Facing the Winds of Change [WoC HATCHING]

[Alyx]

Melana and Gold Sularenth
Month 3, Day 25, Turn 2762, Mid Afternoon

Melana was seriously tired of the walking. How had they not sorted the transportation issues to the Hatching caverns before this? Granted, at least you could walk to the cavern now, but honestly, the whole situation was horrible. Since Sularenth had laid her recent clutch, Melana had made the trek up and down the horrible path at least once a day, often more. Her feet hurt, her knees as well, and she was simply done with the whole stupid thing. It would need to be sorted, or she was going to start commandeering a Greenrider to ferry her back and forth, whether Sularenth disapproved of it or not.

She would have probably continued fuming in silence, laying on her back on the scattering of blankets she’d built, if Sularenth’s nose hadn’t suddenly dominated the air over her. Her arms behind her head, she cracked an eye, seeing nothing but a shimmering golden muzzle. ‘May I help you?’ You think horribly loud, do you know that? Melana smirked, opening her eyes fully to look up at her dragon. ‘I’m so sorry to have bothered you with my petty thoughts.’ Sularenth snorted, the gust of breath stirring up the sands around them. “Hey!”

And that was when she heard it. A sort of soft, warm drone in the sand under her. She sat up and froze, frowning at the humming. Sularenth’s laughter filled her thoughts, confirming the woman’s thoughts a moment before Sularenth’s voice echoed in full broadcast out over the Weyr.

My Children hatch. Come greet them.

Melana let out a string of curses as she scrambled to her feet, hands grabbing at the scattered blankets. “You didn’t think to warn me?!” I figured the humming under your rear would have been enough of a warning. Melana shot the Gold a dark look but didn’t waste time on a comeback. She quickly sorted and folded the blankets, dragging the bench she’d been using as a desk off the Sands and back against the wall. ‘If I’d known they were doing this today, I would have dressed up a bit more.’

They do not care if you are dressed up or not. Melana dropped the pile of now-folded blankets on the bench with the rest of her things before turning to give the dragon a look. ‘It's not them I am worried about. It's all about presentation.’ Well, you have time to straighten yourself if you would like. The Gold’s bitter humor made Melana snort softly. ‘With that walk? Down and back, the hatching would be done by then.’

It couldn’t be helped, honestly. She quickly ducked into an alcove, changing into clean, spare clothing from her pack and doing a quick brush and braid of her hair to look at least somewhat presentable. No one was expecting her in a ballgown, she reminded herself as she shook the sand out of her boots and slipped them back on. Quick steps took her back to Sularenth’s side just in time to see the first eggs shifting in the hot sands. Over them, the first candidates began to arrive.

(Here we go, folks! Please wait for Zen to post next, then follow her directions. Good luck everyone!!)

Hatchings & Impressions
Stout Egg - Blue Sarpedoth - Impressed to ADOPTABLE
Broad Egg - Brown Euploeth - Impressed to T'rey
Flashy Egg - Brown Menephroth - Impressed to B'nix (NPC)
Glossy Egg - Green Sabellath - Impressed to Vanisha
Dark Egg - Blue Irisirith - Impressed to ADOPTABLE
Cold Egg - Blue Melissath - Impressed to R'ten (NPC)
Dazzling Egg - Green Daphnerith - Impressed to Y'va
Blushing Egg - Blue Icarioth - Impressed to K'tric (NPC)
Earthy Egg - Green Acteuth - Impressed to ADOPTABLE
Wisp Egg - Brown Polypheth - Impressed to Brenna
Blaze Egg - Green Prasinath - Impressed to Virine (NPC)
Tunnel Egg - Green Tiliaeth - Impressed to Arci (NPC)
Root Egg - Bronze Glaucuth - Impressed to ADOPTABLE
Spotted Egg - Blue Percotath - Impressed to K'oa
Petite Egg - Blue Lygdamuth - Impressed to D'rik (NPC)
Exotic Egg - Bronze Atlath - Impressed to Ki'raz
Rusted Egg - Green Didoth - Impressed to L'ven (NPC)
Tarnished Egg - [smear:#e4a603]Gold-Green Steleneth[/smear:#9dcf8b:0] - Impressed to Ceela
Rebel Egg - Brown Perialith - Impressed to Lo'sa

[Zen]

S’bol :: Blue Nesporth

My Children hatch. Come greet them.

S’bol was in the middle of mending a part of his riding gear that had worn thin when Sularenth invaded. Nesporth did not wait for his rider to tell him to call the candidates back from their chores, the blue quickly taking up the humming as he reached out to his charges, Return to the barracks for your robes and rides, quickly! S’bol then had the blue reach out to several other dragons to see if they could assist with ferrying the candidates to the sands as he waited for them all to start hurrying in and tossing their white robes on over whatever they happened to be wearing. “Hurry, hurry, we don’t want to keep your dragon waiting!” S’bol called cheerfully, “There are riders waiting outside to take you up as soon as you’re ready! Get onto the sands as soon as you arrive in the hatching cavern, don’t wait for me!”

For his part, S’bol would stay behind until he was sure all the candidates were accounted for, and take the last couple up himself. There was little time to give any last minute reminders of their lessons with the chaos of just trying to arrive before the eggs cracked, so he hoped the constant drilling they’d been doing the last few days stayed with them all. Don’t assume a hatchling is yours until you see the rainbow eyes, stay alert, get out of the way, don’t cause trouble on the sands…. After today the candidate barracks would be much emptier, but it was always the goal, to see his charges impress and join the ranks of Mavrosi riders.

Yvinka

She was peeling tubers when the call came, and when she about threw both tool and vegetable to hurry out of the kitchens no one stopped to scold her for it. She ran for the barracks, dodging around people, feeling giddy with excitement. The hatching was happening! Even now Yva still wasn’t sure if a dragon was what she really wanted, but she did at least want to experience a hatching for herself. She’d never been to one before and she was eager to see what really happened, not just what people told her happened. In the barracks, she tugged on her white robe as S’bol was calling quick instructions before rushing back out to find a waiting dragon. One of her hands shot up, waving as she raced for a familiar green hide, “Sio! This is so exciting! Are hatchings always like this? So... full of energy?” She couldn’t stop grinning as she clambered up to Amagetith’s back.

kevna



Kisoraz, Podrell

He was in the kitchens, scrubbing a pot distastefully, when Sularenth’s voice entered his mind, commanding. Shells but he was thankful for that. His talents were going to waste here and it was always difficult to stomach the tasks he was assigned, tasks that were reserved for Mirranese candidates back home. He could appreciate the work that went into such menial tasks but they just weren’t for him. At least preparing the Weyrhold’s meals was a bit more… distinguishing. To think he’d be mildly jealous of Yvinka peeling tubers was absurd. But the girl was already running from the kitchens, to some amused laughs and murmurs from other kitchen workers, and Kisoraz was glad to follow her lead and leave the kitchens behind. Someone called a good luck to him as he left, but he wasn’t sure who it was.

As he made his way back to the barracks, he tried to dispel the doubts that always tended to rise in him around hatchings the last couple turns. He couldn’t help but remember the last, his brother’s impression to the bronze that should have rightfully been his. He hated feeling so negatively over his brother’s impression, he’d just been waiting so long, and his brother so little, it seemed so incredibly unfair… and more than a little concerning. He shook his head. His mother had seen it in the dragon bones. His dragon was here, at Mavros. He was torn about this clutch, though. Conceived on the death of another gold, it seemed ill fated. He didn’t think he would be terribly disappointed if his dragon was not to be found this time. Perhaps the next… he’d been waiting this long, what was one more clutch, hopefully not tainted by death?

But if he did impress…. He couldn’t help but wonder at the implications. He wished he could read dragon bones himself but it wasn’t a skill he had ever picked up on, and with his mother to guide him, it was clear he wasn’t meant for it. Back at the barracks, he pulled on his robe even as Yvinka was rushing outside, and soon followed after her. He hardly needed S’bol’s advice, he’d been doing this long enough. But his mother’s readings were never wrong, not entirely at least. She misread sometimes, as she admitted, and so the truth was perhaps a stretch from what she had seen, but there was still some truth even in her mistaken readings. Surely his father was right. She wouldn’t have misread a casting about him. Outside there was rather a lack of bronzes available to give rides, two that he saw and were already being claimed by others, because why wouldn’t they be?

“There’s a blue over here with no passengers,” a voice drew his gaze from the bronzes to see Podrell motioning toward a bright blue with a young rider. Kisoraz fought a grimace at riding another blue up to the sands. It was hardly how he’d like to arrive at a hatching. But the divide between the colors was much less here than in Mirran and he could hardly shun the blue gracefully so he resigned himself and followed the other man to Tucseth’s side. If he Impressed, it would be the last blue he would ever need to ride.

Taxx



No’va :: Brown Alduntulath

When Sularenth’s command came, he and Aldy had gone to fetch his parents first, taking the Lord and Lady of Tidewalk along when they landed outside the candidate barracks so he could take his sister to the sands. Their mother was worried, since No’va had been hurt at his first hatching, but both he and his father did their best to reassure her as they waited for Vanisha to appear. Aldy even spoke to her, Hatchlings rarely mean to cause harm. They are only desperate to find their riders. His mother always seemed a bit shocked whenever his dragon spoke to her, which seemed to amuse his father, who had grown used to it quicker. How do you even know what hatchlings mean to do? I know you can’t remember how you felt then. No, but it is… instinct, for all dragons. One does not need to remember. No’va didn’t argue the point as he hardly knew what it was like to be a dragon. Aldy would certainly know better than he did about it. When he spotted his sister, he grinned and called teasingly, “Hurry up or you’ll miss the hatching!”

kevna

[Alyx]

Haella and Green Tsulocanth

Hurry, hurry! Tully’s excitement was the same with every hatching; the Green wiggled with penned-up energy, watching the candidates as they sprinted to the dragons waiting to ferry them up the climb to the waiting Eggs. Haella patted the Green’s leg, trying to keep her from wiggling totally out of her skin. ‘Easy.’ I’m trying, Haella. But the babies! ‘Yes, I know. But you have to try to wait just a little longer. Okay?’ The Green swung her head slightly, bumping her nose against the redhead’s hip. I will try, Haella. But waiting is so hard.

Thankfully, the candidates were almost as eager as Tully. You would think they would be more excited, but Haella didn’t actually think that was possible. Haella nodded a greeting to the candidates as they neared, turning to keep Tully’s attention. ‘Okay, riders, Tully. Hold still.’ The Green gave another full-body wiggle, then stilled as best she could. You could almost feel the Green vibrating under her attempt to stay still for her passengers, her hide twitching with the tension.

As soon as the candidates were onboard, Haella swung up to join them. “Hold on!” By now, the candidates knew how energetic the excitable Green was, so Haella hoped they were prepared as she released Tsulocanth from her stay. The Green squeaked, sharp enough to make Haella wince a little, and shot into the air like an arrow shot. She turned in the air, launching herself in the direction of the Hatching Grounds.

We are here, Sularenth. We bring the candidates for the babies! Tsulocanth’s broadcast wasn’t as painful as her squeak, but Haella did reach to try to calm the Green as they landed. ‘Tully, volume.’ Oh I’m sorry, Haella. I didn’t mean to yell. ‘I know, just… please.’ Tully landed in a safe spot away from the eggs and their mother Gold, crouching to let the Candidates down. Haella turned in her seat, watching the hopefuls drop down Tully’s leg to the sands.

“Remember what S’bol told you, and stay safe. Keep your eyes open and good luck!” Yes, yes. Good luck, stay safe! Tully pushed off as soon as her passengers were clear, heading back out to help bring other candidates and visitors up the path for the Hatching.

Brenna, Candidate

This was it! It was happening. Whatever Brenna had been doing was lost in the boom of Sularenth's voice. Nesporth's was there a moment later, but Brenna was already moving. She caught the white robe S'bol tossed to her, wiggling into it as she followed the others out. Her heart raced at his words; he said not to keep their dragons waiting. Their Dragons!! Brown hair flared around her features as she raced with the others toward the riders waiting to give them lifts to the Sands. If she was quick, she could catch Haella and be there before anyone else -

Hello again, young one. Brenna pulled up short, her head whipping toward the voice’s source, and grinned. “Mastromideth! G’rett!” She waved at the bronzer as he leaned against the massive Bronze’s shoulder. “Can we give you a lift?” Arrive on the Sands on a Bronze?! Brenna would have to have been crazy to turn that offer down. “Absolutely!” Maybe a sign of things to come? She could hope! G’rett laughed, turning to help his sister scramble up onto Mastromideth’s shoulders. “Hopefully your dragon will be a little smaller than this big guy.” Brenna shook her head sharply as G’rett climbed up to join her. “No way! He’s perfect.” You flatter me, little one.

Mastro pushed off, gliding effortlessly over the crowds starting up the path to the Sands. The wind whipped around them, pulling at Brenna’s hair and robes, making her smile. This was it! It was really happening! Mastromideth rumbled under them, banking wide to about the other smaller dragons as he touched down. G’rett turned, catching her arm to help her down once they were landed. “Be safe, okay?” Brenna paused, her fingers still tangled with her brother’s, her soft shoes tucked into the crook of Mastromideth’s foreleg.

Brenna wanted to be sassy, but something in G’rett’s eyes stopped her. She smiled, giving a quick nod. “I’ll do my best.” “All I can ask.” He let her go, watching with deepened eyes as she dropped from his safe grip to the hot Sands. “Watch Melana, okay? Sularenth is a piece of work, but Melana can read her pretty well. If she says move, you move, got it?” Brenna pivoted, smiling wide, and snapped a salute at her brother. “Yes sir, Wingsecond G’rett, sir!”

G’rett rolled his eyes, signaling Mastromideth back into the air with a grin. Brenna turned away, racing to find Ceela and Nessa in the crowd.

OOC: tags for Taxx and tovaana for Nessa/Ceela mentions!

[Taxx]

Lounessa :: Candidate

Finally! The surge of excitement, hope and nervous worry was nothing new to Nessa, as she spun toward the nearest entrance and all but threw the broom she'd been using into a corner. At least she wasn't alone, and the sounds of amusement at the sudden enthusiasm of the Candidates told her there'd be no scoldings for this later. Hurrying along toward the Barracks, brushing shoulders with others coming and going; Nessa paused at her trunk and pulled her robe from it. Neatly folded, ensuring there'd be no ugly wrinkles.

She tugged it on, shoved her feet into heavier shoes for protection against the Sands, and darted back out to where dragons were crowding, ferrying Candidates to the Hatching cavern. Her gaze pinned on Mastromideth, but as she started toward the big bronze, he took off. Pausing, her gaze flitting over the remaining... she spotted Jarath and smiled as she headed over, smiling up at him and her father. "Hi." A bit short on the greeting, but time mattered a bit more than manners today. "Can I get a ride up?" Who better, after all, than her father's bronze? If it counted as lucky, which she hoped. She'd need it.
tovaana

[kevna]

Asirikai - Lord Holder

He was sitting in his new office, working on routine paperwork, studying the ways of Mavros and what made her tic when he heard the announcement in his head. Strange, hearing Sularenth in his head when she was nowhere near him. He stood up, letting all thoughts of work slide from him as the anticipation of a hatching replaced it. His first Mavros hatching, and as the Lord Holder of Mavros. He quickly changed out of his white dress shirt, and opted for the sea blue dress shirt, and darker violet cloak, enjoying the magnificent feel of it as it settled on his shoulders. It was worth every mark he had spent on it.

We would be pleased to offer you a ride. We are outside the Holder Caverns. Whether because he was more used to hearing the bronze in his head due to his new position, or because of the detached sound in the voice was a dead giveaway, he recognized Gamath immediately. He didn’t rush, that wasn’t befitting his rank, but he didn’t dawdle either. It would do him no good to be late to his first hatching.

He made his way to B’rax and Gamath, and took the short flight to the hatching ground, enjoying the thrill of flight atop the bronze dragon. They landed and quickly got into place, and Asirikai did his best not to sniff at the seating. It could be a little more prestigious. So much needed improving at Mavros, but this would not be acceptable for too long. He planned on making sure his next hatching was not only more comfortable, but better looking quality. Maybe he and Vanisha would be married by then as well. Which made him think of his soon to be wife’s father, who would be attending. He kept his eye out.

Vanisha - Candidate

The water was cold as she washed the dishes. It had started off warm, but cooled quickly, and left her hands feeling numb and aching. They sported a few blisters as well, to her dismay. When would her hands harden to this work? Asirikai was becoming increasingly unhappy seeing the physical affects that candidacy had on her, and he was becoming more vocal too. What if he pulled her out before she even had her first hatching? She almost bit her lip, but schooled her features. She had tried, truly, to stand up to the new Lord Holder. She had gone to one of their lunches with every intention of telling him off, and completely lost her confidence and her words. She had ended up just sitting listening to him drone on about the caverns in desperate need of work, and how he wanted to move the Hold above ground.

She sighed, and then the dish slipped through her fingers into the soapy waters as the voice came into her mind. Her breath caught and Vanisha felt panic tighten her chest. Numb fingers closed into fists, and she was comforted when she remembered the spotted egg, and the resolve it had shared with her. She could do this. By Faranth, she hoped she could do this. She left her duties, feeling the rush of excitement mingled with fear. It felt like a dream as she prepared, slipping into her robes and coming upon the group of dragons picking up candidates and taking off. Her eyes caught on Alduntulath’s brown wings, and with every fiber of her willpower walked (instead of all out running) to her brother and his dragon.

“No’va!” She said, her cheeks were flushed despite her best control. “It’s really time.” She reached for his hand, hoping to derive some sort of comfort and strength from him, without appearing too needy. “Definitely don’t want to miss it, do we?” Her voice was an excited hush, and she waved to her parents, hoping No’va would help her board, seeing as her numb and blistered hands wouldn’t stop shaking. She hoped no one would notice it…. She murmured greetings and gave hugs, and turned, ready to mount and depart. 

Kekoa - Candidate

He lounged on the table, strumming his gitar, one leg propped on the bag he carried around with him. He was supposed to be doing dishes, but so far his fellow workers had seemed content to listen to his music rather then rope him into the actual chores. Just as he preferred. His fingers stopped mid strum as he, and every other candidate heard the bright Queen’s announcement. He gave off a whoop, and stood up, slipping his robes out of the bag and onto him, and then strapping his gitar onto his back. He probably wouldn’t be allowed to take it on the stands… but it didn’t mean he wouldn’t try. The little ones would love to enjoy a little music too, wouldn’t they?

He jogged with the rest of the candidates, though some broke off to gather their robes or drop off stuff, and he continued on to the rally point. A speckled green on the ground caught his attention, and he veered in her direction, seeing her little rider with her. “Hello, hello, hello,” He called, smiling brightly and hopping before Muze, bouncing on his feet, and then swooping in to give the greenrider a half hug with one arm. He was slowly getting her used to his touch, and it was a slow process. “Today’s the day, heh? Would you and your speckled vision honor me with a ride?” 

tovaana

Riasu – Candidate

She was working on grinding herbs for her duties in the infirmary. It was a menial task, but it gave her some therapeutic solace as she listened to the humdrum of voices. The loudest, closest ones were pain filled, and the vocal voices that answered were soothing. She easily heard the Senior Queen’s invitation, felt the humdrum of excited voices pick up. Maybe it was because Riasu had heard it all before, done it all before, that she was able to calmly brush off her hands on her pants, and grab her white candidate robes that she had kept near her at all times. She slipped them on over her clothes, and walked at a brisk, confident pace.

She hadn’t felt any strong bond with any of the dragonets when she had gone for egg touchings, but it didn’t diminish her hope. Even though her dream was a gold dragon to call her own, and there wasn’t a gold egg on the sands, didn’t mean there was the possibility of another color for her. It was automatic, her walking right up to the huge bronze, and she got there just on the tail of her niece’s request and moved to put a reassuring hand on Nessa’s shoulder, then looking to Lo’qui with a friendly smile. They were on better terms, if not completely back to normal. A hatching was the best of times to put all ill feelings to rest. Only joy seemed welcome here. “I don’t suppose I could as well?”

tovaana

Siorreya – Green Amagetith

The moment the Gold broadcasted, Siorreya was sprinting for Amagetith, a squeal slipping between her lips. A hatching! Dragonets! Maybe they will want to play games, and swim, and chase fish, and play hide and seek, and race along the beach, oh and chase fish, and chase me-“Yes, yes, you silly beast, now hush and fly!” Siorreya laughed, and they launched into the sky, landing amongst the swarming individuals in flowing white robes. Waving hands got her attention, and Siorreya waved back, laughing with exhilaration. Yva climbed aboard, her voice bright, and Sio responded in kind. “Yes! Never a dull moment, these hatchings. Just wait till the dragonets are breaking out of their shells!.” She looked, waiting anxiously for-“There she is! Ceela! Over here! Hurry up, don’t want to keep your dragon waiting!” She waited for Ceela to board before directing Amagetith into the air.

There are gonna be bunches of little ones, and they will play with us, and chase us, and we will have so much fun together! Amagetith’s excitement was a new level and she flew them towards the hatching ground. “Yeah, and you guys better be getting your own dragons! Think of all the adventures we’ll have together!!!” It didn’t take long to get to the hatching grounds, and she dropped the girls off, calling out a “Good luck! Don’t get trampled!” Before Amagetith launched them back into the air to find a suitable place to watch. “Let’s go over there!” She pointed towards the largest of the bronzes, and Amagetith landed nearby. Siorreya couldn't help but look for Podrell... Would he even show up? Was he serious about this candidacy? She licked her lips and tried not to dwell too long on the line of thinking her brain was trying to fall into. This was a hatching! A time for fun. She slipped off of Amagetith and moved towards the bronzerider, wondering what kind of mischief she could get into before the little dragonet's made their way into this world. "Hey Bronzerider! I bet a green comes before a bronze." She called out to Lo'qui teasingly, smirking.

tovaana Zen

[avon]

D'nel and Nadornith
-open/ quick tag Sularenth & Asirikai

"Don't listen to your weyrlingmaster's words of caution. I could use some bloody entertainment," D'nel's voice was just loud enough to be heard by surrounding candidates. He hated Hatching days, being treated like a valet service ferrying candidates up to Mount Chariath. Who decided building the Hatching grounds this way was a good idea? Fortunately, Nadornith's imposing presence kept all but the bravest candidates from approaching for a lift.

The Bronzerider had been a bit absent from public life these few months. He was still traumatized from the pitiful conditions of the past. A run-in with a rock slide when they were in the past had required weeks of boring recovery and had left him with a slight limp that he hated, because it looked like a weakness. He sometimes got blinding migraines too, which put him out of commission for hours at a time. He'd never fought against his own body like this before, and it was infuriating. Now he was back and grumpier than ever. He'd been plotting his next moves, thinking about moving up in the Wing heirarchy. Mavros was meant for more than scrabbling at scraps--this pathetic excuse for a Hatching ground was one example--and only he seemed to realize that.

Today, however, his aims were far more short term. Marks, lots of them, from betting. He'd done what he could to ferret out information through various sources based on the Touching, and had talked enough people into stupid bets that he should be able to make a profit. He was looking forward to hassling anyone who refused to pay up.

A snarl from Nadornith distracted him for a moment and he snorted to see a frightened candidate running away from from the Bronze. "Enough." D'nel grabbed the nearest candidate, helped (er--shoved) them onto Nadornith's back. D’nel swung up to his dragon’s back, cursing as the old injury pinged again. Away we go. The Bronze's deep voice sounded with a hint of amusement, and he launched into the air, speeding for the mountain. He dipped low over the path, wings sending gusts of air over anyone who was stuck walking, hopefully scaring some Holders, and then he swooped into the Hatching Grounds.

He dropped down to let the likely terrified candidate off, then looked for a prime spot to watch. My congratulations, Sularenth. May your new hatchlings be assets to our Weyr. He greeted the Gold, his tone cool despite the praise. Yeah, he was still a bit sore that Sularenth had not let him sire a clutch yet.

We have more important things than whelping the next generation, D'nel said. He lounged against his dragon, eyeing the growing crowd. Unlike some, he'd changed into nice clothes for this, and Strider was draped around his shoulders like a living scarf. D'nel took a small notebook out of his pocket, flipping through the lists of bets he'd taken.

"Any last minute bets before the eggs hatch?" He took a turn around the stands, hoping to scrounge up a few extra marks. He paused for a moment beside the man with Holder knots. "Lord Holder. Lovely cloak, where'd you get that?" And it must have cost a pretty penny, while the rest of the Weyr starved. He kept his tone light for now, but he had one eye still on the sands. Making marks mattered more than pandering to the leaders

[tovaana]

Ceela;

“You’ve never wanted to fly? Have you ever ridden a dragon? You should. You can take a ride on mine when I get one.. Whenever that is! It’s glorious. Come on, you had to have thought about it?”

She paused a moment, the mute and rather startled young man a bit unsure how to handle Ceela’s enthusiasm. “No… uh, scared of heights. They’re cool though, I guess.”

“Scared of heights? Well, I could help you get over that if you want. I just can’t imagine someone never getting the chance to fly! It’d be cooler without wings of course, I mean, you can imagine it – I like to imagine things. Or dream about things.” She paused, watching the young man that had offered to do her chores bashfully. He seemed a little younger than her and pretty average looking, but Ceela just liked the company of anyone. She was holding a rake to help, but she was mostly leaning on it, standing on it, using it for about anything except for what it was intended for.

He didn’t respond to anything she said, just glancing up at her, admiring her, and nodding at certain times, or shaking his head – since he wasn’t interested in getting over heights. She opened her mouth to continue on when a voice interrupted her thoughts quite literally. The young many flinched and jumped a little, his eyes wide. Ceela grinned at him. “It’s time!!” Her heart skipped at the thought of another hatching – even if she didn’t impress (she knew, like the Tarnished egg had reminded her, that having a dragon was more than flying, so she wasn’t rushed at the idea as set on the idea of flying as she was), she always loved hatchings. They were exciting and she loved seeing the little personalities and the faces of those that impressed.

She threw her rake aside and was about the bolt out the door when she had a thought. “You have to come.”

He shook his head. “I uh, I got work.”

“No, I mean, you have to. Please? You’ll love it. You can watch me get my dragon!” She teased, knowing it was all up to chance, but winked at him, half aware that he had been staring at her, even if he’d tried to be respectful about it. He hesitated, not answering, but didn’t move. “Come on!” She lunged and grabbed his wrist, the other hand letting go of his tool and she dragged him and pushed him to where the dragons were taking passengers. “I have to get my robe, don’t wait up, and don’t chicken out!”

She ran as fast as she could, throwing her clothes haphazardly on the floor and dressing quickly and tugging on a slipper as she hopped toward the exit and then was dashing again. When she arrived she giggled as Sio hurried her. Her eyes scanned and found the boy from earlier who was just staring around, not making a move to get on a dragon. She grinned and went over to him and dragged him to a bronze that was taking passengers, “he’s coming to watch!” She giggled, and didn’t wait to watch the half stunned boy as he was ushered to the back of the dragon, looking a little green.

“Sorry, let’s go!” she said in a sing-song voice, though it was more breathless than anything. She wiggled when she got on, shooting both Yva and Sio a grin.

Once they were there she was sure to stay near Yva, following her lead and glancing around at the other candidates as they arrived. She frowned… she should have made sure that Treyvin had gotten on a dragon, she’d forgotten that he’d been having troubles of some sort that she couldn’t fathom. As she looked she saw Brenna dashing over and her grin smoothed her frown away. She waved her over and then turned back to the eggs so she wouldn’t miss a thing.

Zen kevna

Treyvin;

He’d been sent on a few errands and was returning from one when the voice entered his mind. He grinned, but it faded quickly, the previous hatching sending him into a short lived panic attack that gripped his chest. He just stood there in the hall of the Weyr, frozen and undecided. It took him moment to think deliberately about the egg touching and his resolve to feel connected and understood… It would mean he wouldn’t be able to sail with his father if he did impress, but even his father wouldn’t ever really understand… unless he told people, which, he felt like he could tell his father. He’d seen his ship in the harbor recently, and he wondered if he’d come to the hatching.

Almost without realizing it he was headed to get his white robes and putting them on, trying to keep calm and started building a fortress around his mind – since he could already feel the wave of excitement and anticipation surrounding him on all sides.

He just couldn’t think much about it, forcing himself not to distract his mental strength on what was happening. It was hard though, especially when they arrived with the loud humming and loud feelings pushing hard against his defenses. He stayed behind the others and off to the side, taking deep breaths… but he knew he wouldn’t be able to hold onto this muted noise in his head – not when the first egg hatched and emotions would surge.

Lo’qui :: Bronze Jarath

Jarath’s humming came first, just moments before the announcement in his mind. He looked up at his dragon that he’d been oiling a few dry spots and taking care of the minor wounds that were healing well. The humming vibrated under his long fingers and he smiled. “I remember when you hatched.” He noted, feeling like any hatching reminded him of the moment his large bronze had found him. You were clearly the best option. Now hurry, we don't want to keep the hatchlings waiting for your kin. The dragon snorted, though he knew the dragon would only be able to remember through his own memories. There wasn’t time to reminisce – and even though he knew there would be plenty of riders willing to ferry candidates, he wanted to be there for Lounessa and Riasu.

After throwing on the large riding gear and rope ladder for guests, he pushed Jarath to hurry so they could get to the candidates on time.

His eyes scanned and lit up when they found his daughter and he slid off his bronze deftly, his grin wide as Lounessa approached him. Embarrassed or not with him and his protectiveness, it was nice when his children approached him… Jarath helped, he supposed. I help a lot. The bronze poked playfully, his chest still vibrating with the hum of a hatching.

“That’s why I’m here.” He said, grinning. And his grin softened as Riasu came up behind his daughter. “Of course.” He said with a nod and gestured for both to climb aboard, knowing both of them had enough experience with his large bronze that they probably didn’t need the rope ladder. Cionessan was close behind and he offered a smile, but didn’t ask permission – since he had gathered his youngest two for him from the crèche.

Once they were all aboard, including a couple other candidates and guests, Jarath pushed up into the sky and toward the hatching grounds. The dragon looked disapprovingly at Nadornith as he swooped low over those on the path, ignoring him otherwise as they arrived, his attention for Sularenth. Jarath had finally cooled down after losing the flight, holding onto the pride that even though he’d been cheated, the gold had initially chosen him. A good hatching for your young, Sularenth. He greeted, his voice for only the dragons.

“Good luck!” He called after the candidates that slid off Jarath, but mostly for his daughter and sister.

Once he had gotten off, he glanced over and noticed a familiar green dragon and very short woman. His face split in an easy grin and he rolled his eyes a little at her jibe. “Well, those are good odds, aren’t they? Not much of a challenge or risk. You must have no experience in betting. Not good betting, anyways.” His eyes danced with amusement, but he was cautious, as most of his children had come from flirtatious greenriders.

Taxx kevna

Chai;

It was all very exciting, the sort of exciting that she liked – the unknown kind. She technically wasn’t a candidate yet, since a ‘Searcher’ hadn’t found her, she’d come on her own accord. She had acted as a runner for the Weyr and Hold, but had spent most of her time exploring all of Mavros. She’d already snuck to see the eggs, though had heard plenty of rumors about the gold mother, so hadn’t tried getting close. Still, she wanted to be on the sands, wanted to experience a hatching, especially if both of her siblings were going to be there. She had... borrowed and stashed away one of those weird and unfashionable hatching robes, pinning it in places to make it look better with her curves (or lack of).

When the voice entered her mind she glanced around wildly for the person talking to her, only a moment later realizing what was going on. She’d had dragons speak to her, as her mother had dragon riders on her side, but she’d always expected it. Her flit rushed excited around her head and she grinned up at her. “Yeah, yeah, I know! Let’s go!” She said it in hushed tones, hurrying to find the robes, put them on, and then followed the stream of candidates as if she were one of them. She watched Zel and Liza head toward a bronze and started toward them, but stopped… Yeah, Zel would not approve of her tactics… he’d ruin her fun. That wouldn’t be any good. With a short sigh she redirected her steps toward another even larger bronze, though not as bulky.

Flying on dragons made her giddy, she was giggling and closing her eyes the whole way, pretending like she was flying. When they arrived she slid off without using the ropes and fell to her rump. She made an ‘oof’ as she fell, but quickly brushed it off and hurried to join the other candidates, still keeping herself on the opposite side that the twins had chosen. Chai realized that Zel could still ruin her fun – though hopefully he was as mesmerized by the moving eggs as she was.

Parlhion;

He rubbed his hands together nervously. He’d thought about this, he’d made a decision, but now that the time had come… He looked at his work, finding no way to talk himself out of leaving. Vanisha was the only friend he had made and she helped him feel… like he had a chance at this Weyr life again. He just wouldn’t be able to get a ride on a dragon to get there, no… the thought of that would keep him glued to his seat and discourage him from attending the hatching. Still, he gulped dryly… a hatching, he hadn’t been to one… not since… his teeth gritted together and he forced himself to stand, his blue flit wrapped around his neck like a necklace. He grabbed his nice cloak and put it on, along with his riding gloves that he wore for comfort as much as warmth. Protection too, it made him feel safe, and it was also a reminder of his crime.

“I suppose we should go.” He murmured to Bell who was humming softly against his neck. He said it to push him further out of the Weyr, feeling immediately exposed as dragons swooped ahead and toward the Weyr. He’d be late, hopefully he wouldn’t miss Vanisha’s impression – if she impressed. A part of him still didn’t want her to impress… He didn’t like the man that was courting her, but her life would be much safer on the ground than in the sky. Fear told him so.

He walked along the path at a brisk pace, younger teens running past him… And then he heard the dragon before he saw him, the loud wing beats sending his heart rate up – and a voice inside his head was convinced that the dragon somehow knew what he had done to... to him. As the dragon swooped so low that his wind disheveled his hair and cloak, it sent Parlhion backed up to a tree for protection. Others had gasped, but had kept going, glancing over at him curiously for his reaction. He shivered, only a minute or two later realizing that his flit had left his neck and was chattering angrily at the bronze who had already made it to the hatching grounds.

He stood there for minutes, waiting for his fear to dissipate, realizing belatedly that the longer he stood there, the later he would be… but he was less convinced that he should go after the incident and took more deliberate, but slower steps toward the hatching grounds. Bell had come back, crooning comfortingly and encouragingly as he went. 

[Zen]

A’zael :: Bronze Fath, Azora

He’d just returned from the bathing caverns after a long run when Sularenth’s familiar voice entered his mind and made him jump. He cursed himself softly for it, but he couldn’t help but be reminded of the day at Srunae’s door and Sularenth’s fury whenever he heard the gold’s voice. Shells. Out of habit, he picked out something nicer to wear, though he didn’t think it mattered quite as much now that he wasn’t Weyrleader anymore. B’rax would probably sigh at him if he showed up in any old thing. Fath, let Azora know we’re coming. The bronze had been sunning with Danovelith but both dragons were landing on their ledge now, awaiting their riders. Yesyes. Ahatchingmine! Hurry! And then the bronze turned his attention to his rider’s daughter in the creche, A’zaelmine’shatchling! Wecomenow! A’zael grinned as he headed for his dragon, pausing between the gold and bronze to catch Srunae into his arms for a quick kiss before he mounted. Her laughter followed him up to Fath’s back as she settled herself on her own dragon.

They let Danovelith take off first, and A’zael was quick to remind Fath that they couldn’t follow the gold right away like he knew he would want to, To the creche, Fath. The bronze whined impatiently, Buthatching, mine! He took off, and despite his protest, headed for the creche, calling ahead to Azora even before they had landed, Hurryhurry!

In the creche, Azora had been prepared to rush out immediately upon hearing the voice of her father’s dragon, but a crecheworker stopped her, “Where are you going without a jacket, young lady?”

Azora’s eyes narrowed, “The hatching cave is hot, I don’t need a jacket.”

“And you’re just going to between there on your own, are you? Fetch a jacket or you won’t be going at all,” the woman insisted.

Her stubbornness was building, but Fath’s rushing made her give in angrily, hurrying to grab a jacket and struggling to tug it on for a moment. The crecheworker tried to help but she pulled away, “I can do it by myself!” As soon as it was on she ran past the woman and out to the beach where Fath was waiting.

A’zael didn’t dismount to help his daughter up, only got Fath to lower himself a bit more to make it easier. She wouldn’t want his help. She was quite insistent about doing things on her own, only admitting defeat and asking for help after failing long enough on her own. She didn’t have too much trouble mounting anyway, though the last stretch up to his back tended to give her some trouble. After she had struggled for a few moments he silently reached his hand down for her, whether she wanted him to pull her up and just use his hand as a hold to do it herself. When she gripped his arm with both hands he grinned and tugged her up in a swift motion that set her to giggling, settling her in front of him and wrapping an arm around her, “Ready?”

“Let’s go before we miss the first egg!” she insisted impatiently.

Let’sgolet’sgo! Fath agreed, pushing into the air and winging his way to the cavern. The bronze settled beside Danovelith and A’zael and Azora joined Srunae. Azora quickly wiggled out of her jacket, using it as a cushion to sit on to soften the hard stone stands and wriggling impatiently between her father and Srunae, “I bet a green hatches first.”

A’zael chuckled, “You just want every hatchling to be a green.”

“Greens are the best,” she responded by way of agreement.

No’va :: Brown Alduntulath

No’va scoffed, still teasing, “The way you walked over here you’d almost think you want to miss it.” He grasped her hand when she reached for him, and playfully brought her hand to his lips to kiss it, winking at her, “For luck.” I am sure you will make a fine rider, Aldy offered, confident, because she was the blood of his own rider. No’va pressed his other hand over hers for a moment, absently comforting, before climbing back up to Aldy’s back so he could better help her up. Their father helped as well, and once his family was settled properly, he sent his brown into the air. Once they’d landed he jumped down to help his sister down first and hugged her tightly, “You’ll impress for sure! I can’t wait to meet your dragon!”

He grinned as he released her and helped their mother down next. Their father required no assistance. “Be safe, my dear,” Lord Divano told Vanisha softly.

Lady Relwisha frowned at that, “Please, Vanisha. Your brother was hurt when he stood for the first time-”

“It was fine,” No’va interrupted her, “I don’t even know why they made me leave.”

Relwisha’s lips pursed slightly, “Your clothing was soaked through with blood. Do you know what that does to a mother’s heart?”

“It wasn’t that bad…,” No’va insisted, though he did feel bad that it had upset her so much.

“No’va, quit arguing with your mother,” Divano cut in before it could go on any longer, and No’va ducked his head sheepishly. He took Relwisha’s hand, “Vanisha is an intelligent young woman. I’m sure she’ll have her wits about her. Come. It’s time we find our seats and let her get to the sands.” He gave his daughter a soft smile, “Good luck.” And then he was leading their mother toward the stands where the Weyrleader and Lord of Mavros were already seated.

No’va might have joined them, but he still wasn’t open about who he was with anyone but Joia, and besides, sitting with so many ‘important’ people would be boring. His mother would probably give him looks if he yelled too loud, and with his sister and his friend Treyvin both standing, he knew he was going to be yelling. Better to find Joia and Vitra. He called to Vanisha as he started toward the stands to find his friends, “Hurry before your dragon hatches and you miss it!”

kevna



Yvinka

Sitting atop Amagetith, she laughed at the green’s excitement, and she was sure any dragon she or Ceela impressed would be great friends for Sio’s energetic green. In fact, if she got her own dragon, she wouldn’t mind one similar to Amagetith. Something small and fast and fun. That might suit her just fine. When they reached the hatching cavern she slid down quickly, keeping with Ceela rather than running off and forgetting her friend mostly because Ceela had done this before and she had not. It would be good to have someone experienced nearby. Not that she didn’t want to stand next to Ceela or anything, but she hadn’t exactly waited for her during the Touching. But this was the Hatching, and the babies could be dangerous, so said S’bol, so she figured maybe Ceela would be able to spot any dangers better than she could, and it lent her a little more patience to not rush off on her own again.

She shifted, with impatience, excitement, and from the heat all, as she stood on the hot sands, her eyes flying from one egg to the next, trying to pick the one that would hatch first. The Touching had been something else and there had been some fun eggs in the clutch. Would any of them remember her? S’bol often said that dragons didn’t have very good memories, and he hadn’t been able to answer whether the eggs would remember people who touched them or not. Well, the dragons inside the eggs, not the eggs themselves. She glanced at Ceela and then back to the eggs, a few of them shaking now and then as the hatchling within tried to get out, “Which one do you think will hatch first? What color do you think it will be?”

tovaana



Podrell, Kisoraz

Arriving at the hatching cavern, he followed after Kisoraz as the other man headed quickly for the sands. Yva and Ceela were already there, and when Kisoraz put a decent distance between himself and the two girls, Podrell was glad to follow suit. As if he needed Yva’s distracting antics during a hatching. She’d get them both mauled. He cast a glance at Kisoraz, the other man’s eyes flitting between what seemed to be two eggs in particular, “Did you have a favorite?”

Kisoraz jumped slightly, he’d been too focused on the eggs to even realize Podrell had come to stand with him, “Ah… perhaps. A couple preferences, I suppose.” It was always hard to tell exactly what was in each egg, even if you got to interact with each and every one. One could seem as though it held a bronze and hatch only some haughty green. The size of the eggs was sometimes telling, but not always. All one really had to go off from a Touching was how one thought a dragonet’s personality might match up with theirs. “You?” he figured he would return the question since it seemed the polite thing to do.

Podrell laughed lightly, “I’m not sure. The Touching was… I never imagined it would be quite so intense. Dragons really are quite remarkable… I suppose I would probably get along with some better than others, but for a preference? No…. It’s taken me a while but… I’m doing my best to simply see what happens and work with whatever may choose me.” His hazel eyes shifted around the clutch curiously, waiting for the first hatchling to appear to really see what a hatching was all about. He looked to Kisoraz again and a small smile pulled at his lips, “After all… it’s entirely out of our control, isn’t it?” It was probably the most frightening thing he’d ever done, giving up control over his own future. But it was also quite exhilarating. Yes, if a dragon chose him he would be a rider, but the different colors allowed for different opportunities, and that he couldn’t choose. He would be lying if he said he didn’t hope for a bronze, but he wasn’t set on it, because that would stupid, and very possibly setting himself up for disappointment. He needed to have an open mind if he was going to do this.

“Ah… yes…,” Kisoraz agrees slowly, his doubts rising again. Didn’t he know it? If he’d had a say he would have impressed his bronze at his first standing. But here he was, all but exiled from his home until he produced results that could redeem turns of failure, with no guarantees it would ever happen. His hands clenched at his sides as he again focused on the eggs, noting the cracks growing larger on the Dazzling Egg. He hadn’t interacted with that one, so he had no idea what might be inside, but it seemed the most eager to join the outside world, so he continued to watch it.

[tovaana]

Ceela;

Ceela’s smile brightened when Yva slowed down and she instinctively hooked her arm around her friend’s arm and tugged her to the sands.

It was certainly exciting and she shifted her weight in a wiggle, glancing at Yvinka, only then remembering that this was her friend’s first hatching. The question distracted her though, and her eyes darted back to the shifting eggs. Her free hand pointed at one that was rocking back and forth quickly, “that one!” And then another egg moved and her hand moved, “or that one!” She shrugged, “probability says green or blue, but I’ve seen all sorts hatch first. But for you, let’s say green.” She bumped Yva playfully, she could see both her and Yva impressing to a lithe green like Sio had.

A different egg caught her attention (neither of the ones that she’d pointed to), this one rocked dramatically one way and then the other, like a ship in a storm. Until finally the Dazzling Egg flopped down a dip in the sand and the bottom half of it shattered, four green feet visible from the bottom as it lifted the other half of the egg with its hidden top. After a couple of shifting steps (and bumping into one of her egg siblings) the egg made a motion and the top half flipped off in a fluid movement, the egg cracking as it fell behind the green dragon. The little hatchling made a noise, triumphant, and looked around at the candidates and then up at the spectators that had come to see, well, her obviously. Ceela could see how the little one enjoyed the spotlight, and she seemed to soak it all in as she paced around and in front of her siblings. Ceela giggled and bumped Yva again, “it’s a reverse Ama!” The shade of green was different, but the greens faded upward on the green’s body instead of downward like Sio’s green. After the murmurs had died down, the damp wings shifted so they flared to show off the beautiful checkered pattern that adorned them, and the murmurs picked up again. “Isn’t she pretty!” And she unhooked her arm from Yva, almost subconsciously, as hatchlings could be unpredictable – and she didn’t want to prevent Yva from dodging one or perhaps even approaching one if she wanted.

The green’s wings pulled slowly back in, but not all the way, so that the checkered pattern was still visible. Ever since the baby had hatched, she had continued making noises, but instead of heading directly to the candidates, she headed toward the outskirts of the arena, as if she were finding what her new boundaries were.

“I guess… sometimes they get distracted.” Ceela offered, not wanting Yva to worry or be disappointed that the green hadn’t come directly to the candidates. Her chocolate gaze distractedly moved back to the other rocking eggs, her body lifting and falling as she shifted on the balls of her feet.

Zen

Lemavarah;

She looked at her old robe disdainfully. Such a rotten thing. Everyone wearing the same exact thing made her sick. And for what? Did they know they had to wear white? What proof said that hatchlings preferred white? Had there not been impressions that happened in the stands? Surely they hadn’t come in white. Her robe wasn’t… exactly white. She’d been refused standing once when she’d come in her red and black attire, so she’d stained her traditional whites with klah. It wasn’t perfect, the color was darker where the klah had hit first and there were splotch like markings through it, but light enough not to be refused and noticeable enough to satisfy Lema.

As she put it on, she wondered if she’d get away with wearing something different to the hatchings in Mavros. As she’d come to realize, Mavros was… different. So far it had been a good thing, but at the same time… it was annoying that her efforts to stand out were looked over as just a weird fashion.

She’d found a blue dragon with space for a passenger and got on with little greeting, it seemed fitting since people were always in a hurry to get candidates to the eggs anyways… it was nice when small talk wasn’t expected.

Once on the sands her eyes were glued on the eggs, but she was wary of the gold mother hovering in her peripheral… would the mother move on the sands while her babies hatched? The thought made her stomach more nervous than usual, but she didn’t look away from the eggs, especially as the first hatched. She grinned and made a gleeful noise that faded when she glanced around and didn’t see disappointment on many faces. A green hatched first, but no one seemed to… care? Her shoulders drooped and she shook her head, so confused. What did Mavrosi people care about? She tried to think of it as less annoying and more interesting and intriguing, something for her to discover. Her lips pursed thoughtfully, her head tilting at the interesting design on the green’s wings.

“Cool.” She muttered, but felt a little flustered and annoyed that she hadn’t figured out this new strange people.

Muze :: Green Rylath

She hugged herself, Rylath humming and shifting in nervous excitement. Let’s go to-be-riders! Let’s go! She said as candidates found different dragons as their rides. Muze tried not to feel disappointment as Ceela and Yva found Sio. They were Sio’s friends, it made sense. She’d been ‘let into’ the circle, but she wasn’t much like them… still…

Kekoa’s greeting made her eyes shift and she her cheeks suddenly felt a little warm in the chill air. She awkwardly let him side hug her, and her hand came up as if to reciprocate, but couldn’t bring herself to do it. As if, if she did, he would know how she enjoyed the close proximity… and she did not want him to know. “Hey.” She said a little breathlessly and smiled despite herself, because eggs were hatching.

Muze simply nodded, and Rylath pushed her way into the conversation, though she wasn’t directly addressed. Yes, you are welcome to join us! Climb on fast! The eggs are hatching soon! Muze smiled at her green, feeling more comfortable with her green’s excitement and ease with Kekoa. He makes you feel good! The dragon said, interpreting her rider’s thoughts and Muze felt her cheeks get red hot as she got onto Rylath’s neck ridge, avoiding Kekoa’s gaze as he got on and another passenger that slipped on behind Kekoa. ‘Does not!’ She gasped in her thoughts, confusing her dragon. Doesn’t he? Muze didn’t know how to respond, so didn’t, trying to control the heat in her face as they flew to the hatching grounds. When they landed she slid off as quick as she could, avoiding looking directly at Kekoa as he and the other passenger got off.

[kevna]

Lord Holder Asirikai

He was conversing with one of his constituents quietly when he heard a man calling out for bets. He was not adverse to gambling, but with Mavros still in such a precarious position, he wasn’t going to be risking marks on something so frivolous. He had started to turn away, dismissing him quickly, when the man spoke to him directly, complimenting his cloak. He turned back and studied the man, noting his bronze knots with a simple eyebrow raise. The man looked as unassuming as one could be-shorter then average, and slim. Not how the average bronzerider looked.

After a moment of study, he proffered a small, polite (enough) smile. He didn’t have to impress this dragonrider-though he was pleased to have someone note the cloak. It was a rich color, quality fabric with fine stitching. “Thank you, bronzerider. I got it from a Mavrosi tailor, Breanthli I believe was her name.” He knew her name, he had paid her well, and she had given him exactly what he had wanted. He would continue to go to her for work, paying back to those who served him. He didn’t feel as though the man was really paying him much attention, so he dismissed him again.

“Not bets for me.” On your way, he added silently, though his tone was clearly a dismissal. He turned his attention back to the entrance, where he noted Lord Divano and Lady Relwisha entering. He tapped a young boy, a runner by his look, on the shoulder and murmured, “Please direct the Lord and Lady of Tidewalk this way.” The command was apparent, and though the boy didn’t work directly for him, he expected to be obeyed, which seemed to spur the lad on to do just that.

It also meant he got to see Vanisha enter the sands, her bright auburn hair and delicate beauty making her impossible to miss. She looked good in the white robes, but she looked good in everything he had seen her in, and decided the robes didn’t fit her personality, just as candidacy didn’t suit her. He noted immediately how close she was standing to Podrell, and his hands clenched in anger. Asirikai didn’t like it, not one bit. She was his.

avon

Siorreya – Green Amagetith

Siorreya considered Lo’qui’s teasing, and then shrugged, admitting flippantly, “I have never gambled. But I dooo like to learn new things.” She smiled and put her hands, crossed over each other, on her chest, “Oh will you teach me bronzerider?” She asked in her best damsel in distress voice, though it wasn’t as flirtatious as she had meant it to be… She would not admit that it was due to the fact that her eyes had caught sight of Podrell, and it had imbalanced her. Shard that man. But… you like him?

“I don’t suppose betting against a candidate counts as a better gamble?” She proffered, smiling happily as she knew just who she’d gamble against impressing, more out of spite, not fear of course, never that.

tovaana

Vanisha - Candidate

Vanisha gave her brother a small, nervous chuckle at his teasing, but felt a part of her settle when he kissed her hand. She needed that luck, by Faranth, she truly did. She looked at Alduntulath and softly murmured, “Thank you. Thank you both.” Her eyes returning to her younger brother so he would feel her gratitude. No’va was a good luck charm, so all the better for it. The nervous candidate was grateful for both her brother and father’s help up, and the flight seemed to go by in the blink of an eye. No’va helped her down and enveloped her in a tight warm hug. When had her little brother gotten so much bigger?

She watched her parent’s dismount, and nodded meekly, offering an obedient, “Yes, father.” To his request. Her mother’s response had her stomach dropping, what if they didn’t let her onto the sands? Would they change their mind? She was grateful when No’va distracted them-having her parent’s attention off of her-she barely felt like she could speak as it was.

“Vanisha is an intelligent young woman. I’m sure she’ll have her wits about her. Come. It’s time we find our seats and let her get to the sands.” She blinked, looking at her father and feeling tears rise to her eyes. He believed in her. Her smile was stronger when he wished her luck, and her voice was stronger too, “Thank you father. I’ll be safe mother.” She promised, and she meant it. She would to her best to avoid getting trampled. She clasped her hands before herself to keep them from shaking, and No’va’s calling out to her to hurry shook herself from the fear that was trying to claw it’s way back to her. She nodded, offering a quiet, “Right, no I wouldn’t.” That he probably couldn’t hear, and then moving onto the sands. They were hot under her feet, and she derived some comfort from the distraction. She moved to stand near Podrell and Kisoraz, mostly to be far from Ceela and Yva. She didn’t think she could speak and wasn’t sure that their chattering would calm her nerves.

Eggs were beginning to move, and suddenly one rocked violently, four green legs bursting half of the shell. Her eyes were glued to the shell-she hadn’t spoken to the dazzling egg-and now she wished she had. It was green! Green was most suited for her, Vanisha knew it… It seemed awfully distracted, and instead of moving to the candidates it seemed to rove along the sands. She took a deep steadying breath, remembering her father’s words, and clinging to the hope. Hope was what she would focus on. Other eggs were rocking now. There would be more greens. But she kept the wandering dragon in the corner of her vision.

Zen

Zelhirin; Tak’ril – Bronze Agureyth

“Come on, Liza, come on.” His voice was chipper if a little demanding, though more excited. He had had to ferret her out of her hiding place where she was tinkering, he was sure she would have been happy left alone, but he wanted to see this through. They would be dragonriders. He had every intention of making it happen, and if not this impression, there would be another. He would just have to make sure he knew all Liza’s hiding places, just in case she got so lost in work that she thought to skip. He couldn’t imagine leaving Liza in the dust. Dressed and Liza at his side they looked for a ride. “There!” He pointed, seeing a large bronze and herding Liza over to the man standing next to him. He had no doubt his uncles would be lining the stands, and couldn’t help but hope his bronze would be as large as R’hir’s, or even this bronze before them.

“Uh, hey, this here is Agureyth, I’m Tak’ril. Need a ride?” The bronzerider asked, offering to help Liza up the large bronze. “Yes, but I got it, thanks.” Zelhirin said, interjecting himself inbetween the dragonrider he didn’t know, and his sister. "I'm Zelhirin." He offered as his only apology for his rude interjection, and looked at Liza, not presuming to introduce her. He'd probably already annoyed her with his earlier presumption. He’d have to relax, he admitted to himself, even as he offered to help Liza up. It was hard, because they were in a new place, and he didn’t have himself established enough. People didn’t know they needed to behave around Liza, and Chai (he noted grudgingly, still unsure how he felt about her following them to Mavros). They loaded up on the bronze, and a couple of other candidates, with the assistance of the bronzerider, clamored up to join them.

“Hold on!” Tak’ril called, and the bronze took off with a jolt. Zelhirin smiled, enjoying the feeling of wings beating and air swirling past. They made it to the sands, and the bronzerider slid off, and then offered assistance to those getting down, to all but them. Good. Tak’ril and he had an understanding then. He got off, and offered help to Liza, though he knew if she wanted she was entirely capable of getting down on her own.

With a hop on the balls of his feet, and a nod toward their ride, he moved to enter the sands, pausing long enough to make sure his twin was following. “Can you feel that? It’s going to be a great day!” He said happily as they moved onto the sands.

[tovaana]

Treyvin;

He could see the wave looming over him in his mind’s eye. It was a wave of color, of emotion, though most of them were of the same excitement and anticipation. They couldn’t see the green legs, but he and candidates could, and their excitement and disappointment of the revelation fell down on him first, though his defenses still muted them. The moment the shell flipped off and revealing the little green to the audience, the emotions fell down on him, bringing him to his knees, his defenses gone. He sucked in a sharp breath of air and he tried to let it flow through him – away from him… but the current was strong and wanted to drown him. This was worse than the other hatching, there were more of them, people and their emotions.

“I… I can’t.” He moaned quietly. But he had to, so stubbornly he placed his hands on his ears, as if it would muffle the mental noise, but only the audible kind – which helped a little with his input overload. This was just a little green that had hatched… what would happen when more hatched? A bronze? And impressions? The emotions would start to split and pull him in so many directions. His breathing started picking up, and he just knelt there holding his head tightly, hoping for a miracle and unable to think of much else than trying to not run away from the unseen torture. This was silly, he shouldn't have come... what had he been thinking? Just because he was determined to be a rider, didn't mean he could be one... the doubts chipped away at his defenses even more and he could only press his hands into his ears, muting the physical noises around him as best he could. 

Tomilyn;

“No way, no way, no way, no way!” Her breathing was uneven, making her words shaky. “I mean, can you believe it? My dragon’s hatchin’ right now!” She was talking to herself, but also to those who had been washing the floors with her. The curly red-head was scrambling to throw and put things away, but gave up and started darting toward the Weyr exit when she remembered last minute about the weird robe things. “Shards, shards, shards…” She muttered to herself as she stopped at the exit and could see dragons launching into the sky with candidates on the backs. Tomilyn groaned and turned to get them then turned back indecisively. How important were the robe thingies anyways? Maybe they had an extra pair? She dashed out yelling, "I forgot the robes!!" People looked at each other, but mostly they just guided her on a dragon. 

“So… sorry…” Tomilyn managed as she scrambled on the dragon, her fingers getting tingly from the anticipation of flight, no matter how short the distance. It wasn’t as fun as it was to fly her blue Ikki, but the height still took her breath away. Took all worries away, including the robes. 

The warm sands contrasted with the chilly flight, her body feeling rather odd as it warmed up almost too quickly. She shook her hands and glanced at the candidates that congregated near the eggs and she found herself near another red-head (she felt like anyone with red hair could be her sister). “Oiii, look at ‘em rock!” She said in reverent hushed tones. “What color you reckon is your dragon gonna be? Greens are pretty things, but I was Searched by the prettiest blue. There are girl blue riders, never met one, but heard of them. I guess Mavros has some girl brown – oh look at that one!” She leaned forward as it started hatching, catching glimpse of Kisoraz in her peripheral vision and looking over at him. She grinned at him, trying to catch his eye. “Oi, good luck to you.” She snickered a little, though she did mean it ill-willed, it was too exciting to think about her dislike of the candidate. “And to me too.” She said quietly, eyes dancing over the rocking eggs and the little green that was strutting around. Then she happened to glance at the other candidates and then down at herself. "Ah, shards... I'm as dim as a glow basket. How important you reckon the white robe things are?"

kevna - vanisha Zen - kisoraz

[kevna]

Kekoa - Candidate

He noted a slight breathlessness to her simple hello, but it could have been the cold or excitement, even if he hoped it was him. Slow and steady. Rylath’s excited voice entered his mind, and he looked at her a little adoringly. She was something, this speckled green. If he won Muze over, he’d have her to thank, being such a good wingwoman. “Why, yes ma’am, that they do.” Kekoa saluted the dragon smartly, giving her his best flirtatious grin, since she could be wooed too, and it seemed to get him marks in Muze’s eyes. He climbed aboard awkwardly, mostly due to the gitar strapped to his back, ignoring the girl who climbed up and behind him. She wasn’t pretty in his own opinion, not like Muze was.

It was slightly annoying that neck ridges separated them, but again had the blessed fortune that Rylath was a small green, and the ridges therefore were smaller then that of a bronze. During their flight, he leaned over the ridge separating them, so his voice could be easily heard, his cheek close enough to touch wayward hairs, “I’m glad I could take this flight with you, Muze!” It was too bad they were flying, and he had to raise his voice a little, cutting off some of the intimacy of the moment. When they landed, he was caught up in the fact that in just scant moments he would be impressing to his very own dragon, if Faranth was with him.

He awkwardly dismounted, unstrapping his gitar from his back. The flight over had given him enough time to prepare his separation with the instrument, and helped him realize that wild, excited, trampling dragonets would hardly be the safest place for it. “Would you hold onto this for me? It’s the dearest thing I own, and I trust you to keep it safe for me.” He said genuinely, proffering it up to her. It was always hard to leave it behind, but he really did trust that Muze would care for it until he returned for it. Then, as if the brilliant excitement of the hatching had reignited in his soul, he turned and started to jog towards the hatching. The elation, like the crescendo of a powerful song, was what spurred on his actions, turning himself right back around before he had taken three steps.

He swooped in, cupping one cheek, and landed a quick kiss on her other cheek. “For good luck.” He said warmly, giving her a joyous smile, and then he was gone, jogging into the hatching room. His eyes easily caught hold of Ceela’s wild curly hair, and the contrasting color of Yva’s dark locks, and he redirected to them, though in such a way to pass Podrell to slap him on the back in a companionable way, and noting two redheads, which he made sure to run in front of (what better way to let them look?) and winked at them. Hopefully the redhead he had yet to acquaint himself with (which would be remedied as early as possible) would comfort the pale Vanisha. He didn’t want to overwhelm her, so he continued on to Ceela and Yva, stepping up to Yva’s side.

“Hiya my ladies sweet.” He said jubilantly, bouncing on his feet. "Today is the day. For all of us, I can feel it." One hand going for his gitar, which was no longer strapped to his back, and the other grabbed for Yva in a brief one-armed hug. Huh. He felt awkward without the instrument. Kekoa was oddly grateful when the first egg hatched, distracting him from that feeling. It was a green, with beautiful highlights, and Ceela’s outburst was so very accurate. It was a reverse Amagetith! “Like lightning in a storm.” He said when Ceela commented on the green’s beauty. Her highlights had a severity to them that reminded him much of lightning-and the little one seemed to have the energy as well.

“Hmm.” Kekoa agreed, his eyes moving to the other eggs, his head nodding to the rocking of one of the eggs, a song sparking in his head.

tovaana Zen

[Taxx]

Lounessa :: Candidate

Riasu's voice and the hand on her shoulder caught Nessa off guard, but she turned back to her aunt with a smile for her, as well. With Lo'qui's agreement, she was hoisting herself up onto Jarath's back in a minute, settling comfortably as Riasu joined her. It was a short flight to the Sands; her feet hit the ground and she barely glanced back, one hand lifting in the barest acknowledgement of the wishes. She appreciated them, at least, and hoped that this time- this time she'd get lucky. That she'd find her lifemate and never have to go through this again. The same old routine of clutches, Touchings and Hatchings- they were exciting each time, but always disappointing at the end as well.

There were plenty of white-robed Candidates huddling before the eggs, and Sularenth's form looming behind. Lounessa edged forward, toward Brenna. The other girl was like-minded and Nessa liked that she wasn't alone in wanting something not typical of what usually Impressed a girl.

On Brenna's other side, Ceela and others. Yva and a boy who joined the group shortly before Nessa. She nodded to the lot of them, offered a smile to Brenna, and turned her gaze to the clutch.

She'd arrived in good time, it looked like. The Dazzling egg broke, and a green appeared from beneath the upper half of the shell. An interesting first hatchling; she was pretty. The markings on her wings were certainly eye-catching. But she seemed to have no interest in finding her rider just yet, as she headed toward the Stands, making noise the whole time. Nessa watched her go before turning back to the rest of the eggs, putting the green out of her mind. Pretty, but certainly not what she was anticipating. The green would find someone suitable for her, and Nessa would find her own partner in one of the other eggs.
Alyx for Brenna


Aleni :: Gold Riyobith

Riyobith sighed, and Aleni didn't bother holding back the grin. They weren't her eggs, but the young gold was smitten. Chubby bodies, wobbly legs and newness in every aspect. If it hadn't been pushing boundaries, intruding on Sularenth's sands, she would have come personally. Seeing it through Aleni's eyes was fine, of course, but there was a part of the gold that longed to greet the youngsters in person.

After, Aleni promised, feeling Riyo shiver with excitement. After couldn't come soon enough. She watched, directing Aleni to where she wanted to look, to see, tracking the little green as she waddled her way along. Where was she going? Was she just exploring, perhaps, before deciding to find her rider? Oh, the questions she wanted to ask, but then- she didn't want to startle the baby.

Later, Aleni promised again, and Riyo sighed once more, seeming almost to deflate. You'll have your chance, love.

[Alyx]

Melana and Gold Sularenth

Sularenth watched the dragons as they circled, eying them warily as they landed to deposit their candidates, in spite of the fact the Gold had summoned them herself. She rumbled softly, be it in greeting or warning, it was hard to tell. Melana considered claiming her seat with the Weyrleader - and, she assumed, their new Lord Holder, but decided against it. She wanted to remain with Sularenth, just as a precaution. Already the eggs were rocking, shifting as the young ones inside moved.

The Gold turned her head upward, Melana following her gaze as the resident dragons began settling in the perches above. Thank you, Nadornith. I have no doubt they will be. Melana picked the Bronze out among the others. ‘What was that about?’ He was congratulating us on the clutch. I do think he does have feelings about not being my mate. ‘I think a lot of the Bronzes have those feelings.’ Sularenth snorted, turning her attention back to the landing dragons and their charges.

Melana felt Sularenth’s interest narrow, and for a moment she was worried. Sularenth gave a soft, purred rumble and shifted gently. Thank you, dear Jarath. Ah, that explained it. Melana watched as the Bronze released his charges onto the Sand then rose to join the others on the roosts. ‘Soon you’ll be free to spend more time with your Bronzes.’ Sula gave a soft huff but said nothing as she returned to watching the activity on the Sands.

One egg tipped over, tumbling from its nested spot, and seemed to split clean. The Green that emerged was lovely, Melana would give it that - but it was a Green. Not the best start to a hatching, if you were superstitious. There is nothing wrong with her. Sularenth’s voice was sharp in Melana’s thoughts, and the woman sighed. ‘I didn’t say there was. I was saying some people would see her as an ill omen.’ Then that is Their Problem, not hers. If they have an issue, they can take it up with Me. Personally. Melana dropped her chin, trying to hide the smile.

The Green took a few moments to bask in the attention, it seems, then headed off. In the wrong direction. ‘Lovely, but not very bright.’ Sularenth snorted softly, then turned her head to track her adventuring Green daughter. Do not wander too far. You will have time enough to explore once you pick your partner. Sularenth’s voice was softer, holding none of the compulsion the Gold normally wielded without thought. Do not take too long, or all the best choices will be gone.

tovaana avon for Sula responses (and Muze for Egg interaction)

Brenna, Candidate

She hadn’t actually realized she’d beaten her friends to the Sands. It wasn’t until Jarath’s huge form landed on the Sands that she realized it; smiling she rocked back on her heels, waiting for the others to dismount and join the gathered candidates. Maybe she had been in a little too much of a hurry. But it was dragons! Their dragons! A little eagerness was a must.

She lifted her hand, just a little, to wave at Lounessa, making sure she saw Brenna as she joined the cluster of white robes. Ceela and Yvinka were close by, and Kekoa joined them a moment later. Not that the boy was one Brenna knew personally? She knew of him, and some of his antics in the class, but that was about it. Nessa shot her a smile, and Brenna did the same in return.

The first egg cracked, spilling a pretty green onto the sands. Brenna had to admit she was pretty; if it was a sign of things to come, the whole batch was gonna be flashy. She could feel her heart racing - her eyes darted to the Wisp Egg for a second, then back to the wandering green.

Taxx, Kev, Muze, and Zen for Nessa, Ceela, Yvinka and Kekoa

Joia and White Tellamuth

Tellamuth was very miffed that S’bol hadn’t let them help with the candidates. Joia found it more amusing than the White did; he was absolutely positive he could have carried at least one or two without issue for the small distance it took to get to the Hatching Grounds, but the candidatemaster wouldn’t hear of it. So instead, they’d skipped ahead to claim good spots for the Hatching, with space saved for No’va and Vitra and their dragons to join the white pair.

He will forever see me as too small. Tellamuth seethed a bit more, Joia taking a moment to turn and wrap her arms around the white’s throat. ‘You aren’t too small. He just doesn’t want you hurt.’ I can fly thread, but I can’t carry a candidate. I’m bigger than a runner, and they carry doubles all the time. The dragon snorted, nosing Joia’s hair. ‘Yes, but runners don’t fly.’ Tellamuth still wasn’t pleased, but Joia couldn’t really fault him for being mad. “It’s okay, I’m sure Kisoraz would understand. He adores you after all.” Perhaps, but I still wanted to bring him up. He’s made you less sad recently, it was the least I could have done.

Already the candidates were arriving below them. Joia turned to see Alduntulath’s painted form landing; if Joia remembered, No’va had a sister in the candidates this time around, right? Or a cousin? A relative of some sort. We saved you a spot up here, if you two want it, Alduntulath. Vitra’s blue was in the mix too; Joia was glad to see him flying again after his tangle in the Threadfall. There is Kisoraz. Joia stepped forward, scanning over the candidates. ‘Where?’ Left, with the middle. ‘You could wish him luck? I’m sure he’d like that.’

Tellamuth tilted his head to consider the thought, then focused on the boy. Good Luck, young Kisoraz. Joia laughed, patting the White on the neck. ‘If nothing else, that will make his day.’ He is so odd. But in a good way. Another Bronze caught Joia’s attention, and she felt her chest tighten up. Tellamuth followed her thought with concern, then eased back, wrapping his rider in warmth. Agureyth is growing into a fine Bronze.

Joia smiled softly, her fingers drifting down the bandage on her forearm to toy with the blue stones of the bracelet. ‘Yea, he is. Tak’ril must be so proud.’ There was a quiet moment. You could say hello to him? True, she could. But it had been a while since she’d seen Tak’ril or his Bronze in anything but passing. ‘No, it's okay. He might not remember me, and I don’t want to confuse him.’

I doubt either of them would forget you, Joia. Joia shook her head, and Tellamuth wisely dropped the topic. A rush of wings, and Alduntulath was rising toward them. Joia plastered on a quick smile, lifting her unwounded arm to wave at her friend to make sure he could find them - like he was going to miss the pearly iridescent White among the others, but she did it all the same.

Zen Taxx kevna for No'va, Vitra, and Tak'ril referances

Rachel and Blue Aslith

Betweening into the grounds would have been so much faster, but that was out of the question. Even if there wasn’t a danger in her current ‘condition’ there was the fact Rachel couldn’t actually do straps with her arm. No straps and Between was just asking for trouble - she’d done in once in an emergency about a turn out of her Weyrlinghood and nearly ended them both.

Aslith found a spot to touch down, doing his best to be as gentle as he could. Rachel had buckled lower straps so she could slide her legs in and out of them, but without being properly strapped in, a rough landing would have likely sent her flying over Aslith’s neck and landing ash knows where. They were getting better, but they wouldn’t be cleared to return to active status for another couple of months… possibly longer if Rachel didn’t change her mind. Aslith’s talons caught the edge of the roost gently, bucking his hindquarters up onto the edge with a skill that literally only came with turns of practice with an edgeless private weyr. He turned slowly, then settled flat for Rachel to drop down.

Are you okay? Rachel smirked, pulling her legs free of the loops. ‘I’m not a glass bauble, Aslith. I’m not gonna break if you bounce me a few times.’ I know, I simply… ‘I know, old man.’ Rachel leaned forward as best she could, patting the Blue’s neck before slipping off his shoulders to stand by him. ‘Thank you for bringing me up. I don’t think I would have made the walk.’ Aslith chuckled, shifting around to lay better, and made room for Rachel to sit in front of him if she choose; which she did, thankful for the backrest of his chest as they settled in to watch the Hatching. The first one is Green. ‘Shard it, I owe you an hour reading.’

Risse, Candidate

Risse hadn’t actually planned to stand for this Clutch. She’d arrived late, and missed the Touching but mere days; there was very little chance of her Impressing in this group. She’d planned to watch the Hatching from the Stands, to support Kisoraz’s search for his Bronze and perhaps learn a bit more from the chatter in the Stands about the sad Weyr and its tiny little Hold.

But here she was. She frowned deeply, moving to stand back from the Eggs; there was no Gold on this sand except for the Clutchmother, and Risse’s reading had said her Queen was at Mavros. Clearly, no Gold egg, there was no reason for her to be on these Sands. Granted, there was a slim chance the Tarnished Egg was a Gold, but if she was, she would be a tiny thing at best, and possibly unhealthy.

Risse took a moment to catch Kisoraz’s gaze and nodded to him; she hoped at least he would find his on this day. The murmurs peeked, and the first egg hatched; a Green. Risse grimaced, feeling the bite of bile in the back of her thought. Dark Omen… she glanced at Kisoraz, but her face said it all. If they were lucky, the thing would do itself in and save them all a cycle of ill luck. Just to be safe, Risse moved farther back into the group, putting as many candidates as she could between her and the cursed green beast.

Zen for Ki

[Zen]

Lizalia

The sudden voice in her head had startled her enough to send Spectrum flying about chittering as if scolding the unseen force behind it for daring to intrude upon His. She had shaken her head and had the bronze calmed and back on her shoulder quickly enough. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to random dragons in her head without warning. She didn’t like it at all. It shook her concentration and felt somehow violating. Sometimes when she was tinkering she would grumble to herself, cursing Zelhirin for dragging her here, though it was only half hearted. She would never have let him leave without her, even if she wished she was back home constantly. It wouldn’t be so bad if Mavros had a proper forge. Compared to the Smithhall, the singular, tiny forge Mavros sported near the beasthold was… just sad. It was used mostly to pound out crude tools as needed and little else. There weren’t enough resources to waste on anything else.

So her tinkering had taken quite a dive since her arrival and the assignment of menial chores did nothing to improve her mood about being here. Mostly she skipped out on them, finding her way to the forge to at least assist doing something she half cared about. It was still boring work, but it was better than washing dishes or sweeping floors. The fires of a forge made her feel at least a little closer to home. It had actually been exciting at first, visiting a new place, exploring with Zel and Chai, after her sister had surprisingly arrived shortly after them. But the newness had sort of worn off two months later and she was missing her father and their project. She had accepted Search with Zelhirin to stay with him, because he had been quite adamant about going, but she didn’t know how she felt about having a dragon of her own. She was considering how she might be able to send to her father for help in improving the forge situation at Mavros so she might be more comfortable here, since if Zelhirin impressed, she couldn’t see herself leaving him and going back home on her own.

But when Zel came to find her, eager for the hatching, she followed after him willingly enough. This was his dream, dragonriding… how could she not support him? And anyway she supposed witnessing a hatching first hand might be interesting. The robe thing seemed really unnecessary… clearly some relic of the past that made no sense, but she donned hers anyway. There was such a sense of urgency to get the candidates to the sands, why stop for a wardrobe change? Some traditions were better left in the past, it seemed to her. Zel of course picked out a big bronze to ride to the hatching, and offered to help her up in place of the bronze’s rider. She didn’t actually feel the need to introduce herself, since she doubted she would ever interact with the bronzerider again, so she just accepted her brother’s help wordlessly after a brief stretch of perhaps slightly awkward silence.

She had to admit, flying was… exhilarating. It was the one thing that kept her from completely refusing candidacy to try to find some other place for herself at Mavros. And for the first time, she sometimes wondered what fighting Thread would be like. It wasn’t something to be taken lightly, she knew, but the challenge and the danger of it were appealing. She doubted it would ever be boring. And that made her think maybe she wouldn’t mind being a rider alongside her brother. So she stayed in the candidate barracks and went to classes with him.

When they arrived at the hatching cavern, she slid down and let Zel steady her, leaning into him for a moment and grinning up at him, “Good luck.” If this was what he really wanted, she hoped he would get it. As for her? She didn’t know. This whole candidacy thing had really thrown her for a loop. She’d just have to see what happened. Zel seemed so happy as she followed him to the sands, she couldn’t help but smile a little. “If no dragon picks you, this clutch is full of dimglows,” she told him, not particularly caring if anyone thought that the rather irreverent statement that it was.

kevna



Treyjen, Vasheera

It seemed they had arrived back at Mavros just in time. It had only been about a sevenday before the hatching began, and Treyjen was beyond relieved to have made it back in time to keep his word to Treyvin, and be there to see if his son would impress or not. Or Yva for that matter, but he’d made no promises to his niece. The announcement that broadcast had been initially quite confusing for many of his crew, who were hardly used to the intrusion of dragons into their minds, but it wasn’t long before a steady stream of people was heading to the hatching cavern, and Treyjen joined them. The trek was hardly a short one. He might have been able to find a rider friend to take him, had he been at the Weyr rather than the harbor cave. As it was, that was another trek, and he might as well just go directly to the hatching cavern at that rate.

When he finally made it to the cave, a green dragon was already wandering around the sands, and he hoped he hadn’t missed anything important. There were still plenty of eggs unhatched, however, and plenty of candidates milling around the sands waiting to see if a dragon would choose them or not, his son included, though he seemed to be standing away from everyone else. He frowned a bit at that. Was it because he didn’t really want to impress after all, now that they’d met, now that he might be able to sail with him? Treyvin didn’t strike him as particularly shy or cowardly.

Noting Treyvin’s position, he picked out Yva as well, who seemed to be chatting and giggling with another young woman. It was satisfying to think of his brother and how he would disapprove of the life his daughter might soon lead. Keeping half an eye on the sands as more eggs started rocking more violently, he moved among the stands, seeking a good seat, or a decent companion to watch the hatching with, and quickly spotted a familiar face. He could see it in her eyes after a quick study. Of course he had heard the news, but it was confirming to see it.

Sitting beside the young woman, she looked up at him with some surprise, and he offered her a soft word, “I’m sorry about your father, Vasheera.” She flinched at that, glancing to her side, at several children, and another woman he shortly recognized as the late Vashemin’s wife. Widow now, he supposed.

“Thank you… captain. I… today is a happy day, I’d rather not…,” she spoke softly as well, haltingly.

“Indeed,” he spoke no more on the matter. His condolences had been no lie. He was sorry about her father. Sorry he was a poor excuse for one. But he moved on to happier things, “I’ve a son on the sands.” He sought out Treyvin again, though it took him a moment to find him as the boy was kneeling in the sand now, which was… concerning. He looked to be ill or in pain, or possibly just his nerves were getting to him?

“Oh?” Vasheera was glad of the subject change, “Do you have riders in your family, captain?” Anything to take her mind off her father.

Treyjen let out a short laugh, though his gaze was fixed on Treyvin, “One, distantly… some relative of my mother’s I’ve never met.”

Vasheera wasn’t entirely sure where the amusement at the question came from, but she looked up at him curiously, “Were you ever Searched?”

“I never met a dragon until I came to Mavros,” he admitted, “Probably for the best. I might have snuck off to join the Weyr just to spite my father and found myself in a life I hated if I’d ever been Searched. I find dragon hierarchies far too limiting for my liking.”

She wasn’t entirely sure what to say to that. She knew very little about the captain, but hearing him say something about spiting his father, and his comments, months ago, when he agreed to help her, connected some dots. Clearly the captain and his father had not gotten along, and she was pretty sure it was safe to assume why. But she was also sure he no more wished to talk about his father than she wished to talk about hers, so she tried to be more lighthearted, “No? You’re a captain, a leader… you might have made a decent bronzerider.”

He laughed, blue eyes shifting from his son to Vasheera for a moment, “You think so? Would you make songs about me, little harper girl?” He had leaned in a bit, his voice dropping, and she blushed, leaning slightly away in response. He laughed again and gave her her space back, much to her relief, returning his attention to his son, still concerned and mildly confused.

Yvinka

She giggled as Ceela couldn’t seem to make up her mind on which egg she might think would hatch first. Yva wouldn’t know how to spot it properly. Obviously the ones that were moving more were probably closer to hatching, but what did she know? When Ceela suggested a green to hatch first she leaned a bit closer as if sharing a secret, “You know I heard a green hatching first is supposed to be bad luck or something.” There was a spark of mischief on her features at the thought, and she laughed, “I think a green would be just fine.”

Kekoa joined them then and she returned the hug he offered, grinning, “About time you got here.” She sighed lightly, “If only Sio could be on the sands with us….” She cast a quick look above, spotting Amagetith easily enough, and lifted her arm to wave up at the green with a soft giggle. If she impressed today, Ama would have a playmate for sure. She glanced at Kekoa and Ceela then, “I hope if we all impress that our dragons get along and can be friends.” It would be rather disappointing if not.

And then an egg shifted rather dramatically and four feet appeared, distinctly green. “Hah! You were right!” Yva grinned, watching the rather silly scene until the little green had finally freed herself completely of her egg. A reverse Ama. She laughed again, “She sort of is.” Watching the green raptly, she let out a little gasp as her wings flared, the patterning on them quite stunning. “Oh, she is gorgeous. Wow.” She also seemed to be a noisy little thing, which made her giggle again, “I wonder what she’s saying.”

Ceela needn’t have been concerned when the green wandered off, and Yva grinned, “Well I think I’d be curious too if I just popped out of an egg. They all, well most of them, seemed so bored when I talked to them at the Touching. I’d hate being in an egg. I think I know what it feels like, sorta anyway. Coming to Mavros was like hatching… freedom!” Another giggle escaped her as she watched the wandering green for a moment longer before different movement on the sands caught her attention.

The Rusted Egg fell apart to reveal a bright lime green dragon with darker green banding. She shook herself off and turned to chirp happily at the Tarnished Egg before bounding across the sands, skidding a few times as she was clearly searching, and once tripping in a dip in the sand that sent her tumbling over herself with a surprise sort of squawk. Yva gasped and then giggled as she picked herself back up again and continued her search of the candidates, but it didn’t last much longer. She creeled as she leapt forward and a young man caught her in his arms with a joyous shout. Then he was leading her away to where D’rew was waiting with meat for the new weyrlings. “Wait that’s it?” She glanced at Ceela, “That’s how impression works? It happened so fast though!” She didn’t understand at all. Surely there was more to it than that? She'd imagined it being far more... elaborate?

kevna tovaana



Podrell

When Vanisha arrived at his side, he looked the young woman over. She seemed… afraid? Upset, somehow. Perhaps neither of those were the right words. Her nerves were likely just getting to her. She was always quiet, soft spoken, well mannered. A proper lady. Which made sense, considering who her family was. For some reason it made him want to look out for her. It was hard to imagine her on a dragon, fighting Thread… but she clearly wanted to be here or there was no reason for Lord Divano to have sent her to be a candidate at Mavros. She was of an age that he would have expected her to be married by now, or very soon. Most Lords did seem rather involved in seeing their daughters married, after all.

He reached up to rest his hand gently on her shoulder, leaning in and lowering his voice to speak to her, putting a soft smile on his face, “Don’t worry, if any angry hatchlings come our way, I’ll fend them off.” He winked then, his grip tightening on her shoulder slightly before he let his hand drop back to his side, hoping a bit of lightheartedness might help her relax, just a little, “Do try to enjoy yourself? We have a unique opportunity many never get to experience. We should make the most of it, whatever happens.”

A soft gasp from Kisoraz had Podrell turning his attention back to the eggs, only to find a green dragon stretching her wings. He glanced at the other man curiously. He seemed tense all of a sudden. He even took a step back, looking vaguely… afraid? Of the green? Podrell had no idea. Perhaps he was just afraid it would impress to him. Kisoraz had made no secret of his desire for a bronze or brown. Actually he didn’t even seem to consider any other option at all. It was somewhat strange, how certain he seemed when he spoke of his possible impression. He shook his head slightly, returning his attention to the green, who seemed in no hurry at all to choose anyone. It was only then he noticed that another girl had joined them, standing on Vanisha’s other side and talking to no one in particular it seemed like. Another green broke from her shell, drawing his attention back, and this one was quite lively as it darted around the sands. He couldn’t help but take a small step forward, ahead of Vanisha, not wanting to block her view or block her off from a hatchling that might choose her completely but wanting to have an edge should he need to protect her from any errant claws or fangs. The green chose a young man on the sands soon enough, however.

kevna



Kisoraz

Good luck, young Kisoraz.

The familiar voice of Tellamuth had him looking around in surprise, quickly finding the white above. He couldn’t help but smile at being singled out and wished luck by a white. Whites were luck themselves. Surely it held some weight when a white dragon wished someone luck, and was more than a simple wish. Surely… surely that meant he would impress, at long last. Tellamuth’s favor had to be a good sign. The idea of it washed away his doubts, for a while, at least.

He spotted Risse on the sands, surprisingly, and couldn’t help but wonder why she was there. She was meant for a gold, and there was no gold in this clutch for her. It would be better for her to watch from the stands… but Mavros didn’t seem to care about such things. If you were a candidate you were a candidate and that was that. Still it made him uncomfortable. Some green could very well snatch her up if she wasn’t careful. And then the first egg hatched and he couldn’t help but look at her. A bad omen. This was terrible. If it lived, the both of them ought to leave the sands. He knew this clutch was ill fated. There came his doubts again.

And yet somehow, no one around them seemed at all concerned. No one was shying away, trying not to be chosen by the unlucky green, the stands were alive with chatter, when in Mirran most held their breath in silence as they waited to see just what the green would do. It was strange, so strange. There was something new and confusing at every turn at Mavros. For one horrifying moment he imagined if the green chose him. No… no, no, no…. It couldn’t. His mother surely would have seen such a thing and never sent him here to begin with. He comforted himself with that as another familiar, but entirely unwelcome, face caught his eye.

Tomilyn.

She wished him good luck, but it didn’t sound entirely genuine, and he knew his own features had twisted somewhat in distaste at the sight of her. He couldn’t believe she’d become a candidate. Mavros really would take anyone, wouldn’t they? Bad tempered and ill mannered and all. He sniffed as she asked about robes, seeing as she wasn’t wearing her own, “Quite important, as all candidates have worn them since Faranth broke shell. Don’t be surprised if you don’t impress.” His tone was flat, as that’s about as kind as he could manage. She’d insulted his home, his beliefs, his parents… it was more than she deserved really, but it was still a hatching. He’d be surprised if some green even wanted anything to do with her. He shifted a little more away from her, hoping she might leave him alone.

Alyx tovaana



No’va :: Brown Alduntulath

Aldy landed again near Tellamuth and then shifted closer before lowering himself to let No’va off. You picked a good spot, he offered to Tellamuth as No’va joined Joia.

“Hey! Rooting for anyone? Look over there, the red hair… that’s my sister, Vanisha. I think she’s kinda nervous.” He frowned a little for a moment, “I wish I could be down there with her.” But the brief disappointment didn’t last long, and he grinned, “But I’ll just have to support her super loud from up here instead.” And then the first egg hatched. A green. There were some murmurs of disappointment, some of excitement. No’va didn’t care at all what color came first or second or fifth or last. “She sure is pretty… maybe it will choose Isha.” He sure hoped so. It hadn’t been easy to convince their father to let her try being a candidate. Her dragon just had to be in this clutch.

He tore his gaze away from Isha for a moment to find Treyvin, spotting him kneeling in the sands, and his frown returned, “What’s Treyvin’s doing? You think he’s alright?” He didn’t think about whether Joia even remember who Treyvin was from going back in time. He didn’t look like was having a good time. And if he thought about it for a moment, he was pretty sure he remembered Treyvin throwing up at the hatching they’d attended in the past. Did he get that nervous or what? His nephew Delvirin once made himself sick with anxiety… maybe that was it. Another green hatching distracted him from Trevyin and he laughed, “Wow she’s bright.” Unlike the first green, this one impressed rather quickly in comparison, since the first was still wandering about exploring. And then nearly at once, the Broad Egg and the Petite Egg cracked, split, and revealed their contents.

From the Broad Egg, a lithe brown pulled himself free, dark bodied with brighter, two-toned wings that might have seemed dipped in gold were it not for the lack of sheen. As he stumbled forward a few steps, his back foot momentarily caught up on the remains of his egg, his wings flopped onto the sand and dragged along. He glanced at them and made a sort of annoyed chittering noise, as though he was scolding his own wings, before he tried pulling them closer to his body. It only half worked, and they still dragged in the sand as he moved forward, seeming like they were too big or too heavy for him to hold up entirely.

From the Petite Egg came an incredibly pale, silvery blue with even paler blue vein-like markings covering his hide. He creeled piteously as he tumbled from his egg and laid sprawled in the sand for a moment, his head lifting to blink blearily around at all the white cloaked things surrounding him. He creeled again, rather demandingly, as if he expected his rider to come to him rather than the other way around, but no one moved, and so the poor blue was forced back to his feet, trudging forward with another creel, more questioning this time as he sought his rider among the candidates.

Alyx Taxx (if you wanna jump in with Vitra at all~)