Mosaic Tiles {Kalith's First Hatching}

[fidelli]

It's a new world
It's a new start
It's alive with the
beating of young
hearts
It's a new day
It's a new plan
I've been waiting for you
Here I am

;;It was the blood of young, the very excitement in the air that turned the ordinary day into one of extraordinaire. Even as the fellis worked it's magic on his system and let him drowse back onto the leg of his Purple, F'del couldn't keep his eyes from the rocking eggs below. Altith's childlike excitment was catching, and the Purple's happy chant of, Lookit the babies, come on babes!; was fully stuck in his head. They watched, one by one, F'del firmly telling A'mor - "It'll be the large brown one that will hatch first," while A'mor argued his case. "Look, the middle row. The brown-gray one. It has the cracks on it!" They were saved more arguments by the noise of an egg splitting, each rider looking back and forth wildly to find which had been right. It was F'del who murmured a triumphant, "Hah!" while A'mor settled back and grumbled good naturedly, quickly pointing out that the Green was not far behind.

;;Altith, humming and eagerly watching them, gave a running commentary to His. Look at the Green, such a loud one she is, but so much energy! She will be a sweet girl, and look, she Bonds! F'del, watching all of this, agreed with the Purple, although he kept looking back to the aloof Iron picking his way through the sands. The Green is Gneith, MineOwn - and the little Iron - he is small, but very well colored - he turns to the males! F'del, keeping a drowsy watch as the heat settled into his skin, laughed gently and murmured, "Look! The candidate - he has nerve showing up late and facing the Queen." Altith meanwhile, shifting his bulk against the rough stone slightly, hoped that Kalith wasn't too mad. Will he still be able to Impress, do you think Mine? His words were anxious, and he almost continued...

;;Altith, would you and yours please assist the new weyrlings with feeding and settling my children. F'del, who had turned to look at the Purple, his words of reassurance dying on his lips - it wasn't like Altith to drift away, staring intently at the Queen - was startled as the Purple bound to his feet. Of course, Kalith - it is an honor. We would love to! The man looked thoroughly confused as Altith nudged him to his feet, and A'mor looked up as well. Broadcasting for the three of them to hear, he told F'del, The Queen asks us to watch the hatchlings, make sure they feed properly and get them to the Weyrling Barracks! In a split second he was up, still holding onto the squirmy Ribbon and displacing a very annoyed Lady. "Yikes - they didn't plan this ahead of time?" But he was already astride the Purple who was gliding down to the sands - well, well away from Kalith, and over to the table where drudges had set up bowls of meet and the Green was already arriving at.

;;A'mor, waving goodbye to the pair with an odd, slightly nostalgic smile on his lips, leaned backwards into the welcome paws of the Gray. She nudged him, still humming, and drew his attention down to where Kyril stood. Look, MineOwn. She does us proud. A'mor followed his dragon's train of thought, down to the girl who was Standing, and nodded. "That she does, dearheart. That she does." The Gray rumbled, watching her with an intensity that betrayed her worry. "She'll be fine, love." But Noyth was not to be swayed - she watched the girl with an oddly protective stance to her, mantling her wings just slightly and sending down a wave of reassurance that was her silent way of encouragement - her own particular mindvoice clear even in that subtle push.

;;Altith, crouching down and letting His slid down, peered at the Green who had come over with Her's, and F'del quickly intercepted the girl before they could move right past them, his soft voice gentle and patient, although left no breach for argument. "Weyring? You'll need to feed that Green - right here. Take a bowl and feed her chunks - not too big, and not too fast, or she'll choke." The large purple had been alternating between watching the hatching and the hatchling, and now spoke to her. Hello Gneith! I am Altith - please do not eat fast or you will choke. That done, he let F'del supervise and began to keep up his commentary again. There is an egg, she has two legs emerged and tries to get the third one out... There! She broke the top - she is a laughy little thing, a Pink. Now another one hatches - he is slow to move... Time passing by and Altith kept an anxious eye on all of the dragonet's running around, as worried as a mother. A Blue, Mine! He is a lazy one - he lays in the sand now that he hatches, although he might be very tired... He is walking towards the Candidates... MINE!

;;F'del, who was letting Altith be his eyes as he leaned against the table cross armed and watched the girl and her Green, jerked his head up, thinking something was wrong. What? What's wrong? The Purple only shook his head, his hide nearly quivering from excitement. The Iron! He Impresses! A boy! The little Iron is Detritath. And having made his very exciting news, he was back to watching the little Pink and Blue, while F'del alternated between the Green Weyrling pair and making sure that the Iron pair would be heading this way. No need to make Altith call them over - the smart ones would get the choicest bits that way and it would be an easy judge of their temperament to see how they got Their's over here.

Here we are
We've just begun
And after all this time
Our time has come
Yeah here we are
Still goin' strong
Right here in the place
where we belong

[Admin]

Happiness is just outside my window,
Would it crash blowing 80-miles an hour?
Or is happiness a little more like knocking,
On your door, and you just let it in?

Kimber was averted from his reverence of the eggs again as someone arrived late, one of the candidates. His eyes flickered between the other boy and the growling clutchmother. Wouldn't it have possibly been smarter to not come at all if you were late? Wouldn't it be better not to . . . But the Weyrwoman had calmed the Queen and the boy had already joined the other, though he was making a scene trying to not be close to one of the people he'd ended up by, Luven. I should Impress before that one every does, he thought to himself before mentally winced at its boldness.

More of the eggs were hatching though. One had a pink leg protruding from it, and then a second and they were waving about in the air. He openly stared. Questions always seemed to be filtering through his mind. What was it doing? Was it alright? Wait, it was a she, wasn't she, because she was a pink, right? Finally, the egg that the dragonet was in broke, and he could hear . . . the sound he'd found out to be how a dragon laughed. He watched with mixed awe and amusement as the little pink, the smallest of the clutch so far, rolled herself onto the sands. So adorable, how she was her way . . . and then got stuck. He firmly kept his mouth closed and refused to laugh at such a nobly silly creature, even if she seemed to be finding amusement in this entire thing. It was cheering to have this jovial addition to the dragonets. She was like the green and had something endearing to her. It chased irritation at late candidates and worry about your own thoughts right away.

A lazy blue followed the energetic pink. For a moment, he was worried that the poor creature might just be sick and could possibly not make it. He watched anxiously, craning his neck, to try and make sure that the dragonet was alright. Once it got moving, after a little while, it seemed fine. He, he, he! In his mind, the candidate kept calling the dragonets as if they were genderless. They had genders and it was easy to tell by what they looked like! The lack of motivation that the blue had didn't endear the creature to him. Despite trying to be utterly not judgmental and keep an open, but not overconfident, mind, he couldn't help but not want to Impress the lethargic creature. He supposed if it was the right match it would happen and he would wonder why he could have every thought that it wasn't right. He simply couldn't see it happening.

The antics of the two dragonets were nice, or slightly bothering, but the King caught his attention as he stepped forward. Kimber watched the fine creature, still unnerved by the way that the iron looked like he would be peering inside of him and everyone else with each look about him. His eyes followed the noble dragonets movements as he set off again, with firm purpose about him. Even as he drew closer and closer to him, he hardly realized until he was right up in front of him. He set himself up to congratulate another boy with genuine happiness for him, thoughts never connecting that perhaps he was going to be picked as he tried so hard to be humbler humble. But then he was staring into the eyes of a wistful, strong King and he didn't feel so humble anymore. All he felt was utter completeness and suddenly he understood the world better.

There was happiness. He'd found his other half, his lifemate! He'd Impressed! Everything came in a flood though and that singular emotion was only so strong. There was the knowledge of loneliness and distance. The idea that everyone was different and there was no one else, no one but his dragon. There was aloofness, a sense that you were just passing through the world and every so often you had to make a choice. They weren't his opinions. They were those of someone else, yet he felt and thought them too with all his heart. And then there was hunger, a gnawing feeling in his middle that wasn't his either but came up to prick sharply at his mind. The happiness won out as he settled in to this new feeling, the shock becoming just joy and excited at the change of things, at his luck, at his circumstances, of Impression!

K'berMine, feed your Detritath; his dragon told him. Yes, his dragon, only his, through all of time and space itself. The new weyrling didn't even blink at his new name. He was K'ber now; that was who he was. He accepted it and embraced it with open arms. And he was more than happy to follow the firm order of Detritath. "Rightie oh Detritath;" he replied, turning to start to lead the the way over in the direction where Lynx had led her green of to and was being helped by an older purplerider. Letting it go and feeling no need to comment about, the iron simply looked a bit severe at the abundance of enthusiasm in his new rider. He liked his lifemate very much, liked how he felt but tried to do what was right. He need K'ber and could not judge him. The use of 'rightie oh' simply bothered him slightly.

Nodding to the purplerider curtly to acknowledge him, the young weyrling filled a bowl with good bits of meat. He knew how to do it. He had experience with animals, specifically ones that liked to swallow their food whole rather like a starved dragonet. After he set it down near Lynx and Gneith, Detritath curtly acknowledged the other pair and set about eating his way through the collection of meat parts. "Er, hey;" K'ber greeted the newest greenrider, the first weyrling, of the Weyr nervously, but at least he managed to gather up the confidence from his Impression to do it. "That's Detritath. What's her name?" He indicated the fine green, so small compared to his own dragon, with a nod of his head. Standing in a sort of relaxed attentive pose to keep an eye on the gobbling iron, he stood tall with his hands tucked behind his back.

Happiness feels a lot like sorrow,
Let it be, you can't make it come or go,
But you are gone - not for good but for now,
Gone for now feels a lot like gone for good.

[123notit]

The Candidates all gathered on the Sands and the riders all met on the ledges to watch. U'ar, too, was up there, Mu at his side. The two watched happily, enjoying the scene of the nervous, yet excited, Candidates. And then, the first egg hatched! An Iron!

"Good luck!" Mu cooed, causing a chirp from Mi, who was still sitting on her head. U'ar nodded. The iron was aloof, but kingly in all regards; his rider was a future Weyrleader to be sure. Then a green came out, roaring. Such life these young dragonets had!

Sensing his lifemate's thoughts, Odyth rumbled, almost playfully, ~Mine, are you saying I'm not full of life? Am I too old for you?~

'Don't you start that!' U'ar teased, 'You know I'd pick you over these young things without thought. You are the only dragon for me.' The two shared a warm moment silently, it being broken by the green's Impression. Mu and U'ar clapped for the girl, hopping she didn't mind the loud noises. And there were more. A pink, playful as anything, was next, then a blue, a lazy blue. And then the Iron Impressed! What a good day! U'ar and Mu both joined in the applause for the boy, Kimber, now K'ber.

An Iron, yes. It was perfect for Tazar. None of the other dragonets mattered to him. He kept his eyes locked on that beautiful creature. He would Impress it and be Weyrleader. He had to in order to Impress his family. He barely noticed the Green Impression or the pink Hatching or the blue slothing out of his shell. No, it was all about the Iron.

As the King dragonet came foward, Tazar straightened. Surely the iron would see his equal regality and choose him. Yes, the Iron was coming in his direction. A smooth smile crossed Tazar's face. He was going to be a kingrider. The Iron was right in between him and the other boy, Kimber or whatever. And the Iron chose Kimber. Tazar stood dumbfounded for a minute. What? How could that be?

Anger swept through him for a moment as he likened the boy to Zarem, but he soon calmed down. That Iron wouldn't fit him. He needed a dragon that would match him both in his regality and in his social prowess. That dragon was too aloof and high and mighty. He wasn't like that at all. Yes, there would be another King and he would Impress it!

The first dragonet was an Iron! How exciting. Meta grinned, knowing the superstition and believing it. It was too aloof though, and the Green that was second to hatch Impressed before him. Meta clapped and felt very excited for the girl, though she hadn't talked to her much before. The first Impression had to be exciting for her. And to such a lovely creature! Next, a pink and blue popped out. Their personalities were as opposite as their colors and the meanings behind them. As they made their way to the Candidates, the Iron Impressed. That, too had to exciting. Meta found herself wishing dearly to Impress. To anything. To have a bond that would last for as long as you lived....amazing.

[Birdy]

Chelo watched as the Iron impressed to...Kimber. She was slightly happy, but only that the dragonet would make it off the sands. Whatever, she thought, turning her attention back to the new pair of dragonets on the scene. A blue and a pink. Both possible matches for a female candidate right?

It would be alright, she thought to Impress a blue like her father, but she wasn't set on it. Somehow a male voice in her head seemed strange, though she was sure if it happened she would get used to it. Chelo stopped herself, she was rambling again, and was quite sure that dragonets did not like a clouded mind. But who was she kidding? She'd never Impressed or Stood a hatching before... Before she could start to ramble again, she cleared her mind, focusing on the rocking eggs, and most importantly the Queen egg.

[Admin]

I close my eyes when I go to bed,
And I dream of angels that make me smile,
I feel better when I hear them say,
Rverything will be wonderful some day.

Kalith was a lordly, or perhaps more aggressively ladyly, presence over the hatching. When her children were doing well, she was happy. When someone was misbehaving, she was displeased and upset. And Fajra had to deal with it all. Face set, eyes watchful, she stood firm, growing pleased herself when her dragon was pleased at the Impression of the iron to one of the boys. She was tired. She was sore. She did not want to deal with errant candidates, nor did she want to call upon O'sho to cause a scene by removing the offender. Later, though, she was going to be speaking to Kanamar and . . . She counted the candidates. Not enough. . . . others. With a firm air of disapproval, she remained where she was, keeping a light contact with Kalith to assure that she was calm. Deep breath in, deep breath out, she was feeling a bit short tempered herself.

The cobalt blue kept his nice ambling pace for a very short while and then was practically dragging himself to get out in front of all the eggs. Stopping a tail's length in front of them, he looked lazily about and sort of wavered on his feet. Then, with a sigh, his slid his legs out from under himself and flopped in the sand. He knew that there was food and someone for him out there, amongst the candidates, but why did they have to be so far away? For the time being, his slight hunger was not enough to motivate him to move any farther. He had to rest, and then he would see about actually getting over to that wall of people. Despite his unnervingly relaxed state, he seemed quite happy to simply lie there; he was not in any danger. His eyes, open and clear, swirled a placid green-red, displaying that he was happy but just a little forlorn and hungry.

Success! The little creamy pink had gotten around the silly egg that had been in her way and pranced out onto the open sand. It was then that she noticed that there was something following her. She paused; it stopped. She took another step; it followed after her again! Craning her head to look back at it, she wiggled her rump and then twitched her tail, chirping with interest that she could move the thing following her - WITH HER MIND! With more of her happy rumbling, her favorite and best noise, better than any of the noises her green sister had made to her, she lunged around and snapped playfully at her tail. She missed and paused; this game was more difficult than than the leg game. Oh well! Jovial and lively, she scrambled about in a circle on the sand, candidates and everyone else forgotten, as she chased her tail and kept trying to grab it.

CRACK! Another egg had hatched, the greenish one in the middle row. Rather like her sister of the same color, the pink bounced out of her egg. However, she was immediately alert and looking about, taking in everything quickly. She had a very vibrant feel to her, and it wasn't even from her hide. Of course, she wasn't as creamy as the other pink that was still about the sands. Her hide was . . . pink. It wasn't some horrendous shade of fuchsia nor was it close to the slightly orange-like cream shade her sister was. She was the sort of shade you would associate with a flower. Not a rose, but more a carnation, a softly colored, pure carnation, just brighter than your typical pink rose but softer than one would think of as just pink. She was delicately and elegantly built, somewhat awkward looking being average sized with a very long neck and tail though.

Bouncing forward, she was not impended by the oval objects in front of her nor did she get distracted by the thing she happened to know was an egg. She did find her sister's actions amusing, but held only mild interest for them. She had to find food and someone to give her food. Her head and her got and all of her fine senses told her that she needed to. So odd she went, constantly looking about and making sure that she knew everything that was going on. She was tense and on edge, despite seeming to exude a rather large quantity of cheerful energy with the way she moved. Hot sands, cool breeze from that opening, light from that opening that filled the cavern except for the cracks and crevices, darkness in those places. She was constantly noticing and processing things, constantly alert; she had to know exactly what was around her.

There were two different groups in front of her. As she realized this, she focused less on the cavern as a whole and more on just these people in front of her. Her person was amongst them; she could sense her lifemate. Memorizing the features of each of the candidates, comparing their heights, gathering up their scents, she slowly zeroed in one point. The girls were very nice, as a whole, though some of them smelled a bit funny or were a bit odd looking, but she wanted one of the boys. She liked them better, simply because her careful observations led her towards them. Too short, too skinny, too dirty, a bit too tall, too short again, way too short, she didn't like that ones face. One by one, something made her move on, change her path slightly until she finally found the perfect one. Everything about him was just right for her super alert senses.

Bouncing right up to him, because that was how she moved, she stretched her neck up and tried to touch her nose to his. However, he was to tall and she was to short. She sniffed at him carefully inside and then blew a big gust of breath on him. You are big enough and smell right for your Coath, I'narMine; she told the tall, stocky boy, voice vibrant and full of life. She was a bit finicky, because she saw everything and liked it that way, but had plenty energy and something else to her. Behind her, around two-third of the egg had shown signs of life. Not all of them were continuously moving, but the number that hadn't moved at all was growing fewer. The Queen egg, the large gray-brown one two down from her, and the creamy beige one at the end of the row were among those. The orange-gray egg in front row gave a jiggle.



Promises mean everything,
When you're little and the world so big,
I just don't understand,
How you can smile with all those tears in your eyes.

[Nia]

The other eggs were also beginning to break open, giving Riori something else to look at other than the Iron that was slowly making his way forward. An interesting one was cracking out of her shell, though only her... feet had appeared. Riori could tell it was a she, as she was Pink. Pinks were females. Females went to females... er, yeah. Wait, hadn't that R'ish guy Impressed a Pink? Well he was... right, he was... you know. Riori didn't really want to think about that right now, and Faranth, he didn't really want to think about it ever. But right now was not the time to even vaguely remember things like that, right now he had the eggs to think about. And that was all that mattered, right?

Phareon dug his claws deeper into the boy's black hair, wiggling up a little more so he could get a better look at the eggs himself. He sent Riori a bunch of pictures of eggs with legs, causing the boy to snicker under his breath. No, that's not an egg with legs. It'll hatch, see? he thought to the fire-lizard, sending pictures of a Pink dragon. Well this was fun. But it seemed that his new Bronze wasn't exactly the smartest thing around.... Good, they would match!

But now the Pink had fully emerged out of her egg, and she was... hopping. Did dragons hop? Well it was... cute... he guessed.... Were all dragons this energetic? She'd sure be a handful to whoever she Impressed.... but his earlier question was quickly answered as a Blue slumped out of his egg and just laid there. Was he okay?! Riori's first thought was to panic, but then he realized that the Blue was simply being, well, lazy. Huh. It seemed like not all dragons were as energetic as the Pink had been. While he'd been paying attention to the Blue and the Pink, it seemed as thought the Iron had Impressed. That didn't upset Riori too much, as he really didn't think he was the leader type. He wasn't a follower... but he wasn't a leader. That didn't make sense. Oh, whatever, he clapped for the boy's Impression anyway.

Now there were even more eggs moving, though the Queen egg hadn't moved an inch. Typical, really. Those Queens always seemed to want to Impress last or hatch last or something last. It was strange to him. Wouldn't they want to, you know, Impress first? That was odd. But who was he to question the Queen dragons? They didn't even Impress to boys. ... uh, anyway, more dragons had also hatched. The energetic Pink had made her way around one of the eggs that had blocked her way, and the Blue was inching forward as well. He took a moment to notice the Blue's rather vibrant color, though it was a darker shade than his eyes.

Another Pink had also hatched, and she seemed a lot calmer than her sister... who was playing with her... tail? She kind of reminded him a Canine. Jeez, she sure was taking her time, though. That Pink seemed more intent on playing than Impressing, but the other Pink was wandering towards the males, sizing them up. Riori watched her curiously as she sized him up before moving on to the next one. Oh well.... He clapped for the boy's Impression, not wanting to seem bitter about it or anything. There were a lot of dragons out there. Three had Impressed, so that meant... twenty dragons were left! The Hatching was only just beginning, he still had a chance.

---------

There really were a lot of eggs. Avalle looked over them all, mentally counting how many were left. Twenty-three was still a big clutch, especially since it'd only been Kalith's first. There weren't even that many Candidates, really. But Avalle wasn't going to try and count those, as little as there were she didn't want her mind to be distracted with numbers. Did dragons like numbers? No, probably not. They seemed to like it when the Candidate's minds were focused on them, not on other things. The Candidates had been told time and time again to try and keep their minds empty and focused rather than distracted and ADD-like. Avalle found it easy to keep her attention on the dragons, though. Plus, Yulari was constantly sending Avalle images of eggs and dragons when her mind happened to wander. Well, at least the firelizard was good for something other than making a bright yellow scarf.

Anyway, more eggs were hatching now, which made Avalle jump to her senses and watch. A... pink was hatching. At least, from what Avalle could tell, it was a Pink. Her hide was certainly pink-ish. But only the dragonet's legs were showing, as she'd only managed to kick her legs out. Well it was... actually really cute. She felt herself smile slightly watching the Pink as the dragonet finally burst out of her egg and hopped around. It was adorable. Really adorable. Not that she even liked adorable things like that! She didn't, they were, um, beneath her. But she sure was cute....

A Blue had also emerged from his egg... and then just sort of collapsed on the Sands. She was sure he was okay, though, as no one else was panicing. Kalith would probably go on a rampage or something if one of her children was sick or injured. Besides, the Blue didn't look injured or anything. He was really pretty, though. His hide was a very nice shade of cobalt-y blue, which seemed to go well with his sister's creamy pink hide. Blue and pink did go well together in general. Still, did Blues Impress to girls? Avalle didn't really think so. It was common for Blues to Impress boys, though there had been a few girls who Impressed them. The Pink could Impress girls, though. But the Pink seemed far more interested in playing around than Impressing. Wasn't she hungry?

Avalle clapped for the Iron's Impression, even though she hadn't really seen it. She sort of recognized the boy, but she didn't know him personally. Still, an Iron was great for the Weyr, they really didn't have too many of them. The Pinks and Blues were good too, though! They were necessary for a strong, fighting Weyr! Avalle nodded despite herself. Another egg was opening up though, revealing yet another Pink. Good, that was good. Healthy dragons, no matter what their colors, were good. Though, it'd come out of a greenish sort of egg. Well, the color on the outside didn't really have anything to do with the color on the inside....

This Pink, unlike her siblings, looked like she was going to Impress right away. And she did, to a boy that Avalle hadn't remembered ever really seeing before. But she clapped anyway, it was the right thing to do. With that, she noticed that most of the other eggs were also starting to shake and crack. Yeah, most. A few eggs hadn't seemed like they'd moved at all, including the Queen. That was normal though. In all the Hatching she'd been to with a Queen egg, the Queen usually hatched last or made some sort of entrance out of the blue to get everyone's attention. Hmph, she didn't need one of those flashy dragons. So she didn't care how the Queen decided to hatch! Avalle certainly wasn't one of those types of people....

[jack]

Things were moving quickly now. A creamy colored Pink as giggly and out-of-it as a pile of playful flits had busted her way out of her egg and Flaet felt a grin tug onto his lips. She was such a bubbly little thing, and it was clear to all how much she seemed to love anything and everything around her.

She'd be a good partner, if a bit haphazard. His grin grew as he pictured the bumbling ball of energy barrelling around full-grown. Fruit stands beware!

--

Durian's opinion on the little Pink was similar, although she was more-or-less reminded of when Reggae was a youngling. The little flit had never been quite as ADD, but she was a giggly thing--and still was! The street rat gave a lop-sided grin and reached up with a hand, absently stroking her tiny friend's muzzle. Reggae gave an approving chirp and rubbed against the girl's fingers, her tiny whirling eyes watching not the Pink, but the Iron.

The girl shifted to follow Reggae's gaze, grinning unabashedly as the Iron sturdily--such a noble fellow and clearly in the know about who's who in the world!--strode seriously and without hesitation towards His. He held himself regally, she noted, tilting her head, with the pride and strength worth of his color. She could easily imagine him in a place of power...oh! Her grin grew.

She didn't know Kimber very well--just from that swim weeks ago--but she could tell right away that the pair would make quite a future together. Kimber held himself in that same way--nobly and strongly, yet kindly too. He...kinda came off shy sometimes--but this little fellow didn't look shy at all! Durian almost couldn't wait to see where they'd go together.

--

Flaet too was watching the Iron, his gaze distracted from the bubbly Pink. He tilted his head as the dragon prowled past him, the little dancer smiling. Honestly, he was rather glad that the Iron wasn't going to him! The fellow seemed a bit too stuck up--and that wouldn't do for a dancer at all! Besides, Flaet wasn't so sure he'd be able to handle the responsibility. Not that he couldn't take care of things when he needed too--it was just stressful, and Flaet didn't go hand in hand with stressful situations.

But the Iron didn't seem to care where or what Flaet's wandering thoughts were speaking of--he had his eyes set on His and nothing would stop him. The fellow impressed a boy the dancer didn't know and he tilted his head further, smiling in silent congratulations. The guy looked pretty reliable, and that's what mattered with a King, wasn't it?

Flaet stopped his rambling thoughts with a sheepish blink, Queen perking her head up at him curiously. She was sleepy and wanted to take a nap, really, but her dancer's heart was racing so happily...she figured she should stay up.....for...a..little while...any......way....

The boy smirked as the flit plopped her head down, peacefully tired images flooding his mind. The little darling was asleep. Well, that was alright. It was a bit much for a hatchling anyways. He turned his gaze away from the Iron, glancing back over the Pink and the sibling that had hatched with her--the Blue. He sure was a lazy thing...and look at that belly! There was no doubt he'd be a stocky little fellow--very strong. But..not all that fast or graceful, he had no doubts about that.

But now a new figure caught his gaze and he shifted, glancing at a second pink! Wow, look at that hide. She surely was a gorgeous creature, and she moved quite beautifully. Flaet's eyes lit up, hear beating ever the more. She was coming this way! But before he could even get his hopes up for the gorgeous darling, she had turned and impressed. He smiled softly, eyes drooping ever so slightly, only to light up again. So it wasn't to be--it wasn't to be! There were plenty left, and maybe he'd have a lifemate of his own by the end of the Hatching.

--

Durian too felt her heart sink as the Pink steered away. Two down, she thought, tilting her head. But there was another pink on the sands, and a lazy Blue as well! The Hatching wasn't done--she'd have a chance yet!

[123notit]

Another Impression, a Pink. Tazar didn't care. He stood on the Sands, feeling impatient. When would his King hatch? Why was it taking so long. Wa she trying to make a grand entrance by making everyone wait? As this thought crossed Tazar's mind, he began to smirk.

Of course. His dragon, his king dragon, was just trying to show the world how grand he was. He would come soon enough and the world would know that he and his rider were grand and wonderful and would rule the Weyr together.

Meta cocked her head at the blue. Was he sleeping? Poor thing. It had to be tiring getting out of the shell. Of course, the pinks seemed to have plenty of energy. But she supposed that was just in their nature. She stepped foward lightly, wondering if the blue needed help, but stopped and shook her head. She had heard of maulings at Hatchings. The dragonet seemed fine and happy, so it'd probably be best to let it be.

[Kila]

Sol lay sprawled in her bed in a state of utter unconsciousness. Beside her, or rather under her, was Pratyba. Both girls were fast asleep, though it was the middle of the day. Why? Not surprisingly, they had been up to mischief late, late the night before. Neither the hour nor the humming that filled the air were enough to wake them. It wasn’t until people began to stampede down the halls and things worked to a frenzy that Sol began to stir.

Why is everything so loud? she wondered groggily. And why is my head buzzing? I didn’t drink anything last night… It only took as long as the sleep to clear from her head that things clicked into place. Like so many of her other, more punctual, fellow candidates, she realized with a start was what going on. “THE HATCHING!” she cried, throwing herself up and tumbling out of the bed. She didn’t know the majority of the things that went on in the Weyr yet, but she did know what that humming meant. How could she not?

”Pratyba, Pratyba get up!” she cried, panicked. How long had they been sleeping for? Were they missing it right now? What if there was dragonet who wanted her and it had already hatched?! ”Get up! Get up!” Sol shouted again, this time shaking Pratyba with all her might before running to where her assigned robe was hanging. She stripped off her clothes without a second thought, throwing them hither and nither, and pulled the white garmet over her head. Her hair, she knew, would look no worse than usual, because her tenacious curls refused to be flattened even when she slept or lay on them. This was all superfluous information, however, because the overly excited and agitated girl didn’t care in the least what she looked like. What mattered was that she got to where she needed to be!

Pulling on her sandals as she went, Sol booked it through the barracks and across the Weyrbowl. The state of affairs out in the ‘bowl were as tumultuous as Sol’s thoughts. Everywhere dragons were landing and letting off spectators who then ran towards the entrance from the hatching sands. Weyrfolk eager to attend the event bubbled up from the lower caverns and added to the general stream of people. On any normal day the sight would have delighted Sol, but her only focus was on getting to the Sands and the obstacle that the scene posed was enervating.

Sol looked up as she fought her way into the cavern, her attention inadvertently caught by the huge form of Daidoroth. The noble Bronze remained perched over the entryway, surveying the arrivals and scrutinizing the flow of people that passed below him. Beneath his great whirring eyes Sol felt very small- as if she were being judged by some greater being. Caught up in his gaze, she unconsciously ceased to move forward. Her slow pace was neither conducive nor convenient to the people around her. Most moved around her, more concerned about getting in than the girl that had slowed to a halt. One man, however, didn’t have the time to swerve around her. ”Look sharp, girl,” he commanded sharply, knocking into her shoulder as he pushed by. Startled back into reality, Sol swung her head around to find no one other than the Western Lord Holder pushing by her impatiently. ”Sorry,” she apologized, though he had already gone and obviously did not care. She frowned as she pushed forward again. She had thought the Lord Holder to be a handsome man- pretentious, yes, but not an asshole. She decisively withdrew her admiration.

At last reaching the edge of the Sands, Sol swallowed her heart as it jumped in her throat upon seeing Kalith up close and personal for the first time. Would she be in trouble for being late? Well…. It is what it is. I can’t change the facts now; she told herself bravely as she fought not to tremble. After as deep a respectful and apologetic bow as she could manage to the Queen, Sol stepped on the Sands and joined the semi-circle of the other girls. The Sands burned intensely on the soles of her feet, even through the sandals, and her heart beat to a jittery, nervous tune. Across the way she spotted Okeris and gave him a small, discreet wave, wondering if he was as nervous as she. Probably less- he hadn’t missed the impression of the first dragonets. She noted nervously that some of her fellow candidates were already on the edges of the Sands with their own life mates. But she was here now! Turning to the remaining eggs, she took a deep breath and tried to make herself ready.

[Kila]

Duilios swung himself off of the dragon that had carried him to Dalibor before it had even fully landed on the ground. He left the complaints of the rider behind as he briskly strode off in the direction of the Sands. He had never been to Dalibor nor seen its Sands, but the funnel of all people from every direction into one entrance was an unmistakable giveaway. Sharding Weyrfolk! Couldn’t they send notice as to when the clutch was expected to hatch, before it was expected to hatch? he seethed as he strode self-importantly through the crowd. How much of the Hatching had he missed?

For only being a guest, he was one of the very first to arrive, but it wasn’t good enough for him. Most of the people in his path saw and recognized him, quickly moving out of his way and making small shows of respect, which he ignored in his haste. As he entered the archway, a girl stood still immediately in front of him, blocking his way. She could only be a candidate, for she was dressed in the traditional white robe of one who should be standing on the stands at the present moment. She was late. ”Look sharp, girl,” he said, pushing by her and snapping her out of whatever stupor she had been caught up in. He did not look up to see what had captured her attention, instead moving in and straight towards the stands.

Daidoroth, who had been looking down at Sol, witnessed the whole bump. He growled- an ominous deviation from the living hum of the air. Why would he want such a man near his and Kalith’s eggs and children? Inside, O’sho received a prompt mental image of what had just happened. Keep an eye on this man, Own.

Thus made aware, O’sho was ready to greet Duilios when he reached the stands. ”Greetings, Lord Holder Duilios,” he said cordially as the two met, inclining his head in a shallow bow.
”Ah… you,” Duilios said, nodding his head grudgingly in return. He had not forgotten the events that had passed between them at the Gather, and he appreciated them no more now than he had then. He knew that O’sho was now the Sr. Weyrleader of Dalibor. Though Duilios was not affiliated with any Weyr, he knew almost as much as any weyrfolk as a result of all the pedantic research he had conducted. In addition, he was highly attuned to current events and politics of the Weyr. He had to be to serve his purposes.
”Would you like to take a seat, Lord Holder?” O’sho offered, indicating a seat in the front row. He was far from happy to have Duilios that close to the eggs, but it was more important that he have the man in plain sight where he could readily keep tabs on him. Besides, there was no way, without causing a scene, that the Lord Holder would accept any other place. His rank entitled it to him, after all.
”Why yes, that would seem intelligent. All this chit chatting is making me miss the Hatching. I’m sure you have other people in need of greeting as well, Weyrleader” he replied as though the answer were obvious. With a second curt nod he took his place, front and center. He scanned the sands quickly- no Kings. Shards and shells, a number of the eggs are already hatched; he swore to himself. He grew additionally bitter when he saw an Iron dragonet already impressed to a boy on the edge of the sands. There would surely be another King in this clutch, would there not?

[wirevix]

Alalbar swallowed a little as he stood on the Sands, watching everything. Each dragon that hatched was rather mystifying--and as nervous as he was about what sort of dragon would deign to choose him, if any would at all, he couldn't help but smile a little at each one he saw. The Iron made him feel a little unsettled--its distant gaze and strange, subdued manner didn't seem right when compared with the Greens and Pinks that were flailing about the Sands. He was spooky, almost, and Alalbar was not sad to see him Impress to someone else that he didn't really know.

Then again, he didn't really know any of these other Candidates, did he? He'd said hello to them sometimes. He knew Durian's name, at least, but that was still only because of Shobie's intervention. He didn't really count anyone here as a friend, hardly even acquaintances. It felt sort of lonely.

He knew it was his own fault, for staying so withdrawn, but he still felt sort of sad over it. Well, maybe that could change. Maybe. It all depended on what happened at the end of this Hatching. If he didn't Impress anything, then maybe he could get to better know the other Candidates that would surely be left Standing. Because there would be some, he was certain, and they would have a point of commonality between them then. And if he did Impress, maybe he could get to know the other Weyrlings, his dragon's siblings' riders. It could turn out all right either way.

But he was still nervous. What if a dragon that only usually Impressed to girls, chose him? But it didn't take long for that worry to fade. The only dragons he could think of that would only Impress to girls were the Queens and the Sub-Queens, and those he knew for sure would choose someone far more fitting than he. He really needed to stop being so nervous about it.

-------

Grescan shook his head just slightly at the Green that hatched and started to put up such a fuss. So loud, crazily loud, and he was glad when she found someone to Impress to. Maybe if they fed her she would be a little more quiet. If they were lucky.

The silly Pink made him smile a little, kicking her legs about in the air and chasing her tail like that. So ridiculous, but so fitting--they were babies, after all, and that was the sort of thing babies did. It was cute, if rather ridiculous.

He studied the other eggs, the ones that hadn't hatched yet. He found himself not really worrying or wondering what might be in each of them--if his dragon was there, he would know, and if it wasn't, then he would also know by the end of the Hatching. He kept his hands at his sides and stayed still, focused, and attentive.

------

Edwa was delighted at the show the Green and Pink dragons were putting on. Especially the Pink--zany and energetic! Whoever got her was surely in for a delightful time trying to deal with her playfulness. It made Edwa smile brightly, pleased that there were such pleasant dragons in this clutch, despite how grumpy their mother was.

But still she was nervous. Every egg that hatched made her more nervous. She wished someone could just tell her, right now, whether or not her dragon was there. Whether or not she would be left alone when all was done. It made her want to squirm and fidget, from nerves and excitement building together.

In fact, she was having a terribly hard time standing still--she kept fidgeting around in place, shuffling her feet, wringing her hands, glancing about at all the other Candidates quickly and then staring at the eggs intently again. It was just too intense!

[kyrillion]

Kyril watched as the first to hatch, the iron, approached the line of boys - though he stopped more or less in between two, it was obvious which one he had chosen, and she noted with interest the apparent rivalry there. The one who had been left standing looked positively outraged - no doubt there was some sort of history between the two. Disregarding that observation, for now, she continued to follow the pair as they made their way to the edge of the cavern, meeting up with the green and her partner. She could see that a purple rider was there already - the same purple, in fact, that she'd seen with Noyth earlier - to distribute the meat that, in preparation for the hatching, had been carefully cut into cubes. She knew that, like firelizards, baby dragons were born starving - which certainly accounted for the absolutely outrageous amount of food that took up that corner of the room.

Turning her attention back to the sands, she watched as a pink hatched, followed quickly by a blue. Like the hatchlings before them, these two seemed to cancel each other out - where the blue was stout and a bit slow, the pink was vibrant and quick, dashing about and chasing her tail absurdly around the cavern. That second one would certainly be a handful, and she definitely didn't envy whoever would be chosen as her rider. Neither of the two held her attention for long, however, and she was soon regarding the remaining nineteen eggs, waiting to see which would be the next to hatch...

The next turned out to be yet another pink, although this one was much quicker to choose a partner than her predecessors had been. As applause again rang throughout the cavern, she clapped quietly and smiled her congratulations, before once again relinquishing her attention to the eggs. Five down, eighteen to go.

As she stood there, a sudden feeling of... reassurance swept over her like a wave, accompanied by a familiar sensation, like a slight pressure on her mind. It puzzled her, for a moment, but when she at last placed it she felt an uninhibited grin spread across her face - she'd experienced something like this only once before, and that had been when Noyth had addressed her back at Crescent Hold. So the beautiful gray was keeping an eye on her, after all - that, even more than the comforting emotions radiating from the dragon, reassured her.

Though tempted to glance behind her, pick out Noyth and A'mor from the crowd once more, she found that the eggs still begged her attention. If she wanted to Impress - which she most certainly did - she knew it was best to keep her focus on that task, alone. And there would no doubt be more dragons hatching at any moment - she was eager to see what the next hour or so (or however long a Hatching usually lasted, in any case) would hold.

OOC. I hate this post. >< I keep on editing it, but try as I might I can't seem to make it flow or sound any better. Oh, well.

[Birdy]

Another pink, so now there were two. But, Chelo noted, the one who had hatched first seemed very interested in her tail. It reminded her of a baby realizing that it had hands or feet. Well it is a baby, she reminded herself.

She clapped lightly as the newest pink Impressed. Now only the blue and pink were left, plus other unhatched dragonets. It was worrying her slightly that the Queen egg wasn't moving.

One of the eggs in front caught her eye. It was quite active, she noted. And what a pretty color! She sighed, oh how she hoped she would Impress today...

[Admin]

And in time all things shall pass away,
In time you may come back someday.
To live once more,
Or die once more.

Another late arrival! However, this time, Kalith just hissed once and eyes fixed upon the girl as she bowed and quickly joined the others. She knew that Fajra, or Daidoroth's, would take care of it. In her head, the Weyrwoman added the latest addition to list of people who were going to need to be spoken to later - Kanamar, Sol. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw something more worth making a scene about in her opinion. Lord Holder Duilios at arrived. Under the pretense of still being upset about more candidates arriving late, the copper hissed. Afzal, who had been quiet since his arrival, clung to her and growled as her. She naturally issued strong feelings of calm in response, watching the confident, brash young holder and O'sho, who had come to greet him, carefully. It would seem that they were going to need the Weyrleader after all.

Once again, the blue's hunger fought its way through his natural wish to not do anything at all and motivated for him to get off the nice warm sands. With another very dramatic sigh, he, one by one, set his feet properly on the ground underneath him and gave a big push to get onto his feet. He looked around with soulful, slow moving eyes and then set off at the most sluggish pace that could still be called moving towards the candidates. It was a careful and such a difficult balance, figuring out just how lazy he could be while still eventually getting what he wanted, not that he meant to be a burden onto anyone. He was just so heavy and his legs were just so weak. It took so much effort. It took so much effort to even think about what he should do! All he wanted food and then to sleep. He pressed forward . . . and then a very fast moving pink shape hit him.

Oof! Big brother was so heavy! The creamy colored pink sat there, practically sprawled out on his back. Her attempt to tackle him had failed due to the large size and weight difference between them. Namely, she was a small pink even if she wasn't exactly very slender and he was a big, bulky blue. For a moment, they shared a look; he looked placidly at her and she beamed, showing off her big white teeth, at him. Then he shifted his weight so that his back sloped down and she slipped right off into the sand. Rumbling with laughter for a moment, she pranced about him, flicking her tail about and kicking up her feet. He tolerated her, giving his tail a lazy flick or two in her direction in a small effort to play like she did; he liked his sister, though he couldn't understand his energy, because being irritated was to much work. He was sweet, trying to play.

In the front row, the larger medium sized orange egg with touches of mottled gray had started to rock back and forth. Faster and faster, it gained momentum and energy with each swing that it took. It didn't take long before the entire thing lots its balance and toppled over, causing it to crack and part to fall away. Out of the wreckage slipped a little purple dragonet. He was slender in build and had comically large wings that spread all around him. In color, he was a very purple, light, airy shade of indigo. On the very middle of his underbelly and chest, it changed into shocking, brilliant, electric indigo for just a little splash, like a little jagged, spiky burst of purple waves. The brilliant shade made another appearance on the end of his tail; each movement of the slim appendage was noticeable by the flash of that shocking blue-purple like a beacon.

Taking a step forward without really thinking about the fact that, you know, there was ground in front of him rather than egg, he tripped and tumbled out across the sands. He ended up out in the middle, half way between the eggs and the candidates. That was interesting. He picked himself up again, turned back and around and did it again. At first, he failed, ending up taking a proper step. That was very nice but not at all what he wanted to do! Huh, you had to sort of step forward but not actually make contact with the hard thing he was standing on and push all your weight forward. This was so much harder when you thought about. With a shrug, he gave up on it, briefly considered playing with his two other siblings and then swirled around to face the candidates. He did have any time to waste! He didn't have time to play, not yet! What was he doing?

Not wishing to try to use more of his precious moments with trying to figure things out, he lunged towards the male candidates, wings flailing about him as he tried to avoid dragging them but neglected to fold them against his back. Realizing that, you know, it probably wouldn't that good of an idea to run into anyone, he skittered to stop rather than charging into Grescan. Turning around slowly, he looked along down the line. Then he was off again, one of his wings knocking into the boys as he went along and the other flapping about on his other side. He had to find his. Huh, that meant he should, probably, you know, look to actually look at the candidates, didn't it? Coming to another sliding his stop, his wing ended up resting on top of Riori's head. Retracting it slightly, he turned around and thus rested the other wing on the boy's head.

This one was very nice to put his wings on, but wasn't for him. Whoops, there was his! He'd past him, how silly for him to do! Sprinting along, and hitting half of the same boys all over again, he came to another sliding stop. He turned to face the one he knew to be his and reared up onto his back feet, fledgling wings spread wide behind him. Gently but firmly placing his legs on his person's shoulders, he looked cheerfully into his eyes. Tag, F'letMine! And I'm hungry, so could you, ya' know, feed your Doppelith? He was sunny and cheerful, and always a bit hasty and careless, but sweet and silly as could be. One had to savor every moment of life, the good and the bad, and complete every task before the end of the day and the end of time. And, through that all, he would have the perfect person right along beside him.



You know your days are numbered,
Count 'em one by one,
Like notches in the handle of an outlaw's gun,
You can outrun the devil if you try.

[jack]

Wow. Flaet grinned, watching with wild-amusement as the creamy pink tried--and failed--to bull-doze the blue over. That stocky little thing was built to stay put! He was like a big rock...only....he looked a lot nicer than most massive stones.

He chuckled and swayed from side to side, all together too pleased with how entertaining the pair was. It was...cute, in a way. But his mind wasn't long on the Hatchlings, there was an egg on the move! He turned to stare at the rocking egg, eyes widening as an absolutely gorgeous dragon did not step, but tumbled out!

Flaet's eyes gleamed as the Purple sat up unharmed, looking quite excited with his discovered move. What things this one could do! Only a few moments old and he was already an acrobat. The dancer gave a lop-sided grin, tilting his head and leaning forwards to get a better look.

The dragonet was on his feet, taking a steady step forwards before casting his gaze upon the Candidates. Flaet stiffened, eyes intent on the little beauty as he suddenly barreled towards the group, nearly taking out poor Grescan in the process before putting on his breaks and pausing for a moment.

But then he was off again, his wing knocking Candidate after Candidate in various places at Flaet barely held in a laugh, ducking just in time to avoid being beheaded as the fellow charged on past, only to slam the breaks on once more. The beauty's wing was over Riori now and Flaet beamed, staring at dragonet and Riori alike. Had he impressed Riori? How great! Riori had--or maybe not.

The Purple changed directions and started beating down Candidates again, Flaet grinning broadly at the cheerful creature's enthusiastic cheer. But then he had stopped, and Flaet's eyes widened as he looked down at the dragonet. The beast rose up on his back legs, placing his front ones on his shoulders, staring him down...

Tag, F'letMine! And I'm hungry, so could you, ya' know, feed your Doppelith?

Flaet--no...F'let! beamed and wrapped his arms around the Purple's shoulders, laughing out loud, "Of course!" He chirped, stepping back and forcing the dragonet to gently thud to the ground, an estatic look in his eyes, "As much food as you can eat!"

Doppelith gave a cheerful bounce as His turned to Riori, grinning broadly at the other. A hand moved to the dragonet's cheek and he gave a pleased chirp, trotting alongside His towards the feeding station. The dragonet dug into the meat way before F'let got to his side, the dancer laughing and shaking his head, making sure the dragonet didn't shove too much in his gullet at once.

[Admin]

Is that seat taken,
Congratulations,
Would you like to take a walk with me?

The hatching was going well. Three dragonets had Impressed - a pink, a green, and, best of all, an iron. Two more were on the sands - a pink and a green, being themselves but getting along. They looked as if they'd find their riders yet. All of this was wondrous, and P'nay and Annith shared it happily. It was their first hatching at their new home and it felt different, away from old memories of occasions like this and with new friends about. The pair of them could still cherish the moment when they had first met, the moment of Impression, and it came back strong and clear than. There was nothing like being a rider, with a dragon, strong and true, always with you. There was nothing like the moment of Impression, when you suddenly realized that you'd been missing something and had found it. He'd become a better man for it.

Despite his reminiscing and euphoria, the yellowrider kept looking away from the happy pairs, eggs, and beautiful dragonets, and staring at one candidate. Then there was a purple racing about the sands, tumbling and hitting candidates with his wings . . . And that candidate got a beautiful purple dragon! He raised both of his hands over his head and joined others in cheering for the newest addition to the weyrlings. Part of it was the fact that he was pleased that one of the candidate his dragon had picked had Impressed; she was happy too, humming as loudly as she possible could. More of his happiness was the fact that he had a distinct interest in the dancer, as in a romantic and sexual interest, who would be . . . F'aet now? F'et? F'let? Or what? Anyway, there was also the fact, if he wanted to think a couple turns ahead . . .

That purple could totally fly Annith. He shoved that thought deep in his mind, where he wouldn't think to much of it and his dragon was doubtful to notice. Love, can you speak to the young purple? Tell him to congratulate his rider for me and get his new name; he eagerly requested of the yellow as he settled back down. More than pleased to meet her young human friend's new dragon and get acquainted, she obliged. Young Doppelith, Mine would like if you told Yours that Annith's wishes to extend his congratulations, and what is Yours' name? She phrased it ever so polite and gently, wanting to be nice and easy on the youthful mind of the energetic creature. The last thing she wanted to do was cause him any fright or disturbance! Young dragonets were such fragile things, so dependent but so lively despite that.

My words they don't come out right,
But I'll try to say I'm happy for you,
I think I'm going to take that drive.

[Birdy]

Chelo looked up, another had hatched...not that she could Impress a purple. People would probably get some strange looks if she did, and besides, it had already found it's match. She looked around, realizing she really didn't know many people at the weyr. Kimber and Lynx had already Impressed, and she didn't know the names to match the faces she did recognize. 'Stop rambling!' she scolded herself, focusing back on the eggs.

There was still a pink and a blue on the Sands now, both Impressable, and since they had been on the Sands for a while they were bound to Impress soon. Or they could...she repressed the thought. That was not a good thought, and she had to think good thoughts. She set her sights on the little blue egg in the front, it seemed a good color, and quite relaxing as well.

[fidelli]

Turn it up
It's five minutes to midnight
You're coming home with me tonight
I can't get enough
Shakin' me up

;;The wooden table that had been set up on the sands was next to the tunnel that lead out to the Bowl - very near that was the Weyrling Barracks. Altith was firmly infront of that, just incase any dragon decided they wanted to see outside, his large paws sunk into the sand and wings carefully folded back. He watched the Sands - it was F'del that let his lower back lean against the table, one foot infront of the other and arms crossed over his chest. He was watching the Iron and the boy walk up - the young man gave him a nod and filled the bowl up without him having to say anything, always a pleasant change. Perhaps if A'mor had been doing this he would have snapped at the boy, tell him what to do, but F'del figured if he wasn't doing anything wrong, let him do it his own way. It was Altith who eyed the Iron carefully and told him, Young Detritath, eat slowly - you will get food in your belly no matter how fast or slow you consume it. Altith didn't mind the color difference - to him, the young higher ranked dragon was still just a baby, and needed to be watched, perhaps even told what to do. Later he would become a King - for now he was a Prince.

;;F'del, notified by Altith speaking, shifted his gaze from the Green to the Iron, and then spent his time flickering from back and forth. His shirt, a dark green, was sticking to his back from sweat, heat produced as the soles of his boots warmed up slightly and the heat rose in lazy sheets. But nothing would distract him, not even Altith's commentary. The young Blue is working on making his way from between Kalith's row's - I worry he might be ill, Mine. But no, he is content - hungry though. He lies down now, and it is the little Pink who has gotten free from the rest of the unhatched babies. She has found her tail - she is playing with it much like a Canine. She is a silly Pink! And now another one hatches - she is a different shade of Pink than her sister, and much more quiet. She seems to be very aware, and she is not as silly... She does not move towards the females, but the males! She is scanning them... And she Impresses! Her name is Coath, she says.

;;Sure that for the time being these two weren't going to die, F'del peered up out of his shock of black hair, at the eggs. They were a good clutch so far, young and healthy... Look, Altith! Another one late! He was laughing quietly, flipping his bangs from his eyes with a practiced toss of his head. It's a wonder they have the nerve to show at all, Kalith looks so irritated! He found this funny - he didn't think to reprimand the candidates. Some took longer than others, and some didn't have the chance to always arrive first... But it was looking at the Copper that he noticed her hiss a second time, not at the girl. Eyes swiveling over to the far side, where the entrance was, he watched a man enter - Altith, who is that? The Purple momentarily looked up from his charges, and then swiveled back down. I do not know. A spectator, it seemed, as he settled himself in the front row - the front row meaning that he was important - next to... Nim. A sigh of relief as he stared at the solemn girl, wearing her regular clothing but holding in her lap the shocking white of the robe. Klepto perched around her neck - Aren had been banished outside, he guessed. But at least the girl was found, and he had more important things to worry about.

;;Altith, mindless of His except that Nim had been found, let His focus back on the weyrlings, meaning he could go back to the eggs. Just in time, it seemed! The Blue rises again, and he is... Crawling to the candidates - ah! The little pink just crashed into him! He seems perfectly fine with it though, and she is unharmed... They are playing together - shouldn't they try to find Their's? Oh, another one hatches! It is a... Purple! Excited, he shifted and raised his own ridiculously too big wings straight in the air, a person greeting to one of his own color. F'del looked up for a few moments, studying him. He looked much like Altith did when he hatched, and was an oddity of his own. A nostalgic smile on the corner of his lips, he glanced at his own dragon and then down at the Weyrlings again, happy. He is towards the males... And running into them, and smacking them, and being silly! Laughter colored the dragon's words, a pleased rumble that worked it's way into his hum. He Impresses! He is Doppelith!

;;F'del let himself watch the Purple and his arrive, or rather the Purple arrive - then he was nearly leaping at Altith to get him to bespeak him. Slowly, young Doppelith! Slowly! The dragon was worried, reaching down with his long neck to nudge him lightly, a physical and mental reminder. You do not want to choke! Meanwhile, F'del was telling his rider gently, "Keep an eye on him - he can have as much as he wants but you really must be sure he eats slow!"

Turn it up
Alright, at five minutes to midnight
You see our name in city lights
We'll make the clock stop
Make your heart drop and come alive

[Nia]

Riori happened to glance over at Kalith as she hissed at... someone. He tilted his head curiously, wondering what could make Kalith so angry. The late Candidates? The boy who had arrived late seemed to have pissed the Copper off a lot. Riori felt extremely thankful that he hadn't arrived late. At least he'd managed to get there on time, even if he had overslept a bit. There had already been Impressions! That meant that the people arriving were REALLY late... and as he looked around, he realized he couldn't see Pratyba anyway. She was sure to be in big trouble if she arrived any later....

The Blue was on the move, and he seemed to be steadily coming towards the Candidates. Though, Riori couldn't tell if he was going towards the boys or the girls. He was slow, though, very slow.... What a lazy dragon. He almost found it odd how the dragonets had such profound personalities, though. And they were only just hatched! Human babies didn't have nearly as much personality, or it was just harder to tell. Riori didn't exactly know. He'd never raised a baby and he never really thought about having one. But the dragons were more intelligent, they'd had all the months in their eggs to mature mentally. Or at least, sort of kind of mature.

And suddenly the Blue was hit by that creamy pink. Riori was surprised, blinking a few times and glad that he hadn't jumped in surprise. Though their interaction was... interesting. Was that the right word? The right word was probably cute, but Riori didn't call things cute except girls. It was way too girly of a term, and not something he used. But that was definitely the right word for the dragonets on the Sands, playing as they were.

But Riori didn't have much time to watch the Blue and the Pink with a bemused smile, as soon another egg broke open to reveal a... Purple! And shards was he... clumsy! Already the Purple had almost run into a Candidate and was now knocking into all the other Candidates with his wings. And then, suddenly, Riori's world went dark. ... dark purple, that is. There was a wing on his head. The Purple's wing?! W-wait, dragons couldn't touch Candidates unless they Impressed, right?! He hadn't heard a voice, though... and then the wing was gone. ... only to be replaced with the other one. It was rather uncomfortable. Phareon, who was smarter than Riori gave him credit for, had seen the Purple coming and managed to climb down the boy's neck and cling to his arm right before he'd been squished into the boy's hair by the wing. Luckily, he was okay, if not a little angry that the Purple had to come and interfere with his spot.

The poor boy was still confused about his Impression when the Purple suddenly left him. To Impress to Flaet. Wait, what was going on?! He managed a smile and a quick, "Congrats, Flaet!" before the other boy ran off, but it left Riori staring after them. But the dragon had put it's wings on his head... hadn't that meant something?! Not that Riori wasn't happy for his, uh... friend, but... what about his own Impression?!

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

Avalle watched the Blue slowly walk towards the Candidates, wondering why he'd been waiting to Impress, and why the Pink had been waiting to Impress as well. Didn't dragons usually Impress right away? Those two had been on the Sands for quite a while already. They'd been there since the Green had Impressed! Two others had Impressed since then. Were Theirs just not... there? How long were they willing to wait? And what if Theirs didn't make it on time? Avalle felt her heart constrict at the thought of either dragon going between. It was a terrible thought. So she tried to ignore it. Surely they were just taking their time. Sometimes dragons did that, right?

Oh shards and shells what had just happen!? Avalle had actually jumped as the Pink slammed into her Blue clutchbrother, the sudden impact startling her. She glanced around nervously, hoping no one had seen, and regained her composure. Well... that sure had startled the confidence right out of her! But she could get it back, she was good that way. Yulari helped by sending happy thoughts and emotions back to Hers, trying to stop the girl's heart from beating so fast. Okay... she was okay now.

After the initial startle was over and she felt confident in herself again, Avalle watched as the Blue and the Pink were extremely adorable. Fine, she had to admit it. They were cute. They were extremely cute. The Blue was sweet, as lazy as he seemed, he was still trying to humor his Pink clutchsister. There wasn't any other word than adorable. But those were stupid thoughts... even if they were true. It was so out of character for her, though! Okay, maybe it wasn't so much, out of character would be her voicing those thoughts aloud. The only one listening to her thoughts now was Yulari, and the Yellow felt almost proud of Hers for accepting this. Sigh, okay, whatever, so she thought dragons were cute, so what?!

.... anyway, she looked away from the Blue and the Pink to check if any other dragons had emerged out of their eggs. Oh, one had! A Purple! He was a very pretty color. Avalle loved the color purple, it was one of her favorites, really. And though she prefered a lighter color rather than darker, this Purple was very handsome in himself. Still, he was a Purple, and Purples didn't really Impress to girls. That was okay. She didn't really mind. He was kind of a cute one too, though. He'd tumbled out of his egg, but he, of course, made a beeline straight for the boys. It was rather amusing to watch him stumble through the boys to find His. The way he put his wings over one Candidate's head was particularly amusing. Riori, or something.

She found it a little odd that the dragon had touched the boy but hadn't Impressed to him, and instead Impressed to a boy that Avalle didn't really recognize. She clapped, and wondered if dragons actually could touch other Candidates before Impressing. Besides mauling, that is. Come to think of it, dragons touched Candidates a lot when they were looking for Theirs. It was normal. Probably not to the extent that the unfortunate boy had, but close enough. Hey, at least it hadn't happened to her. That would be really disappointing.

[/size]

[fidelli]

My whole world is changing
I don't know where to turn
I can't leave you waiting
But I can't stay and watch the city burn
Ooh, Watch it burn

;;Outside the cavern, she had the perfect view to watch the people stream in. Eyes dried of angry tears, Anima let herself calm down, watching the people rush by. Now and then a Candidate robe would shoot through the slow moving people like a dart, fighting against tides like the fish did every year. They were like fish, she figured, only heading to their spawning spot at certain times – it all depended on the type of fish it was to. Amused by her analogy, the hotheaded girl slowly calmed down – and realized that she was missing the Hatching. She hadn’t missed a Hatching since she had arrived at the Weyr – now didn’t seem like a good time to start! Although she was rash and passionate about not standing, too stubborn to do so even if she wanted to, she wanted to watch them Impress…

;;It took her but a few moments to struggle to her feet, her robe still clutched in her hand, balled up. Aren rose as she did, but a firm hand and the gentle word “stay” settled her back down, looking wistfully at the girl. Nim knew as well as anyone else that Kalith would most likely eat the young canine before she let her onto her sands. Another Candidate chose that moment to flash by – rather late, wouldn’t she be? – and Nim followed her, using muscle and agility to slide her way through the crowd. She froze near the wall, however, as she realized that the Weyrleader was greeting everyone – he wouldn’t let her sit up close, the next best seat to sitting with Noyth and A’mor. Biting her lip and narrowing dark golden eyebrows, she waited for the right opportunity… It came faster than she thought it would. O’sho was had stopped to greet a man, tall and imposing, and they traded words. Now, while he was distracted!

;;Anima darted by, quick as a flash to scurry her way up a row, right at the front. Quickly settling down, she composed her features into a look of steady, quiet pride – the look that she belonged here, and she knew that. Nim had learned long ago that if you acted as though you were right, you would get caught far less often. She arrived in time to see the Purple Impress, and clapped politely along with them. It was then that the man the Weyrleader had been talking to sat down next to her – she barely stopped her startled flash towards him. Instead, she politely peered at him and gave him a nod of greeting, and then returning her gaze to the eggs – and a little Green winging it’s way towards her. F’delmine ask’s if you would please hold her – she is getting to be a handful, and we are in charge of the Hatchlings. Altith’s voice, familiar, rang in her mind, and she gladly let Ribbon land on her lap, quickly grabbing the squirmy humming Green and petting her to keep her still. “Hush darling – no need in getting Kalith more riled up,” she told the young flitt firmly, while her Bronze nuzzled her cheek and chirped his own greeting and command to Ribbon. “Klepto, keep her here.”

'Cause I'll try
But it's so hard to believe
I'll try
But I can't see where you see
I'll try, I'll try

[kia]

Lynx looked up as the PurpleRider guided her to the buckets so she could feed Gneith. She was so happy she had Impressed. And she was also the first to Impress as well. Maybe the Queen had acknowledge her and this sense had been passed to her children. She quickly started feeding Gneith, but not too fast or too much so as not to make her little Green sick. Then, she heard more footsteps as she turned around and saw Kimber walking off with an Iron. Now it was K`ber. She was very happy.

"Congrats, K`ber. An Iron! I am very Impressed. Nice to meet you Detritath. You and K`ber will make a very excellent team," Lynx said to K`ber, very excited for the boy. But it still remained in the back of her head that she was still interested in K`ber more than a friend as much she had an interest in Luven and Tazar. She finally introduced her Green. "This Gneith. I cannot believe I Impressed to her. She is so beautiful. And Faranth must have heard my wish this morning," she said, her cheeks still puffy from crying.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Okeris watched as dragons made their Impressions to their Mines. Lira had hissed when the Green appeared. Okeris sighed and tried to send her away. But she would not leave. She wrapped her tail around him protectively. Lira was Okeris` only Green. She did not want Okeris to get a Green. She was jealous in that sense. But, when the Pinks and Iron came on the Sands, Lira was very calm about them. Okeris shook his head and ignored Lira. He kept sending out good thoughts toward the dragons, wishing for them to make Impressions so they could be fed and be happy with their Mines. Seeing dragons Impress made Okeris happy.

[Kila]

Sol cowered as Kalith hissed and stared her down as a result of her tardiness. For the second time that day, within a few minutes, even, she was caught in the gaze of a large, dangerous dragon. The Queen's furious glare was by far the most oppressive non-physical force she had ever suffered in her life. If that was not punishment enough for not being on time, she didn't know what else was. Could they do any worse?

She looked around for Pratyba, concerned. Each passing moment put her friend in a worse and worse position. I shouldn't have left her, Sol berated herself. But I had to go! I hope my shouting and shaking was enough to actually wake her...

But her attention could not stay in her head for long. In almost no time Sol had put her guilt and fear aside to purely marvel at the scene before her. Two perfect little dragonets, the smallest she had ever seen, were playing on the Sand. One was a Blue and one a Pink. Was it natural for them to be messing around instead of scrutinizing the candidates? She didn't know. And with a loud splitting crack there was a small Purple on the Sands as well. This one, like she had suspected the others would, wasted no time in running to find his bonded. He didn't quite know how to hold his wings, it seemed, because several of the male candidates got hit in the face as the dragonett bounded past their line and chose as his own a boy Sol did not know. Nevertheless, she applauded for him enthusiastically.

Sol cringed inwardly when she let her gaze wander to the remaining eggs. Hadn't there been far more than that? She felt a little bit overwhelmed standing out there. She wished she knew the people she was standing with. Other than her absent friend Pratyba she didn't know the other candidates that well. She had been fortunate enough to talk to several riders, but they would be in the stands and not allowed to stand anywhere near the candidates. This loneliness made her stomach feel heavy, but it could not contain her fluttering heart. She had vowed to leave behind her static crafters life and embrace this new chance, and here it was- right in her face! If it had seemed hard to make a first impression, it was nigh impossible to stand and just was to be Impressed.

[Admin]

Nobody said it was easy,
It's such a shame for us to part,
Nobody said it was easy,
No one ever said it would be this hard.

When he sensed that Altith, though he didn't quite realize how, was reminding Detritath to eat slower, K'ber snapped his attention to the young iron with worried. Even the slightest idea of any sort of harm or foul end coming to his young dragon upset and unnerved him. It felt natural to worry about every little thing for the sake of the fledgling creature that was now bonded to him. He needn't have worried about it though. Obliging the much older dragon, the youngling King slowed down his eating to a very careful, meticulous pace. Of course, Altith; he replied to the purple curtly as he paused in his eating to show just how careful he was being. He had no interest in getting in an argument with the cheerful adult, and, after shoving food into his face, he was feeling better and less hungry.

Satisfied, the new weyrling turned his attention back to Lynx, and chuckled at her silly pun. Largely oblivious to the other humans over here, Detritath failed to think to say a proper reply to Gneith for her rider's words. One couldn't really fault him, being only a handful of minutes old. "She certainly is lovely;" K'ber agreed with Lynx, looking carefully down at the green. She was a very lovely green, very deep in coloration, and she'd seemed to have quieted down a bit now that she was being. However, he was currently a bit busy adoring and fretting about his own new dragon. No dragon would ever be more handsome then his Detritath to him, but perhaps he could accept Gneith as one of the most beautiful. After all, she had picked a very good candidate to Impress too him. He grinned, because he was very, very happy.

However, the happy expression slowly faded a bit to one more thoughtful and careful. "I don't really see how he, Detritath, couldn't have picked me now. He's very firm about his choice and I feel now that there couldn't have been another choice. It's so simple, but not. But it's good. We Impressed;" he murmured slowly to Lynx, ending with excitement strong in his voice. When he was done, he tilted his head at her and smiled a bit again, before a hungry iron told him he wished for more food with a quiet, aloof look. Picking up the bowl, he picked out more bits of meat from the assembled piles and set it back down in front of the patiently, quietly waiting King. Once he was sure that his dragonet was fed and content, he turned back towards Lynx once again and returned to his relaxed, at-the-ready stance. He was trying to live up to a new image.

Pulling the puzzles apart,
Questions of science,
Science and progress,
Do not speak as loud as my heart.

[4horseshowgirl4]

It was like a bad dream.

It was bad enough that she had nearly slept through one Hatching and managed to make such a fool of herself that surely she was on Kalith's bad list.

But, surely no one would do that twice? Surely?

Well, if there was a single person in the Weyr who could somehow manage to do that, she was fast asleep, nearly passed out, next to Sol. She wasn't exactly sure why she was collapsed where she was, on a bed she doubted was even her own. She assumed it had something to do with a bet and the eggs or something of that nature... she stirred slightly, sprawled as she was in a rather awkward position on Sol. It was a mark of their friendship that they ended up in scrapes like this. Pratyba's mind moved slowly, struggling to remember exactly why they were still asleep in the middle of the day.

"Uh!" Pratyba grunted when Sol shook her, vainly trying to stir her from sleep. "Five more minutes!" Her head hurt, for some reason. She was now alone in the room, but that thought didn't bother her, as that was to be expected when everyone else wanted breakfast. Pratyba's hand lazily drifted up to her temple to rub the ache out of it, and she winced when her fingers touched it. She had a huge lump a few inches above her ear, for some reason. Again, she tried to recollect what they'd been doing last night. Why did she have such a big egg on her...?

Oh.

Shard it.

Eggs.

Last night's mischief completely forgotten, Pratyba tried to fling herself off of the cot, quite predictably tangling herself up in the sheet and falling onto the floor with a thud. Really?! she asked herself in disbelief. I could have sworn something similar to this happened a little while ago... Chubbs, roused by the commotion she was causing, chirped, concerned, landing on Pratyba's cot, seeming to serve as a reminder at her last attempt at a Hatching. The lazy Blue had finally figured out how his wings worked, but he was content to remain on her cot and watch her with a tiny, high-pitched, flitter rumble.

Finally, Pratyba unraveled herself from the sheets, tearing through the nearest trunks to find a white robe... any white robe! She had no clue where hers was. She had probably left it somewhere random like the stables or at the bottom of the lake... anyway, there was no time to look for it now! She looked quite ludicrous as she tore around the room, thanking her lucky stars that she'd awaken in the barracks. After digging through a dozen trunks, Pratyba finally found a white robe, and she pulled it over her so quickly that it was nearly in danger of ripping in half. Actually, it was in danger of ripping in half, anyway, as the owner of it had tailored it to fit her slimmer body, and Pratyba's generous gut strained against the white fabric. Well, there was no time to find a better-fitting one!

Off she dashed, her tangled black curls flying in the wind behind her. There was no time to corral them or neaten her general appearance... Pratyba didn't even want to know what was on her face! She could feel dust-- or whatever it was-- caked on her cheeks. Her short, chubby legs weren't exactly suited for fast running, but it was amazing how being late for a Hatching made Pratyba run faster than seemed humanly possible! As she tore through the Weyrbowl, blinded by panic, Pratyba promptly crashed into something very large, and she tumbled to the ground. A frustrated scream, amusingly muffled, came from her mouth, which was squished against the stone ground.

"Are you all right?" B'nyur said, picking the ill-fortuned Candidate up. "Oh, Pratyba!" he added when he recognized her, managing to refrain from laughing. Of course she would be the one to be late. Oh I'm so sorry and I can't believe I let you run into me and are you okay and we're going to be late and you're going to be late and what if it's my fault if you dragon /between/s 'cause you're not there and we need to go! Oveth said to both of them, frantic and nudging B'nyur in the back. Pratyba had crashed into his leg, and he felt that it was all his fault for knocking her down (though the Blue failed to realize that it shouldn't be hard for most people to see and avoid running into a dragon).

"Yes, I'm fine, but I need to go or Kalith's going to eat me!" Pratyba implored, trying to escape B'nyur's grasp and run off again, for once totally serious about what she had said. The Candidate had little doubt that the Queen would, in fact, eat her if she was angry enough.

B'nyur held onto her. "Relax, both of you!" he ordered the two. "Pratyba, if Fajra gives you a hard time, I'll tell her that you were helping me with something," he said, letting go of the Candidate. He pulled a wooden coin out of his pocket and dropped it. Pratyba, seeing where he was going with this, bent down to pick it up, saying, "Here, I'll help you with that, B'nyur!" The two smiled, while Oveth remained quite confused, as he usually was. You're going to lie to the Weyrwoman? he said in utter disbelief. {No, my lovely, we'll just... stretch the truth a bit.} B'nyur said, slapping the Blue affectionately on the shoulder.

"This is all well and good," Pratyba said, "but I really should be at the Hatching by now!" B'nyur nodded, clambering onto Oveth's back and pulling Pratyba in front of him. "I'll give you a lift, don't worry!" With that, Oveth leaped into the air and glided the short distance (for a dragon) to the Hatching Sands, hovering a few feet above the ground, his flapping wings causing their altitude to fluctuate. Pratyba expertly slid off of Oveth's back when he swung closest to the ground, sprinting for all she was worth to the Sands.

The Candidate caught sight of the little Pink trying to tackle the Blue, failing miserably but quite amusingly, and... well, the tenseness and action of the five minutes for which she'd been up caught up with her, and she fell to the ground in insatiable laughter. She laughed because she was late, and because the Hatching was so important, because she was excited, and because Pratyba simply needed to laugh every now and then. The sight was simply a trigger. She clutched at her sides, trying to shut herself up so she could go into the Sands and try to Impress, already. Finally, her stomach hurt too much to continue her wild laughter, and she stood up, running into the Sands.

Woohoo! Pratyba thought with a smile, bowing deeply before Kalith before running off, hopefully before the Copper had time to snap her head off or something. I managed not to fall flat on my face this time! Rather proud of herself for not making a fool of herself, Pratyba took her place with the more punctual Candidates, completely ignoring the fact that she'd already made a fool of herself by coming in so late. She waved wildly to those she knew that had Impressed: Flaet, Lynx, and Kimber, as well as a third boy she didn't recognize. Oh, they would have proper Dragonrider names now, wouldn't they? she thought, flashing them a double thumbs up and a wide, happy smile, if they caught sight of her. It was a little late for her to cheer and holler as she normally would.

B'nyur and Oveth took a place near to the new Weyrlings, B'nyur borrowing Oveth's eyes to search for any injuries. There were none, as of yet. Hatchlings could get themselves into interesting scrapes, and Candidates were mauled more often than not. Fortunately, though, everything seemed to be in control. B'nyur leaned forward against Oveth's neck as the dragon returned his eyes to where they belonged: the Hatching and the dragonets.

"I'm hiding behind you, 'kay?" Pratyba said, slipping behind Sol, though even the taller Candidate wouldn't hide her completely from Kalith. "I so call that Pink," she whispered cheerfully, giggling at the dragonet's shenanigans. "Well, Sol, this is it!" she said, bouncing slightly in merry anticipation. "You ready to Impress? 'Cause I am!"

[/font]

[Admin]

And we sing,
Nah, nah-nah-nah, nah nah nah,
She said,
Nah-nah-nahnah nah nah nah.

Kalith bristled at the THIRD late arrival to the hatching of her eggs, but the candidate was off the back of Oveth. The candidate was not one of her favorites, an idiotic, uncoordinated dolt that she remembered well. The annoyance was often in trouble or causing trouble for her rider. However, the blue was her favorite, most adorable dolt, so she let it go. If she was brought by the calm, sweet blue, she would accept her bowed apology and allow her to stand amongst the others. As the hatching really started to get underway, her own humming as her children went off with theirs to get food soothed her. The constant, watching presence of her rider and her mate was another reassurance. Everything would be fine. The copper, relatively calm after the latest arrival faded into the others, looked down at the proceedings with bared teeth. Or else.

Fajra was developing a headache. Last night, of all the nights in her life, she would have preferred to have gotten a good, proper, comfortable nights sleep. This was stressful, almost more stressful than joyful for her. She needed to talk to Pratyba, Kanamar, and Sol now, though she thought everyone was here now; the hatching was starting to hit its stride and, though it would be continuing for a while, no one should be coming. Oh, and she'd need to talk to whoever Impressed the new Queen, before she went off to the barracks and then joined the feast. She'd have to ask O'sho to corner all of the King riders at the feast or barracks too. And she needed to announce the post of Weyrling Master at the feast. This was going to be a day and it was still just the middle of the morning. She set her jaw squarely with a controlled breath.

Finally bored of playing games, or at least her old games and playing with her blue brother, the lively and jovial pink let him be, bouncing a couple of hops away from him. He was quickly forgotten, not longer interesting to her in her bouncy state. Now she had to do something else. She felt a draw towards all those funny looking living things all lined up over there. They seemed to have gotten rather closer as she'd moved in a vaguely forward direction with her antics. What exactly was she supposed to do with them? They didn't look like they could hold up to her tackling them very well, like her last playmate, and she didn't think it would be a good idea to try chasing them. Oh, she got it now! She would pick one of them, a special one, her one, one to be for no one else. Head held high with cheer at the idea, she struck out for the female candidates.

Finally his pink sister was leaving him alone. So exhausted by all that playing, the blue toppled over, just sprawling out in the middle of the sands. He didn't like worrying people, nor bothering them with the fact he simply didn't feel like going and dragging himself over to Impress now, but that didn't change that he was tired and under motivated. One would think that by this point he would have just wanted to go find his rider. He didn't. He knew where to find him, and he did want food, but he simply didn't feel the need to go over there. But he knew he would once he'd gotten a bit of rest, not sleep, just rest. His eyes remained fixedly open and continued to placidly looking up and around from where his head rested on the ground by him. That was him, just enjoying his young life, relaxed as could be, forgetting to go find a human for a moment.

The slate blue egg in the front was rocked gently and starting to crack. Very so quietly and ever to subtly, jagged, well defined slits began to appear in its sides as it was slowly torn into pieces. A large chunk was broken off and the large, for his color, black dragonet inside stepped out, and stopped there. His calm, slowly swirling eyes took in the sudden wash of color that was suddenly presented to him. So many noises, so many sounds! So many sights, so many shades! So many smells, so many scents! It overwhelmed him, folding all of his senses beyond what he had thought might lay beyond his shell. All of that made his freezing, stopping dead and hardly even breathing, as he ever so slowly looked all around him. He felt so tender and bruised, as if something had been shoved at him and bowled him over harshly.

But he stood despite that and didn't back down. He had a bit of courage inside of him and clung onto it. However, it still took a little while for the shock of hatching to settle in and his expression remained tender and exposed. He liked the quiet, the dark, very much, yet this new brash world held a certain appeal to his reserved soul. Gathering himself up, he took a deep, strong breath and started forward. He was a large black, a strong black, but he had a sensitive heart and head. Despite that, he was ready to take on the world, as long as he could find that little something was missing. He could find it over there, past his blue brother and pink sister, where those odd bipedal creatures stood all in half of a circle. A very funky shaped circle, a bit like a very warped egg. The disorganization of it made his brain hurt but he pressed forward.

Bounding forward, the pink flitted towards the boys. For a few moments, she sniffed at them, keeping a bit of distance and flickered all about them. None of them were any real fun though, not a good sort of fun anyway, so she was off towards the girl candidates. She could feel she would find better prospects there than with the boring, bland males. She would pause in her zany, quick way of moving to look about or inspect someone - Edwa held her attention for a moment, then Meta for just an even smaller moment. Both of them seemed like they might be fun to play with, but she needed to find her someone and be fed before she could play anymore. And probably not till after she slept, since she was feeling just a tiny bit tired. That knowledge, that she wouldn't be able to play til she found her rider, fueled her to use more energy.

There, finally! One more bound and she stopped. Rising to her not very impressive full height, she turned to the very last girl, the last she'd seen, behind another. One look and Impression was made, so simple, so sweet, so fun. Hers was so silly! How could she have taken so long to come draw her away from her playing? The best game of all was being with her lifemate! PratybaMine! Wanna play with your Oorth? And she does not wanna be claimed. That doesn't sound like a fair game! Doppelith was playing tag with the others earlier. Wanna play tag? Or feed me? I bet I can eat faster than any of the others; she pestered, voice cheerful and full of adoration for living the game that was life. Her color was paler, creamier, more orange, more subtle than your classic pink. Her disposition was not and far worse.



Walk on,
Nah-nah nah, nah, nah nah nah,
You're alright,
Nah-nah, nah, nah nah nah nah.