it will all be okay, won’t it? she said with a soft conviction behind her words, her sweet soul shining forth.

The crowd was awash in murmurs in the aftermath. Such a strange mutation! But three more healthy dragonets as well, Impressed and due to stick around. As the commotion settled, it became apparent that several more of the eggs had begun to move. The Darjeeling Egg was shaking a bit in it’s prone position, while the Lemongrass Egg was gently starting to knock into it from where it tipped along the former’s side. The Oolong Egg was also showing signs of life, and the Jasmine Egg had just begun its first few gentle twitches.

[Maykat]

Batavia’s stomach flip-flopped when she saw what hatched out of the Earl Grey egg. The legs, those tails, how did it even hatch? It should have been a dud. If it had been a herdbeast born like that, it would have rightly been put down. Thankfully she was across the Sands from it, and out of range of either Impressing or getting wounded by it. Batavia was relieved when it went between. She wasn’t even sure how it had managed to hatch, let alone how the thing would survive.

R’tel wrinkled his nose when he saw the Earl Grey green. “Gross,” he whispered. Stuff like that just wasn’t right. He could even feel Ineth’s revulsion at the creature. The green looked on disapprovingly as the Earl Grey dragonet buffered around, injuring candidates. But in the next moment R’tel could feel his green’s sadness as the little creature went between.

It’s for the best, he told her. R’tel settled back in his seat, hoping for no more weird creatures. Two more hatchlings Impressed quickly, a good sign. The Hatching seemed to take a breather, with eggs rocking but no dragonets on the Sands, when suddenly Ineth began to keen. R’tel jumped. What? Who is it now? he asked.

Ineth sent him a mental picture of a dragon that was unmistakably Felath. “Oh for Faranth’s sake,” he whispered.

Batavia felt her knees go weak when Hefty relayed who they had lost. V’mio. His wounds from the attack had gotten infected, she knew, but the healers were doing their best and she thought he was out of the woods. She was too stunned to cry. Batavia leaned over, forearms on her thighs propping her up. The bronzerider had been a constant in her life since joining candidacy. Felath had been the first dragon to talk to her. Her hands clenched around the fabric of her robe and Batavia heaved. She didn’t vomit or cry but it made the dizziness stop and she was able to stand back up straight. Hands on her hips, Batavia waited for the next egg to Hatch.