A Whispered Hello, A Shouted Goodbye (Touching)

[Lark]

Zalanth ruffled his wings as the blue waited for His to come. The man had been put back in charge of the candidates, something K'tor had inwardly groaned about for days, since Ad'os was with the wing going to Ista. Four days, four and no word yet was back. At least not to the Weyr officially. The blue figured his Queens knew though. There was no way they'd simply allow themselves to be placed in the back seat right now. Not when Loraketh's young, and Maelath's Own's hatchling that were on the line. Of course the other human hatchlings were in danger too.

The dragon hissed slightly, shuffling his feet. Not far away, he saw a shining Gold form. Loraketh on watch again. Zalanth nodded toward the Gold and recieved a gentle mental nudge back. K'torLoveMine. I think it's time for Maelath's eggs to meet their prospective riders.....yes, LorakethQueen agrees. Should I call them LoveMine? Zalanth waited as his thoughts reached out for the bluerider. He was sitting on his dragon's ledge, seeing as Zalanth was sunning himself on the bowl. Sure Zalanth. Call them up.

Reaching for the minds of their charges, Zalanth entered his message. Come to the Hatching Sands now. It is time to see the eggs. The blue flew to his Weyr to pick His up, waiting while K'tor mounted his pale neck. "Alright. I'm good to go." His voice was somber though, unusually dead. Zalanth didn't miss it, but didn't comment either. No one was feeling quite themselves lately.

Greet MaelathQueen first young ones. Then girls go see the Gold egg before the others. Our newest Queen deserves that respect. Boys can see her too. No doubt she'll have to get used to many admirers. Zalanth crooned as he settled onto the hot sands and looked at the shining egg. "Yeah, just you lot see the others too. Just because this overgrown baby is taken by her, doesn't mean you all have to be." Oh yes, Zalanth thought as he shook his head, His was most definitely not in a normal good mood today.

Ooc: I'll add Akilu and Sakalas in when some people have posted.

1. Blue Sea Egg
This egg is of middling size and almost perfectly round, rather than the more oblong shapes of the other eggs. It has a deep blue shell with swirls of orange-brown, caramel-like coloring, including one near the top of the egg that reminds people of a cresting wave. The egg responds readily to touch with feelings of calm and protectiveness.

2. Rose Red Egg
A smallish egg, the shell is a rosy, pale red color, hence the name. It has speckles of a deeper blood red on the shell as well, but no other distinguishing markings. It often seems to disappear among its more eye-catching brethren, and the dragonet inside seems happy with that, for when touched, one gets a feeling of shyness.

3. Pearly Dream Egg
This egg is on the smaller side, with a pearly, smooth white shell. It has misty grey markings along its surface as well as light purple spots on the shell. It seldom reacts to touch, but when it does, it gives off a feeling of calm, optimistic welcome.

4. Gleaming Hope Egg
This is it, the pride of the clutch, Maeleth's golden Queen egg. Although it is streaked with shades of pale green...but no, it's definitely golden underneath those streaks. Definitely the largest egg of the clutch, it exudes a fierce sense of pride and confidence, along with a fair sense of curiosity when touched.

5. Gathering Storm Egg
A small, deep blue egg that looks almost black, lighter speckles of color are visible when the light hits it. This egg seems to give off a wild sense of energy and enthusiasm even to those who aren't close enough to touch it.

6. Forever Yours Egg
This is the second largest egg in the clutch, next to Maeleth's golden egg, and she dotes on it nearly as much as the Gleaming Hope egg. It is a pale tan in color, with swirls of lighter reds and yellows marking the surface and sometimes merging into shades of orange. It is certainly a colorful egg, and it seems to want to draw attention to itself; it projects happiness when touched and sadness or jealousy whenever that touch goes away.

7. Clinging Vines Egg
This is a small egg, deep green with bright purple spots that tend to make it stick out from the rest of the clutch. The egg gives a standoffish feeling to those who touch it, and gives the sense that it just wants to be left alone.

8. Gentle Green Egg
Of about middling size, the Gentle Green egg is a pale, mossy shade of green with large blotches of yellowish-tan on the shell. It gives off a warm, welcoming feeling and a sense of curiosity to those who touch its shell.

9. Snowy Wastes Egg
More blue than white, this egg could nevertheless be mistaken for white. The shell is a very pale blue with streaks of white coloring around the top of the egg. It's also one of the smaller eggs in the clutch, though not the smallest. It reacts very little when touched and seems to ignore everything around it.

10. Steel Edge Egg
A largeish egg that sits in the middle of the clutch, the Steel Edge egg is a pretty much uniform light tan in color with no distinguishing markings. It is cool to the touch and unresponsive; occasionally it responds to the candidates, but for the most part it is a quiet egg.

11. Silver Wind Egg
Silver Wind is another small egg with a greenish grey shell. It has light specklings of a silvery color along the top half of the shell, while the bottom half has small spots of black. It's another standoffish egg that actively tries to push away those who come near it with feelings of inadequacy and doubt.

12. Dull Dun Egg
This is an altogether unremarkable egg, average in size and a dull, light brown that tends to blend into the sand around it. It does have one spot of color, an almost perfect circle of silvery white near the top of the shell. It seems rather outgoing compared to its siblings, projecting feelings of happiness, friendship, and excitement to anyone who even comes near it.

13. Viridian Memory Egg
This is one of the larger eggs in the clutch, though still dwarfed by the likes of Gleaming Hope and Forever Yours. It is a very bright, eye-catching shade of yellow-green, with a few streaks of darker green on the shell. It seems morose, depressed even, and projects those feelings onto everyone around it.

14. White Jade Egg
This is probably the smallest egg in Maeleth's clutch, and a very pale, minty green that looks almost white. There are a few small specklings on the shell here and there, and one large blotch of deep green on the otherwise-unmarked egg. This egg seems prideful and confident--or at least that's the feeling it tries to give off, anyway.

15. Piercing Thorns Egg
Piercing Thorns is a deep blue-green egg with no outstanding markings. It's rather plain, average in size as well as color. It is slow to respond when touched, but eventually gives feelings of friendship, welcome, even flirtiness.

16. Lone Ghost Egg
Lone Ghost is a small egg that is a rather dull grey, though it has spots of much darker coloring along the shell. It seems to be a shy one, rarely responding to touch and seeming to try to withdraw into itself further.

17. Strong Arm Egg
This is a medium-sized egg with a deep purple shell, though it is also liberally specked with dark brown spots. It gives off a feeling of pride and accomplishment which soon fades.

18. Morning Glory Egg
The Morning Glory egg is a somewhat large egg with a bright blue shell. It is covered with large blotches of a deeper blue. This egg seems to be characterized by a feeling of impatience and anticipation--it seems as excited about hatching as the candidates.

19. Crystal Skies Egg
The Crystal Skies egg is a light, sky blue on the upper half, though the bottom half of the shell is a darker navy blue. Both sides of the shell are liberally speckled with a brighter, middling shade of blue. The egg gives off feelings of aggression and violence or, more rarely, protectiveness and possession, when touched.

20. Fallen Leaves Eggs
Fallen Leaves is a rather small egg with a pale, creamy shell. It has irregular blotches of deep red and brown all over the egg. It seems like a quiet egg, but it responds quickly with a feeling of friendliness when touched.

21. Brooding Silence Egg
Brooding Silence is a mid-sized egg with a deep reddish-brown shell. It has irregular streaks and spots of black all over the shell. It is silent and still, not really reacting to anything around it, and seems to be watching the candidates as much as they watch it.

22. Patient Pulse Egg
This is a medium-to-small-sized egg with a light pinkish-purple shell. It has no distinguishing markings, though its color alone is probably enough to separate it from the rest of the eggs. The dragonet inside seems to be a patient one; it remains silent until touched, at which point it projects warm feelings of kindness and generosity.

23. Crimson Stain Egg
Crimson Stain is another medium-sized egg, though closer to the large end of the scale. It is a bright, crimson red in color and nearly solid, except for one dark red mark near the top of the shell. It seems friendly and welcoming when approached, with a hint of shadowy cunning that is almost buried when it is touched.

24. Rainbow Mist Egg
Rainbow Mist is one of the smaller eggs, but it is certainly colorful! The base color is a light grey, but pale blues, yellows, reds and greens all mark its surface in a cloudy pattern. This egg seems to be easily excitable, often twitching back and forth and exuding a sense of eagerness and excitement when touched.

[phantomofthewolves]

Gedaro awoke to a new day, but this time, there was a event he was waiting for ever since he arrived at the Weyr: the touching of the eggs. He quickly put on his shirt, pants, vest and boots, and tied on the cloth around his head. He joined up with the other candidates as the headed for the Hatching Sands.

The very first thing he saw when they arrived were twenty-four colored eggs sitting in the sand. I wonder which egg holds the dragon of my dreams? he wondered. He saw that all the candidates were greeting the golden queen first, so he marched up to her and gave her a respectful bow, saying: "Greetings, mighty queen." Then he was free to touch any or all the eggs that he wished to touch.

He walked up to a largeish egg that sat in the middle of the clutch. It was a pretty much uniform light tan in color with no distinguishing markings. He placed his right hand onto the shell of the egg. It is cool to the touch and unresponsive. But then he felt a small flicker of movement under his hand. Could this be the one? he thought. He took his hand off the egg's shell and moved on to touch the other eggs.

As he was touching a dull dun egg with a patch of silver on it, he noticed that most of the female candidates were surrounding a large golden egg. He approached the egg with caution, for he knew queens were moody as adults. He then proceeded to reach out and touch the shell of the egg. As he was rubbing it, he noticed that some of the candidates left to go touch the other eggs in the clutch. So he took his hand off the egg and returned to the first egg he touched, hoping that this egg held the dragon of his dreams...

[Zirin]

Yufa was a returning candidate. She had been at the Weyr for a while before Loraketh’s clutching, so she had the feeling Maelath’s clutch would soon be ready for their own touching. She had made sure to be dressing extra nice over the last few days, hoping the day of the touching would arrive faster. Today found her in a long, soft green dress, her hair in a style that was loose and flowing, but held up enough that it wouldn’t get too into her eyes. Cassim let out a quiet chirp of approval from the shadowy corner of the room, where he had been curled up as he waited for His to finish dressing. Then the call came, but it wasn’t the voice of the brown she had been growing used to. No, it sounded more like the previous CandidateMaster’s blue. Ah, she sighed, recalling Ad’os had been one of the riders to leave on official Weyr business.

“Come Cassim, it is time.” She rose, pulling the loose section of her hair over her shoulder as the Epidote landed on her shoulder. Then she left the room and made her way to the sands, not at all surprised that a number of candidates had beaten her there. Before stepping into the hatching grounds, she gave Cassim a command to leave her, since it wasn’t respectful to bring pets onto the sands. After that, she was all to willing to follow Zalanth’s instructions, at least as far as greeting the queen went; she would have done so regardless. Waiting her turn, she stepped towards Maelath, dipping into a low and long curtsy.

“Greetings, beautiful Queen Maelath. Thank you for the honour of touching your precious eggs.” She spoke calmly, her voice full of respect for the great dragon. Rising she followed the other girls to the queen egg. She shouldn’t have been touching the golden egg at all; she was just a Stewards daughter. She was destined to forever be below others. She did not deserve to even have a hope of impressing the creature within the egg. As a girl, though, she was expected to touch the egg. She reached a tentative hand out, placing it softly against the golden shell, making sure to show she meant no harm to it. Feelings reach her; confidence, pride, curiosity. She withdrew her hand and turned away from the egg. Though she couldn’t help but look back at it one final time before moving on.

Her gaze first moved to a large egg with a yellow-green shell. She passed over it though; the egg pulled too much attention to itself for Yufa’s liking. No, instead she scanned slowly over the eggs, waiting patiently for the right egg to touch. Since she was doubtful of the queen choosing her, she figured she would need to pick from the smaller eggs, recalling from her lessons that girls generally impressed to the smaller colours. She picked out a few, knowing she would not have time to touch them all, nor did she want to. If she was meant to have a dragon, she would get one. She knelt daintily on the sands next to the Patient Pulse Egg, placing a hand as gently on it as she had with the queen egg. She had picked well with this one, it seemed. The feeling she received at first was patience, followed by kindness. You are wise to be so patient little one. Nothing good comes of rushing. She remained a moment longer with it before deciding it was time to move on.

She then moved on to a pink coloured egg, which she had almost overlooked initially. She rested a hand on it, quite surprised to think of her brother the moment she felt the dragonet within. The same shyness, the same want to disappear. She pulled away; she didn’t think she could ever replace her brother. The next, and final egg she had planned to touch became available and she did to it as she had done to the others. This one, the Blue Sea Egg, struck her, suddenly making her feel safe, something she hadn’t felt for as long as she could remember. For a moment, just a moment, she forgot about her childhood, her father, the pain he had caused. She slumped into the egg, not wanting to let go of the feeling just yet. Finally she pulled away, realizing her action had been improper. To cover up her mistake, she reached over to touch the next closest egg , the Steel Edge egg; an egg that seemed much too large to hold something a girl could impress. She thought she felt something from the egg, but it could have been her imagination. Either way, she was glad the feeling had been weak; she wasn’t ready to forget the feeling of the Blue Sea Egg just yet. Standing, she brushed herself off, curtseying to the clutch mother once again in gratitude, before stepping away from the eggs.

[Akira]

Akira had finally gotten the worst part of the smell of dragon dung out of her skin when she heard the familiar voice of Zalanth. She nodded her head, and finished drying off well enough to dress in clean clothes. It was time once again to enter the sands, and touch the eggs that were hardening there. She believed it would be the same as when she touched Loraketh's eggs, but there was no way to tell how an egg would react to a specific person's touch.

Akira slowly made her way to the sands, and sighed heavily when she saw that a few of the other candidates had already arrived. That just meant that she had to stand with a bunch of blabbering kids as they waited for the rest to arrive. So in other words, she wouldn't have the time to find a place away from the others where she would be safe from their talking. She shook her head, and pushed the thoughts from her head. Now was not the time to complain, now was a time to see the eggs.

Greetings Gold Maelath, I am hoping you will not mind if I touch your beautiful eggs? Akira made sure to phrase her words as a question so that the gold wouldn't think that she was being rude. She waited for the golds response, but as she was waiting, she couldn't bring herself to look away from the golden egg that sat between the Junior WeyrQueen's legs. She wanted to touch it, but she didn't feel like she was worthy enough to. Then, a sudden though hit her, and that was when she made up her mind.

Akira bowed her head respectfully to the golden mother before slowly, cautiously, make her way closer to the large eggs between the dragon's legs. She reached out hesitantly, and let out the breath she hadn't even known she had been holding, when her hand gently smoothed over the golden shell. She gasped quietly at the slight tingling sensation she felt the swell of pride that came from the egg. She smiled at the feeling, and relished it. Then she felt the curiosity of the egg.

I'm sure you're going to make someone very happy when you hatch. She tried to send the thought to the dragon that was living in the large egg. She couldn't keep the sound of regret out of her voice though. She knew this egg wasn't for her, and she shouldn't stand in the way of the other candidates when one of them might the dragon's future rider. She sighed, almost in-audibly, as she moved away from the large egg. She looked at the other two eggs that were closer to the gold egg, and decided which one to touch next.

Akira knelt down next to the Forever Yours Egg, and reached out to touch the pale tan shell. She tilted her head at the happiness she felt from the egg. She shook her head, this was definitely NOT the egg for her. It was just too happy. She pulled her hand away, but had to look back at the egg when she felt the jealousy, and sadness it caused. She was starting to have second thoughts about pulling away so quickly, but then she remembered the happiness. That's what made up her mind to leave the egg.

Akira's attention was then drawn to a middle-sized egg, the Strong Arm Egg. It was a deep purple, but as she got closer, she realized that it was specked with brown. She knelt down, and reached out to touch the shell, and was surprised when she felt the of pride and accomplishment. She couldn't keep herself from smiling at the feeling. I guess you're going to be quite the surprise huh? She gently stroked the egg as she tried to send her thoughts to the dragon waiting within.

Akira sighed when it came time to leave the egg, she didn't want to go , but the feelings she got from the egg, had faded, and it was time to see the next one. The next egg that caught her attention was the Clinging Vines Egg. She knelt down next to the small egg, and couldn't pull her eyes away from the bright purple spots on the shell. She shook her head as she tried to imagine what the dragon inside might look like. Though, she knew that there was a small chance that there might not be one.

Akira mentally punched herself. Of course there was going to be a hatchling, she just had to think positive, and stop being so negative. She reached out to touch the egg, and wasn't really surprised when she felt the standoffishness of the egg. She herself had felt that way more than once during her life. She didn't really blame the egg for wanting to be left alone. She smiled gently to the egg, before taking her hand away, and giving the egg what it wanted. She left the egg, and moved on to the next one.

Akira tilted her head as she stared at the strange shell of the Viridian Memory Egg. She wasn't sure what to think of the strange combination of yellow and green that she saw on the shell. She reached out to touch it, and was shocked when she felt the depressed feelings coming from the egg. She felt the depression mixing with her own. She had been depressed ever since she had failed to impress one of Loraketh's eggs. She closed her eyes, and felt herself trying to unwrap herself from the egg.

Akira pulled her hand away from the sad egg. She wasn't sure if she wanted to leave the egg, or try to stay there with the egg. Though, she knew Maelath probably wouldn't let her stay with the strange egg. So, with one last, sad look at the yellow/green egg, she moved away. She looked around at the other eggs, and when no other's caught her attention, she walked away, and stood next to K'tor and Zalanth. All that was left for her now, was to wait.

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

Demetri had been going over what he had learned in the lessons the past few days when the call came for the candidates to go to the sands. Alright Iona, that means you gotta stay here or at least stay away from the sands. The gold firelizard mewed a little sadly, but she knew it would do more good to stay away from the Large Ones, especially since Her's was going to be on the sands next to the Large One's eggs. When Demetri heard his firelizard mew, he knew he had his answer.

Iona flew to the stands, well away from the Large One, and the Large One's eggs. While Demetri made his way over to where Maelath sat, guarding her eggs. He bowed to the female, just like he had seen another candidate do, before addressing the gold directly. Greetings Gold Maelath. I am Demetri, and I am here to see if any of your eggs approve of me. Silently he hoped Maelath would approve of him too, though, there was no telling what she would do if she didn't.

Demetri looked around at the eggs, and smiled when one caught his attention. It was the Gathering Storm Egg. It was a smaller egg, but the deep blue of the shell is what had caught his attention. He felt the energy of the egg, even though he hadn't touched it yet. He screwed up his face as he wondered if he should touch the energetic egg. He shrugged, and through some of his caution to the wind, and touched the dark egg. His hand was greeted with wild enthusiasm, which made him smile.

Demetri smiled, and chuckled as he took his hand away from the energetic, and enthusiastic egg. That was definitely going to be one of his favorites, even if the only reason was because of the dark color of the egg. The next egg that caught his attention was the Dull Dun Egg. The main reason it had caught his attention was because of the lighter color of the averaged sized egg, especially since the egg that he was leaving was so dark, it was almost black.

Demetri knelt down next to the egg, and smiled when he felt the happiness of the egg. It seemed really friendly to him, and he smiled at the egg. He gently stroked the light brown shell. He chuckled when he noticed that it sorta blended in with the sand around it. He ran a single finger over the single white marking of the egg, and smiled at the silvery white circle. Alright, it's time for me to go so that someone else to see you. He frowned a little as he sent the thought to the unhatched egg.

Demetri moved away from what, so far, was his favorite egg. The next egg that he knelt beside, was the Crystal Skies Egg. He liked the sky blue on that made up the upper half of the egg, but his favorite part of it was the darker, navy blue that made up the bottom half of the shell. He smiled and reached out to run a gentle hand over the shell. He jumped a little, not enough to upset he egg, just enough to show that he was shocked by what he felt.

Demetri stared in surprise at the strange feeling of protective possessiveness he felt. It felt to him like the egg didn't want to share the attention that he was giving it. He slowly took his hand away from the egg, the shock still obvious in the slow way he moved. The protectiveness of the egg had surprised him so much, that he was actually a little scared to touch it again. He hadn't known that eggs could feel like that, and it had the little hairs on the back of his neck standing on end.

Demetri quickly made his away to the next egg, the Fallen Leaves Egg. He wasn't sure what this small egg would do when he touched it, but there was only one way that he knew how to find out. He reached out, and gently touched the pale, creamy shell. That's when he noticed that it had irregular blotches of deep red and brown all over. He smiled at the egg, he liked the color combination, and he also liked the friendly feeling this egg emitted.

Demetri quickly decided that this egg was now his favorite. Though, it really was a toss up between this one, and the Dull Dun Egg. He gently ran his hand over the pale shell one more time before he stood up, and moved on to the next egg. He wasn't sure what egg would catch his fancy next, or, for that matter, if he would like it as much as the Dull Dun Egg, or the Fallen Leaves Egg, but he knew he had to give the other candidates a chance to touch them, so he moved on.

The next one that caught Demetri's attention was probably one of the more important eggs. It was the Forever Yours Egg, and he couldn't help but be drawn to the larger egg. Demetri looked at the pale tan egg, and tilted his head to the side as he stared at the light red and yellow markings on the egg. You really are a beautiful egg aren't you? His words were nothing more than a whisper. Though, if anyone wanted to know what he had said, they wouldn't have to strain themselves too hard.

Demetri smiled sadly at the large egg as he took his hand away, and felt the sadness that came from it. I'm sure you're going to make someone very happy when you hatch. He wasn't sure who would impress the dragon that waited inside the pale shell of the egg, but he couldn't help but feel a sort of sad wanting as he moved away from the egg to go stand next to the other candidates. That's when Iona decided it was time to rejoin Her's.

Demetri smiled and scratched the gold flit gently on the chin. He was glad that he was closer to the stands then the Hatching Sands now that his firelizard had made herself comfortable on his shoulder. Iona crooned quietly as Her's gave her the attention she felt she deserved. She wrapped her gold tail around Demetri's neck as she waited for everyone to finish giving the Large One's eggs attention, so that more people could give her attention.

[Zero]

Fallon grumbled, rolling over in his bed and yanking the blankets over his head as a disembodied voice broke into his mind. Not today. Today was meant to be his day off. No chores, no lessons, nothing. So why was this voice continuing to go on and on about eggs? To top it all off, it wasn’t even one of those few voices he knew. Eventually the voice became too much to handle and with a groan the man shot out of bed, kicking the blanket to the floor as he went. Splashing his face with water he ruffled his hair and pulled on a clean shirt before making his way out of the barracks and out towards the Sands. He was still in the process of lacing his belt through his trousers and making sure his knife wouldn’t slip out when he finally reached the boiling Sands and where the rest of the candidates were slowly gathering near a blue dragon and his Rider.

A blue? Now where did that brown and the pesky candidate master get off to? He smirked as all the wild thoughts of what could have happened to their teacher ran through his mind. Knowing his luck it would have been too much to ask that they packed up and left. Oh well.
Wearily rubbing at the two day old stubble, that was steadily taking on the beginnings of a light beard, Fallon suppressed a yawn and eyed the vast clutch of eggs before him before his green gaze rose to the looming golden form that was Queen Maeleth and the dark bronze King Solarith who was also situated nearby and…was the father of the clutch growling at them?

Tearing his eyes from the large figures, the thief forced himself to pay attention, for once, to what the blue was saying and looked on as the rest of the kiddies jumped right in and began rushing around the young clutch. Fallon, on the other hand, took it slow for once. Stepping up to the Queen, Fallon forced himself to incline his head and felt a tingle run down his spine as he exposed the back of his neck to the large dragon. “Afternoon Queen Maeleth.” Fallon finally straightened a few seconds later after passing his greetings along to Solarith before deciding to circle around the clutch. There really was no need to rush right in and tackle every single egg he saw, especially as most of the group was fawning over the young gold in her egg. He would take his time, scope the area out, and make sure he showed the young queen his respect before he left so the mother wouldn’t take a swipe at him for his insolence.

Twenty-four eggs but where to start? Rubbing the back of his neck, Fallon surveyed the eggs one last time before he began to move around them. The first shell he came across was one of the smaller of the clutch but tinted a deep, dark blue. The Gathering Storm Egg was slightly unremarkable to look at, although when his fingers grazed the hard shell he was hit with an instant sensation of enthusiasm and energy. Sickening. It was too much for him to bear though and the man soon found himself staggering away from the egg as it had left his stomach churning.

Due to his encounter with the Gathering Storm it made him bump lightly against his next egg, the Steel Edge Egg. This was a quiet egg, completely opposite to its sibling and Fallon almost felt ignored by the creature living inside. Ignored? Him?! He scoffed lightly at the thought and shook his head at the very idea, giving the quiet egg one more glance before moving on his way.

So it continued like this for quite some time as he made his way around the clutch, some eggs catching his attention while others just ignored him and his personality just as much as he disregarded them. He had been looking, not touching, the Crystal Skies Egg when he felt as though someone were watching him. Almost instantly his eyes narrowed and his head snapped to either side to look over the rest of the group. No one’s head was turned in his direction, everyone seemed interested in whichever egg they were inspecting. So who was it? That’s when his green gaze settled on the Brooding Silence Egg and a smirk tugged at his features as he realized he had ‘caught’ the culprit. Folding his arms across his chest, Fallon stepped closer to the egg and let his hand run along the darkened shell. “Spying on everyone are we now?” He muttered to the hatchling within before he patted the shell one final time and moved on.

The next egg that he met was the Crimson Stain Egg and it was safe to say that the thief felt like he had found someone with a very like mindset. He was nearly put off the bright red marked egg at first by the sickening friendliness aura it put off, but as he drew closer he felt the sinister darkness that hid just beneath the surface. It was a surprise to feel the dark energy coming from the young dragons shell and remarkable that there could be a bit of sick and vile energy running around Trelis soon enough. He had heard about the Garnet that had hatched from Lorakeths first clutch but had yet to see the talked about violent dragonet around the Weyr. Now the question begged to be asked, was Maeleths clutch going to hold any enticing surprises for the future Riders? A sinister glint danced in his eyes as he took the extra time to pay this egg the special attention it deserved. With a dragon like that at his side then there would be no one to stand in his way, not the biological grandparents or their daughter would manage to keep Fallon away from his son then.

It took a lot to force himself away from the Crimson Egg, but Fallon finally pushed himself away and made his way to where a gaggle of kiddies still hung about the young golden egg and her second larger sibling, the Forever Yours Egg. “Hello little Queen,” the Harpers son muttered lowly as he allowed himself to gently rest his hand against the interesting design of her shell. The normally brash and hasty man made sure he was extra gentle as he showed his respects to this particular egg as no doubt the mother would soon correct him if he wasn’t. He allowed a few moments to pass before he stepped away from the egg and the rest of the candidates and returned to the outskirts of the clutch to wait for the next round of instructions that was bound to come. No doubt if they were going about touching the eggs then surely the time was getting close for them to hatch.

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

Exhausted didn’t even come close to describing how the Junior Weyrleader was feeling at this point in time. Between the attack on the Gather and the events of the recent nights Feast he hardly had a moment to himself to unwind and relax. It had been four days since T’rian had gathered a small group to head to Ista and confront the kidnappers and, hopefully, get the children back that had been stolen from them. Only four days but it sure felt a lot longer to the bronzerider who had been left behind. It hadn’t been by choice mind you. When the leaders of Trelis had got together to decide who was going to storm the walls of Ista, S’val had been the first to pledge his service to ride beside T’rian and bring those children home especially since one of the stolen children was the Junior Weyrwoman’s son.

That made it hit especially close to home since his dragon had recently flown her Queen, he felt a sort of unspoken obligation to make sure the boy made it home safely. Unfortunately for him the call had been made for him to remain behind as acting Weyrleader and look after things until T’rian returned. So until then that left his days filled with more reports then he could shake a wherry at, more Riders and their personal problems he needed to sort out, along with keeping track of his over agitated bronze and the hardening clutch on the Sands.

Currently he was out in the midday sun, leaning heavily against the dark bronze leg of his companion as the pair watched the newest batch of candidates go through with the old tradition of ‘touching’ the eggs. However Solarith didn’t seem too pleased about the whole act at the moment as every now and then a steady growl or throaty rumble would sound from the large dragon. Just like His, Sol wasn’t too happy over the kidnapping of younglings during the Feast so of course whenever anyone came close to his yet unhatched children the bronze became a little too possessive over the colorful clutch. It wasn’t as if any human could just pluck up an egg and run though. Still, if there were hearts out there that held enough malice to take someone’s hatchling then there could also be the possibility to cause harm as well and Solarith would die rather than allow someone to bring harm to the eggs. Though to be fair Maeleth would be able to reach any offenders first as she was nearly wrapped around the clutch itself.

His tail snapped against the sand for a final time as he eyed the few who were currently gathered around the young Gold egg before Solarith lowered his head to lightly nudge His. S’val smiled wearily at the gesture and uncrossed his arms to pat the bronze head beside him as the pair looked on at the wandering candidates. “Stop growling…you’re startling the future Riders.” Solarith shook his head and turned his swirling gaze back to the candidates, simply choosing to remain silent for the time being, intent to simply be the guardian for now.

[/font][/size]

[Lark]

Saka groaned as she pushed the box onto the table. "One more..." Huffing, her legs picked her weight up again and moved it to the other end of the room. "Why did we volunteer to help move the tithe Akilu?" Glancing over at the older girl, Saka brushed hair out of her face and grimaced against the aches in her back and hands. Takorah shook out his wings, the silver feathers rustling from the movement. "Yeah. You don't have to do anything...lazy bird." Casing, the lunar spread his wings and flapped off. Lately he had been quite upset with His. Saka thought it was probably because of how much of her time Shayde was taking up. Training the sweet, yet odd, Lazuli wasn't easy after all. Her intention spam seemed to go away as soon as it was called upon.

"No, you'll never be a hunter." Shayde trilled though, unconcerned with Hers plans. Picking up the last box, Saka snorted as it started to fall, squeaking when it finally did. "Shards and feathers!" Akilu smiled slightly, walking over from her own work to help. Rayne chirped at the female on Saka's shoulders, enticing her to come away and out of Hers way. "Thanks Hun." Akilu tickled the blue under his chin for a moment before he led the Lazuli away to find Takorah. "Not too much longer of this, right Akilu? I mean, we're going to impress...so it'll just be looking after dragons. Not this drudge work." Saka spoke without thinking of her words, only realizing what she had said when Akilu failed to reply.

"I'm sorry Akilu. I didn't mean....I..." Akilu shook her head and gave a sad smile in response. "It's fine Sakalas. I wouldn't want to do drudge work either. Not everyone has a choice though." She certainly hadn't when her parents disowned her. For what!?! A boy who fled as soon as he had learned she was with child? A birth that came too soon, leaving the baby to die in the next few candlemarks. Akilu shook her head and placed the last box on a counter. No. She wouldn't think of that now. She wouldn't go back to that now. She had a life to live again, and a place to be!

That's when the call came from Zaranth. Saka frowned at the strange voice, tilting her head slightly. "Who..." The young girl looked over at Akilu. "I guess they had to replace Addy for a while." Akilu's voice was certain, but tinged with fear. She didn't want the brownrider that had searched them to get hurt. "I hope he's okay." The young woman spoke the words instead of thinking them, blushing when Saka raised an eyebrow. "Someone has a crush." The redhead laughed and giggled as Akilu blushed harder. "Do not! Anyway, we have to go."

Saka shook her head and hummed lightly, skipping as she went to the hatching sands. Everyone practically was already there, but that didn't matter to her. Akilu, yeah a bit, but not to Saka. Waving to a few she knew, and smiling up at the Gold and Bronze, Saka skidded to a stop and curtsied in front of the Queen Maelath. "Thank you so much for letting me see your beautiful eggs." With that done, she skipped on, only stopping when a growl came from Solarith. She had t heard them before, so to the candidate, it seemed directed at her actions alone. Snapping still, she walked more calmly toward the eggs...

Akilu muffled her laughter as she stood by Maelath and her rider. "She's...a strange one. Nice, but strange." The candidate turned to the Junior Weyrwoman. There was always time to see the eggs. Right now she could talk to her and try to see about what was going on. "How are you faring? It must be hard, since your son....It can't be easy." Akilu kept the tears from spilling, blinking a few times to clear her eyes. If her daughter had lived...would she by now have been one of those stolen children? "Thank you Maelath for allowing us all to visit them now. You and Solarith must be warry of everything around you after the last sevenday's events. Please, if you will, send my thanks to the bronze as well. It's not entirely proper to shout all the way up to him and his rider." Akilu waited for a moment, listening to anything said before leaving to go to the Queen egg. Zalanth was right, their new Gold deserved to be greeted before her siblings....

Ooc: Touchings will be added in after a few more posts.

[diogenessbeast]

This was a moment that Ulteritohr hadn't realized he was waiting for.

The male candidate had been quietly going about his chores, one moment-- a chore more like he was used to, tending the herdbeasts in the feeding pens-- when the blue dragon's voice spoke into his mind. He jumped, dropping his pitchfork-- he was still not quite used to a voice in his head that wasn't his own. He recovered from the shock quickly, however: it was quickly replaced with the pounding of nerves and excitement.

Ulteritohr picked up his pitchfork and leaned it against the outside of the fence-- no sense in leaving it somewhere it could be stepped on and cause injury-- and then made his way to the overheated hatching grounds. His nerves were turning to giddiness: no reason to be nervous now.

As he entered the sands, he bowed deeply to Maelath, "Thank you for this grand opportunity." He told her, rather comically attempting to be solemn. Once he'd greeted the queen, he paused: Where to first?

After a moment or so of looking around, Ulteritohr decided that he liked the Pearly Dream egg as a starting place. He ambled up to it and put his hands on it very, very gently, as if he were afraid that the lightest touch might send cracks across it's shell. That shell was surprisingly sturdy, so he hand't needed to worry about that-- but it was also surprisingly responsive. Ulteritohr felt something, touching his mind. A warm sort of welcome. He hadn't expected that reaction from an egg.

He kept his hands on long enough to determine that it was't in his head, and then looked around. No.. one else seemed to be acting as if this were very strange. So, perhaps this was normal? He moved on to the next egg, to test the theory. Rose Red was next, and when he lay his hands on that shell, the response was a shy sort of happiness. Different.. but the same sort of mind touch. Blue Sea reacted also by touching his mind, this time with a sense of calm and protectiveness that did much to sooth his worries.

So. The eggs were alive. Tehy responded. When he thought of it that way, it made sense-- they were alive, and dragons were giant psychic beings.. but still, it surprised him that the eggs would've had so much... self-awareness, he supposed.

It was a thrilling discovery. He now leapt into the touching with all the gusto he might've accorded to a great feast and good beer. His next egg to touch was the Gleaming Hope, though he knew it's golden sheen marked it for a dragonet that would never choose him. Queens went to girls, after all. Still, he touched it, and reveled at the confidence and the curiosity. So young, and she already trusted herself so? Good for her. That was probably a good thing, in a queen.

And now he'd go back onto more likely prospects, for a candidate such as himself. The gathering storm egg was exciting-- he felt it's energy gathering before his hands even touched it's shell. Forever yours he greatly enjoyed, just until that last bitter note of jealousy when he began to think of removing his hand. He did so anyway, with a frown-- why mar such joy with something such as jealousy? Surely there were more then enough hands at this touching to go around.

Uteritohr lingered at Snowy Wastes for a moment, trying to figure out what he was feeling-- before he realized quite abruptly that he wasn't feeling much of anything. The egg was barely responding. Perhaps it was a loner? Clinging Vines likewise wanted nothing more then to be left alone-- he lingered there for a moment, trying to think comforting thoughts to it, since if it wanted to be left alone it might be hurting emotionally. Could the eggs even hear what he was thinking? He eventually gave up on that dense little adventure, and put his hands on Gentle Green. This egg, at least, was as happy to receive him as he was to touch it.

Steel edge was again, silent. He didn't linger too long. Silver wind also wanted to be left alone-- but this time it did it by projecting doubt and other unpleasant emotions. He tried to linger, to comfort it... but eventually the biting thoughts of doubt it inspired made him step away. He didn't like feeling bad. He would leave such stimuli alone. Again, the third was more happy to receive him. Dull Dun was friendly and excited, much more to his sort of thinking.

Piercing Thorns was very enjoyable, when he laid his hands on it- yes, he could stand here all day, if he could. Sadly, there was more to see and do and touch. He bid it a reluctant farewell, and put his hands on White Jade. He didn't quite know what he was expecting of the smallest egg in the bunch, but the confidence surprised him-- whatever was inside this egg may be small, but it certainly wasn't a lesser dragon for it. Viridian Memory, however, seemed morose and depressed, which didn't match it's bright exterior at all.

Lone Ghost retracted into itself, and again Ulteritohr spent a few moments trying to coax it into comfort, before giving up and moving to the next egg. Strong Arm was proud, as if it had done something impressive that was to be lauded, but the feeling faded away as he stood there. Why? It was getting ready to hatch, and that was an accomplishment. When he laid hands on Morning Glory, he smiled-- he could agree with the bright blue shell. He couldn't wait for the hatching either. Soon, perhaps. Soon.

Fallen Leaves was friendly-- a comfort, after the last few eggs had affected his confidence. Brooding Silence suited it's name-- Ulteritohr did not linger, as the feeling of being watched disturbed him, even if he couldn't logically explain it-- how could the egg watch him without eyes? Creepy. Patient Pulse also lived up to it's name, a great comfort after the brooding egg-- it's calm generosity warmed him.

That left two, and only two. Crimson Stain was friendly enough, but something about it made him uneasy-- perhaps it was the color? Or perhaps it was something he couldn't quite get from the surface. Whatever it was, he moved to the last quickly: Rainbow Mist, whose excitability he greatly enjoyed.

---

Kordelia found herself in the barracks, pouring over a scroll as she sprawled out on her bed, when the blue's mind touched hers. What that scroll contained was hard to discern- a letter, perhaps? It was covered in a tight, handwritten scrawl, hard to read for it's own cramped neatness.

She read over a paragraph or two, and then added a few more lines in fresh ink to the bottom, frowning as she did so. That done, she put the edge of her stylus in her mouth, absently sucking on it while she debated whatever she had just written down.

And then a dragon's voice cut through her thoughts, causing her to yelp and drop the stylus. It fell on the fresh ink, slightly smearing it and adding a few droplets beneath the stanza. With a hasty curse, she snatched it back up and inspected the damage-- messy, but not unreadable. It would do. She weighed down the ends of the scroll, put the stylus away, and then paused in front of the mirror.

She wasn't actually too concerned with her appearance, as she was freshly bathed-- it was just a nervous habit. She tried very hard not to project her emotions too terribly, to be stoic and cold. Her cool facade was something she maintained almost as hard as her appearance. Thus, her nerves rarely manifested on her face, but in smaller ways: second guessing her decisions or appearance, and lingering in front of the mirror. She scowled at her reflection and adjusted some of her carefully-arranged hair, loosing herself in that slight self-effacing trance that sometimes occur when you look at your reflection. It took a few moments before she brought herself out from it, shaking her head-- at this rate, she'd make herself late!

She hurried-- but not so much as to look undignified-- to the hatching grounds. Her pace was a brisk walk, her face carefully set and maintained. She was, after all, a candidate. She had Something To Do, and Somewhere to Be.

The heat of the grounds brought another scowl to her face-- not that it was unexpected. Her first thought was that it would muss up her hair. A glance at the eggs, however, pushed the thought away. There were some instances-- not many, but certainly some-- where taking hits to one's appearance had it's uses. This was definitely one of them. Dragon eggs. That implication was not lost on her. A bond, hers forever...

Right. But she had to touch them first. she made her way elegantly onto the sands, curtsying to Maelath. "Thank you for letting me touch your lovely clutch, Queen Maelath." she said, with high-born grace, and then floated her way across the sands, to the eggs.

She was very much 'wearing her face', so to speak-- but not for the eggs' benefit, nor any of the dragons. No. The face was meant for the candidates. The dragons and the eggs could all see right into her, just as she'd see into the eggs as she laid hands on them.

She started with Rainbow Mist. Immediately, a sense of bright excitement assaulted her senses. She took a sharp step back, almost as quickly as she'd come: that egg was overwhelming. Crimson Stain found her hands next, and this one was friendly.. but there was cunning underneath it. She gave the barest hint of a smile-- she saw that cunning, she'd been trained since birth to recognize and emulate it. It was a good trait, and would serve that dragonet well. Patient Pulse's friendliness was certainly appreciated, but Brooding Silence made her linger. It was watching her, thinking about her, as she watched it. Now that was a familiar set of feelings. She rubbed it's shell fondly, before moving on.

Fallen Leaves's friendliness was certainly accepted. Crystal Skies, however, made her pause.. and linger. Now THIS was an intense egg. Violence and aggression.. and protectiveness and possession. She smiled. This egg was armed with teeth, and never let it be said that Kordelia did not have a thing for bad boys. Or girls, if it came down to it. She only moved from Crystal skies reluctantly, enjoying it's heady rush of passionate emotions.

Morning Glory's impatience and anticipation was met with no outward response- but internally she sympathized. She, too, wanted the hatching to come. The stress of the growing anticipation weighed on her shoulders like barbells individually mounted on each one. She did not react that well to suspense, and twice so when it was everywhere around her. So, for all that she might've frowned on impatience externally as being undignified, she could certainly relate.

Strong Arm's confidence did not much impress her-- if it was real, it would've stayed. She moved on quickly. Lone ghost withdrew into itself, and she almost gave a sigh here, looking wistful for a moment: it seemed to want to draw away and not be bothered, hide. She could relate to that thought.

Piercing thorns came on slowly, but when it did it was warm and welcoming. White Jade's confidence did manage to impress her- small, but not out of the race. Kordelia actually smiled, and rubbed the shell in approval. Viridian Memory's morose depression did not put her off- rather, it caused her to linger, considering the poignancy of those emotions. there was passion in depression- just a subdued, dark kind of passion.

Dull dun was friendly enough, but she found it's excitement slightly overwhelming, and drew her hands away. Silver wind she only touched for a moment, before removing her hands as if she'd been burned: such harsh, doubtful emotions! No, thank you, she did not need any help to feel those things, and she didn't want to feel them now. There was a hatching coming on- she needed to be at her most confident, not second guessing every step she made.

Neither steel edge nor snowy wastes did much in the way of respond, so she moved from them quickly. Perhaps they were duds, or simply quiet dragonets. Gentle Green's warmth was a welcome change. Clinging Vines had one very clear message: it wanted to be Left Alone. She could appreciate that, as often as she felt similar. So, instead of lingering beside it, she stepped away, and went to the next egg.

Forever yours's warmth was very pleasant, but she could feel the touch of jealousy when she thought about moving away, and she remained near it-- a hint of possessiveness. Kordelia kind of liked that.

Gathering Storm was a weird egg. Kordelia could feel it's energy building, wild and tense, as she approached it, even before she laid her hands on it. When her palms touched the shell, she felt as if electricity was dancing up her limbs. Sharp, wild, weird. She'd avoided the other energetic eggs, finding them overwhelming, and this egg was most certainly overwhelming too.. but in a different way. It's wild, tense energy remind her of rainstorms, and was very weirdly alluring.

Aha, and then she reached the queen egg. Kordelia paused, as she looked at it, a frown creasing her face. The queen egg. The golden trophy of every girl on the sands. Part of her wanted to rebel against that concept, say to hell with the queens, she'd stick with the chromatics. Another part of her was drawn by the fickle promise of power, and all it entailed. And a third part of her saw an egg, larger then all the other eggs, but still an egg-- a queen was a dragon, not a trophy.

She considered passing it by, but eventually decided against it. Gently, almost reluctantly, she lay her palms against the shell. There was pride here, as expected.. but also confidence, and curiosity. Certainly the makings of a good leader. She felt bittersweet as she drew her hands away and moved, without further comment, to the next egg. She'd brood on the queen more later, perhaps add a few passages to her journal about her conflicting thoughts.

Pearly Dream's optimism was strange to her, but not unwelcome. It was friendly enough to appeal to her. Rose Red's shyness brought out mixed emotions: on one hand, it was a weakness, but on the other.. well, it was so charming, and the egg meant so well. She smiled at it, deciding she liked it. Blue Sea also made her feel warm and good: it's calm and protectiveness absolved some of her constant inner turmoil, if only for a few seconds.

When she drew her hands away and stepped back, she was met with something of a surprise: she'd touched them all. She hadn't quite registered how many she'd touched, so wrapped up in their reactions had she been.

[Lark]

Akilu went around to the eggs, following after the others. The young woman sighed, keeping her hands to herself for now. She was a bit too preoccupied with her own thoughts at the time to really give the eggs the attention they deserved. Glancing from one mottled shell to the next, the candidate headed for the Queen egg as instructed. Her hands trembled slightly as she held them out before forcing herself to stop. This wasn't like her, this wasn't her at all. She wasn't...this. Licking her lips and taking a calming breath, Akilu let her fingertips brush up against the gold shell. She wasn't surprised by the confidence, but she felt other things too. Some, just flickers under the surface, jealously guarded as the more obvious ones came to the front again.

She cocked an eyebrow at that, tracing one greenish stripe with her fingernail. "You're not going to be the normal Queen either are you now?" Why should she be? Wasn't every one of them special? Akilu moved on, past a few eggs that were responding too much. She could see it on the others' faces, the surprise as the egg jumped at them emotionally. Instead, she went to a small egg, one of the smallest to be exact. It was the Lone Ghost Egg, and the dull shell blended in against the more colorful siblings. "Hey there....there's nothing to be frightened of. I know you are, but there's no reason. I promise you. The world isn't all that bad, even if you may think it is."

Letting her hand slip against the shell, Akilu was reluctant to leave the egg. Couldn't she just stay here? Only a select few were coming to it. Maybe she could just stay here and hide away from them all. Not that she was scared, she just didn't want to deal with it. Saka might have been lifting her spirits bit by bit, but it didn't mean that she was completely better. Rayne betweened to her shoulder then, sensing that His was upset. "Hey boy. You shouldn't be here." Crooning, the blue tilted his head and nuzzled it against her cheekbone. "Come on." Getting up, she grabbed onto the blue flit with one hand, and let the other trail against the eggs.

Forever Yours was brushed slightly, and the abrupt change from adoration to jealousy made Akilu stop. Turning to the egg, she narrowed her eyes and put a hand on her hip. "Well now. Someone seems to have a case of the green monster don't they? Jealous much of all the attention? You'll have plenty sweetheart. Don't worry so much." Nodding her head, she skirted around the Rainbow Mist egg, briefly letting her leg bump against the warm shell to feel the happiness inside. "They all seem to be one of three things, though still different. Maybe that's just how far they're able to see into themselves right now. Just the basic stereo-types of personality?"

Akilu shifted her gaze from the sands to her blue flit, who chirped in response. Some might have been surprised at Akilu's thoughts since she had been a drudge, but she had also been taught by the Hold's harpers as a child. She was no dim-glow, that was for sure. Touching the Crimson Stain egg, she drew her hand back. That felt wrong. That was....not right. Akilu inched her hand onto the red shell again. It was...friendly, but at the same time...what was that? Biting her lip, Akilu looked down at the egg. "What are you?" She didn't really want an answer as she headed back to find Saka.

Ooc: I'll do Saka's soon too.

[jillianna]

Jillalene's heart had skipped a beat when she felt the summons. It was always strange like that for her. Most just likened the dragon's speaking to them like words formed in the mind. A simple message with the dragon's voice and personality backing it. For Jillalene it was different. The dragon's voice seemed musical to her, based on the dragon she could here the happiest feastday reel or even the slow harsh menace of a battledrum. Their music touched her soul each and every time.

She got up setting her panpipes aside gently, and went immediately to the hatching grounds. This was the most excited she'd ever been in the entirety of her life. The eggs. They were ready to meet the candidates. The whole way to the Sands she'd attempted to make herself more presentable, trying to tame her flame colored tresses into a semblance of order and finally twisting it around her crown, keeping it out of her eyes and back from her face in a soft style that left it still free flowing around her shoulders. The rest of the trip was obsessing over her skirt and sleeves making sure her dress was clean. Unfortunately the Candidate's rooms weren't all as clean as she liked to keep her room and she wanted to be at her best for meeting with them.

She smiled when she got there. The blue Zalanth and his Rider K'tor were there when she arrived. She bowed her head and dipped into a respectful curtsy as she listened to his instructions. She hung back as candidates made their way to the Queen offering their respects. She wasn't much one for crowds. After the others had moved on she stepped forward, settling to her knees on the sand and bowing her head.

"My Queen Maelath." Her voice was soft and musical. "I thank you for allowing me to be a part of this. I can only hope with my fondest wishes, that one of your dear hatchlings chooses me. If not... " She smiled looking up at the beautiful gold. "Well I'll be eternally grateful for the opportunity. With your leave, my Lady.."

When and only when permission was given, she stood and made her way to the large golden egg. This would be the new queen. She reached out slowly and smoothed her fingers over the shell closing her eyes and couldnt help the soft smile. She was definitely a future queen. The Dragonet's confidence and pride washed over her, and the sensation was both soothing and as humbling as standing in the presence of the current Queen. The curiosity was almost tangible exuding from the egg. "I wish you only the best of luck finding your partner my queen."

With a sigh she stood looking around at the others. As she made her way through the eggs, she touched each and every one. Some had no response to her at all, but overall she enjoyed the different emotions she picked up from them. The last one left was a blue egg, half sky blue and half a darker hue and speckled throughout with another shade of blue somewhere in between. It was beautiful, and it felt like she was almost compelled to caress the smooth shell.

The egg gave off an agressiveness and underlying violence that excited her. It didnt seem so scary. It was more like it touched a chord inside her, resonating with the melody of her own soul. She folded her knees under her and settled next to the egg.

"Hello there my young friend. You're going to be quite the dragon when you hatch aren't you?" as she spent more time with the egg she began to notice subtle changes in the feelings the unhatched dragon was sending her. the violence faded to more possession. Like she'd been somehow claimed, and that made her heart race. It wasn't as if the dragon seemed like he'd chosen her for impression, more like... a child with a toy who didnt want to share.

She smiled softly and stayed close to the egg. "I like you too..."


(I'll go back and fill in her interactions with the other eggs as soon as i can. My mom's being spring cleaning nazi. hence limited post time)

[primrose]

Every time he thought he was getting used to the size and presence of dragons he got another shock. The Queen was the biggest shock yet. Larin bowed deeply, not sure his voice could be trusted. Please don't let it break?

"I'll be very careful with your eggs, my Queen. Thank you for letting me touch them."

Should he have said his name? Probably not, why would she care who he was. Unless he did something stupid.

Carefully Larin started walking among the eggs, surprised to be feeling emotions from them. Gathering Storm was the first egg he touched, and that carefully, not sure if the egg would be soft or hard.

Warm and smooth, almost feeling like the sea on a windy day. Would this dragon be a small and agile flyer? Larin hoped he'd get to see.

He stopped by the Gentle Green egg next, enjoying the feeling of welcome and trying to think "hello" back.

He didn't feel anything from the Steel Edge egg and so trying to keep his thoughts quiet, he let his hands feel the curves and warmth of the egg. Perhaps it was asleep? It looked big and strong enough that he was willing to really look it over and see if the texture was the same everywhere.

The Forever Yours egg kept him for a few minutes, it was hard to leave an egg that liked you giving it attention!

There were a few eggs that didn't want touched, or were shy. Larin left them be as soon as he identified them. It seemed unfair to force his attention on a creature who had no choice in the matter.

The Queen egg he left alone, a queen would have no interest in him, so why bother her? let the girls touch her and let her get an idea of who was out here.

Crystal skies was a beautiful egg, and the feelings from it were ones he recognized well. There was a fighter in there. He understood that, he'd done his share of fighting for his place, and would be doing the same in the Weyr. Probably not as much physical fighting as there was on a ship though, and certainly less then when he had time off when docked.

Viridian memory he left after a quick touch. What kind of a dragon would start out life depressed? This was too good a day to be sad about.

Brooding Silence had his respect, there was a thinker in there. What kind of dragon thought and watched while this young? He couldn't wait to see.

Crimson Stain. Huh. Like the sea on a sunny day with a vicious undertow lurking down there. Pretty, pretty color and always a challenge. Larin hoped he'd get to see this dragon hatch too. What would he be like? Not boring that was for sure.

Blue Sea egg was interesting. Calm and protective? Like a Captain in a good mood? A dragon wanting to protect the world would be a great thread fighter, wouldn't it?

Dull Dun would be every-bodies friend it seemed. Almost everyone who touched it smiled. Larin like it, like most people, but couldn't help but wish there was a dragon who would like him the most. Or was that what every dragon thought of the one they chose? There was another question for the Candidate master.

He was almost embarrassed to touch the Patient Pink egg, but the friendliness of the egg was worth the embarrassment. None of his shipmates were here to see him touch so girly an egg anyway.

The Rainbow Mist egg was gorgeous. He spent a minute tracing the colors around and smiling at the eagerness the one inside felt. Like a youngster.

Which was his favorite? That was a very tough choice. And it wasn't his choice. The dragon chose. Someone as tough as he was, someone who laughed in storms and found it harder to back down from a fight then to get into one and someone who didn't like to be bored either. That would be perfect.

[Zara]

The summons... It was time. Iirla couldn't help the excitement that bubbled in her as she heard it. It was time to go, time for the touching. She walked with confidence to the sands. She, of course, listened to Zalath and K'tor before going to actually touch the eggs.

Iirla took a deep breath. She had waited and stood for a bit, watching the others. She didn't feel nervous exactly. It was only a touching, after all, why should she feel nervous? She stepped forward with a particular determined and graceful, slow, steady stride towards the egg and their mother. She bowed to the Queen respectfully. "Thank you, Maeleth, for this chance," she said from where she stood. She could feel Ama on her shoulder. She did not bow to the Queen until Iirla, after some convincing through feelings and mental pictures, forced her to. She loved the little Ametrine, but she needed to learn some respect. She took a deep breath and, finally, turned towards the gold egg. By this time, there were still a few who surrounded it. She walked up to it, placing a hand gently on the shell. "Little Queen... even before your birth you are beautiful. Your hatching will be glorious and blessed." Her voice was a whisper as she leaned ever so slightly towards the shell. The Gleaming Hope Egg... It really was gleaming. A lovely golden shell it was...

The feeling it gave off made her smile. Curiosity and a fierce pride and confidence. It was something that warmed her heart in a way. She gently rubbed the shell again and stood there, spending a little time with it. She planned to spend time with all of hte eggs. More than most probably would before moving onto the next. Ama was not particularly pleased with the time she was taking with eggs. When she had her eggs, Hers could spend time with her eggs. But these dragon's eggs... She gave a little harrumph. There was no reason for her to spend time with them. They weren't as important as she and her offspring would be. Iirla was bemused at the thoughts of her little sub-queen, but also a slightly irritated. She really disliked when the little thing thought she could control her.

Iirla then moved on towards the next nearest egg. It was the Pearly Dream Egg. It was small but beautiful and worthy of note. She laid her hand on it for a moment, feeling the warm optimistic welcome. She gently stroked the shell again. She wondered if there would be more surprises from this clutch as their had been from Loraketh's. She would not be surprised if there were. She walked around the egg again, slowly, and then moved on to the next egg in the clutch.

The Rose Red Egg was next. She looked at its shell. It was beautiful in its simplicity. She reached out a hand to touch it and felt the shy feeling from it, smiling slightly. A lovely little thing it was indeed. She moved on once more to the next egg, spending almost the same amount of time with each egg meant that her time touching the eggs might end up being longer than some... But she wanted to get to know them all... She didn't know which she would Impress, but she would hope that she did, at hte very least, indeed Impress... It was all in hoping. She carried herself with pride, even as she walked on teh shifting sands towards the next egg in the clutch.

The Blue Sea Egg had a feeling of calm protectiveness. This would be a very stable and loving dragonet. As she took her hand back, she tried to imagine what color might be in it, whether it was new or was, perhaps, a Brown or Bronze... Or maybe a blue... though... She could never be sure. No one could, really.

The next egg she moved to was the Gathering Storm Egg. It's dark shell with its lighter speckles held a particular beauty as well. All of the eggs did, it would seem. Maeleth had much reason to be proud. And, of course... The Queen egg, which stood beautifully there and graced the sands. B ut oen could not forget the others either as they were also important in their own right. She turned her eyes back to the egg in front of her, and with a gentle, friendly smile, as if the dragonet inside could feel or even see it, reached out a hand to touch the shell.
This egg had such an energy and enthusiasm even from a distance that only grew more intense as she actually touched its shell. This one would like be a handful to whoever it bonded to...

She moved on again, this time to the Forever Yours Egg, which was large, but not quite as large as the gold egg. It was a pale tan with intricate swirling patterns of red and yellow with spots of orange. It was something in its own right. She wondered briefly if, perhaps, it might also be a Gold egg, though that did not seem possible. Things such as that were so rare that to even hope for them was beyond reason. She gently reached out to touch it and felt the want of attention and the happiness as she touched it, running her hands along it, walking around it, as with the others, her hand not leaving its surface... But as her hand moved away the feeling distinctly changed as whatever was inside the egg seemed to become jealous and sad. Well... She gently placed a hand on it again. "Yours will be waiting for you... Whoever it is you deem worthy enough to choose," she whispered gently and moved away again and on to the next egg, which, undoubtedly, was smaller than this one had been. But size... Did it really matter that much? In some ways, to dragons, it did.

The Clinging Vines Egg didn't seem to want her to touch it, but she persisted anyways, stroking the shell, though, determined to spend as much time with it as the others. It stood out for the bright purple spots on its shell. Hmm... She moved on again to the next egg, which was the Gentle Green Egg. It was a middle sized egg and rather pretty, what wit its soft greens and yellows. It was curious and warm. Whatever dragon was inside it would definitely be friendly and welcoming. Ama gave a short hiss. She was getting mroe anoyed the longer hers took with each egg, but Iirla just ignored the Ametrine. Let her be upset. Though, the girl felt annoyed with the flit and firmly decided she would be dealing with her in due time. She needed to learn manners and that she was not hte Queen of everything she saw.

The Snowy Wastes Egg was the next that Iirla walked up to. It didn't seem to be lively, rather ignoring her as she touched its shell with gentle fingers.

The Steel Edge Egg didn't seem to respond much. The egg that stood in the middle of the clutch was quiet and distant... As if its mind was elsewhere or there were more important things to be done... Though she did get some kind of acknowledgement. She wondered about this egg. Hopefully... there were no duds in the clutch.

With a light touch, she departed from that egg and on to the Silver Wind Egg. The feelings it sent at her were decidedly less than friendly, but she would not be pushed away. Perhaps it was her need to be a leader in her own right that pushed her towards staying there as she kept her hand on it. She had decided before hand that each egg, aside from perhaps the Queen egg as it deserved its special attention, would get the same allotted amount of time as the others... No matter how difficult the young ones wished to make it.

Almost with relief, or perhaps a bit of irritation and disdain, Iirla moved off to the next egg. The Dull Dun Egg was a big change from the Silver Wind Egg. A most grateful relief. It was more fun to spend time with this egg than the last and she was easily able to allot it the correct amount of time before bidding it a fond farewell. The next egg however was depressing to spend that tiem with, though she did her best to seem upbeat and happy even with how depressing it was. It was difficult, though. The Viridian Memory Egg was something of... sadness, an object of fixated depression that she hoped that, when and if it should hatch, would find someone happy enough to pull it out of this depression that it must be mired in...

She moved on, doing her best to squash the grateful feelings within her as she moved on to the White Jade Egg. It was a lovely light green with a bright green spot and very small. It seemed to be trying very hard to seem prideful and confident, unlike the next, the Piercing Thorns Egg which was slow to respond, and, once it did, gave off feelings of friendship and welcome... as well as a flirtatious-ness that, honestly, Iirla found somewhat distasteful.

The Lone Ghost Egg was one that was odd to her as it seemed to try to withdraw from her. she didn't much care for it and, as much as she hated to admit it, spent much less time with it as she did with the others before moving on to the next. The Strong Arm Egg was decidedly different than the Lone Ghost Egg had been. It gave off a sense of pride that faded as she left her hand on it. She wondered about it and about hte dragonet inside.... The next egg she went to was the Morning Glory Egg. It was a lovely bright blue and was so excited and almost impatient. It seemed like it could be one of hte Candidates that was, even now, awaiting the hatching! She grinned and rubbed the shell gently. "Me too, little one..." she whispered to it, as if telling it a secret. She was impatient as well.

The Crystal Skies Egg gave off feelings of aggression and violence, which made her frown. There had to be more to the dragonet inside than that. Though,she wasn't so sure, she had to admit. She would not allow herself to hope that this was not her dragonet... Because well... She didn't want it to feel that from her. She shook her head slowly and moved on, pushing Ama back onto her shoulder as the flitter attempted to grab her hair and direct her on. "Ama! Enough." She sighed. "Go wait in the barracks." she pushed the thought at the flit rather forcefully and was greeted with resistance, which, of course, was to be expected, but, eventually, the Ametrine conceded, though unwillingly.

Once Ama was gone, Iirla let out a slow breath and moved on again to the Fallen Leaves Eggs. It was a lovely egg and very colorful. It was also very friendly. The next egg was the Brooding Silence Egg. The watchful egg, she would admit, did not capture her attention very much and she moved on without thinking of returning to it. The Patient Pulse Egg, who's shell was quite a different color from the others. She looked at it seriously for a moment before gently touching it. The feelings of kindness and generosity were almost a relief after the watchful feeling of the last egg.

The next egg was the Crimson Stain Egg. It seemed friendly and wlecoming and somewhat cunning... and as she touched it... that cunning was quickly buried. Mischevious one this one would be, she was certain. She gave a shake of her head and kept going again. The Rainbow Mist Egg made her smile. The excitable nature of it was somewhat refreshing in a way, but quickly, became tiring and a little overwhelming. "Well... soon..." was all she said as she moved off again and found herself passing by the Forever Yours Egg again, gently touching it before moving back to the Gleaming Hope Egg. She smiled and touched its shell again. A gold... a welcome hope indeed. She spent more time. "Well... you have a big family to take care of, young one, but I know you can do it. You have the pride and strength, it would seem, to learn to do so."

With that, she turned to Maeleth and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Queen mother, for this chance." And that was that... She walked backward two paces in respect, and then turned, heading off the sands, though she turned back to survey them all. There was a hope here like no other she ahd seen in some time. Ama appeared then, chittering at her and she sighed. Of course the flitter wasn't going to stay away forever.

[jillianna]

Dalrian hung back from the other candidates, bowing respectfully before the queen. "Thank you for giving me this opportunity my queen."

He went to the Gleaming Hope egg, but just as a formality. He knew the Queens rarely EVER chose males. He touched it with his fingertips and felt her curiosity. The little queen would find someone she liked, but it would not be him. It could not be him. With something akin to regret he moved from the golden shell on to greet the other dragonets in their slumber.

The blue sea egg made him think of her. He touched it softly. It brought a sad smile to his face thinking about Selkieth. Since he got here, he seemed torn between gratitude, a sense of accomplishment, and pain. The memories of his father and Selkieth were always near the surface of the weyr.

With a sigh he turned from the blue sea and ran straight into.... the egg looked more like candy than a real dragon's egg. He was doubtful, but he ran his fingers over it anyway, at least giving it the benefit of the doubt. The dragonet was shy, seeming to back away from his inquisitive touch. I know how you feel, little one.

Moving on, next he encountered the Pearly dream and gathering storm eggs. For some reason when he touched both of these, it clashed. The pearly dream didnt give off any feeling to him , or at least, it didnt reach him, and the gathering storm's energetic enthusiasm was just too much for him to take for very long.

Next was Forever yours. This one intrigued him. Maeleth seemed to pay more attention to it than the others, though not as much as the new queen. He traced his fingertips over the swirling patterns on it's shell. The egg was...... an attention seeker. And a happy one at that. He cringed inwardly. The complete opposite of himself. He took his hand away and had to smile when he felt the sadness and jealousy. sorry little one, gotta visit your brothers and sisters too you know...

He trailed his fingers over the eggs, one by one shy eggs, happy eggs, excited eggs... the Crystal skies was a warrior, of that he was sure. Maybe a bit too warrior like for his tastes.

Crimson Stain was middling in size on the larger end.The color drew him first. the deep crimson coloring was a definite contrast to it's more tame brothers and sisters.He was about to let it go after the feeling of warm welcome but then he picked up something else. That interested him. The little dragonet inside was more than all smiles and sunshine. Interesting.... very interesting.

Passing on, he came to the last in the clutch. Brooding silence. This one's shell was more of a brownish red than it's other red counterpart. The markings on the shell were black and definitely not uniform. When he touched the egg, it seemed to weigh him. It felt like he was being observed under a microscope and he smiled tapping two fingers against the black mark on the tip of a shell.

"You're not gonna be easy to impress are you?" Shaking his head after another moment or two he left the egg. That one was sizing up all the candidates to make the best choice.