All-Stars {Kalith & Nikianeth's Hatching}

[purnip]

More hatching, more dragons, a lot and then some. It seemed like too much and too many, despite nineteen seeming a small number to him before. Now he felt like he was in a sea of people with a little less than a sea of dragons in front of him. The people didn't bother him and they never ever did. Those dragons were beginning judgment, and in many strokes and strides. Lyam would have been overwhelmed at this very moment if he had not taken control of himself. This was the time. He would not show weakness where strength mattered most. He would not make the mistake of letting any of that anxiety and fear show. He didn't want to get his hopes high, but the boy preferred his hopes dashed than his soft soul discovered. Such imaginary things didn't mean a thing.

Now they were all being tested by the eyes of that sturdy Brown. The dragonet was carefully analyzing the boys one by one in the row. Though Lyam knew it wasn't certain they belonged to one another, he couldn't help but divert his attention to the closest dragon, especially one that was practically on top of the group of boys. The Brown however, was polite enough. He gave them all some space and examined them politely. The boys did nothing to attract his attention and he'd move on. He wondered if they felt it...a reading. Or was it just as delicate as his own method of analysis?

Rhysia finally stopped pouring her own attentions on Paralee and looked to the Sands. She noted the rocking of the tiny egg immediately, taken by its size. So small! So cute! When it hatched and bore forth a Black, she was quite surprised. He was so tiny, but cute nonetheless. He didn't seem to have a lot of interest in anyone, but that was okay. Maybe he was the one.

Lyam had to force himself to pry his eyes away from the Brown when more eggs had hatched. A Black, a tiny one at that, escaped his attention when he had hatched, but had gained it soon enough. The dark dragonet didn't seem in any sort of a hurry to Impress. Not only that, but he seemed to be eager for something that the Candidates weren't delivering. Yet.

The Cyan Impressed to a girl he recognized, but did not ever get a chance to meet. Lyam clapped for her, but the clapping was fainter than last time. With a Brown breathing down the neck of the boys, it was hard to divert attention to someone else's fortunate event.

As for Rhysia, she clapped with a little less excitement than before, but with more enthusiasm by leaps and bounds than Lyam had. "Congrats!" She didn't know the other girl's name. Still, she was happy for her.

Next to hatch was a Green, and what a shine it had! Lyam glanced to her only because the color was just so hard to miss. She seemed a little clumsy, or unsure. Those steps of hers were more awkward than her siblings.

Rhysia was captivated even further by the Green. That color was just as vibrant and brilliant as the Blue and Cyan colors she admired! She watched that one carefully, but she did spare glances at the Black as well. The two were so interesting so it was likely. One could be hers! Maybe...

[theknightwhosaysni]

The cyan headed for the females, and a sigh of relief escaped Tylar. He wasn't a Cyanrider, he had to count his lucky stars for that. Cyans were the colors that had the most to prove, they were still the new colors, the ones that no one believed in.

At the Cyan's Impression, he applauded mechanically, the first time he'd thought to do so since the Hatching had started. "Congratulations!" he said, even if the newest Cyanrider couldn't hear him.

It was down to the black, who's Hatching he'd missed, the brown, who was still moving methodically through the Candidates, turning them down one by one, and coming steadily closer to him, and the green, the green who seemed to have forgotten what she was supposed to be doing.

His gaze danced back towards the eggs, pausing on the brown once more, but mostly focused on the eggs. Perhaps a King would come of them after all.

Perhaps, perhaps, the entire Hatching hung on that word.

Tylar didn't want to think about it though, he couldn't let himself become fixated on the thoughts of not Impressing, that was sure to mess something up, though what exactly that something was, he wasn't sure. Surely doubting couldn't hurt you too much, but if it hurt his chances at all, he couldn't do it.

He had to Impress this time, it was what he told himself every time he'd stood, other than that first time, and Tylar recited it in his head, over and over, a mantra that protected his mind from doubts.

I will Impress this time... it was a reminded of everything that hung in the balance. So what if this wouldn't be the last time he Stood. For the purposes of this moment, of this Hatching, it would be the last time he ever would Stand.

-----

The black Hatched, claiming Amara's attention for an instant, before the cyan Impressed, and Amara applauded for the newest Cyanrider. So she hadn't exactly applauded for the others, but Cilnah - Cilnah was her name, right? - was the 'Rider of the fourth Cyan, well, ever, and that was important.

Amara smiled cheerfully, briefly entertaining the idea of going to tell Cilnah congratulations, before shooting that idea down in an instant. What if her name wasn't Cilnah? What kind of idiot would she look like if she were to call the girl a name that wasn't her name at all? It wouldn't go over very well, would it?

Those doubts were the ones that chased themselves through her mind, not doubts about Impressing. Whether she Impressed or not, that hung on the dragonet's thoughts, it had nothing to do with her. Why question yourself about Impression when it was not your problem, after all?

These thoughts buoyed Amara, and she smiled again. They said Impression was a wondrous thing, Amara wanted to know what it was like to hear the voice of her life mate sounding in her mind, certainly, but if she didn't it had nothing to do with her, and everything to do with whether or not her life mate was on the Sands.

With 22 eggs, though there was no garuntee when 3 of those might Hatch Amara thought her chances were pretty good. There weren't all that many Candidates on the Sands, surely, and for every Candidate that wasn't on the Sands, there was one more chance that she could possible Impress...

And what if she Impressed? What would it be like? Would it be amazing?

Well, of course it would be amazing, she scolded herself silently, but what kind of amazing?

[mangonumnum]

Sitting in the stands, Lasd was ecstatic to see his family sitting together with the other guests. Rama sat in front of the group, looking on with eager excitement. She couldn't believe Lasd had been Searched. She couldn't be more proud of her youngest brother. Her brown hair was tied tightly back into a bun and she was wearing comfortable riding clothes. She had picked up her parents and siblings from Crescent Hold with Repath and the dragon was currently sitting outside the Stands. RamaMine, the dragon spoke up with a draconic smirk, I think you are a little too excited. You always said Lasd was a wonderful fisherman. What if that is his destiny instead of dragonriding? just because he was Searched does not guarantee anything.

Rama pushed the smooth green voice out of her head playfully. Psh she responded, It's in his blood! She grinned and continued to watch. The brown certainly looked like a solid addition to the Weyr. The blue that first Impressed and the cyan and the newly Hatched black did as well. Rama was sure that Lasd could be a dragon rider. And hopefully would Impress. She turned to her family and explained a little about the Hatching to them. You could tell they were all related. Their hair was all brown except for Rador's wife, Malia whose hair was bright red. They were the entity of a happy, close family.

Lasd, however, couldn't focus on his family. The brown had reached the male Candidates and was studying each of them intently. It was slightly nerve-wracking. Would he chose that Candidate? No. That one? He found himself watching it so intently, he missed the black hatching. He managed to look up and see it confidently strut forward. He admired it. It was a small thing to be sure, but it knew that it had inward strength. That was important. Maybe even more important than outer strength.

As he watched the black, he caught out of the corner of his eye the cyan freaking out. The little dragonet dashed forward as if now she couldn't wait to Impress. And she quickly made her choice of a girl that he didn't even remember seeing.

[hatori3070]

When she had left her room, she knew that Dekistee was still there, but she had no idea she would have the gall to show up late. Part of her hoped Kalith would bar her from the sands entirely for such callous rudeness, but it wasn't to be. It appeared as though it was her hair that had kept her, as Dekistee did love to primp, but Jasra didn't give her the satisfaction of taking up anymore of her attention.

She noticed the Brown moving slowly down the line of male candidates. He seemed to be being meticulous about his choice, having only examined two of them so far, but he was only an interest in whether he Impressed to Lyam or not. She hadn't met any of the other male candidates, and she wanted him to Impress. If they both did, they would be weyrlings together. The Cyan moving at last drew her attention. She was such a beautiful color, and it looked like she nearly Impressed to Amara, but she made another choice, a girl she hadn't met. She applauded politely, glad for the new weyrling and her partner, and shifted her attention the Black that was now on the sands. The poor thing was so skinny, but it didn't seem to affect him. He was confident in his movements, tiny thing that he was. Just watching him made her smile. As she did, a Green joined him. She was chattering at her brother, but he remained silent. She was such a brilliant shade! They were all gorgeous in their own way, but her hide just seemed more vibrant than the others.

Now Jasra's excitement was growing. With more and more hatching, and more Impressing, she was hardly able to keep her hands still at her sides. She showed each and every dragonet to her flitts, and at the sight of the Green, Anthe and Dioia started chattering excitedly to each other back at the room. They flashed images of the little Green back at her in rapid succession, making it clear that they wanted her to Impress that one. It's up to them, now hush! They stopped sending the images, but continued chattering animatedly at each other. Geree had curled up on Dekistee's pillow to wait for Jasra to finish.

[Nia]

Engrye winced involuntarily as a Candidate that had arrived after her got a hiss from Kalith, though the red-haired girl couldn't really figure out what had gotten her so upset. ... well, obviously Queens were just very angry around the time of the Hatching. Glad that she'd managed to escape Kalith's wrath, Engrye hesitantly turned her attention towards the Sands. She had never really been one to love attention, and being the center of all these people and dragons watching... kind of unnerved her even more than she already was. But that didn't compare to the butterflies in her stomach that the Hatching set off... so she didn't really care all that much.

After deciding that the Stands didn't matter, she instead watched... the... baby in the middle of the Sands? Engrye blinked and her eyes slightly widdened, but her expression didn't change much, despite her shock. W...why was a kid there!? Wasn't that the Weyrwoman's kid?! Wasn't it dangerous for a kid to be in the middle of a Hatching?! But... then he started to sing. Even the cold-faced Engrye felt her lips twitch into something very similar to a smile, or maybe more like a smirk. Well... she had to thank the kid for his performance, he'd ended up relieving her of a bit of her nerves.

Up in the Stands, Avalle burst out into laughter. Man, Fajra really couldn't get a break, could she? Her pregnancy had been outed at Kalith's first, then she'd gotten stuck under her Junior Weyrwoman's bed (though no one knew about that except Avalle and W'al) and now her own kid had sung a song about her kissing her "weyrmate"! That could have been you,

[/i] Callistath informed her, but Avalle merely waved her hand dismissively. But it wasn't. Besides, I don't have a kid, and I happen to like my... my.... she suddenly blushed profoundly, not really sure if she should even call O'ris her Weyrmate... and she couldn't even say it outloud to her own dragon! Avalle sighed, Okay... I guess you're right. That could have been me... but hey, at least she took it kind of... uh... she fought to find a word, elegantly? That was the wrong word. And now that you've made fun of her, it's going to happen to you next,[/i] Callistath informed her seriously. I already admitted that you were right! Don't rub it in.

Anyway... back on the Sands, Engrye felt a bit of her nerves lighten, and she was able to watch the first egg break open without throwing up. A Brown. Not the good-luck-Bronze, but Engrye had never really cared about that superstition. Bronzes were far too arrogant, and she hated that. He was a very well-built Brown, reminding Engrye of a tree-trunk. But despite how... interesting he looked, she was still pretty sure he wasn't going to Impress to a girl, and she was right as he went off to very slowly inspect the males. Though... the Brown at Kalith's first had Impressed a girl, hadn't he? Maybe it wouldn't be as impossible as she thought. A Blue was next to hatch, and he was... quite pretty. His coloring was simple, but Engrye had always liked the color blue. But as quickly as he had Hatched, he'd also rushed off to Impress to... Paralee. Engrye knew her from the sleepover a little while ago, and clapped in congratulations for her.

The next egg to hatch revealed a Cyan. The fourth Cyan, ever. The dragon struck her as very, very calm, her eyes not changing from a blue color. There was barely a hint of the hunger-red, which Engrye found a bit strange. Her glossy hide was rather... interesting, though. Cyans were an interesting color, and unlike the others, didn't have a lot of records about them, so Engrye really didn't know much about them. But before the Cyan could Impress, another egg hatched. The small egg, the one she'd heard whispers that it might be a Gray or even a White... revealed a Black. A very, very thin Black, though. Was that... healthy? Of course, it had to be. He sure was a confident little thing, though. Engrye was so focused on the Black that she missed the Cyan's Impression (even it's freakout, how did she possibly miss that?), though she did clap when she finally realized that she had Impressed to a girl that Engrye didn't really know.

A Green was the next to arrive, a hyper, chattery Green that reminded Engrye of her own two Greens that Twee and Dee poked their heads out from her hair to watch it. It even looked like them! A bright, obnoxious Green. Shards, she'd fit right in with Engrye's two! Fit right into driving the poor girl absolutely insane, though. It took a few harsh thoughts to keep Twee and Dee from rushing out to "talk" with the dragon, who seemed frustrated with her Black clutchbrother. But Engrye was positive that Kalith would not enjoy an interuption from two firelizards. And it took all of Twee and Dee's self control (not that they had very much of it in the first place) to stay firmly perched on Their's shoulder.[/blockquote][/size]

[lesa]

Cadfael was working with measured patience when the hum started. He would've rushed right off, had he heard it at first... but he didn't hear it, too deep in concentration. Basker lay on the table in the infirmary, breathing softly. The Black had once again managed to be the recipient of one of Remsey's... experiments.

The Healer-lad sighed, his first two infusions hadn't done anything to bring the 'lizard around. Wonderful. He would have to experiment himself - or just wait the whatever it was out. Normally waiting produced the result of a living, breathing, awake firelizard. Actually, always it had. So perhaps he should just... not precisely throw in the towel, but let the experiment run its course. His plan to do so coincided with the deep thrum that shook the table - Basker twitched, twice, before falling back to 'sleep'. What was... ? Hatching. Oh, bugger.

Mentally swearing at himself and Remsey, Cadfael lifted his drugged firelizard and strode Healer-to-an-emergency-quick back to the Candidate Barracks. Let his friend get there himself. Cadfael wasn't up to trying to find him, not now.

Basker was laid gently on Remsey's bed, it wouldn't be worth it to climb up to the top bunk, only to have to scramble back up and grab the 'lizard afterwards. Cadfael dug through his chest of clothes. The white Candidate robe was buried at the bottom - on purpose, not through sloppiness: the deeper down the clothing, the less likely it would find itself A. accidentally smeared/cut/with a random hole or stain due to Remsey's experiments, or B. grabbed by Cadfael to mop up an accident with one of Remsey's experiments, before the problem acid or what-have-you spread to their beds or their persons or their chests of clothes. Some of Remsey's work could eat through wood, if not mopped up fast enough.

His clothing was hastily stripped off, clean-ish tunic chucked onto his bed, dirty shirt thrown into the hamper, white robe slipped on over his head. His belt probably wasn't technically allowed on the Sands, but it was the only way he could take his hip-pouch with his Healing supplies. Couldn't carry that in his hand. But also couldn't afford to leave Basker here by himself, drugged up. Just because nothing bad had happened before didn't mean it wouldn't.

The chance of finding his lifemate was amazing - but losing his second-oldest friend wasn't on his list of things to do. So Basker would have to come with him. A short, and fairly soft, leather thong was procured - where Remsey had found it, Cadfael didn't know. But it was right there, at the head of his bed. Maybe the blond was too trusting in his friend, but really, to do something to a leather thong? That would be a bit much, or so he hoped. A square-knot attaching the thong to Basker's tail, and a loose hitch around the flitter's neck that could be pulled off easily by either Basker or Cadfael himself would keep the slumbering Black secure around his neck.

Basker now tied around his neck, Cadfael hurried off to the Hatching Sands, bowing deeply to both the Weyrwoman and Copper, then Orange and her rider, a quiet apology spilling from his lips, "Forgive me, ladies, I didn't mean to be late to such an occasion." He made his way to the line of boys, sighing. Remsey was no where to be seen. Where had his friend gotten off to? Wasn't like Cadfael really knew any of the other boys well, they'd gotten there so late, and he'd been busy helping in the Infirmary.[/size]

[carolin]

Javert watched the smallest egg shake violently. His attention was taken up by the black as he emerged from the egg. He didn't look like he was in any hurry to find a candidate. He looked to not really care for the candidates. That was odd. Maybe not all dragons wanted to impress right away?

Javert jumped when he noticed the brown in front of him. His heart fluttered in his chest as the dragon seemed to study him. It was tense, but soon the dragon walked away from him. He was disappointed, but maybe it wasn't meant to be? The dragonett seemed to be taking him time to find just the right one. He smiled at the thought. It made him happy that the dragon was at least taking his time to find just the right person. Maybe that was what the black had decided to do?

The littke Cyan made it's way past the boys, catching Javerts attention. He watched as the dragonette made her way over to the girls. He wasn't sure of the way to describe her. He looked over at the green egg that was shaking. He felt a little worried when it stopped moving. That wouldn't be good. He hoped the dragonett was alright. Then it emerged. It was a stunning color. He watched as the green went to the black. Where they talking to each other? He tilted his head confused. He wasn't really sure what they were doing, but then the black walked off.

He wondered what the little green was doing when she paused on the sands. Was she making a decision like the brown one? SO many thoughts ran through his mind. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves.

[Reky]

Lin was swaying uneasily, bordering on keeping her heart inside her. It kept wanting to climb up her throat and squeeze its way out her mouth. It was an uncomfortable feeling. The deep, pulsating hum from the dragons wasn't helping her. It resonated within her, buzzed in her head, shook her already fragile nerves... Faranth. This was a mixture of excitement, fear, and nervousness that she had never been expecting. It was crazy.

There was some comfort in knowing she wasn't the only one frazzled. There was a poor boy missing his candidates' robes, apologizing. She would have said something to him, but she had to swallow her nerves down again. Right. Calm. Deep breaths, Lin. Deep breaths. Don't freak out, it's not the end of the world. Nope. This is it. It. Time to shine. Just wait, you can tell Alvo and Nivin about it, how amazing it is, even if you don't Impress. Calm, Lin. What's gotten into you? It had to feel amazing to Impress... she hoped she would. Shards, everyone here was hoping they would, obviously.

There was a touch on her arm, and she turned her head to look, eyes unintentionally wide, at the culprit. Immediately relief washed over her face. Kjara. Thank the Egg, a familiar face. Well, she'd seen all the other Candidates around, but Kjara... She knew her. There was a difference. Lin gave an understanding, lopsided smile at Kjara's confession, laughing nervously.

"Me too," she said. "Ah Faranth... This's shardin' my nerves to death." There was another nervous laugh, and she turned her eyes to the eggs again. The hulking copper hissed down at them, and Lin cringed and ducked her head in some motion of respect and fear. She looked up in time to see the first dragonet emerge. A brown. It was amazing. Now, she'd seen new life before, plenty of times. But the birth of a runner foal or herdbeast calf paled in comparison to this. See, these were dragons, the most important, most vital, most majestic creatures on the whole of Pern. Dragons were hatching. She was a candidate. Oh, Faranth! She sucked in a breath, eyes on the brown, and then on the blue, then the cyan -- and then back to the blue, as he Impressed to that excitable, chirpy girl.

She gave mental congratulations, holding her breath, watching Paralee's face. The tiny black caught her attention, though. The creature was so small compared to the others so far... and then the ocean-dragon, the cyan, was coming towards the girls. Her heart caught, but then she let out her current lungful of air. The cyan had Impressed. After lingering, she looked back at the rocking eggs, and the newcomer of bright, blinding green, chittering away to herself and imaginary friends, and she passed the quiet, static black by. Again, her heart caught at the advancement of the dragonet. She laughed it off again.

"Hones'ly," she said, turning her head to the side to look at Kjara, "This's crazy, isn' it? Faranth..." Nervous grin on her face, she looked back.

[arratra]

Matren stumbled onto the sands, out of breath.
Giving a bow to the queen and sub-queen, he placed his hands on his knees and openly panted, staying at the entrance to the cavern.

A'tra and Avartiath were up above, watching the hatching from a perch next to one of the holes in the roof. This afforded them an excellent view of the sands below, and, although they couldn't hear precisely what was going on, A'tra couldn't help but laugh when Osro found his way onto the sands.
Matren has arrived, Avartiath commented, He seems out of breath.

[kyrillion]

Mine! Eggs are Hatching![/color]
Sure are. I can hear the humming too, you know-
They are not mine.[/color] For just a moment, Duareth sounded disappointed. However, he was still eager to witness the Hatching of Kalith's latest clutch, and he waited only long enough for His to come darting out of the dining hall and onto his back before he took to wing. Soaring up and through the bowl, he had only a moment to enjoy the summer sunshine before he ducked into the darkness of the Hatching caverns. Maneuvering his way through the crowd of gathering dragons, he soon spied his favorite orange, and dove down to greet her.

He saw immediately that Nikianeth seemed to be on-edge about something, and his happily blue and green eyes were touched for a moment with orange. Was there something wrong with his children? However, as soon as he touched down beside her with a happy croon and nuzzle to serve as a greeting, he saw what the problem was. He moved immediately to coil his tail protectively around the three carefully-arranged eggs - if any of Kalith's children came stumbling too close, he would be ready to nudge them gently back on course.

Do not worry, Nikianeth. They will be fine. I will help keep them safe.[/color] He promised her, before turning to watch as the first of Kalith's dragonets began to choose their riders. They were all his students, and many of them would shortly hereafter be former students. He was immensely proud of all of them. His eyes fell on Remiel, the brother of His Own, for a long moment; perhaps this Hatching would be his. Or perhaps one of Duareth's would choose the boy as a rider. They were happy thoughts, for the brown; he had always encouraged the boy. It was just a matter of patience.

As the first blue and cyan paired off, Duareth offered gentle salutations to them. Welcome, little ones. Would you tell your riders that me, Duareth, and Mine are very proud of them? We wish them luck for the future.[/color] Lying gently back, a watchful eye still on the goings-on on the Sands, Duareth scarcely noticed as his dismounted and meandered over to Armania. He offered her a bright smile and a nod. "Good afternoon! Can't wait to see this thing get under way..."

*******

Ensconced in their new Weyr, Tesla was so absorbed in a chart that she'd pilfered from the record room that she didn't hear the humm of the dragons until Irath, lounging beside her, picked it up herself. Alert in an instant, eyes twinkling and smile big, she jumped to her feet and tossed the record onto the nearest flat surface, rushing over to scramble into Irath's back.

What are you doing?[/color] Irath sounded supremely nonplussed, andn didn't so much as twitch.
You are going to take me to the Hatching!
And why would I do that, when I could have a nap and sun myself on our new ledge...[/color]
Because I asked you to and you love me! And even you couldn't be angry at a Hatching. Come on!

Huffing indignantly, Irath nevertheless rose to her feet. She was not at all looking forward to the heat and crowds of the Hatching sands; but Hatchings were always good things. Though she had at first been a bit contemptuous of Dalibor dragons, offspring of a renegade queen that she was, Tesla's constant berating and well-reasoned arguments had managed to sway her just a bit. She was rather indifferent to all of them, now, and there were those that she even didn't mind from time to time; but from Tesla's perspective, she could see that a strong and healthy Weyr was a good thing. And if the Hatchings were so important to Her Own, she could handle a mark or two watching the babies hatch.

Their Weyr was on one of the lower levels; all the green had to do, essentially, was spread her wings and hop off their ledge. Sailing towards the cavern at a leisurely glide, looking a bit more graceful in the air than she usually did, she touched down with a dull thud near the stands to allow Hers to dismount. It had taken a day or two before Tesla realized that it wasn't clumsiness on Irath's part - the green enjoyed the jarring, ground-shaking landings that she was slowly perfecting. Tesla, unfazed now that it had become routine, hopped lightly off and patted Irath's shoulder affectionately. Go sit with Gulath, dear. And behave, please?

I shall not eat anyone unless they anger me first.[/color] The green responded airily, sounding so serious about it that for a moment Tesla wasn't sure if she was joking or not. Taking to wing again, and slightly annoyed that Hers had foreseen her plans of joining the blue for the duration of the hatching, Irath nevertheless lit next to Gulath on the ledge he'd chosen. Folding her wings tightly against her, eyes whirling crimson every time a dragon or firelizard sailed past them at speeds that, indoors, were a bit disconcerting, she deigned to turn her attention on the Sands. Gulath/ She greeted coolly, as though the two were mere acquaintances - but as she situated herself beside him, she intentionally bumped shoulders with her typical force. It was a rather brutal sign of affection - a smaller dragon might have been pushed nearly off the ledge - but nothing less could hardly be expected of the wrathful green.

Tesla scanned the already thick crowd, looking for an empty seat, her expression cheerful and her mind already conjuring a storm of images and imaginings of what this Hatching would hold. She had long ago paired up the Candidates she'd seen around the weyr with a color - not a dragon color, but merely a color that somehow seemed to fit them. She did this with most people upon meeting them, in fact - Kyrillion, for instance, was usually a mellow orange. Fajra was a dark burgundy, Pratyba an electric green. And so on - it would be interesting to see how those colors corresponded with the color of dragon each person actually Impressed. Perhaps she could divine some sort of pattern! Perhaps the secret to predicting the outcome of a Hatching was merely some sort of mathematical theorem... But she needed to focus on other things, for a moment, if she wanted to enjoy the Hatching sitting down. And several people passing by had already asked her to move herself out of the way, in less kind terms. And so, spying an empty seat nearby, she made for it. She realized halfway there that it was next to N'tal.

She paused, for a moment. He probably wouldn't want to sit by her - he had made it clear on more than one occasion, after all, that he found her annoying. But then, he had been less abrasive lately. And Gulath had always been friendly with her - perhaps it was just a matter of time before someone got him to relax. And why couldn't that someone be her? No one else seemed to be going to any effort, certainly. The grin returned, her optimism restored, and she marched right up and claimed the seat, tucking her legs under her and watching the Sands with rapt attention.

"Hello, N'tal." She sounded just a touch nervous; she still didn't want to bother him. And there was really no telling what went on in that boy's head. "Isn't this wonderful? Brings me back to Alizadehth's Hatching... Those kids must all be so excited. And look at that! Another cyan..." She sounded almost reverent; there was nothing better, in her mind, that dragons and Weyr life and especially Hatchings. This day would mean so much for so many of those Candidates - it was only right to celebrate it. And by participating, herself, she could relive the elation of her own Impression to Irath, even if it had been a somewhat terrifying experience.

Mine![/color]
Oh come now, dear. You were a bit scary.
I was only tryng to get to you.[/color]
You mauled three people!
They were in my way.[/color] Rolling her eyes in exasperation, Tesla decided it was best not to respond, lest she and Irath continue bickering throughout the event - and she didn't want to miss watching even one Impression.

*******

Remiel watched with bated breath as, one by one, the eggs began to hatch. Of all the rocking and shuddering eggs, a brown was first to push his way out and into the world. He was a sturdy,tough-looking thing; handsome, and not a bad omen for the start of Hatching. And, of course, Remiel had something of a soft spots for browns because of Duareth. Perhaps he would follow in his brother's footsteps? Remiel himself was much less methodical than this dignified hatchling, and he watched him with some interest as he made his way steadily to the line of Candidates.

A blue was next; very intriguing coloration on that one. He was a handsome one, as well - they were both rather large for their color, certainly healthy-looking. A good start for any Hatching. And after them came a cyan; only the fourth in all of Pern, and she had an air of mystery about him that drew his attention. She was an interesting one, though for the moment she showed very little interest in Impressing, whereas her brothers were already making their way through the lines of white robes. And then the blue, though he hadn't been first to Hatch, became the first to Impress - to Paralee!

Remiel couldn't help the triumphant laugh that escaped him; he'd said so from the very beginning! She was a dragonrider, that one, for sure - he'd said so more than once! And he'd been right, so right! Though he was too far away to shout congratulations, he leaned back from the line to catch her eye, and pumped a first in the air, obviously excited and delighted. Continuing to chuckle, he turned back to the sands, almost reluctant to do so. He wanted to know the blue's name, introduce himself! But that would have to wait; another dragon had just hatched. He was a scrawny-looking black, small even by their standard, though he had a rather out-of-place air of confidence to him. Remiel found him rather amusing, but he didn't hold his attention for long.

Scanning the Sands again, he was just in time to watch an absolutely blinding green girl make her entrance. She was small, clumsy, and social - but certainly endearing. He smirked as she tried, and failed, to get that black's attention, and then was promptly distracted again. Didn't look like much at all was going to hold her attention, but she seemed healthy enough. Remiel, for the moment, was more interested in what would be hatching next.
[/size]

[kaya]

"BY THE FIRST EGG, WHAT THE SHELLS DO YOU WANT?!" a rather irritable voice screamed. A voice at her door and several loud knockings had been periodically interrupting her sleep. Ryka had been staying up later and later as her days at the Weyr wore on. It was past midday and yet she had not even gotten eight hours of sleep yet. So whomever had been causing all the racket better have a good reason for it, she determined, finally getting up and pulling on just enough clothing to answer the door.

Fully expecting someone to still be there, Ryka opened the door hollering, "WHAT?!?!" Her eyes were still squinted in sleep and her hair was a tangled mess. She recognized the fact that she was hungry and that made her want to go back to sleep all the more. Upon hearing no response Ryka suppressed a sigh and rubbed at one eye with her free hand. She slowly allowed light to come through the small space in between her eyelids. No one was there.

By Faranth, I swear! The next person I catch making all this noise will soon be incapable of ever making noise again! Ryka seethed, retreating back into her room. She shed the clothes and slunk back into bed, pulling the covers up harshly.

BANG BANG BANG!!!!!!

Ryka had just barely closed her eyes. In another instant she was up, and still full in her nightwear, which consisted of next to nothing, she yanked open the door and screamed, "WHAAAT?!?!"

A rather startled onlooker gawked and tried to find words to speak. Who was this raging wherry who shot the messenger? "The....The Hatching," he managed to stammer out and then took off running down the hall. Though he thought her uncultured, uncivilized and by all means surely not a real person he realized she could probably quite easily cause him serious damage.

"GET BACK HERE, YOU ROGUE! Ryka yelled, staying in the doorway. What had he said anyhow...? The something? Eh. Ryka closed the door and slid back into bed. She had just put her head on the pillow when it hit her.

The Hatching?!

Ryka was back on her feet, cursing and whirling wildly about her room. She knocked the glow basket over trying to open it, disfigured a few by stepping on them and almost tripped, had to dig through the mess her room had become to find her robes, and worst of all: one sandal was missing. By shards! Of all the rotten luck, this is what happens! Ryka carried on, once again plowing into the mess. Where is it? Where IS it?! She was becoming quite frantic and a tinge of hopelessness started to nag at her mind.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Ryka screamed, thinking not of how much her voice might hurt the next day after such abuse. She dropped to her knees, hurting them on the hard floor, and tilted her head to the slide. ...there it was. Half under the bed. "Sharding sandal," Ryka muttered, putting it on. She adjusted her robes, tied them tight - she didn't want anyone else seeing her sleepwear - and stormed out the door.

-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-

Her eyes wouldn't stay open in the bright sunlight. Ryka kept squinting and rubbing at them, desperately wishing that she would be able to feel better. Shard it all! Hatching day, and she so tired, a mess, some sight and now some new terror to an unknown person in the Weyr. Faranth willing, I will never see him again, she thought as she reached the final - oh, Faranth she hoped it was the final - turn before reaching the Hatching Sands.

Ryka expected her terrible luck to hold out. That she would turn and be hopelessly lost. Yet, fate had another plans. So there she was, dumped out of the Weyr into an area she recognized from her roaming at night. She took off at full speed - which wasn't much - toward the Sands.

Shard it, look at how late I am, Ryka thought right before stepping onto the hot sand. She had known it would be hot, and yet, FARANTH!, it was hotter than she expected. Through Fall, fog and fire! That's where I've come, and with any luck -- though I seem to have none -- they won't stare at me. Ryka found a feminine face and examined the ones around it. Yes, the girls' section. She walked quickly over there. She looked like a wherrybrained fool when she ran. Weren't there other Hatching customs? She looked over at the Copper on the Sands...bowing? She doubted the dragoness would notice now, but she kept the gesture in mind should Kalith look her way.

[Birdy]

"Good luck to you too!" Paralee siad to brigtly to Rhysia, waving in her direction. She redognized many of the peopl there, Amara, Remiel, Jasra... She spotted several others but was too excited to remember their names. She was trying to settle down but it was no use, she was shifting from foot to foot and not just because the Sands were hot. She flinched as the Queen's hiss, though she was sure it wasn't directed at her. Paralee clearly remembered bowi-er curtseying to each Queen.

Osro caught her attention mostly because he was the weyrwoman's child. That was entertaining, the weyrwoman's own weyrbrat crashing the Hatching. But it lightened Paralee's nervous mood and caused her to focus on stiffling the laugh that was building in her and off the burning Sands.

She watched the cracking eggs with interest, staring intently at the egg rocking the most. A brown hatched and Paralee rolled back on her heels. What a cutie! The next hatching egg drew her attention away from the brown, and to this lovely new hatchling. He was a plain color, but with a twist. It was cute. But there was another dragonet on the Sands, a cyan. She grinned at Rhysia, maybe this one was hers? She had said she’d wanted to Impress a Cyan right? Maybe this one would pick her!

As she was watching the Cyan, the blue caught her attention once again. He was moving quickly through the boys, seemingly uninterested in any of them. So it was a girl? Oooh, who else was like her? She’d heard that is blues went to girls they went to girls like her. Girls that liked girls. Paralee leaned forward, trying to see which of the girls it was going to pick.

As he came to her, Paralee expected (though hoped it wouldn’t) it to pass her by but it stopped. By her. RIGHT in front. This wasn’t a possibility she’d thought of. It might choose…her? I believe your Tomarth needs food, ParaleeMine. And there is so much to do! So much, so much! Will you do it all with me? It had! No. He had! Tomarth had! Paralee was quiet for a moment then seemed to snap back to life. “Tomarth!” she exclaimed. “Of course of course! We’ll do everything!” Paralee chirped excitedly, kissing the blue on the nose. “You’re hungry too?” she giggled, patting him on the head then scratching his eye-ridges.
Paraleemine Tomarth said happily, though his stomach was so horribly empty empty empty. “Oh right! Food! Come on handsome!” Paralee said quickly, leading the blue off the Sands. She spied Remiel and returned his fist pump, mouthing good luck before she ran to catch up with the blue.

[Admin]

Somebody once told me,
The world is gonna roll me,
I ain't the sharpest,
Tool in the shed.

Kalith was less than pleased by the late arrivals, but she refrained from anything drastic by focusing on her children. Her rider would arrange the weyrlingmaster. She was sure that she already had someone in mind. Everything would be properly handled. She wasn't concerned about the fact that the Weyrwoman was so tense. She knew why that was, and it didn't have anything to do with the hatching. Briefly, she glanced over at Duareth and Nikianeth. She rustled her wings in displeasure. Why were people so stupid? This is the reason I chose you, Fajra; she commented lightly, before glancing over her eggs and then to Daidoroth. The sight of the bronze buoyed her somewhat. The fact that the faintest touch of a smirk appeared on her rider's face at her words didn't hurt too, and neither did her hatching and Impressing children on the sands.

The motions were soft. The touches, so light. No force was used, simply the lightest bit of pressure was placed. The dragonet within the golden brown mottled egg near the end of the front row didn't make a grand entrance. In fact, the cracking of the egg made no sound at all for anyone to notice. Lines like spider legs and webs appeared on the smooth surface, slowly distressing the structure of the egg. Lightly, a foot pushed out a particularly tender chunk, before retreating for a moment. Gently, it pushed on the same spot, lifting that piece away from the rest of the shell. Finally, the piece fell away. The foot gave a little kick, then disappeared back into the depth of the egg. A snout poke out, but couldn't fit. Carefully, the dragonet pushed at the egg a little more. Another chunk fell off. Finally, she emerged with a soft, dainty, little step.

The pink regarded everything with a kind expression on her young face and a gentleness to the little movements she made with her awkwardly porportioned body. A pale, baby pink covered almost all of her body. A soft and lovely shade, it looked to fit her in every way and held a soothing effect, very easy on the eyes. However, there was a mar in the delicate, uniform color. Across her nose and the underside of her snout changed abruptly into a vibrant, deep fuchsia. It clashed obnoxiously against the rest of her more finely and softly colored hide. In some ways, it almost looked unnatural, radiating against the baby pink. Yet, in some ways, the brilliant flash of color held a resemblance of sense appearing against the soft pallor of her light hide. Either way, the marking was there to stay, very noticeable and quite clear, and she was definitely a pink.

Just like every other dragonet that had hatched by that point, she was small, for a pink, smaller than all the others but the little black. It couldn't really be classified as wrong. None of them were truly runts, and she was healthy for all appearances, just like the rest of them. Anyway, it's the heart that truly count, isn't it? The pink certainly seemed to have a good heart. She looked fondly towards her black brother, who had given her a glance of inspection. She looked fondly at them all. The sands burned at her poor feet, her hide so young and soft, but she didn't let that faze her. Tipping her head slightly back, so the brilliant spot on her jaw became even more obvious, she let out a sweet croon, over the ringing noises of the constant humming. The note hung in the air, pure and musical. She blinked her outer lids and crooned again. She liked that, the noise.

The brown continued his inspections. Each candidate took his full attention and plenty of time. Certainly not lazy, the idea of cutting corner failed to even come to him on most occasions. For one so young, he had an air of command about him. It wasn't strong, not like that of a King, but he was strong. Nothing would break him. Nothing would faze him. Teacher, friend, mentor, he exuded more experience than he had, and he even bemoaned that. Growth, growth, he needed growth! So, he continued on with his methodical searching. He needed a rider who would match him, compliment him, who was perfect for him. It was a troublesome, inexact science, but he could see the beauty of it. He could see the beauty of himself, of his own youth. The world was a wonderful place, if one knew where to look, so on he plodded, onto the next boy.

Lyam fell under his gaze. His head moved, up and down, sizing the candidate in front of him from his toes to his shoulders. It was more of a feeling that he was looking for in his searching. All the things slowly added up in his mind. He wasn't right. There was no feeling, no connection. It was a simple mental thing. It wasn't about eyes. It wasn't about the color of hides or skin. It was simple, when it all boiled down to it, and it wasn't there. He gave a kindly breath of air through his nose, a neatly done, quiet, and fatherly sigh. Then he turned away and took a few steps, over to the next boy. He passed over a few more, and then came to Tylar. He paused, as he did for each, but that boy fared no better than any of the others. It wasn't a bad thing. It simply meant that the candidate wasn't right for him. Turning away, he marched awkwardly towards the next.

At first, the black seemed to be going a bit towards the candidates in his swagger. However, then he turned entirely away from them and headed in an entirely different direction after striking a regal little pose. It wasn't meant to be dramatic. He was on an adventure! He had to do such things! A distant corner of the sands, over by Nikianeth's eggs, had captured his attention. Adventure might lurk over there, by the fiery colored eggs that were aside from the bunch from which he had hatched. If one wanted to find adventure, one had to go searching! To far off holds and uncharted waters and the distant north he would go! One day, anyway, one day! Off he marched, across the sands on his first epic trek towards victory and excitement! In his mind, everything was even bigger than it actually should have been to him. It was better that way.

Though, that giant orange who wasn't his mother was so large, in all realities. He faltered for a moment. He didn't want to get hurt. Not really. He just wanted to have some fun, and he didn't want to talk. Speaking wasn't fun. The grand ideas that drifted in his mind, of saving fair maidens and rescuing people and defeating evil people, wavered. Then he set his jaw, clapping his little teeth together tight. Never concede defeat! Gathering up all of his bravery and courage, on his forged! In the face of the bright, exotic world he had been presented with, he showed a great deal of guts and spirit. Never would his life be boring! He would see every place in all of the world. He would taste life. Sticking his nose out as far as it would go with his skinny neck, he marched onward, a valiant little figure. Perhaps he was just crazy. That was alright too, if it was fun.

The green remembered what she was supposed to be doing. With a sort of spasm of her awkward limbs, off she went, trundling towards the candidates. Loudly, she gave a couple of chatters to the brown, but he paid her so little heed. She didn't mind. In truth, she wasn't really talking to him. Her voice sometimes grew quieter, but she never really shut up until she was distracted. That didn't take long to happen. Something moved in the corner of her vision and her head turned around sharply. It was just one of the eggs, the golden and blue one in the back row. Many of the eggs were rocking, or at least giving a shake every once in a while. A few remained quiet. She tilted her head at the egg, not particularly looking like she entirely understood what she had seen. She turned her head back around, growing bored and chattering more.

Not seeming at all bothered, she stood there for a bit. Her brain felt all scrambled. That was sort of just how it was. Her thoughts lay all scattered about in the confines of her head. She knew that there was something she had known that she knew she was supposed to be doing. It wasn't until she recalled, amongst a consideration of pink and flowers and food, that she had wanted to do what she had been doing that she managed to focus a little. From there, things got a bit easier. It only took her a minute or so from there to remember. Oh, right, those people, over there! She needed a person. Her person. With an energetic waddle and some cheerful chattering, she headed for the candidates. After that, she just had to pick out where in the world the right one was. That sounded so easy. It couldn't be hard! She just had to focus. Hah.

Briefly, she glanced, continuing to make chattering noises, at a few of the boys. Then she looked at the girls. She paused for a moment, having to gather up her thoughts. After that, she managed to Impress to one of the girls. Her one of the girls. That had a nice ring. That was silly, though, the idea of a ring! What was a ring? That was like a circle and a sound! That sounded interesting. Her thoughts wandering, her chattering continued, but it gained a new form. Hello, hello, LinMine. I need, that stuff, uh. Wait, wait, I got it! Just you wait! Though waiting seems silly. Oh, right, food! I need food. Your Memnorooth needs food! I think you can help me with that. Maybe? Either way, nice to meet you and all of that. Oh, hey, whose that? Chattering away, the green ended by turning her head towards Kjara and waving her tail at her a bit.



After the green Impressed, the pink glanced at the black, watching him wander off. The green would be alright, but would he be? Yes, he would. She knew it was so, some empathy and understanding, a sensitivity, falling into her grasp. As she stretched her neck, she let out another croon. She ran up from one low note to a beautiful high note, and then back now. The sounds fell into the sensitivity of her feeling too. Each was savored and loved. However, she let them be. She had to leave them for a time, because she had something else to do. They would always be there, which was nice to know. She wanted to be like them, like the music that came so naturally to her young voice. She would care and be there. The being there would be hard. How did one stay still? She couldn't put too much thought into it. She simply headed for the candidates.

Keeping a small distance between herself and them, she moved amongst their ranks, not really going in a particular order. She felt, with her tiny feet and her heart, what was going on and she tried so hard to understand. Each and everyone of them seemed lovely to her. Little hate existed within her. Somewhere deep down inside, there was a little. She would defend and protect what was hers, if she came to understand that and saw it necessary, but she wasn't a fighter. The space she kept between herself and the candidates was better, because each possible touch affected her, rippling through her hide. She could feel the sand under her feet, the air moving around her. Considering each person strained her young mind as it was. She didn't understand how to delegate so well. She couldn't comprehend how to settle all of her senses and thoughts.

Finally, it clicked in her head. It gave her a serenity, and she exuded it to her new rider as she moved towards him, stepping up in front of him. J'vertMine, your Canlarth knows you can sing with her. It's going to be good; she assured him in a soft voice. She reached forward and rested the fuchsia spot on her nose against one of his hand in a gentle greeting. She could feel his mind, and the contact meant she could understand. It wasn't right, to understand, not always, but it was good to be able to so that she could help. Gently, she crooned, another pure note, one of many she was likely to make in her life. She drew back a little, giving him space, and she let out another note. That one came out better than all of the others, pure and sweet, to match her new rider! Her eyes swirled with a brilliancy from affection, and simple kindness.



She was looking kind of dumb,
With her finger and her thumb,
In the shape of an "L",
On her forehead.

[carolin]

Javerts eyes drifted from the green and over to the golden brown egg. He wondered what color dragonett would hatch from it. She was so cute, and dainty. His mind felt like a whirling blur. There was so much going on and it was all going on so fast that he almost felt dizzy. The little black was still wandering around, it made him wonder if it was ever going to impress, or if it was going wander around the grounds all day?

His thoughts were brought back to the pink when she let out a soft sweet croon. It was a beautiful pitch. He liked the noise she made. It gave him a few ideas and his fingers itched to get back to his harp, but that wasn't what was important now. Although at times he felt like shrinking back into the rest of the candidates. He bit his lip and looked over at the other candidates. Where they nervous like him?

He looked back over at the Pink as she crooned. Was she singing? That was what it sounded like. It was a pleasant sound. He was a little disappointed when she stopped, but she had to impress after all. She kept her distance from the candidates. Maybe it was a way to gauge them better? He was a little startled when she started walking towards the boys. His heart fluttering in his chest as the little pink stopped in front of him.

Then that sweet voice entered his mind. He was a little stunned. He had impressed a dragon? A cute dragon at that. A smile came to his lips as she touched his hand. He reached out to gently scratch her eye ridge. 'We can make lots of music together. It will be very good.' He thought. Canlarth. It was such a pretty name. The dragon, his dragon, was the cutest thing he had ever seen. "Lets get you some food, and then I will get my harp and we can sing together." He smiled. His heart had stopped it frantic flutter, but it light now, and he was content.

Food and then Singing. I like that, That will be good, J'vertmine. The sweet voice that entered his mind helped him to relax more. It was so gentle and he had a feeling he would only get to love her more over time. He carefully lead the pink away to feed her.

[hatori3070]

Jasra noticed that the tiny Black was heading in the direction of the Orange Clutchmother and hoped that he didn't get too close to her eggs. Mother dragons were very protective, and he could get hurt if he wasn't careful. The sound of a soft croon ringing in the air brought her attention to a Pink who had hatched while she wasn't looking. She was beautiful, even the bright splash of a brighter color on her chin only made her more gorgeous. The movement of the Green attracted her attention as she stumbled toward the boys, reminding her of the Brown who was over there. She was sad to see it pass by Lyam, and tried to catch his eye and give him an encouraging smile. But now the Green was heading toward the girls. Jasra was still struck by her color, such a vibrant and bright green, as she passed by her to Impress to another girl she didn't know. She smiled and clapped, glad for her all the same. The Pink was crooning, more like singing now. It was such a wonderful sound. After a moments hesitation and a glance at the girls, she went over and Impressed to a boy. Of course, it was someone else she didn't know, but he deserved applause just as much as everyone else. Just because she hadn't met him that didn't mean she couldn't be happy for him.

With each new Impression, she couldn't help but lose an iota of confidence. Outwardly, she maintained her posture and refrained from fidgeting, keeping her hands hanging simply by her sides. But inside, her heart felt like it was trying to jump out through her mouth. That, or bang its way out through her ribcage. It all seemed to be moving in slow motion, and it was driving her crazy. Why was it taking so long for her to Impress? So many had already passed her by. What if they all did? Geree, being the wonderful and devoted little flitt that she was, sent feelings of calm to Hers, and of course Anthe and Dioia soon joined her. Jasra smiled, glad to have such wonderful firelizards to look after her. They were right too, she thought. She shouldn't be so worried. Hers would be out there today. She knew it.

[purnip]

Throughout this endeavor, Rhysia was in great spirits. People were Impressing and no one was getting hurt, and the best part of it all was seeing their faces. It only enhanced her own anticipation; finding her lifemate was all she ever wanted so she could feel that same feeling and not just the by-product from her peers. She still felt happy for them however. Not a shred of remorse on her mind when the silly Green and the elegant Pink Impressed and left the Sands another two dragons short of the original number. She wasn't quite counting down. Due to having her hopes lifted by several people in Dalibor, she believed that this clutch before her had to contain her dragon. It was only a matter of patience and waiting. He or she would hatch when ready.

Watching the Pink hatch was a treat to the eyes. Rhysia found the delicate creature to be one of exquisite beauty, despite the strange blotches on her nose. She had a feeling from the moment she hatched however, that she did not belong to her. Rhysia could not keep such a creature as a partner; in fear of marring such a soft thing. Clumsiness had nothing to do with it. She simply couldn't relate herself. When Javert, or rather J'vert, Impressed her, she applauded enthusiastically for him and was grateful there was a Candidate in the group worthy of such a fragile thing.

The Green was also given the same, if not more attention. Unpredictable due to her forgetfulness, Rhysia couldn't quite grasp what was on her mind. She must be lost. Much to her relief however, the Green found herself her own lifemate. She did not know Lin, but she still applauded, just as she had for J'vert. This time, she did not speak out. It was not due to lack of respect, but she didn't know Lin and she was distracted.

The valiant Black. So full of life and so adventurous! He reminded Rhysia of The Bandit herself. The Bandit's dragon Garnreth was actually more of the voice of reason who, along with enjoying a good prank and adventure, kept his rider from going over the top. Rhysia didn't know what she would require from a lifemate herself; she wasn't all that adventurous by herself, but in her imagination she had seen so many distant made-up lands and survived many a peril that she could qualify herself as a bit of an explorer. But not to set anything in stone, she simply watched him. The Brown was being ignored at this point only because he seemed so wrapped up in choosing one of the boys that by default she figured he was not hers. He was way too slow anyways. She thought her dragon should be a little sneaky, like herself. Not all slow and pokey. Not that she didn't respect him, but he wasn't her type.

If you were to seek out the polar opposite of Rhysia, or at least to the furthest end of the spectrum you could go among this motley crew of remaining Candidates, you would find Lyam.

He was starting to ache. All over. He had held his breath with the Brown stopped before him, wondering if this was it and that this might be Impression, but his spirit was dropped like an h-bomb when the dragon moved on. All he could think at the very moment was what had he done wrong. Something about him wasn't up to par. A careful and analytical type of creature had found him obsolete. Why should it matter to Lyam? Hell, it mattered everything! All of Pern it mattered! He had spent all of his life trying to be the most desired, useful, important, and irreplaceable person he could be, but he was still turned down in less than a minute. Maybe he gave that anxiety of his away in his eyes when the dragonet had looked over him. Maybe his knees wobbled or his tired eyes betrayed weakness. Horrible, unkindly weakness that would wreck everything for him. A mistake he had committed on the Sands today. He needed to know what it was to correct it, before more dragons disappeared and left him Standing there. Survivor Dalibor and he'd be the first eliminated. It would not and could not happen.

He was nearly about to do something very foolish. His hand twitched as he was considering to ask the dragonet what he had done wrong; what did Lyam lack? But his desire to remain unmarred by an annoyed creature about his size kept him from reaching out. He could only watch, crestfallen, as the dragon stopped before Tylar. Sudden feelings of jealousy sparked, a green thing he rarely felt, as he watched the two. Would Tylar possess what he lacked...what was it? But no, onward the dragonet moved. The jealousy melted away and Lyam felt a shame for having let it surface. He wondered if it showed on the outside.

He had to be patient, but he found it difficult. Four dragons were off leaving fifteen. A dwindling number with the amount of Candidates available. Of course, there were Nikilaneth's three, but they would not be hatching today...or would they? He didn't care, honestly. Lyam's tired and doleful eyes scanned the Sands, hard to take them off the Brown whom he felt a bit of contempt towards. Couldn't the dragonet simply tell him what he failed to see? Failed to feel? The Black out there didn't seem like he'd be running over to the boys any time soon. That left for more suspense.

On the outside, he looked like a tree in the process of withering, so he figured. Lyam tried to correct his posture, but the spirit in him was reluctant to comply. He forced it with mind and will to obey him, despite those soft feelings that weakened the core. They would comply and they would help him to find that very dragon out there that he deserved, or deserved him, or however it worked out. He would not wither in the face of his bonded. He had a job, a mission, and a self-given destiny that he would not let slip so easy.

If he didn't Impress...his back up plan was ill favored. He would leave and try to make it on his own. It would be harder without a dragon, and perhaps impossible to obtain all the respect he desired, but he couldn't put up with more failure on his part without therapy. Fate was brutal. In his qualms he had forgotten to clap for J'vert and Lin, one of which he was acquainted with. They wouldn't mind, he guess. They had walked off with something more beautiful in mind. Whatever that feeling was...

Could it have been that one weakness of commitment, or rather his lack thereof? Maybe that was the case. He couldn't change the fact that the only person he looked out for was himself, unless circumstances required he looked after another for his own sake. The Brown might have sensed that. What could he do though? He couldn't change it easily. It was just a thing.

He brought himself to stand tall again, defiant even. No. He would not allow it. He could be committed to one who would not hurt or betray him, and dragons were of the utmost loyalty on Pern. If none of these dragons were Impressed to him, they were foolish in letting this one go. He was willing to pump up his ego if his image was perfected. Lyam put himself above the other boys in him mind and became firm. A Brown would not bring him down with a glance. He was not weak. Lyam was ready to Impress, and today, from this clutch, one dragon would be fortunate to find a jewel like him. Far from delusional, a piece of Lyam's mind still maintained the reality that he was not much of a jewel and simply forced himself to shine like one.

[theknightwhosaysni]

The brown had passed by Lyam, and Tylar couldn't help but feel a malicious sense of relief. I hope he Impresses a Green.

And then brown's eyes were upon him, and Tylar could almost feel disapproval radiating from the creature as it moved on, pausing only for a moment before passing by him, leaving him, like Lyam, left behind.

Maybe it had been because of his malicious thoughts? Tylar winced at the thought, had he ruined his chances of Impression because he was glad Lyam hadn't Impressed to the brown he'd wanted for himself if it was the highest ranking color to come out of the Hatching?

His heart was picking up speed, but somehow, he managed to keep his expression outwardly calm, though the affect was ruined by the two firelizards, who were getting more antsy as the Hatching wore on.

He wasn't getting conflicting images from the two, for once they were agreeing about something. They were glad the brown hadn't picked him, though for the life of him, Tylar couldn't tell why.

Did they just not want to Impress, or did they not want him to Impress to a brown, a sub-king? Tylar was inclined to believe the latter, but he wasn't sure.

Akal had been furious when he'd Impressed Meggo, how angry would the flit be if he Impressed to a dragon, which would steal even more attention from the black?

Meggo thought he was the best at, well, everything. He thought he was the greatest thing since Faranth herself, Meggo could conceivably be angry if Tylar thought someone, or something, was better than him.

Well, with that logic, it could be that the two just didn't want him to Impress...

Tylar winced as Meggo shifted his weight, ripping the cloth of his robe slightly, and bringing a few more droplets of blood to the surface of his skin.

Those claws were sharp little buggers, Tylar thought to himself, forcing a chuckle, an attempt to distract himself from his lack of Impression, though it didn't work for long.

Maybe half a minute passed before he was back to watching the eggs with hungry eyes, hoping with all his heart that one of those eggs would contain his dragon...

And hopefully that dragon would be a King...

---

The black was off exploring the Sands, and Amara followed the creature's antics with a small smile, watching as the little dragon reached Nikianeth and seemed to shy away, before marching onwards.

Such an adorable little thing, she thought to herself with a smile, missing the Pink's Hatching entirely until the young thing began to sing in a fairly pretty voice.

Amara's head whipped around fairly quickly, going from watching the black to watching the pink in an instant, amusement flickering in her eyes as she watched the young creature head for Hers, a boy that she didn't really know.

A small smile lodged itself on her face as she applauded cheerfully for the new Pinkrider, who looked fairly happy to have Impressed such a creature.

Amara was glad the pink had gone to someone who would love her, all of those young dragonets deserved it.

An awkward shift of her weight, later, though, and Amara was lost in her own head again, this time off about the bird she'd just seen soaring by.

What kind of bird was it? Where was it off to in such a hurry? Was it going to anyone?

Amara took a moment to decide the answer to each one, before coming up with a large list of more questions, wavering about halfway down the list when she remembered that the Hatching was still ongoing.

[Nia]

Kalith looked angry, Engrye noticed. But who could blame her? There were quite a few late arrivals, but she supposed being late was better than not being there as all. As much as it displeased Kalith, some of the dragonets could be meant for the late arrivals, so it was probably a good thing they were there. Still... Engrye was pretty happy that she'd managed to arrive on time. Dealing with the Copper's wrath was not something she would ever want to have to do. But that didn't really concern her, because she hadn't been late, and the dragonets were still hatching.

A Pink was the next to daintily break out of her egg. She was a nice shade of pink, though the markings on her nose kind of reminded Engrye of... well, the Pern equivalent of lipstick. Which was a little humorous, but Engrye wasn't laughing. With her expression still carefully blank she watched the Pink shake off the eggshells with more dignity than the red-haired girl had ever seen in a Hatching before. She was rather pretty, though, even with her lipstick like markings. Very dainty and slight, but pretty. She was small, too, but that didn't really matter all that much to Engrye. And her voice... was beautiful. A singing dragonet? Who would have ever thought.

She chanced a look over at the males, wondering where the Brown had gone off to, and managed to catch him staring at Lyam, one of the only Candidates she'd had a real conversation with. But no, the Brown wasn't for him, and it wasn't for Tylar either, which she was rather glad about. That boy didn't deserve a dragon at all, let alone a Brown. But she'd thought for sure that Lyam would have Impressed such a dragon. Eh, well, he hadn't, and Engrye wasn't going to dwell on it. She instead looked back at the other dragons, catching sight of the Black... wandering over near Nikianeth?! That couldn't be right. For all his adventurousness he seemed rather... wherrybrained. It was a bad, bad move to move near another clutch's eggs, even if they were on the same Sands.

Well, not wanting to watch the Black any longer for fear that she'd rage at his lack of intelligence, she instead watched the Green. The "talkative" one, that seemed to be trying to talk to everyone that would listen. But unfortunately for her, no one would listen. She also seemed rather.... wherrybrained. But she'd figured out what she needed to do and came over towards the girls. Her face still not betraying her nervousness, Engrye watched the Green as she Impressed. Not to her. That was alright, she clapped anyway... secretly rather glad that she hadn't added another Twee to her Green collection. The two Greens on her shoulder chattered into her ears indignantly, but she quickly shushed them with more images of an angry Copper dragon.

The Pink seemed like the only intelligent dragon on the Sands at the moment, well, her and the Brown that was over with the boys, but she'd all but forgotten about him. But to Engrye's small dismay, the Pink went over to the boys to Impress to someone she also didn't know. That was alright, but once again the Brown and Black were the only two on the Sands. Surely the other dragonets would emerge out of their eggs soon, right...? Engrye was patient, but the nerves pooling in her stomach were making her... well, less patient than she would have been.

[/size]

[kyrillion]

Remiel watched as that first brown, undecided and clearly taking his good time about it, moved down the line of boys. He would stop at each one, considering every possibility, before dismissing them. Some with an almost apologetic air, others with a paternal attitude - some he just walked right on past with hardly any acknowledgment at all. And it was interesting to see each boy's reaction; some were clearly disappointed, others accepting. Some looked almost angry, though whether that anger was directed inward or at the brown, himself, it was impossible to say. In any event, the brown seemed a lot more contemplative, more thoughtful and reasoned, than many newly hatched dragons. It was certainly interesting, watching his process of elimination.

Another hatching egg soon drew his attention, however - a very small egg broke apart to reveal a small, very small, pink. And what a strange little marking she had on her muzzle. She seemed kind. Mellow, even, for one of her color; and she had a startlingly pretty voice, as well. She didn't hold Remiel's attention for long, and in any case she was quick to make her choice - far quicker than her black and brown brothers, who were still on the Sands.

The black didn't seem interested in Impression at all. In fact, he was venturing across the Sands looking rather as though her were on some sort of mission. When Remiel realized that he was headed towards Nikianeth's clutch, he couldn't help a sudden fear that descended upon him. What if Nikianeth or, Faranth forbid, Duareth tried to keep the little black from their eggs? What of Kalith was angered and lashed out...? All sorts of horrible scenarios ran through his mind, but with some effort he pushed them away. Though the orange brown looked nervous, they both deserved more credit than he was giving them - they could handle it. Right?

When he turned back to the sands, he realized he'd missed the Impression of the green. She'd seemed the most easily distracted of the dragons to Hatch yet, and the least coordinated - and yet, she had found Hers almost as quickly as the pink, or Paralee's blue. Returning his attention to the still un-hatched eggs, he felt a small sense of hope buoying him, as much as he'd tried to fight it. There were nineteen eggs; only three of the dragonets had yet Impressed. There was a chance that one of the others, perhaps, would find him...? But, just as he'd pushed away his fears over Duareth's safety, he resolutely quashed those feelings. Hope never did anyone any good, did it? Only time would tell, and he'd just have to wait it out.

[fidelli]

I never loved nobody fully,
Always one foot on the ground.
And by protecting my heart truly,
I got lost in the sound.

There is a life outside of a mind. There is a heart still beating under the scars. There is a will that some have to keep stepping forward, when the outlook looks bleak. There is always something to love, always something to reach out and touch. You just have to find it.

The soft, inquisitive, happy chirp made the copper haired girl look up, smiling. She was in an odd position, tucked behind her cot with her head in her knees, her mind very closed. It was the young Pink Silk who had called to her, standing on the bed and peering down, happiness swirling in her eyes. Tonii rose, laughing, to scoop her up. "You found me. Now, where are those other ones?" Squirming out of Her's grasp, the Pink tumbled into the air and took off for the corners of the room, finding one after another the - not hiding very well - four other flitters. They all came back to her, showing her where they had been hiding, trying to impress on her their story before the others, but she took it with the patience born of love and sorted everything out, soothing Shine - who's tail Silk had stepped on - and praising Soft - who thought that burrowing under all of her clothing in her trunk had been the best idea ever.

And she loved them, her little flock, her only friends in the whole big new Weyr. It didn't help that she was a shy little girl who didn't really talk to people anyway - so she was content to play with her flit's. Not that that ever worked out completely fine - the flitters often made her meet people or got into trouble, and she was forced to fix it or return whatever item they had "found" and was playing with.

They landed on the bed down, all of them, looking up at her with blue and green whirling eyes. Purple Streak was the biggest of them, his royal purple color offest by the lighter and darker shades that ran down his back. Brown Sleek, the dark brown color of a seal and all uniform was not smaller than Streak, but he never stopped chattering and gave the impression of a goof off. Blue Soft was the beautiful light blue of a spring sky, with patches of a blue so light it seemed white over his body, and he and Sleek tumbled together, mock fighting over a silly thing. Shine was the small Black, aloof from everyone else, all uniform color with an almost metallic sheen on his hide, ignoring the others quite happily. And then the baby, the newest addition to the flock and smaller than all the rest, the creamy Pink Silk was winding between Streak's legs, chirping happily.

Tonii looked down at the only family she had ever and smiled, a real smile. It was rare it was on her face, and it made her look... Younger somehow. "Alright. Go hide." She closed her eyes, and began to count, carefully shutting off her attention to to them and letting them bury themselves about her room. It was this that did her in, you see. She closed her ears, shut off her mind from them, and began to count - slowly, letting them hide.

When she did remove her hands from her ears, it was under protest, suddenly, Streak was clambering over her, Soft was nipping at her hair, Sleek was bouncing up and down on her head, and Silk was in her lap, delicately licking her nose. She opened her eyes and let them in her mind in a flood, confused - and then her brain caught up with the noise. A noise, a very distinct noise. A hum. She shivered suddenly, the girl, and froze, letting Streak shoo everyone off of her and taking comfort in their presence. The last time she had stood for a Hatching she had been walked by, ignored - and her mother had slashed her with a knife out of anger. It was the last time she had talked to her, but the events were still fresh in her mind, RIGHT THERE, and she was falling, fear and anxiety taking her.

Suddenly she was bitten lightly. Silk was at her noise, gnawing on it, and Streak and crunched into one of her fingers, creating just a few drops of blood. He was remorse now, licking it softly and creeling, but it was what she had needed. She rose, on unsteady legs, telling herself softly, "I am in Dalibor - I'm fine." She gathered up the flitters then, and looked pointedly at Soft and Shine. "STAY. Do NOT go making ANY TROUBLE. Streak, stay with them and watch Silk?" The Purple - not happy about this - never-the-less, settled down on the bed and let Soft start a game of tag with Silk. She dove into her trunk - but in her games with the flitters, the room had been trashed, and she spent too much time running around trying to find the white robe.

When she found it - with help from Shine and Streak - she threw it on hurriedly, yanked on the thin sandals, and sprinted out the door. Down the hall, to the hatching cavern, where mortified, she tried to catch her breath outside the door before walking in head down. She neared the clutchmother - the great Copper Queen that made her worried that she might be eaten, and hurriedly bowed, flinching back to get in line and looking around. So many dragons had hatched already, so many beautiful creatures... She slunk to the end of the line, and watched as Shine popped from between to curl around her neck - she froze, watching for Kalith to yell, but soothed him down. He was the mellowest of them, and didn't like others - he would stay there.

She wanted a dragon with all her heart, ached for one, and as she watched the various hatchings skim through the candidates, she couldn't help but wish for one to come her way. They wouldn't though. N'yrl was wrong, despite being kind - he had to be. He was wrong, and she would never impress to one of these beautiful creatures.

And it breaks my heart.
And it breaks my heart.

---

Tonight's the night, let's live it up
I got my money, let's spend it up
Go out and smash it like oh my God
Jump off that sofa, let's get, get off

Hatoter, the lazy bum he was, was eating. He was quite happy about it too, in the nearly empty dining hall flirting with a pretty girl and eating a piece of crunchy fruit. He was enjoying himself, lazing back on the table watching her wipe down the various places, enjoying talking back and forth and flirting. His eyes were roving, his belly was full, and he was quite content with his lot in life. Smirking, he pulled her up on his lap for a moment as she walked by, teasing her - the girl cast a glance for the busy kitchen and then was promptly distracted.

He had just dragged her from the kitchens, and had nearly made it to the nearest room, when suddenly he had to detangle to the blond from around his neck. "Hold on, my love - what's that noise." She - not listening - murmured something unintelligent and pulled his mouth back down to her's - he relaxed against the lips, but then heard it again. "There it is again.... It's like music... Or.... OH SHARDS!"

He swiftly kissed her upturned mouth, and then was out the door, the humming heralding what he should have been at nearly five minutes ago. Cursing, he stretched longs legs and flew down the hall to the Candidate's Barrack's, barraging into his room and throwing himself under his bed. The robe, he had stuffed it here so he wouldn't forget... But he had moved it! He lept back up, grinding his teeth, and started going through his closet, looking for, "WHERE IS THE WHERRYCURSED SHARDING FARANTH TAKE IT, I CAN'T FIND MY ROBE!!!" He tore around the room for another few minutes before he flung himself down on the bed - and the kleptomaniac found it, resting quite innocently, right there. With a groan, he flung it on and raced down the hall, worried.

"I'mnotgonnaImpress," he lamented as he ran, outside and straight to the Hatching Sands, where he stumbled inside, realized that he had not switched into the sandals, cursed again, and stopped infront of the Weyrwoman. He flung himself into a bow, saying with a flash of his normal suaveness, "Please forgive my tardiness, oh great Queen. Your children don't deserve a creature such as myself tainting them." And then, before anything could be said or he could be pulled from the sands, he smashed himself in the middle of the Candidate line and pretended that he had been here the whole time, eyes round and eager as he watched the hatching's go by.

I know that we'll have a ball
If we get down and go out and just lose it all
I feel stressed out, I wanna let it go
Let's go way out spaced out and losing all control

---

When you see my face,
Hope it gives you hell,
Hope it gives you hell.

Quiet, dark, solitude. Remsey quite liked that, where he was. Buried underneath tons and tons of solid rock, he prowled the hallways and explored the chipped walls, carefully taking everything in. It was dark, but he liked the coolness he had escaped into, enjoyed the freedom of the corridors and the lack of people. Not that he minded people too much - just, within the space of time he had been here he had found some people sorely lacking. Not that he had spent too much time talking to anyone - he had found the Record room, and had spent much of his time devouring the information there. There was enough, despite the short time the Weyr had been opened, and he had learned a lot about the daily life of the Weyr, and the history behind it.

But constant readings of three sevendays - the amount of time of time they had been there - meant that he was bored... So he was doing a through search of the Weyr, from top to bottom. It didn't matter that he was new, or didn't have to do anything - he would walk into rooms (after he knocked and no one said hello) and look around, or he would just find himself in storage closets and other places. It didn't really matter to him - but now, he was under the Weyr, in the lower caverns, and he was having fun. It would have been better if Cadfael was there, but the boy had been ignoring him for the Infirmary, leaving him up to his own devices.

Which reminded him. He should probably avoid Cad for a while... He had fed the Black that the other boy had Impressed to a mixture of fellis and another suppressant mixed together and injected into a piece of meat, and Basker had very quickly fallen unconscious. He had made the dose too big. He hadn't minded though - it was an interesting reaction. He had examined the flit forawhile, but had realized that he probably wouldn't wake up for at least another candlemark... So he had gone to explore some more.

So far beneath the Weyr, when he finally emerged he had found humming... "Oh." Well. Rolling his eyes, the boy picked up his lanky pace and found himself in the room he shared with Cadfael. Down into the other boy's trunk - Cadfael was so organized it was easy to find the other robe that he had packed (probably knowing that that was the first place that Rem would have looked) and pulled it over his head. Only then did he turn to check on Basker... And found the flit no there. Irritated by this, he strolled out of the room and down to the sands - the latest candidate by at least five minutes. He bowed to the Queen and the Weyrwoman, but failed to speak, only threading his way over to Cadfael.

Running a hand through his curly black hair, Rem scowled at his friend. "Why did you move him?" It didn't matter that there were dragon's all around - despite being fascinated by the Brown that was coming closer and closer to them, and the others just emerging from their shells, he had more pressing things on his plate. "What were his reactions for being moved? Did he do anything?"

When you walk my way,
Hope it gives you hell,
Hope it gives you hell.

[Reky]

The green, so close now, was hard to look away from. The shade of green just drew Lin's eyes in, and admittedly, it was becoming increasingly adorable how out-of-it the poor thing seemed. Very forgetful, lost, but very cheery nevertheless. And talkative. She couldn't forget talkative. It was rather pointless to say that Lin's heart was ramming against her ribs, a million miles an hour, with the dragon so close. The green paused, and she sucked in a breath and held it, and then...

Wait. Had she... Had she just heard the dragon? She had, hadn't she! She felt a swelling sense of awe, and of completion and happiness inside her, and it showed as tears pricked her eyes and a wide smile spread across her face. So that's what it felt like. Impression. She'd Impressed. Admittedly, she'd always doubted she would. It was an awful, nagging thought, but it could go and die unfulfilled now. Lin was a dragonrider now. She'd never put any mind to it until she was Searched, really... It happened so fast. Becoming a hopeful, candidatehood, and now this... She had Impressed!

"Memnorooth," she breathed, testing out the name. Something about it felt right on her tongue, and not just how it flowed nicely. Grinning, laughing, she squatted down to reach out and feel the dragonet's suede-hide nose. Then Lin looked up at Kjara, too, positively glowing. "Tha's Kjara, Mem. She's m'friend." Her hand found its way to Memnorooth's eyeridge, rubbing there.

Oh! Your friend! Oh, that's very good, LinMine, friends are good. Oh! The green let out a bubbly sort of purr, leaning into Lin's hand. That feels nice! Yes it does! But wait... wasn't there something else? I was supposed to be... She trailed off, head whipping around to look back at the eggs and hatching clutchmates behind her. Brothers and sisters! She had brothers and sisters! And oh, she'd come from one of those eggs, too... Which one was it? Was it the one over there, the broken one?

Mem? Lin asked, testing the mental link for the first time. It was odd, speaking without really speaking. Faranth, dragons were such amazing things.

The green snapped back to look at her, eyes filling with red for hunger. Food, LinMine! That's it! Food. Memnorooth needs food, yes. Please! Is that what you say? Please?

Right, food, Lin smiled.

"I'll see you later, hey?" she said, looking back at Kjara. "You and your new dragon," she added with a hopeful smile. "Hate to leave y'here alone... but I gotta feed 'er." Mem chittered cheerily in agreement.

Standing, Lin clapped Kjara on the shoulder, smiling, before leading Memnorooth off. Where was the food waiting again? It couldn't be far from here...

The dragonet was bouncing along behind her, for a short time. Then she stopped, and looked up... There was something in the sky! Something flying in the sky? She stretched and fluttered her little wings. She'd fly some day! Some day... When was that? Was it going to be soon? Oh, she hoped so! Memnorooth and LinMine, flying! A mental prod from Lin got the dragonet back into gear, and she trotted after her girl again. Her girl! Just Hers! No one elses. No, just Memnorooth's Hers.

[lesa]

Cadfael divided his time between checking Basker and looking at the hatching dragonets. Yeah, the dragonets were above all interesting - hello, they were dragonets! But Basker... well, it was Basker. He clapped half-heartedly at each Impression, aware that it happened, but worried about Basker: it could be said the firelizard took up most of his thoughts.

"Why did you move him?" Remsey's words were the first beyond something ending in 'th' that Cadfael had registered for quite some time. "Hmmm... let me see," Cadfael pretended to think, "The little thing called the Hatching, Remmy," he finally came out with dryly. "Next time you get irritated at me, why don't you... oh, tell me? Or drug me, and not Basker?" The blond snarled out quietly. Wouldn't be good to let the entire Weyr know that the pair were fighting.

"Fellis and what else did you give him? I haven't been able to counteract it. Knowing you, he'll be begging you for meat within the next four candlemarks, at the very least." Cadfaek shoved a hand through his hair, running his fingers down the Black's tail, inwardly groaning at the slight twitch it gave. Brilliant. Now Rem was going to want to check him again.
"What were his reactions for being moved? Did he do anything?"

"He was barely breathing when I found him, Rem! Faranth, you fool, you could've at least watched him, or gotten me, or something!" The Healer huffed, staring hard at the other boy's equally gray eyes, then shook his head. "I know full well you just saw his tail move. That's been it - limp as a dishrag, otherwise."[/font]

[Admin]

So. let's get a little closer now,
Let's get a little closer now,
You say, you say that we're all tied up.
And wrapped around in useless states of mind.

Fajra wasn't Impressed with the words of apology of some of the late arrivals. She eyed them with a stern disapproval. She didn't like flowery words and the proper term of respect was only 'Weyrwoman' for her. She would need to speak to S'rial and Duareth about their ill-suited candidates. They would be standing for the brown's own clutch soon enough. Proud father her bum. They were slipping up in their duties for all presentable evidence. It wasn't acceptable. Kalith gave agreement. She wasn't feeling any fondness towards the brown right, or anyone, in truth, except for her children, her rider, Daidoroth, and O'sho. Imperiously, Kalith slashed mentally at Shine. No firelizards! Especially no stupid, moronic, lazy late ones! Her eyes, large and swirling, tilted and she looked sharply down, across the sands, at the candidates. Fools.

The very gray egg in the middle row cracked. While it rocked vigorously after that, no more cracks immediately appeared to join the singular break. In the end, the desired result was reached just by that. No more cracks formed, but the shaking of the egg split it apart from the seam which had been formed. Out came a pink, the second pink of the clutch. Compared to the first one, she was huge, though, in truth, she wasn't all that large, for a dragonet. The little green that had recently Impressed was definitely going to be bigger than her. However, she was strongly built, for the slender lines of a pink. She was healthy, even if she didn't move quickly after her hatching. She took her time, making herself easy to inspect by standing just out in front of all of the eggs and away from all else. Her hide stood out strongly enough.

Her hide wasn't a simple color, and it was far different than that of the other pink that had been on the sands. While it was still a pale and soft shade of pink, she was much rosier than the baby doll colored and fuchsia marked pink. The coloration was clouded, the almost purple-pink shade of her hide turning into a pink-gray at different points as it was clouded by some overlaying of another color. It didn't really move across her hide as she moved, the color fairly concrete in basic design, but it wasn't easy to pinpoint with its cloudy composition. After her emergence from her egg, she sat down and went about watching what had just been revealed to her. It wasn't that she was scared or uninterested. She was simply curious, in a bystander type of way. She was engaged with it all, but only in her mind, as she placed everything together up in there.

Since he was paying enough attention, the black noticed the hatching of the cloudy pink. It captured his attention and he turned away from his quest to look at her. His grand adventure could wait. It wasn't proving to be as engaging and stimulating as what he wanted. Turning about, he scampered back across the sands, away from Nikianeth's eggs and back towards where he had hatched. He paused every so often, stretching his head about to explore his environment. He didn't stop though, because he had to forge forward. He went right over to the pink. He dipped his head in a polite show of greeting and then he gave her a nudge with his nose. They could play! They could pretend to fight! Thinking the idea great fun, he gave a push, waving one foot at her in a playful fashion. Grand ideas for the pair of them ran through his head.

The pink regarded the actions of her brother mildly. She watched him curiously as he nudged her and pushed at her, not shifted an inch by his limited strength. Ideas came to her own mind, not the same as his. Hers reached even more distantly into the future, towards things that could barely be connected to what was happening right then. Still, after a pause, she swatted a paw gently back at him. It sent the black toppling, but he hardly minded. She minded more. While no deep concern came to her, she didn't like the idea of hurting her playful, courageous brother. Despite the vague reluctance she showed, he hopped back onto his feet. A mighty and wondrous adversary he faced! Without making a sound, he tried to tackle her. With a lack of coordination and his tiny body, he failed horrible. The pink watched him tumble by her.

As before, the brown continued with his inspections. He ignored the hunger that was growing worse in his belly. He couldn't allow that to effect his judgment. Placing that far from his mind, he focused up the next individual he was surveying. The candidate before him showed many good qualities. He placed a great deal of thought on Remiel. However, he didn't waste any moments that he had. In the end, he knew that the boy wasn't for him and he moved onward down the ranks. A few more and he reached Lasd. He was suitable, in some ways, but not in enough. The results he received from the time he put into it, the feelings and the strict bits he collected, were conclusive, and he passed onward with his usual flare of kindness between his strict evaluations. A complex character lay somewhere in there, but he exercised careful growth.

After several more declines on his part, his scrutinizing brought him to Remsey. He peered closer, trying to trace an odd distinction he found in the presence of the boy. He was beginning to feel clouded. Quickly, he centered himself. He reviewed several points, to be sure, and then decided that the candidate wasn't right for him, just as all the others had been. He had something, but it was more like a signature and it was far too warped. Perhaps, later, he would be able to talk to him. He put the perhaps aside and focused. The trip to the next boy was short. It only took two steps and then he began his inspection of the candidate. Like with all the others, the brown took careful time inspecting his most recently met possibility. He added up all the bits in his head, clicking and ticking away in search of the right feeling and the completion of the list in his mind.

Unlike all the others, everything checked out. For a moment, that fact almost fazed the brown. However, he quickly collected himself. He wasn't sure of what he was supposed to do, but he acted with a mild decisiveness. He drew himself together, pulling his bulk all together. C'faelMine, your Ansyth has found you. He is quite sure; he said meticulously. He sounded more confident than proud, though he also radiated a gentleness and love towards his new rider. He was so sure of his choice. He had no doubts. That was how he wanted to live. It seemed better. Be calm; he advised with a polite level of chiding in his tone. He continued to ignore his hunger, of which he became sharply aware of after the happiness of having made a good choice. It's always good to make good choices, children, always remember that.



Picking himself up, the black decided he was done playing with his more placid pink sister. He turned around and was presented with the sight of all of the candidates. He considered it for a moment, deflating a little again. Many of the others were going and frolicking off with some of the human folk, away from the sands. What lay beyond the sands? Grand images of pictures he knew he couldn't truly imagine coming into his head, he started forward, heading towards the candidates. He didn't pick out any particular one and he didn't walk straight, but he was at least moving in what most people would think of as the right direction, with no intention of stopping and courage in his every step. He remained as silent as he had always been, but that didn't subtract from him. It was him. He was going to be a silent and brooding hero! Well, not brooding.

The pink watched him go off without being in the slightest bit bothered from being abandoned. A little bit of wariness touched her manner, in all of her watching. She glanced from the black to the eggs behind her. However, she held a certain curiosity simply in her manner. Thoughts went on through her mind, never stopping and sharp as could be. The placidity that she had showed wasn't the entirety of her existence. The new course became a grand new adventure to the black, in his head, that entire idea of going towards the candidates. And what about after that? If he did it right, went and got fed and everything, he would see so much else! He didn't move all that fast, but he kept on going. It was the going that was some of the most fun. He looked quite happy, and just as brave as before, as he marched along towards the partial circles of people.

The little egg at the start of the first row, the smoothly colored brown one, gave off spastic shudders. Eventually, that resulted in a few spastic cracks. It wasn't a fast process, at first, but it picked up speed. All of a sudden, the egg disintegrated. A pink emerged. She was small, but only in the sense she was a slender, awkward average pink. Despite her normalcy of size, there wasn't much that came off as normal when one looked at her. While not quite as vibrant as the electric color of the green that had Impressed, her color was quite shocking. It was bold and intense, a deep shade of a hot or neon pink. The color didn't change in the slightest across the entirety of her body. She was pink, very pink. In a crowd, she was certainly going to stand out just by that, and she had other little quirks for her that didn't have anything to do with her hide.

No matter what, as soon as she was free of her egg, she couldn't seem to stay still. With a great deal of energy, she pounded the ground with her feet in an eclectic rhythm without truly going anywhere. Energy rippled through her body, expelling much of the awkwardness from her limbs. Thump, thump, thump, thump. She wouldn't stop. She wouldn't stop moving. It made sense. There was sense in the movements. Thump, thump, thump, thump. Her head swung in time to her each of her steps, though she wasn't really looking all that hard. She focused on the movements, not the sights. Her brilliant hide shifted with muscles. From one side to the other, she shifted, never stopping. While she went nowhere, she went everywhere. In the first moments of her life, she did so much, while she did nothing at all. It was a beautiful, unproductive dance.

Deciding that she needed a better angle on everything to watch, the rosy pink finally stood up after the other pink hatched. She started forward. Her head looked one way, then the next. She was always watching. In the end, as she got closer to the candidates, they began to intrigue her. She watched one, then another. She drew closer, then farther away, always changing how she saw them. No concrete opinions formed in her mind. She always adapted. She was always prepared. What of that candidate? She glanced at him. Then she turned her attention to a girl, way across the sands. The distance had an odd effect on how she saw. She strode in that direction, and the perspective changed. It offered new insights, and she eagerly sought them. People were fascinating things, she began to decide, every so slowly. They were all different.

Despite her interest in the candidates, she didn't draw too close to any of them. She didn't trust them. Each of them being so different didn't truly help. She couldn't draw any general consensus over them because of that, and she saw a couple of less desirable figures, in her mind, amongst the group. Still, with a little bit of time, she began to zero in on the boys. The girls held a limited interest to her. She was a girl, and they made not a great wink of sense to her, mainly because they were humans. She didn't quite get people. With time, she would. She would work very hard on it. She couldn't get caught unaware. Not all of them would be trustworthy, and she would begin to trust some of them. She had to choose right. There was someone, amongst them, that she would trust, to listen and to understand and to watch with her.

Her body twined a bit around one boy, and she finally stopped, no longer showing any paranoia. E'liMine, do you have any friends? Your Mirath will always be watching, and she wants to know. Everything. I want to know everything. Where is food? What is it like? Can we get some? She questioned him, breaking her attention away from him after the moment past so she could go back to looking around him. Something in her quiet but clear voice demanded an intelligence of him. She expected an answer that would contain something and made some sense. She knew him. She had seen him. He could answer her properly. A dreaminess descended over her after her words, her attention drifting all about. Despite her roving eyes, she remained right next to him, half curled around one of his legs, her hide brushing against his robe.



Remembered how you used to,
Just live your life a little for me,
Take the time to let it go,
Step away and watch me grow.

[fidelli]

Remsey wasn't worried about Kalith being mad at him - it could mean nothing to him, and he was slightly more busy. He met his friend's eyes, dark gray to light gray, and ignored the heat. Sweat was dripping down his back, but it didn't matter. What did was Cadfael's words, and the reaction of the Black.

'Hmmm... let me see.' Huh-oh. Cad was never interesting when he used that tone. Remsey slouched lower, legs shifting slightly incase he tried to hit him - but Cad knew that Rem would win, and he seemed intent on keeping a good face. Ah, Cadfael, always thinking that how others saw you meant something. 'The little thing called the Hatching, Remmy. Next time you get irritated at me, why don't you... oh, tell me? Or drug me, and not Basker?' Remsey sighed, rolling his eyes, and prepared to speak - but apparently Cadfael was not done.

'Fellis and what else did you give him? I haven't been able to counteract it. Knowing you, he'll be begging you for meat within the next four candlemarks, at the very least.' His eyes had left the boy's, and were focused on the very dead looking flitter slung around Cad's neck, curiosity allowing him to ignore the boy - the flitter twitched! His eyes jumped back up to Cad as the boy shifted minutely - Rem knew that Cad was groaning at the movement. Hah! But he waited, eyebrow slipping up as he waited.

'He was barely breathing when I found him, Rem! Faranth, you fool, you could've at least watched him, or gotten me, or something! I know full well you just saw his tail move. That's been it - limp as a dishrag, otherwise.' A pause, but Rem knew that it was there he could start speaking. "First, my dear Cadfael, none of us knew there was a Hatching, and I don't think that he was going to move anyway. I was not mad at you, or irritated - I was merely curious." That was only half the truth - he probably was mad at him slightly. Cadfael had followed him the Weyr, and then promptly began to ignore him for the new Infirmary he was in.

However, the boy wasn't about to tell Cadfael THAT, now was he? "What I have him... Good call, it was fellis, but it was also..." He blinked, scanning back. Oh, right. "Fellis and Aconite." He knew what was coming next. "Yes, yes, Aconite is not supposed to be digested, but I put a little Comfrey in the mix and that should aid the digestion... I wasn't gone very long, I was coming back..." His voice sounded distracted - and indeed he was. He itched to touch the little creature, but Cad was still irritated and -

A distraction. The stocky Brown hatching he had noticed when walking in was suddenly infront of him, and the Harper froze, eyeing him back. It was interesting, this close up study, and he scanned the Brown with a fascination. They were so different than anything else he had seen... But the Brown was moving onto Cadfael, and he turned to watch him face off the Brown.

He took that chance to dart out with def fingers and scoop up the Black, holding him between his hands and scanning him for any problems. He was breathing perfectly fine, he did not understand why Cad was worrying so much. He lifted his head to say as much, and felt something the analytical boy did not often feel. Surprise. The Brown was rainbowed eyed, and still directly infront of Cadfael.

"...Cad?" The tone was shocked, surprised... Worried?

[zara]

((Sorry i'm late... the computer died and... a lot of other stuff...))
Cassondra stood quietly and solidly towards the back of the female Candidates, dressed purely in her white Candidates robe. She watched the dragonets quietly, thinking about each somewhat passively. She knew her dragonet would choose her when the time came... She shook her long blonde hair back behind her shoulders. She was at the back for one strategic purpose - to avoid being in teh way. Being mauled... was not something she watned. She hoped that by being in teh back it did not affect her chances. She frowned slightly. It shouldn't - not if her dragonet were born. But... it could cause mauling of others. That was not something she wanted. She took a tentative step forward to move up closer to the front. She would rather she herself be mauled than another Candidate for her sake... She took a deep breath. She was a little nervous, but she far from looked the part. She was calm, steady, as always.

She fixed her ice blue eyes on the eggs ahead of her, then tried to keep track of any hatched dragonets. She wanted to watch it all, take it all in. But from the sands, it was hard to do that. She was a part of it and she had to act as the part of it she was supposed to be.