[Hatching] Rude Awakenings

[Sher]

((Because not everyone shares the same taste for music, I decided I’d make the theme songs optional; meaning I’m telling you what inspired me. If you find something else you like better, definitely put that in your profiles instead! They aren’t required. I just happen to think it’s fun trying to find theme songs. ^__~

Players are responsible for updating their character sheets, by the way. (That includes adding firelizard babies too.) Those that Impress during this thread should add Theirs on as soon as they feel like it - sooner is better - but at the very least update the subject line to include 'weyrling of color namehere' if you remember to.

Lastly, more interaction and reaction will speed this thread along a bunch- just like the IC timeframe. I'd like at least two IC posts between each of mine, but if it goes longer than about a day I'll update it anyway.))

On the Sands:

#1 - Fuddy Dud - Smoky Gray - Lycath to Prinner
#2 - Lady's Embrace - Enchanted Green - Marith to Kogran
#3 - Dancing Square - Cloudburst Brown - Drinath to Patala
#4 - Drum Solo - Simmering Bismuth - Ronith to Ophelia
#5 - Pompous Speech - Emperor Bronze - Vizioth to Julim
#6 - Motion of the Ocean - Tidal Gold - Irieth to Eavan
#7 - Sneaking Hand - Slinking Blue - Carmith to Kolaris

[Sher]

A Present From the Past Clutch - 02.21.3189

It was around the third hour of the morning when J'ain was awakened from her sleep by the bundle of goofy excitement Ansith thrust across their bond. He was shivering with suppressed exuberance, a low and bubbling hum vibrating his chest. J'ain shot out of her blankets and upright with hardly a pause to sit up first, though her instant panic slumped when she realized she wasn't dreaming anymore. Good morning![/i] he said.

"What's wrong with you?" she mumbled, rubbing at her eyes. "Can't you go defecate by yourself anymore?"

No, you have to put clothes on now. You missed the announcement.[/i] The entire Weyr felt like it was humming; at least, to J'ain it did. Probably her keen imagination. She did as asked, wondering just how deeply asleep she'd been. The blue was already standing on his weyr ledge when she finished dressing and came to stand at his side. We go now.[/i] To the candidates he cried, Everybody up![/i]

After seeing the ruckus below them, with everyone trying to get to the Hatching Cavern at once, J'ain suddenly understood just what announcement she'd missed. She scrambled onto the blue's chalky back without the harness and together they descended to the Weyrbowl, skimming over folks' heads to hover just outside the Candidate Barracks. A few candidates were already rushing out, but J'ain shouldered her way in anyway to make sure the rest had heard Rusith's call. "Robes on!"

---

Five minutes before, to present:

Kadia was asleep, but Rusith was feeling restless. She couldn't make her mind go blank, and it wasn't because there was too much to think about. The muddy-looking gold wasn't often far from the eggs, feeling a bit proprietary even where Coreanth was concerned. Now she padded across the Hatching Sands to stick her head into her gold weyr. Are you awake? she asked.

I am now. Kadia yawned blearily, rubbing her shoulder but staying snugged into her woven blankets. Can't sleep, huh?

It's more than that, Rusith denied. That blue egg is moving. That, of course awakened the goldrider sufficiently to rise. A deep, almost sonorous hum sounded from the gold's deep chest by the time her human left the queen weyr. Coreanth, dear! The eggs are hatching, the older gold called privately, and I would be honored by your presence. Then on a wider band, she announced strongly to the Weyr at large: Brinleth's clutch is hatching! Candidates, staff, and witnesses assemble! Her tone was clipped, and her eyes flashed as she crouched not far from the moving eggs.

Kadia had a bit of deja vu when she went to stand behind her dragon, out of the way but in position to assist with... whatever Rusith would allow her to help with. Soon, people in various stages of undress started flowing into the Stands to hastily claim seats. There weren't many guests, but then, the eggs looked to be progressing rapidly; there wouldn't be time to retrieve many from the surrounding Holds or cotholds. A few dragons apparently did take it on themselves to provide that taxi service; shortly after J'ain of blue Ansith came through the archway to stand beside the rapidly-swelling line of candidates, the Lord Holder of Lemos, Oskin, trotted in sporting a lovely pink negligee hardly covered by a leather jacket. The man held his head high as he claimed a seat, as though daring anyone to laugh.

Just a few yards in front of Rusith, the Motion of the Ocean egg shifted a little in the sand.

[weetia]

J'lin rolled out of bed, literally, when the gold made her announcement while he was still asleep. "Ow," he mumbled, staring at the fuzzy rug on his stone floor. He always woke much better on his own, surprise left him confused for several minutes, and he sat on his floor, trying to process what Rusith had announced. He could feel vibration through the floor, and he suddenly realized why, climbing to his feet and grabbing the nice clothing he had laid out several days before in preparation. At least by thinking ahead, his fuzziness wouldn't be too obvious.

Geena, his little green lizard was awake and humming, too, sitting on the pillow his head had just rolled off. She still didn't spend much time awake, but J'lin doubted that any dragon or lizard could sleep through a hatching. Once he was fully dressed, he reached toward her in invitation, and she hopped from the pillow to his wrist, then from his wrist to his shoulder. Portenth was looking into the room, eyes whirling in excitement and a low hum coming clearing from the bronze's rumbling chest.

J'lin was still rubbing at his eyes, and trying to comb his hair a little while he stumbled toward the bronze. The vibration on his shoulder was barely penetrating his fuzzy thinking as he contemplated riding straps. Do we have time to go retrieve guests? he asked.

No, the bronze answered. Watchriders went to fetch a few, he added. J'lin nodded, the few riders who had been required to stay awake all night for other reasons would have already been prepared for passengers. Portenth glided down to the Hatching Grounds, and the pair plus a flitter settled in to watch the event from one of the higher ledges, leaving the seating for guests and weyrfolk. Also, J'lin wouldn't have to speak to anyone before properly waking up. The green's humming on his shoulder raised in pitch somewhat as the rider looked down from his riding straps and saw the rocking bluish egg.

(OOC: must take kids to school, will add my candidates when I get back from errands.)

[azure]

Lyrith jolted awake at the first sounds of a hum. Her eggs! Her eggs were hatching! She had been dreaming of laying on them keeping them warm and feeling their fuzzy little minds basking in the warmth and safety she was giving them. Now they were hatching!

A demanding bellow brought her rider running to her, clothing in hand. The image she had projected of her eggs hatching had made him forego his usual long time of dressing and brushing. He hadn't even fastened his pants as he jumped onto her back, letting her know the second he had a grip.

She launched herself down, humming as loud as she could and claiming one of the closer perches. She was going to have a good view of her eggs hatching.

T'prin was still half asleep as they landed. Lyrith had gotten him up, into pants and boots and onto her back without fully realizing what was going on. He was still carrying his jacket! She hadn't given him time to put that on! He slept in an old, long much faded green tunic and he'd stomped into his old boots because they were easy to get into. He was impressing no one today that was for sure.

The only thing that kept him from looking a complete fright was that he had slept with his hair braided, wanting it to be wavy today. At least he didn't have flitt nest hair!

And what was with his dragon? She remembered these eggs? She thought they were hers? What?

Waking up and realizing what was going on was not pleasant. They were down in a place usually reserved for bronze dragons and she was not going to move. He could feel it. She was planted here. Oh shards, was he going to be in trouble for this?

[weetia]

The gold's voice in his head made Kolaris startle awake, sitting straight up in his bed. Like every morning, his hair was more of a mess than even he was comfortable with, and his eyes were wide and stunned. He ran his hand down his face, and decided that he had to at least scrub it, hoping that would wake him up and make him more presentable at the same time. He stumbled to the washbasin to run a cloth over his face, and was just back at his cot struggling into his robe when the candidatemistress rushed into the room.

He had his head through, and one of his arms, and was still wearing his sleep pants as he stared at her with the one arm in the air, and his hair all standing up. He pulled it down quickly, slipping out of the pants once the robe covered him completely. After that he was finger-combing his hair as he rushed past her out of the barracks. "Ma'am," he managed to say, nodding his head barely, as he passed by her, but then she was forgotten as he rushed to the sands.

The finger-combing wasn't that much less than what he normally did to his hair, so he looked just a little more startled than usual as he entered the Hatching Grounds, staying well back at the edge of the circle until the other candidates and J'ain got there. He was still occasionally yawning, though, as he shifted awkardly on the hot sands and listened to the humming.

He didn't think he had realized before how hot the sands actually were. Certainly it hadn't been obvious from the bleachers, and Kolaris was fidgeting more than usual because of his uncomfortable feet. He was staring at the moving eggs, too, anticipation tingling along his nerves. Some of the candidates would not be going back to the candidate barracks today, but on to the weyrling barracks, and Kolaris couldn't wait to see who. Oh, he certainly hoped that he would Impress today, but he also wanted to see if Ophelia got the dragonet from that Drum Solo egg, and if Neiram found the hatchling from the Dancing Square as pretty as she found its egg.

He was just so excited, though he was much less nervous than the hold and craft bred candidates probably were. Baby dragons! A party! Everyone in the Weyr in too good a mood to mind if he was a little hyper. The day could only be any better if he was actually one of the candidates to Impress to the clutch!

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Patala was grateful she kept her hair braided every night so that it didn't take long to get tangles out in the morning. That helped her out every day, but when she heard first Rusith and then Ansith speak in her mind to wake her up, she knew that it would be an even bigger time saver today. She pulled the candidate robe that she had been issued over her night-shirt right there in her cot, while other candidates were struggling to wake up. She was quite used to early mornings herself, though perhaps not quite this early, and she felt coherent, if not chipper.

The robe on neatly, Patala took time to wrap the braid into a loose knot on the back of her head, slipping the end through its own loop so that it would hold itself out of her way. It wasn't pretty, but it was convenient. Patala was heading out the door when J'ain rushed in, and she bowed her head to the bluerider respectfully as she headed out. "Thank you," she called softly to Ansith as she passed him outside the barracks and headed down to the sands.

In the Grounds, she stood next to a candidate she hadn't really spoken much too while she waited, and started talking mostly to herself. "This is just so exciting, I've never seen a dragon hatch before. I wonder if they're as cute as baby runners and herdbeasts. I mean, they've been describing them to us, but that's not the same thing as seeing for yourself. I hope noone gets hurt, I know they said that it was possible, but I hope it doesn't happen today." She took a breath, then realized that she was starting to babble, and stopped talking for a minute. She would probably start again soon, though.

[ambigious]

Luckily for all involved, Eyrlaina had a terrible time sleeping. Thus, in the wee hours of the morning she had risen and promptly began checking the thredfall schedule, with a cup of warm klah to keep her company. As she nursed the mug with one hand and pressed a finger to the sheet with another, her green eyes skimming quickly and carefully over the sheet, her lips moved silently as she read over the time table. They would all have to be ready, in the coming months...once the numbers had blurred together, Eyrlaina pressed a hand to her temple and sighed. She wasn't the eager young woman she used to be. That duty would have to rest on the next batch of Weyrlings, should they be so lucky.

Having skimmed the page at least four times, Eyrlaina rose to her feet and headed to the bathing rooms. An eery glow had just begun to creep over the horizon, but her eyes were adjusted to the gloom as she bathed. It was wonderfully relaxing. In fact, probably the one and only thing that could calm and relax Eyrlaina was water. As she submersed herself in the mercifully warm water, she reached out to her bond with Coreanth. The large gold was sleeping soundly in her Weyr, if a tad restlessly; the tip of her tail twitched constantly, and Eyrlaina could tell that her dreams were troubling. A frown marred her brow, but she refrained from waking her, and merely enjoyed her bath.

Not even a few minutes later and Coreanth jolted away, her alarmed eyes gazing around the room. It hadn't been Rusith's call, however, that woke her, but an innnate dragon response to an imminent hatching. Laina?[/i] Coreanth called out, her tone bleary. Eyrlaina shifted in her bathing pool with a deep sigh. I'm here, love. You were having a bad dream. Sometimes Eyrlaina wondered if her OCD had anything to do with Coreanth's sleeping patterns. It's not that,[/i] Coreanth told her bruseuqley as she roused from her ledge, the eggs are hatching. They're early.[/i] At that moment, as Eyrlaina tensed and attempted to re-schedule her day, Coreanth heard Rusith's call. A pleased rumble vibrated through her chest as she relayed the message to her rider. The pleasure is mine, Rusith. We will be there momentarily. Hurry, Laina![/i] The Jr. Queen added privately to her rider. Grumbling about her plans for the day and how they would have to be postponed, Eyrlaina dragged herself out of the pool and rushed to the sleeping quarters.

Once again, luckily for her, she had already laid out her clothes for the day, and tugged the dress on over her head once she'd toweled off. The fabric was of a fine, soft cotton, the brown hue accenting both her hair and her eyes. A fine golden belt wrapped around her middle to accent her figure, and a golden necklace and earrings finished the set. Of course, she was careful to stamp on a pair of sturdy wherhide boots rather than mocassins. Once that was done, Eyrlaina wakened Eyalen, despite his half-asleep protests. "Wake up, my boy. The eggs are hatching." At that, Eyalen's eyes popped wide open as he flung off his bed sheets and ran for the bathing room. With a chuckle, Eyrlaina ordered some food for their breakfast, and waited but a moment before both food and son were ready. Then, in stately procession -- Eyrlaina wouldn't let him run -- they walked out to the Weyrledge, where Coreanth was waiting dutifully.

Good morning,[/i] Coreanth said to Eyalen, having a special place in her dragonic heart for him. "Morning, Corie!" Eyalen announced as his mother lifted him up onto the gold's neck. After settling their satchel of food, Eyrlaina hoisted herself up as well, and once she was settled Coreanth launched from her ledge, veering sharply for the Hatching Sands. As always, Eyrlaina's heart beat wildly in her chest with elation, and Eyalen let out a soft yell of excitement. The ride was short, however, as Coreanth tucked her wings against her back to dive down into the hole at the top of the Hatching Sand. Once they'd reached the inside, Coreanth fluttered down to deposit her riders by the viewing tier before she fluttered up to perch on one of the nearby ledges. Immediately a wary look came over her as she glanced around the Sands, rumbling a greeting to Rusith. Thank you for calling me, Rusith, and congratulations. This will be a splendid day for everyone.[/i] Despite her best attempts at control, Coreanth's voice was brimming with pride of her new friend, even as a hum echoed from her slim maw.

As for Eyrlaina and Eyalen, they took a seat in the first row and promptly began eating their breakfast. Eyrlaina offered a friendly nod to Kadia, but figured the other woman was too tired for a morning chat.

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Lyrith's eggs! They're finally hatching! Lyrith has been waiting for this for so long -- I know because I heard her go on and on about it -- and it's finally here![/i] Was Madison dreaming? She had to be. That couldn't be Aliseth's voice rousing her at an ungodly hour in the morning, especially when she'd been up most of the night with morning sickness. A mild groan parted her rosebud lips as she shifted restlessly in bed, her sleep already ruined. Ali, is that you? Madi asked silently, her mental voice betraying her current mood; tired, and grumpy. Yes! I know you didn't sleep well, but you won't want to miss this. Trust me,[/i] Aliseth added in that knowing tone of hers, sending multiple mental prods through their bond. Finally, and with another groan, Madison sat up in bed and instantly sucked in a deep breath as another wave of nausea rolled over her. What? She didn't trust herself to speak.

The eggs are hatching![/i] "What?" Madison announced, her stammer momentarily gone in the presence of her green. "That's impossible. They shouldn't hatch for another-" A dragon knows when it's ready to hatch,[/i] Aliseth replied simply, her tone both knowing and proud. Now hurry, or we'll miss it![/i] Stifling another moan, Madi rose to her feet and walked slowly and carefully to her trunk. She dug around for a moment for suitable clothing before deciding on a dress that had a slit up the side for riding, and a pair of leggings to wear beneath that. A pair of wherhide boots finished the ensemble, and she dresses as carefully as she'd moved. Hopefully they would have breakfast at the Hatching Sands, she mused.

I don't think you could keep anything down anyway,[/i] Aliseth responded a tad sarcastically, which received a nod of agreement from Madi. I've never understood your reproductive cycle. For dragons it's so easy. But you suffer all the time.[/i] "Hopefully not all the time," Madi murmured as she brushed her hair and pulled it back into a ponytail. Too late to wash it or style it. "This should go away in a few weeks." The green snorted as she shifted restlessly on her ledge, clearly eager to leave. With a sigh, Madi grabbed her riding gear and strode out, trying to ignore the way her stomach sank as she moved. Once the straps were applied, Aliseth practically bouncing with anticipation, Madison vaulted onto the green's neck and a second later they were aloft, the swift green heading straight for the entrance to the Hatching Sands. A few other dragons were approaching as well, but as always they managed to avoid one another as they crowded into the small space.

As soon as they burst into the Hatching Cavern, Aliseth let out an excited bugle and fluttered down to land next to Lyrith. Congratulations, Lyrith![/i] Aliseth crooned as she knelt down to allow Madison to dismount carefully, her face slightly pale. I know you helped care for the eggs, and now they are finally hatching![/i] Don't encourage her, love. As understanding as Kadia had been about greens wanting to clutch, Madison didn't want to get her into any trouble, or to add any stress to her day. It would already be hectic enough as it was. Grumbling in agreement, Aliseth swung her head down towards Rusith, who was crouched protectively over the rocking eggs. Congratulations to you as well, Rusith. You have done such a wonderful job with the eggs, and I know the entire Weyr is grateful to you.[/i] At that moment, Madison glanced over and noticed a solitary bronze dragon, immediately recognizing the pair. Since J'lin had intentionally placed himself at a distance from the others, Madi merely lifted a hand in greeting, a hesitant smile on her lips, before she settled down to rest on Aliseth's forepaw. Good morning, Portenth,[/i] Aliseth called contently to the bronze, unable to resist a flirtatious rumble.

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It was Ophelia's habit to wake up and go for a morning run before any of the other Candidates awoke. Of course, she wasn't naive enough to assume that none of them noticed her slipping out, and she had her suspicions, but if no one said anything then she wouldn't supply an answer. That was her way of doing things. As it was, she'd headed out just before Rukbat had begun to rise, her breath gathering in clouds of wist in front of her face as she jogged around the Weyrbowl. It was so quiet and still in the morning air, and she loved the idea of being totally and utterly alone in the darkness. It was a pleasant morning. Shade had opted to remain in the barracks, his instincts keeping him from the cold, and surprisingly Amaroq had stayed inside as well. Ophelia could sense that he wasn't that tired through their bond, considering how much he'd been sleeping in the past few days, but despite all of her prompting the lazy brown stayed curled into a ball on the bed.

Ophelia would have to train him otherwise. Still, that was on her list of things to do, as was latrine duty, and preparing for the Hatching. In the morning, the tall Candidate usually made a few laps around the Weyr, but some unknown instinct drove her back to the Candidate barracks early. The moment she stepped into the bathing quarters, removing damp clothes despite the cold and trying to calm her rapid breathing, she heard someone barrel into the barracks just as a commanding voice echoed through her mind. The Hatching. Reacting instantly, Ophelia darted into one of the bathing pools as the other candidates rushed forward. She didn't take long to soap and rinse herself off, then she captured her hair in a towel and threw on the customary white robe on Candidacy. Since she was Weyrbred, she knew better than to wear moccasins, and threw on a pair of wherhide boots.

Once that was settled, she ran her fingers through her short hair, glancing over to see two pairs of eyes watching her intently. "Sorry, bud, but you'll have to stay here," she murmured as she caressed Shade's soft ears. The canine whined softly but obeyed, his tail thumping gently against the floor. At that point the barracks were in utter chaos as Candidates darted around, dressing or bathing, but somehow Ophelia managed to get dressed without much issue. "You, on the other hand," and Ophelia pointed a forefinger at Amaroq for emphasis, who lifted her light brown head in response, "are coming with me." Amaroq snorted in response and lowered his head once more, clearly preferring the comfort of the bunk. A frown marred Ophelia's brow.

"Amaroq." Although a tad hesitantly, the brown firelizard obediently rose to his feet and took to the air, gliding over to land on Ophelia's outstretched arm. "We're going now." Amaroq squawked in protest and flapped his wings. Although this annoyed Ophelia, she tried to maintain her patience, and instead attempted to form an image of the Hatching Sands in her mind. Amaroq instantly subsided and peered up at her intently, appearing eager. "Yes, it will be warmer there," Ophelia responded to a silent question. With a chirp of approval, Amaroq clamored up onto Ophelia's shoulder, his light tail wrapping around her neck possessively. Satisfied, Ophelia left the barracks and strode with the rest of them towards the Hatching Sands.

When they entered through the side entrance that lead directly onto the sands, Ophelia's gaze instantly went towards the Drum Solo egg. Although it was rocking like the others, it's movements didn't seem too frenzied or hectic. Picking up on her interest, Amaroq glanced over at the egg curiously. She didn't have time to explain, however, for Ophelia bowed the upper half of her body to Kadia and Rusith respectfully. "Thank you for the opportunity to stand at this clutch," she announced, before she righted herself -- despite Amaroq's squawks of protest at being caught off balance -- and took her place among the semi-circle of Candidates. It seemed most of the attention was on the Motion of the Ocean egg, so Ophelia glanced in that direction, her eyes occasionally darting back to see the status of the Drum Solo egg. If nothing else, she honestly wanted to see what dragon came forth from that egg.

As she waited, instantly grateful for the wherhide boots as the heat curled against her cheeks and up the inside of her candidate robes, Ophelia heard the girl next to her start blathering away. With a frown, Ophelia glanced at her from the corner of her eye, instantly recognizing the other girl as Patala. "Keep on your toes and you'll be fine," she responded simply. "Dragonets are more of a danger to themselves, since they're so awkward and clumsy, than to Candidates. It's the ones who freeze up and don't move out of the way that get hurt." Since she was Weyrbred, Ophelia knew a bit more about these things and wasn't afraid to share the information. "Also, all of the baby dragons I've seen are...wet. They look kind of weird, to be honest, because they're all skin and bone from being in their eggs for so long." Subconsciously, Ophelia reached up and stroked Amaroq's tail. In response, the brown pressed himself contently against her cheek, though his whirling eyes glanced over at Patala curiously.

[Rust]

Kogran was forced awake just before the announcement by his little gold firelizard, Ari, who was perched on his chest, humming lightly and nudging his face with her head. He was confused at first, but once the message came through (and wow, it was weird hearing a dragon's voice in his head!) he understood. Ari took off into the air and Kogran set up and got out of bed in one quick motion.

As Ari circled his head, Kogran ran into the washing room and splashed some water on his face before changing into the proper clothing for the hatching. Thankfully, he remembered that much from the candidate lessons! Ari, meanwhile, was flying around the barracks above everyone's heads, occasionally getting in the way. She was really as bad as her Kogran before he had arrived at the weyr.

It wasn't long before Kogran was all set, and he out on the sands (with Ari following). He stood, with the other candidates who had gathered so far and Ari, flying excitedly around the sands.

-----

N'rak had only gone to bed a few hours ago. He stirred slightly at the announcement, but barely heard it at all. It took Keth almost five minutes to finally get him up.

"What is it?" N'rak muttered outloud, as he rubbed his eyes with his knuckles.

The hatching. You were supposed to go get some people from the holds, but you may not have time. Keth told N'rak.

"I'm sorry. I'm just tired."

If you went to bed at a normal hour, this wouldn't be an issue. Now put on a jacket and come here.

N'rak did as Keth told him, and it wasn't long before N'rak was in the stands and Keth was perched patiently above the sands.

[azure]

The dragon's voice in his head jolted Julim up and out of bed before he was really awake. Indignant squawks sounded as the Blues Brothers lost their warm comfy pillow.

"Sorry guys" he muttered. "Ive got to go to the Sands."He envisioned the sands, with the queen standing guard and the eggs starting to rock.

Pulling off his old sleeping shirt, he pulled the robe on and the traditional sandals. Stupid things, he hated them, but he'd save his arguing against tradition for larger matters.

His hair looked like flitts had been sleeping in it, which they had been. A quick brutal brushing straightened it out and lost him some many strands. Ouch ouch Ouch! Oh well, better to lose a little hair then upset the Queen. Queens knew what candidates should look like, he was sure of it.

He was in the middle of the candidates heading out, hair and talking to flitts had slowed him down.

-----------

Part of learning to work with beasts involved being able to wake up quickly and with a functioning brain. Shirt off, robe on, quick detour into the bathrooms to empty his bladder and splash some water on his face, boots on and off he went. There was a fair amount of noise behind him in the barracks, it surprised him that some of the others hadn't had their robes easily accessible and their moves planned out to get out the door quickly.

They were supposed to line up at the entrance to the sands? Or were they supposed to go in? he had forgotten! Oh shards! Oh good. Some candidates were ahead of him. He'd do what they did. It looked like they remembered what they were supposed to do.

[Sher]

Thank you, Coreanth! Thank you, Aliseth! Rusith said warmly. She was in too good a mood to respond to such gracious words with more normal restraint. To the green, she declared, It was a team effort, and the assistance will never be forgotten.

J'ain stood there, mostly silent as candidates formed their line, creating a nontraditional half circle around the clutch with total disregard for gender or age. Sunset Weyr had long since decided that it really didn't matter where the candidates were in relation to one another; the dragons would find Theirs - or not - without prompting. The eggs were no longer in their original locations, having been rearranged carefully into rows, and some looked to be ready to roll away as they rocked with differing levels of urgency. None more so than the Motion of the Ocean egg. The positively tiny ovoid had been patient for quite long enough; it was time to meet all those interesting minds that had been involved in the touching. The egg stopped rocking for a brief moment, as though the hatchling inside was gathering its energy. The way the blue shell burst apart was nothing short of violent, and then, climbing to its feet in an unattractive coating of egg fluids and bits of shell, stood the Tidal Gold hatchling.

Hisses of surprise rose from the sparsely-occupied stands, then subsided. The expectations of something less... shiny... from that particular egg had not been borne out, but in a good way. Those with superstitions regarding the first hatchling of a clutch would be relieved, that much was certain. Brinleth’s daughter was finally here- in all her diminutive, goo-covered glory.

The Tidal Gold stood wobbling uncertainly for a moment before glancing toward Rusith and tilting her head to one side. Her eyes briefly shot through with gray and red before smoothing slowly to shades of blue. If something was spoken between them, it was apparently satisfactory for both golds, for Rusith returned her flat stare to the waiting humans on the Sands. The surprisingly chubby gold hatchling glanced then at Coreanth and trilled soft acknowledgment. Then she kicked her feet daintily one at a time to shake excess goop from them, and a shard of shell spun off her left hind leg, arcing to stick to the Dancing Square Egg. The little queen peered around at all the candidates and shook herself clumsily, sitting right down amid the mess of blue shell to start cleaning her bright hide off with her tongue. Clearly, a rest was in order after the rush to be freed from the shell, and she felt no sense of urgency to choose a mindmate yet.

It looks like she's taking her time now that she's made her entrance, Kadia commented to Hers. The aging gold seemed pleased with the surprised reactions from the stands, and rumbled agreement with her rider's assessment before resuming the hum of encouragement. The infant gold's sparkle was not overpowering where the clean hide was exposed, but she was a winsome little thing, in spite of- or perhaps because of- her baby fat and compact size.

[Snow]

Eavan had just gotten up and was getting ready for the day when the she heard the most exciting news she'd heard in a while. Her heart skipped a beat and a gasp escaped her lips as she ran to her chest and got out her candidate gown. She hoped fervently that this would be the last time for her to wear the gown, though she knew to not count on anything.

She quickly pulled off her clothes and put on the white gown, then she took a moment to fix her hair into a neat ponytail so it would be out of her face for the hatching. Karthik didn't much care for his owners flitting about so quickly and decided to hide under the bunk until things calmed down.

Once Eavan was satisfied enough with her appearance she went to look for Karthik, who was of course, not there. "Karthik, you silly bronze, where are you?" She asked in an exasperated voice. She simply did not have time to look for him, but taking a chance she looked under her bunk and sure enough she saw the worried whirling of his eyes. "Come out of there, the eggs are hatching I have to go." Karthik simply chirped in fear. Eavan tried a few more times, but she realized that everyone else had left the barracks and she couldn't wait any longer. "Fine, stay there and don't come out until I call for you." She ordered and he trilled an assurance he would.

She ran across the weyrbowl to the Hatching Ground, her barely clad feet a bit cold from the exposure. Once on the hot sands, however, she was somewhat glad they were slightly numb with cold. Eavan took her place with the other candidates. They were all patiently or impatiently waiting for the first egg to hatch. The bright blue egg was rocking a lot and Eavan was amazed that it was the first to hatch. Even more amazing was that it hatched a gold! "Oh, look how precious she is. So small, but still so...queenly." Eavan said to really no one in particular. This soon and already a hatchling, she couldn't wait to see what the rest of the hatching would hold!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Neiram had still been asleep and at first, was rudely awakened by someone saying something directly into her head. "What's the big idea?" She asked groggily as she sat up in her bunk. That's when she realized everyone in the barracks was running about putting on the white robes. "Wait!? Is the Hatching happening?!" She asked excitedly. No one answered her, but she knew that it was.

In a whirlwind of rushing and throwing of clothes, Neiram finally found her white robe and quickly put it on. She was a little bit upset that she didn't have the time she needed to look her best for the Hatching, but she hoped that the dragonets wouldn't care what she looked like. Just to make herself feel better she quickly braided her hair and then she left with the others.

The hatching sands were hot, a lot hotter than she thought they would be and she kept switching from one foot to the other as she took her place next to Kolaris. "Isn't this exciting?" She asked the young boy as she looked at the rocking eggs. "Which do you think will..." She started to asked, but the Motion of the Ocean egg answered her question for her.

"Oh! Look at that! She's so....little." Neiram said excitedly to Kolaris. She was a bit perplexed though, she always thought golds came from the largest eggs of the clutch. She shrugged then, one couldn't deny the beautiful gold color of her hide, even if it was a bit gooey still.

[ambigious]

As Rusith's eager response, Coreanth drew herself up proudly. The emotion of the day was definitely infectious, and this manifested itself as Coreanth's humming reached an almost ear-splitting pitch. Of course,[/i] the younger gold responded easily, and dragged her whirling gaze away from the Stands and to the eggs as one in particular began to pitch and turn. It was the blue egg, the one that she'd felt particular patience from. She was definitely curious which dragonet would hatch from that egg. As Coreanth continued her speculations, Eyrlaina finished her breakfast and wiped Eyalen's mouth, once again ignoring his indignant protests, after he'd finished his last bite of fruit.

"Mom, when are the eggs gonna hatch?" the young lad said irritably as he shifted on his seat. "I'm tired." "They hatch when they're ready, dear," Eyrlaina responded a tad impatiently, attempting to wrestle Eyalen into a sitting position. He continued to protest loudly until a hiss went through the crowd, and then both mother and son were glancing eagerly towards the eggs. At that moment, a small queen was deposited on the sands from her small vessel, the shine of her hide clearly discernable despite the goo. "A queen!" Eyalen gasped, grasping Eyrlaina's sleeve as he pointed with one finger. "I thought they were supposed to be bigger?" "They are," Eyrlaina murmured in response and glanced towards Coreanth. The gold seemed unperturbed, however, so Eyrlaina merely shrugged and re-counted the eggs. When the tidal gold trilled a greeting to Coreanth, Coreanth responded with a warm croon, full of solid welcome and comfort. A fine young queen,[/i] Coreanth responded to Rusith. She will be a splendid addition to the Weyr.[/i] The fact that she was small seemed to go unnoticed by the young queen.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the first egg pitched forth a gooey dragonet, Madison sighed and leaned back against Aliseth's forepaw, closing her eyes. Madi, you don't want to miss this,[/i] Aliseth told her rider eagerly, her wings tucked neatly against her back as she gazed down at the eggs. Let me know what happens, Madison responded wearily as she gave the green's leg a fond pat. With a snort, Aliseth returned her attention to the eggs, though she did recline a bit on her haunches to give Madison more of a resting position. The gesture did not go unnoticed by her rider, who smiled gratefully. A queen![/i] Aliseth announced abruptly, her humming increasing until it fairly rattled Madison's slight frame. Unable to help herself, Madi's eyes flew open and she gazed down at the sands. Unfortunately she had to squint to see the small queen, who at the moment had plopped down on the sands, seemingly uninterested in the Candidates present. Maybe hers wasn't there yet?

She's awfully small. She'll be fine,[/i] Aliseth responded assuredly, un-phased by the dragonet's height, unlike the crowd of onlookers.

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Although most of her attention was focused on the Drum Solo egg, Ophelia tried to give the other eggs her attention as well. They all held dragonets, after all, and even though the Drum Solo was clearly her favorite that didn't guarantee that the dragon within was for her. Somehow, though, she felt a connection with that egg, and perhaps that meant whoever it chose as its rider would have some significance in Ophelia's life. That caused her to stop short as she pondered this, her lips pursed slightly. Before she could pursue that thought to its logical end, however, Amaroq trilled a greeting to some new arrivals, diverting Ophelia's attention. She glanced up to watch first Julim, then Prinner, followed by Eavan and Neiram, enter the Sands. A wan smile was directed in Julim's direction, along with a nod, but Prinner awarded himself an impatient gesture.

"Join the other Candidates in the semi-circle," she called out impatiently to the boy, who clearly looked confused and lost. "Unless you'd like to be mauled by a clumsy dragonet," Ophelia added in her sly, quiet tone of voice, the one she only reserved for when she was at her most devilish. Eavan received a grudgingly respectful nod. The two had come to some sort of unspoken agreement that they would be civil to one another, even if they didn't agree. It was an arrangement that worked best for everyone involved. That didn't mean Ophelia would hold her tongue, but for now the other girl hadn't done anything to inspire her temper. Then again, it was a Hatching, for Faranth's sake. For all of her disregard for the Weyr and its customs, that disregard did not extend to its occupants the dragons, whom Ophelia still held in high regard.

Before she had a chance to acknowledge the other Candidates, the first egg abruptly split and sent shards of shell fluttering in all directions. With a blink the tall, willowy young woman glanced back at the eggs, her brows creased unnecessarily. The Motion of the Ocean egg had hatched, leaving a small, chubby golden dragon on the Sands. A gold? Although Ophelia didn't show it she was actually surprised by that egg and its occupant. She certainly hadn't anticipated that. For a second the young woman didn't know how to feel as she watched the small queen waddle around. She seemed stately enough, bu she was so....small. Her nose crinkled with a hint of disdain, but as she saw the small gold move around, or more specifically as she saw the effect she had on the audience, Ophelia felt pity for the small queen. How would others react around her? Would they look down on her for being so small? In the back of her mind, as she watched the little creature, Ophelia hoped she would Impress upon a good girl who would look after her.

[Rust]

Kogran rocked back and forth on his feet as he watched the eggs and listened to the conversation on the sands among the other candidates. The Motion of the Ocean was obviously going to hatch first, and Kogran was feeling more nervous than he had ever remembered feeling before. He was very sure he was going to be left standing, but he was fine with that. He had the best seat to watch his first hatching in!

He wasn’t very surprised when the Motion of the Ocean hatched a gold. He didn’t expect it, but he also didn’t expect to have a gold firelizard either! He couldn’t pretend to know anything about dragons besides what he had been told, and even that stuff he wasn’t sure if he understood. Still, Kogran smiled at the “little” (she seemed so big after seeing his tiny Ari so much!) hatchling and turned to whoever was standing near him.

“She is so cute! I can’t wait to see who gets her! I think it might be the quiet girl!”

[azure]

"I hope she gets someone who will fight for her" Prinner answered quietly. "She needs someone who can bite off the head of anyone who thinks she is anything less for being small. I hope she chooses Ophelia."

Ophelia was the toughest, most able to deal with anything of the girls, as far as Prinner could tell. Eavan was a conventional Weyr girl. This dragon needed someone unconventional. He knew she would find the right person. He remembered touching her egg clearly. Prinner had hoped she would be a blue or green and would chose him, but there were more eggs. He would be patient, though not as patient as the Queen hatchling.

---------

Julim hadn't know Queen's could hatch from eggs that small. They were supposed to be from the biggest eggs. He had to grin at how she was going to clean herself off and probably think about the situation. That was certainly a Queenly attitude.

He looked at the other eggs, hoping the next egg would be one he had a chance at impressing. Which was rocking the most?

------

Lyrith went up on her haunches and let out a happy bugle. A healthy hatchling! A lovely little hatchling Queen. She was so happy! Settling back a bit she continued her humming. time to hatch now pretty eggs! Time to hatch.

[Sher]

While the Tidal Gold hatchling labored to make herself tidier, the Dancing Square Egg moved in odd hops, scooting randomly across the hot sand. When it caught up roughly against the smaller (and deathly-still) Fuddy Dud egg, it bounced back and fell onto its long side, splitting along the freshly-made web of cracks. The Cloudburst Brown stood up, with half the shell comically clinging to his posterior, and cupping his wings inside. He squawked indignantly and turned to glare at what was left of his prison, and promptly loss his balance and fell over. It wasn’t easy to tell beneath the gunk coating his hide, but his coloring seemed to be mottled in an uncommon pattern.

The Tidal Gold sent a light rumble of commentary his way, before turning back to her own affairs. For a moment the brown hatchling lay there looking at his predicament. Then he simply shrugged his wing-shoulders and wriggled out and away from the shell. A happy chirp punctuated this triumph; then the Cloudburst Brown hatchling rolled onto his belly and stretched. What a large fellow he was! His body structure was massive, in fact, though lacking the development of musculature that would one day send him aloft. Comparing him to his tiny sister, he was both taller and broader, but about the same length.

The big brown seemed more interested in the candidates than the Tidal Gold was, for he moved purposefully straight toward the group of humans, though his stride was a bit uneven.

The Cloudburst Brown wobbled right up to Kogran as though greeting an old friend. Was it Impression? No; the hatchling boldly grabbed the hem of the candidate’s robe in his teeth and tugged him insistently toward the eggs, in the middle of the sands, depositing him right next to the unmoving Fuddy Dud. The mottled brown then proceeded to pace around the young herdwatcher, squawking and half-raising his still wet wings.

[ambigious]

As the hatching continue in rapid succession -- there had always been so much anticipation for such a short event -- Eyrlaina relaxed in her seat and watched. Or at least, outwardly the woman in her prime looked relaxed; inwardly, she was repetitively counting the eggs and gazing constantly around the stands. As fun as Hatching events were, they were also nerve wracking. At any moment, one of the candidates could be mauled, and then outraged family members in the stands could- Eyrlaina cut that thought off briskly and drew in a deep breath, trying to still her frantically beating heart. Calm down, Laina,[/i] Coreanth informed her rider a tad impatiently, the tip of her long tail twitching irritably. Everything will be fine. With both Rusith and I here, no one would dare harm one of the Hatchlings.[/i] Oh, Faranth forbid! You know I just worry, Eyrlaina responded quickly, to which Coreanth snorted. Yes, I know.[/i]

"Mommy! Mommy, look!" Eyalen shouted, tugging on his mother's sleeve once again as he pointed eagerly to the Dancing Square egg. Patiently, Eyrlaina pried his fingers lose and held his hand, gazing obediently at the eggs. "Isn't he a proud little brown," she answered, as Eyalen wriggled excitedly in his seat. "And large." A frown creased the Jr. Weyrwoman's brow as she bit down on her lower lip. First a small gold, now a large brown? This was definitely an interesting clutch. At that moment, as if to prove her right, the brown wandered over to one of the Candidates and, just when Eyrlaina was about to clap for Impression, she went as white as a sheet as the dragonets muzzle clamped shut over the boy's robes. Coreanth- Eyrlaina reached out blindly even as she rose to her feet and hurried towards the stairs, prepared to enter the Sands. "Mom?" "Wait there," Eyrlaina commanded as she half-ran, her eyes glued to the boy. Wait,[/i] Corenath said, even as she reared up with a warning bugle. Give it a second.[/i] Cori- The Jr. Weyrwoman felt like she was having a heard attack; her heart was beating erratically in her ribs, and her throat was slowly closing in on itself so she was gasping for breath.

The boy isn't hurt. The brown simply wanted him by another egg. Now, calm yourself before you send yourself into a nervous fit.[/i] Normally she was calm and understanding, but in that moment Coreanth's terse words restored Eyrlaina's wits. She stopped her hurried stride and instead leaned against the railing, one hand held up to her chest. Of course she'd privately made sure that healers were on standby in case something happened, but that didn't console her much. As she tried to calm her breathing, Eyrlaina watched Kogran, her eyes practically glued to the poor boy.