Post by Zen on Jan 20, 2018 1:14:02 GMT -5
10th Pass, 5th Turn, Late 11th Month
The humming began in the afternoon. Lunch time was over. Chores and drills were interrupted almost as soon as they'd begun by the steadily rising sound, heralding the start of the hatching. S'bol had his blue quickly call the candidates to get into their robes, and then request help ferrying them all up to the hatching cavern. Several riders landed outside the candidates' quarters, awaiting passengers as white robed candidates came hurrying out. S'bol stayed behind until he was certain the last of the candidates was ready to go, and ferried them up himself.
Several of the eggs were shaking with the first few hatchlings eager to escape. The Spotted Egg shook, the Spark Egg rocked, and fine cracks were forming on the Striped Egg. These were the most noticeable so far, and most of the spectators trickling in were focused on the three larger eggs, waiting to see which would hatch first, and just what would come out.
A'zael
A'zael considered not even attending the Hatching, but he was the Weyrleader. Faranth forbid he not show up. What sorts of rumors might start then, hm? He could only imagine. Besides, Fath was excited, dancing, waiting for him. The bronze adored hatchings. It would not make things any less awkward if his dragon attended without him. He was really in no mood for festivities, but he supposed duty and politics trumped his own desires once again. Suck it up, put on a good face, and get it over with. At least he could just make a minor appearance at the celebration tonight and feign not feeling well or something. Ugh. If anyone had ever told him there would be a day he wasn't looking forward to a Hatching, he would have laughed in their face. But Orana's death was still too fresh, and Azora....
With a sigh, he settled himself atop Fath and gave him the go ahead, and the two of them were soon at the hatching cavern. He patted his dragon's leg as he passed by him, before the bronze rose to the perches higher up, where the rest of the Weyr's dragons were gathering. Making his way toward his usual spot in the stands, he did his best to keep his mood carefully masked and settled in to watch. B'rax took a seat beside him, clapping on the shoulder. It was a silent encouragement, and he appreciated it. He glanced to his other side, to the spot reserved for Karredy, wondering if she would be here or not. The entire Weyr was aware of her continued health issues at this point, she at least would be excused, but it would be better for morale if she could make it.
S'fin
S'fin and Rusath had flown down to help ferry candidates to the hatching cave, dropping off a subdued young woman and an excitable boy, wishing them both luck, before heading into the stands. He spotted Az sitting with B'rax, thought about trying to join him. He was putting up a half decent front, but anyone that knew him at all would be able to see through it easily enough. It had only been two days since Orana's death, and while that was enough to depress his little brother, the way his daughter was handling the loss of her mother made it infinitely worse. Not for the first time, S'fin was thankful he wasn't especially close to either of his parents. While he would certainly be saddened to hear of either of their deaths, seeing Azora's state was.... The greenrider sighed and tried to shake such thoughts. It wouldn't do to dwell on them here of all places. He sat on his own, deciding that it wouldn't be appropriate for him to join his brother in the seating reserved for ranking spectators. Maybe Rau would join him.
Mizao
Upon arrival, S'bol ushered any candidates that had yet to take to the sands out among the eggs. Mizao, for one, had hung back, unsure. She had looked about for Joia or Aleni, but hadn't immediately seen either of them. There were so many people milling around. Her heart fluttered nervously, reminding herself of Aleni's warning. Never turn your back on a hatchling. And S'bol's continued warnings never to assume that a hatchling is coming for you, get out of the way. This was nerve wracking. But as S'bol came around to encourage them onto the sands, she drew in a deep, calming breath and followed her peers, keeping an eye out for Akai as well, to make sure she didn't end up anywhere near the other girl, while still searching for her friends' faces. She noticed how a few other girls were flocking closer to the gold egg. Did that matter? Standing closer to the egg you were hoping for? She edged her way over as well. If she Impressed gold, surely her father couldn't remain angry?
Novarel
Novarel didn't hesitate at all when he got to the edge of the sands, striding right onto them with a couple other candidates. This was his first time in the hatching cave and he looked around at all the eggs excitedly. S'bol had given them the rundown before he let them find rides, reminders to keep them safe, blah blah blah. He'd heard the other candidates talking about the egg touching, how the eggs talked, and had been incredibly disappointed that he'd missed it. Now here he was, the eggs all arranged before him, and he was supposed to stay away from them? Many of them were moving, too, on their way to hatching. Man, this was exciting. He was confident he'd meet his dragon today. His gaze settled on the giant golden queen keeping watch over her eggs and his eyes widened. He'd never been this close to a gold before. Wow, she was big. She could eat him whole if she wanted! So cool.
OOC: Feel free to grab whatever NPC rider you'd like to drop your candidate off at the hatching grounds, or one of your own, you know, whatever. As for any other non-riders that want to go, they can actually walk up now, a path to the cave has finally been completed so it's no longer only accessible by dragonback (but a dragonback ride is certainly still faster 8D).