Post by Cathaline on Sept 23, 2012 18:36:25 GMT -5
The summer was dwindling, the days growing shorter by increments. It had been some time since the wher hatching, and the hot sands had long since been raked over, all traces of shell removed. They waited patiently for the next clutch, mostly empty.
Except for today.
Jazz, wearing thick boots, swept into the vast cavern with her little gang of Candidates following like ducklings. At least, that was how she chose to view them. "Gather 'round," she called, marching right to the center of the sands. "This is your lesson on hatching etiquette; it's also your chance to fully explore this cavern without an angry dam on the sands ready to bite your head off. It's possible, depending on when the next hatching ends up being, that you'll have to go through all this again if we get several new candidates. Most of you have done this before. I'd appreciate your attention for a moment anyway.
"Recently, two of our oranges Rose. They're both showing signs of clutching quite soon, so it'll be only a few sevendays more after that until we have a hatching. It's my hope that none of you will be casualties, and that's why we're here. I think it's generally a good idea to get used to the sands before you end up on them during a hatching. It's hot, it's large, and many of you aren't used to walking around with sand slipping under your feet.
"But you shouldn't be walking around much anyway. The first rule of hatchings is respect. Respect for the dams, respect for their children, respect for each other. As soon as the call goes out, you return to the barracks, put on your white robe and sandals, and head for the sands. Usually, you'll use the back entrance because it's closer to the barracks and you won't be fighting a crowd of spectators, but there's no shame entering from the front either. I don't care what you were in the middle of, make sure you get here on time. Maybe you'll get lucky and no one will care if you're late, but I've heard tell that queen Callistath nearly killed a girl for tardiness once, and I saw similar things happen at my home Weyr too. It's best to err on the side of caution.
"Once you arrive, you will bow to the dam or dams and thank them for allowing you to stand for their clutches - because they are allowing you, just as we are. Maybe some of you feel that it's your right to stand, but let me make it clear now - it's not. You are my personal first priority, but everyone else in this Weyr is going to put the dragons and the future of Dalibor first. If you're caught breaking the rules too close to a hatching, we might not 'just' give you extra chores for punishment; we might simply bar you from the sands for a time, or even expel you from Candidacy altogether. We can also choose to do so if you seem too troublesome. We want the dragonets to have the best possible choice, but that doesn't mean quantity - it means quality.
"And so, you thank the dams, you wear the white robe, and you do your sharding best to respect those dragonets. If you're angry at their actions or upset by them, you try to hold it in. Do your best to stand still. Do your best to keep quiet. If you are mauled, get back on your feet if you can. If you can't but you still feel capable of waiting in the hopes of Impressing, get someone else to hold you up. If you're dying, and I cannot stress this enough, flag down the Healers and get off the sands. We don't want anyone to die. We don't want anyone to lose a limb. Your health is more important than your pride, and frankly, if a dragonet wants to find you even after evacuation, they probably will.
"Typically, boys stand over here, girls stand over here." She indicated the likely areas. "It's tradition; some dams will be more insistent about it than others. If you are uncomfortable in your assigned place for whatever reason, you are welcome to move, but be prepared to accept the potential consequences.
"Dalibor doesn't usually host egg touchings. It depends, again, on the dam. Some of our tans might be willing to allow it; most of our queens and subqueens do not. On occasion the dams will even bar Candidates from looking at the eggs from the stands prior to the hatching. This won't affect your chances of Impression, I promise, so do not try to sneak onto the sands while a clutch is incubating. Do not do this because you believe it is your right. Do not do this because you think a dragonet is 'calling' to you. Do not do this because of a bet. Do not ever do this. If you are caught on the sands without permission, you will be barred from the clutch. If you're caught by the dam, you might be killed. Unless we give you further notice, you may enter the stands at any time to look at the eggs, but be quiet and don't irritate the dam. If at any time her rider asks you to leave, you leave immediately and without question."
Jazz grinned at them and ran her fingers through her hair. "Now that I've got you good and scared - relax. Severe maulings are much more rare than I've made it sound. If you conduct yourselves as befits future dragonriders, you will probably be fine. If you Impress, scuttle off the sands quickly to the feeding area over there - your little one will be very hungry. If you don't, thank the dam for her time, and head back to the barracks to change and have a good cry if you need to. Candidates left standing are not required to attend the hatching feast that night, though you're welcome if you want to.
"All that being said - I'm here to take questions if you've got 'em, and if you don't, stick around as long as you'd like. Get used to how it feels to walk on the sand. Get used to how hot it is. Practice your bows. Do whatever you have to do to get comfortable with this cavern, because it might be the most important place you'll ever stand. You're a wonderful group of Candidates and I believe in every single one of you."
Except for today.
Jazz, wearing thick boots, swept into the vast cavern with her little gang of Candidates following like ducklings. At least, that was how she chose to view them. "Gather 'round," she called, marching right to the center of the sands. "This is your lesson on hatching etiquette; it's also your chance to fully explore this cavern without an angry dam on the sands ready to bite your head off. It's possible, depending on when the next hatching ends up being, that you'll have to go through all this again if we get several new candidates. Most of you have done this before. I'd appreciate your attention for a moment anyway.
"Recently, two of our oranges Rose. They're both showing signs of clutching quite soon, so it'll be only a few sevendays more after that until we have a hatching. It's my hope that none of you will be casualties, and that's why we're here. I think it's generally a good idea to get used to the sands before you end up on them during a hatching. It's hot, it's large, and many of you aren't used to walking around with sand slipping under your feet.
"But you shouldn't be walking around much anyway. The first rule of hatchings is respect. Respect for the dams, respect for their children, respect for each other. As soon as the call goes out, you return to the barracks, put on your white robe and sandals, and head for the sands. Usually, you'll use the back entrance because it's closer to the barracks and you won't be fighting a crowd of spectators, but there's no shame entering from the front either. I don't care what you were in the middle of, make sure you get here on time. Maybe you'll get lucky and no one will care if you're late, but I've heard tell that queen Callistath nearly killed a girl for tardiness once, and I saw similar things happen at my home Weyr too. It's best to err on the side of caution.
"Once you arrive, you will bow to the dam or dams and thank them for allowing you to stand for their clutches - because they are allowing you, just as we are. Maybe some of you feel that it's your right to stand, but let me make it clear now - it's not. You are my personal first priority, but everyone else in this Weyr is going to put the dragons and the future of Dalibor first. If you're caught breaking the rules too close to a hatching, we might not 'just' give you extra chores for punishment; we might simply bar you from the sands for a time, or even expel you from Candidacy altogether. We can also choose to do so if you seem too troublesome. We want the dragonets to have the best possible choice, but that doesn't mean quantity - it means quality.
"And so, you thank the dams, you wear the white robe, and you do your sharding best to respect those dragonets. If you're angry at their actions or upset by them, you try to hold it in. Do your best to stand still. Do your best to keep quiet. If you are mauled, get back on your feet if you can. If you can't but you still feel capable of waiting in the hopes of Impressing, get someone else to hold you up. If you're dying, and I cannot stress this enough, flag down the Healers and get off the sands. We don't want anyone to die. We don't want anyone to lose a limb. Your health is more important than your pride, and frankly, if a dragonet wants to find you even after evacuation, they probably will.
"Typically, boys stand over here, girls stand over here." She indicated the likely areas. "It's tradition; some dams will be more insistent about it than others. If you are uncomfortable in your assigned place for whatever reason, you are welcome to move, but be prepared to accept the potential consequences.
"Dalibor doesn't usually host egg touchings. It depends, again, on the dam. Some of our tans might be willing to allow it; most of our queens and subqueens do not. On occasion the dams will even bar Candidates from looking at the eggs from the stands prior to the hatching. This won't affect your chances of Impression, I promise, so do not try to sneak onto the sands while a clutch is incubating. Do not do this because you believe it is your right. Do not do this because you think a dragonet is 'calling' to you. Do not do this because of a bet. Do not ever do this. If you are caught on the sands without permission, you will be barred from the clutch. If you're caught by the dam, you might be killed. Unless we give you further notice, you may enter the stands at any time to look at the eggs, but be quiet and don't irritate the dam. If at any time her rider asks you to leave, you leave immediately and without question."
Jazz grinned at them and ran her fingers through her hair. "Now that I've got you good and scared - relax. Severe maulings are much more rare than I've made it sound. If you conduct yourselves as befits future dragonriders, you will probably be fine. If you Impress, scuttle off the sands quickly to the feeding area over there - your little one will be very hungry. If you don't, thank the dam for her time, and head back to the barracks to change and have a good cry if you need to. Candidates left standing are not required to attend the hatching feast that night, though you're welcome if you want to.
"All that being said - I'm here to take questions if you've got 'em, and if you don't, stick around as long as you'd like. Get used to how it feels to walk on the sand. Get used to how hot it is. Practice your bows. Do whatever you have to do to get comfortable with this cavern, because it might be the most important place you'll ever stand. You're a wonderful group of Candidates and I believe in every single one of you."
