Good Morning Dawn (Maeleth's Hatching)

[kitsuneko]

It was early morning when Maeleth's eggs began to rock in earnest. The gold was dozing at the time, but fortunately, Maeleth was a light sleeper, and the quivering of the eggs closest to her was enough to wake her up. She crooned happily as she noticed the eggs rocking back and forth, paying close attention to her queen egg and the orange-swirled egg beside it. They were not ready to hatch quite yet, but it would certainly be today.

The queen reached out to contact her rider. Iskra, it begins, she said, excitement echoing in her voice, and then she gave a loud bugle to alert the rest of the Weyr. More than a few people would already be awake, but those who weren't wouldn't be asleep for much longer. The eggs are hatching!

Iskra was woken up from a sound sleep by her dragon's warning, and though she was still tired, she was too excited to be annoyed at losing a few hours of sleep. Finally, the clutch was hatching! The last few weeks had been hard on the Junior Weyrwoman, with everything that had happened since the kidnapping and being forced to remain at Trelis with Maeleth, but her son and the other children were back home now, and safe, and another obsidian and her newly-hatched clutch had been discovered. After this Hatching, hopefully things would settle down and go back to normal. Iskra hoped so.

The goldrider spared just enough time in her weyr to appear presentable, and then rushed to the hatching sands to keep Maeleth company. The normally sedate gold was getting antsy as the candidates started to enter, keenly aware that soon she would have to let her children leave her side to Impress and not happy about it at all. She curled her neck around the golden egg and shot a glare at the candidates who had arrived so far, before Iskra admonished her. "You'll have to step aside eventually, Maeleth," she said, stroking the gold's shoulder. "Your children will be fine, dear."

Some of the eggs were already cracking, and she hoped the candidates arrived faster than the eggs hatched. One of the smaller eggs already had a sizable hole at the bottom with the forked tip of a tail starting to poke out, though the rest of the shell was more or less in one piece. Iskra watched the clutch. It wouldn't be long now.

[Akira]

Akira hadn't slept much last night, so she was just lying on her bed, waiting for something to happen. Then, like a sign from Faranth, the candidates were told that the eggs were hatchings. She couldn't resist smiling as she jumped out of bed, and pulled out her robes and sandals. Blue crooned sleepily, but when he saw His pulling out her white robes and her sandals, he growled, and went back to sleep. You really are lazy Blue. She giggled as she spoke to her firelizard.

Akira quickly pulled on her robes, and ran, all out, for the hatching sands. She was literally gasping for breath by the time she got there. Hi...Maelath...Sorry...out...of breath. She bowed to the golden queen, and hoped that her apology would suffice for now, at least until she caught her breath. She slowly walked over to her place where the female candidates normally stood. She was standing in just about the same place she had stood during Loraketh's hatching.

Akira smiled hopefully when she saw that one of the smaller eggs had already cracked, and had a small forked tail sticking out of it. Please Faranth, don't leave me standing again. She closed her eyes, and turned her face upward as she sent the silent prayer to the skies. She didn't want to be left as a candidate again, she wanted to find her life partner in this clutch. She looked back at the eggs, silently praying that one of them would hold a dragon for her.

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

Demetri was sound asleep, but when Iona started humming and fluttering around on their bed. Please Iona, let me sleep. He mumbled the words into his pillow as he tried to fall back asleep. Iona wasn't going to let him though. No, Hers needed to go to the sands so that one of the gold Large One's eggs could pick Hers. Though, secretly the gold firelizard was hopping that Hers wouldn't impress one of the Large One's eggs. That way he would have more time for her, just as it should be.

Demetri practically growled at Iona when he finally sat up. Then he realized why she was humming. The gold flit had sent him a picture of Maelath's eggs, which would mean only one thing coming from her. Oh Faranth their hatching!!! He threw the blankets off of himself, and accidently on top of Iona. Sorry girl! He apologized to her as he attempted to hurry into his robes. He yelped when he fell on his butt while trying to force himself into his pants.

Demetri finally finished dressing, and ran straight to the hatching sands. Iona new better than to go anywhere near the Large One and her eggs, so she flew to the stands, and perched there, watching as Hers finally arrived and greeted the gold Large One. Demetri smiled, and bowed to Maelath before trying to speak to the gold dragon. Greetings Maelath, I hope you and one of your children deem me worthy as a rider. His voice was a little less breathy than Akira's had been.

Though, it actually didn't take him as much energy to run to the sands as most shorter people. Demetri didn't understand that really, and pondered why that was so as he made his way over to where the male candidates stood. He looked over at the large clutch of eggs, and smiled broadly when he saw one of the eggs had started to hatch, and there was a tail sticking out of it already. I guess you really are impatiant. He chuckled at his own thought, and wondered if the dragonet would hear him.

[Zirin]

She was tired. She was always tired these days. Between the dragon lessons and chores during the day, and the wher lessons and duties at night, Yufa was beginning to think she wouldn’t be able to continue on for much longer. As it was she had been beyond thankful to have a shortened lesson the previous night, allowing her to flop into bed earlier than normal. It had only felt like a few minutes, but hours had passed since she fell asleep, and it was time for her to get up. She always woke up early in order to make sure she was presentable, but it was definitely becoming harder and harder.

Cassim cheeped a second time, his tail swishing as His failed to wake up at the sound. He knew His would be upset if she slept in, he had made the mistake of allowing her to sleep in once before and would never repeat that mistake again. He chirped again before nipping at her ear, quickly darting out of the way as Yufa shot up in surprise. She was about to berate him for waking her, but he beat her to it and sent an image of the just rising sun. Oh I am so sorry, my little Cassim. You are wonderful as always. She thought to him, making sure he could feel the happiness and love she felt towards him. She glanced around the room, hoping she hadn’t woken her roommates, though in the dark it was quite difficult to see.

She quickly gathered up her supplies and headed for the mirror, opening the nearby glow basket only enough to see what she was doing. She was quite practiced at the art of doing her hair in the dark, so it was completed with ease; a simple pulled back look held together with delicate braids. She was trying to decide on what ornamental piece to wear in her hair when Cassim began humming followed immediately by a loud bugle and the sound of dragon voice in her head. She stood up in surprise. “The eggs!” She said out loud before looking back down at the ornaments and grabbing a simple one that looked like a white flower; a ‘good luck’ charm from U’wa that she had promised to wear on this day. Her robes and sandals were pulled on quickly, and she had to pause by her bed a moment in thought. Reaching a decision, she quickly grabbed her small emergency first aid kit and hid it under the robes. She may be a candidate, but she did have some healer training, and hatchings were a dangerous place.

She ran to the sands, not worrying about keeping the graceful movements she normally carried herself with. No, today was to important. She could be graceful once she was on the sands, but now was not the time! Reaching the sands, she sent Cassim a mental nudge to stay off the sands, which the Epidote followed without a problem, though she knew he would find a safe place to watch from. She was here now! The eggs were just through there! She slowed now, moving quickly enough that she wouldn’t look like she didn’t care, but slow enough that she could at least show a hint of poise and she speed-walked.

She joined the other girls that had arrived before her, smiling at the ones she knew then curtsying low before Maelath to show her respects. She took a deep breath then. This was it, this was her second attempt, would she be able to do it? U’waMine and Peniath are here for you SisterMine‘s! She looked to the stands, seeing U’wa and Peniath there and smiled warmly, taking comfort in their support. She looked back to the eggs, to the queen egg, the eggs she had touched, and the ones she had not. Would one of them hold her future?

---

[[OOC: Lark had a good idea in doing this so I'm copying her!]]
- Weyrlings J'dol, V'koi, and U'wa are in the stands. Their dragons are nearby
-CandidateMaster Ad'os is at the entrance of the sands near the meat and rags

[Lark]

Saka rolled over and yawned as her limbs stretched out much like a feline. Sleeping felt so good! Why did she have to get up?? The girl was about to mumble something about Zaranth or Soheath or whichever dragon was speaking to her to shut up, when Shayde's humming grew more intense. The redheaded candidate jerked awake, dazed eyes blinking before she pushed herself up with one hand. Of course, half asleep she soon groaned and fell back over, her halo of curly hair looting in every which way.

Like she cared though. "Hey! Get up sleepyhead! Hatching...you do want to impress don't you?" Akilu's teasing voice was punctuated by the slap of a pillow falling onto Saka's head. Why was she here?!? Akilu slept in the room besides Saka's....wait....hatching! Pulling herself up quickly, Saka glared at Akilu's form, which was conveniently cladden in the white candidate's robe already. "Just so you know, I hate you." The younger girl scowled behind her array of red hair and blew some out of her eyes.

"Love you too."

By the time they got there, Saka had made them later than Akilu expected not once, not twice, but three times. The young candidate was proper...ish, the young woman eyed her mismatching stockings that she had put on for Faranth knew what reason, and that hair had gotten pulled back in...well Akilu hoped it looked like a bun. Sighing, the older candidate pushed Saka into the hatching sands first, following and smiling sweetly to Ad'os as they passed by. A firm bump of Saka's elbow into her side, and a sly smile from the redhead had Akilu averting her gaze quickly though. Crushes were for young children, not women.

As they got closer to Maelath and Iskra, Akilu stopped first followed by Saka who was preoccupied with staring at the cracking eggs. "Thank you Maelath and Iskra for allowing us to stand for your clutch." Akilu dipped her head then her body down in a formal bow to the gold and her rider. Saka looked at the older girl then blushed and did the same, eyeing the eggs the whole time. "Right...what she said...sorry bit words are wasted at a time like this. Don't you think?" With that the candidate rushed off to the group of females near the Gold Egg.

Akilu laughed and shook her head. "She means well, she's just excited. I'm sure you're glad to have your son back Iskra...if it's not too much to say, perhaps he'd like to stay with you here and watch the hatching from the sands? It would be a nice treat I'm sure after everything he's been through." With that Akilu bowed again and walked calmly over to the younger girls, eyeing the Gold egg carefully, then her eyes went to The Forever Yours Egg. I haven't forgotten about you either dearie....or you. The other egg she thought of had only a moment's time before her gaze was forced elsewhere; no one could say exactly where she was looking toward, or which at.

---

Inali breathed in a sigh of relief when the eggs finally started to hatch. "Thank the first shell! Loraketh, come on." The Weyrwoman smiled as she got out of bed and began to change into a more appropriate outfit. She'd be sitting in the stands this time as most riders did. It didn't mean people wouldn't notice if she was in her night clothes though. My Lady, if there is one thing you are not going to do, it's that. Loraketh's voice was firm as she met her rider out on her ledge. "Well, it's a good thing I grabbed my nice dress isn't it?" Inali smiled, knowing full well she was giving her dragon sass. Holding onto her now quite large stomach, the Weyrwoman mounted her dragoness and they took off for the Hatching Sands.

---
Ooc: I dont have enough time to write for all of them, but here are a few that are at the hatching incase you'd like to mention or interact with them.

Ara and Avirith are on the back of the sands with the food and rags.
Zora and Yazhith/ N'kron and Ildardeth are in the stands.
Kierah's with her daughter in the dining hall getting things ready before the eggs really get hatching.
Sy'ka and Itxyth are in the stands off to the side.
K'tor and Zalanth are not there, he's probably sleeping still.
Ron and Mavrisk are asleep.
Azeal will be with Inali once she reaches the stands, he's her nephew.
Panille and Iliath are near the Weyrlings from Ista.

[phantomofthewolves]

Gedaro awoke to the sound of humming. It was time for Impression! He leaped from his bed, donned the white robe of candidacy and put on his sandals. Fizgig awoke with a start and jumped onto his shoulder, but Gedaro pushed him away. Fizgig was confused, be understood what must be done, so he flew to his perch by the window and sat there. Gedaro smiled and rushed out to join the other candidates.

When he arrived, he greeted the Junior Queen with a bow and assumed his post on the male side of the semi-circle surrounding the eggs. He had once stood Impression before, but this time he knew he would Impress for sure. He kept a close eye on the first egg he touched, hoping that the egg held the dragon that would choose him as his own.

[primrose]

Larin was already awake and had bathed when the humming started. He was used to being up with the dawn and loved having all the fresh water available to bathe in. Turns out his hair was darker and softer with all the sea water and sand fully cleaned out of it. It was also easy to brush. He was starting to get rather vain about his hair and the clothes that weren't quickly fading to beige.

He ran back into the candidate barracks, yelling as he went. "Wake up! Everyone wake up the Queen is calling for us! Get up quick and get your robes on!" He used every bit of the lung power he had, the lung power developed to yell over storms and winds. It was time!

It was not easy running in a robe. OR sandals. He slowed at the entrance of the Sands, charging in there was not a good idea. Especially with the robe hiked up almost to his waist. Yes, he had underwear on, but he doubted the Queen or her rider wanted to see it.

"Good Morning Maelath, and a fine day for your eggs to hatch." He said, bowing carefully. "Thank you for letting me Stand." There. He'd gotten the greeting out and been very polite. It was hard, especially since he could see the eggs moving.

Keeping his pace to a walk Larin moved over toward the eggs, trying to remember where they were to stand. Fortunately there were a few other Candidates there already to help. They looked fully as nervous as he felt.

Taking time for a quick look around Larin was surprised at how many dragons there were already. They and their riders could sure move fast when they wanted too.

His stomach did a twist inside him as he realized one of the eggs actually had a small hole in it. Oh shards. It was really happening, this was not a dream or him imagining away a boring watch!

[jillianna]

Jillalene ran into a tall blonde man she hadn't seen before as she rushed toward the Hatching sands. Akiko clung to her shoulder flaring her wings to keep her balance as she came face to face with the little bronze flit.

Hers should be more careful. Hers at least had the sense enough to find a guy with an attractive bronze. She chuffed a puff of smoke and curled herself on Jilli's shoulder once more, wanting to make the trip with her but knowing she couldn't enter the hatching sands.

Two strong hands gripped Jillalene's waist tightly to keep her from falling. She blushed brightly as she met his bluegreen eyes and stammered an apology. The young man's honey brown hair brushed the shoulders of his candidates robes. His mouth was set in a charming half smile and his hands loosened their tight grip as she found her footing but didn't let her go. His fingers were gentle on her waist and his eyes did a once over down her body, from her face to her toes. Jillalene was amazed she didn't go weak at the knees. She was definitely not used to this.

Akiko crooned softly to Hers. Picking up on the tension in the air and enjoying it immensely. Hers needed to loosen up. She flicked her gaze up and down His and clicked in approval. He was a fine specimen as far as Human males were concerned.

"U-uhm... The Hatching!"

~~~~~
He'd been hurrying toward the Hatching Sands as fast as his feet could carry him. Even Shigure wasn't immune to the excitement of the whole weyr. The little bronze had planted himself firmly on His's shoulder and curled his tail around his neck to keep himself seated as His ran through the corridor, until a large crash nearly unseated him. He saw the other flit and puffed himself up. The green, unfortunately was a youngling. He sighed, still keeping his bronze posture, but for the most part ignoring everything.

Dal caught at the slender waist of the woman who ran into him, his first instinct being to keep the feminine figure from falling. Then a lower more base instinct hit him, feeling her body pinned up against his. The pressure of his hands lessened and he smiled a secret smile with promise lit in his eyes.

She was rather attractive as well. Smooth skin, a pretty mouth with full lips that was just slightly parted now with her breathing... The more he studied her with his intense gaze the more color infused her cheeks. He gave her body a raking glance knowing from the way they were pressed together that she wasn't lacking in the feminine curves department.

He was about to do something he might regret, but the more he looked at her face, her lips, the more he wanted to taste them. He started to lean down but at least one of them weren't following their more base instincts.

Shigure dug his little claws into his shoulder with a hiss. His couldn't waste time with the female... EGGS hatching!

The stab of annoyance was so violent it suprised him. Dal turned his head and glared at the bronze flit who puffed himself up defensively blowing a smoke puff in his face.

"Fine FINE. I know, we need to go." He shook his head smiling easier and released Jillalene for the most part, keeping her small soft hand in his and dragging her along with him.

"We dont want to be late do we candidate?"

. . .

Jillalene was out of breath, her body shakey, and she didnt know this man from adam. He was Vaguely, VERY vaguely familliar and their flits betweened at almost the same time, knowing they couldnt enter the hatching sands.

They smiled in relief as they walked in, more stately than they had gotten to the entrance. She blushed again realizing that the guy still hadn't let go of her hand and if she tried to pull away now she'd only cause a scene. She had to accept that he wasn't turning loose of her until he was ready.

Maeleth was a beauty to behold, but this time it made jilli almost sad to see her. She was, as with most mothers, extremely loath to part with her children, but at the same time, excitement budded deep within her. She couldn't wait to see the new dragonets, and maybe, just maybe, find her own partner.

It was time to let go. She smiled looking around at all the riders and dragons present, blushing when her eyes found N'kron and Ildareth. Inclining her head slightly to aknowledge them, she turned to face Maeleth. Dropping into a delicate curtsy, she offered her respects to her and Iskra, walking over and taking her place in the circle with the other candidates. Amused when the other boy did the same standing almost directly opposite her and winking above the trembling eggs.

[Zero]

Shards was it early when the signal the eggs were hatching today wafted through the weyr. Fallon groaned and yanked the covers over his head for a moment as he could already hear his roommates bustling around. Why did dragons enjoy activities first thing in the morning? Slowly sitting up the thief yawned widely and shoved the blankets to the foot of the bed. The humming was growing in intensity as the rest of the weyr began to wake and every dragon of Trelis added their voice to the hatching hum.

Glancing around the quiet barracks Fallon ruffled his hair and frowned before pushing himself to his feet and moving around to attempt to get ready. It would seem he was already late so there was really no point in rushing. Splashing his face with water he tugged on the customary white robes and sandals and steadily made his way out towards the boiling sands. He blinked against the harsh sunlight but still forced himself to continue on towards the rest of the group and looming figure of the golden Queen.

He wasn’t too inclined to expose the back of his neck to the large dragon again but he forced himself to a polite bow and passed on his quick greeting to the clutch mother before rising and making his way over to the side where the boys had gathered. Folding his arms across his chest, Fallon let his eyes sweep the steadily rocking eggs before his attention flicked to the stands and the quickly gathering crowd. Was this going to be the day where he met his future partner in crime? The thief shrugged at the thought and eventually returned his attention to the clutch and cocked an eyebrow at the twitching tail that could be seen poking out of one of the shells. Well it was now or never. “Let’s get this show on the road…”

________________________

S’val was quick to wake once the humming started. Naturally Solarith wouldn’t allow his own Rider a moment extra to sleep in when the eggs were finally beginning to hatch. Yawning, the Junior Weyrleader quickly moved about his quarters, dressing and making himself look somewhat presentable. Quickly Mine, the younglings will not wait.

Shooting a glare at the large figure pacing outside on his ledge, S’val walked over to his bronze companion and gave a hearty, yet affectionate, slap to the dark hide before mounting. The pair gilded down to the stands where S’val then hopped down and moved to find a seat close to the front. After making sure His was seated and planned to stay, Solarith moved to find a spot up on the weyrbowl so he too could excitedly watch the Impression of his children.

A single thought was shared between the two; were the strange colors from Lorakeths clutch going to show up here again or was everyone in store for a good ol’ fashioned Hatching?

S’val leaned forward in his seat and eyed the rocking clutch. “Let it begin…” He muttered softly.


_______________

||OoC: Because I’m exhausted and don’t have the energy to post the antics of the rest of my group I’ll steal Lark’s idea and just give bullets to where everyone is in case someone wants to mention or interact with them.||

R’xth & Mideth - Sitting in the Stands off to the side.

Theault - Sitting near the front of the Stands to keep an eye on his brother.

Vl’kan & Thormyth - In the back standing with Panille & Iliath.
-Thor isn’t happy and liable to cause a scene once Impression starts-

[/font][/size]

[diogenessbeast]

Kordelia had never been an early riser at the best of times.

That was one of the many inconveniences of candidacy, actually: early to rise, and theoretically early to bed. Kord was also rarely early to bed, which only compounded her exhaustion, and left her twice as groggy in the morning. It was always an exercise of will to pull herself out of bed, go through her morning primping-- because she couldn't possibly be seen without primping-- and show up for breakfast with enough time to actually eat before chores and lessons and all the other responsibilities that came along with candidacy.

Today was different, but not at the beginning. Still the whole process of dragging herself out of bed, still the stifling yawns, still the long time preparing her hair and soaking in the bath (thank Faranth she had the sense to wake herself even earlier then most), still the dull shuffle towards the plentiful breakfast provided by Trelis' lower caverns staff... And then a voice spoke in her head, an excited voice, that mirrored a rising excitement in her.

The hatching was starting.

That let loose a whole wave of tension and excitement and anxiety and hope that she couldn't possibly remain as exhausted as it was. It banished the tiredness, and she sat shock strait for a moment, looking at her plate of eggs as if she couldn't quite believe it was there. The eggs were hatching! She took one more bite of her eggs, pounded her klah down in a very unladylike fashion that she was sure some part of her regretted immediately (but another part so deeply enjoyed), and made her way strait back to the barracks she'd emerged from.

Habits of organization died hard, so it didn't take Kord very long to find her candidate robes and don them, and she was soon on her way back out the barracks, past those just waking up and those who had been up for a few candlemarks already. She ignored them all, lost in the tempest of her own thoughts.

Her face was set, as she strode onto the sands: the conflict of emotions and thoughts in her mind clearly showed on her face, and her tension showed in the set of her shoulders and the almost militaristic way she strode across the sands. She bowed low when she reached Maeleth, a hint of pro-forma smile on her face. "Maeleth- your clutch is wonderful, and I appreciate the chance to stand for your children. May they all bond well and hatch in good health."

As soon as her words were stated, she strode back to join the growing gaggle of candidates, her stormy eyes watching the rocking eggs. One of them had to hatch first.

---

Ulteritohr was also awake at that early hour the eggs chose to start rocking: a farm boy's habits died hard, and on the farm you woke up early. His tendency to rise well before dawn had served him well, thusfar: he got enough to eat, of whatever he wanted, and he got done with chores early, all because he got there well before the crowd.

It had another advantage, apparently. Ulteritohr had learned, by now, that no one really knew when eggs were going to hatch. They tended to surprise people- sometimes in the dead of night, sometimes in the morning. Nevertheless, the odds seemed best that they'd hatch some time during the day, when the weyr was active. Ulteritohr wasn't quite sure why he believed that, but he did, and thus when the excited voice rang in his mind to announce the hatching, he was very surprised. Why, most of the weyr wasn't yet awake!

But, he supposed, they soon would be. He was mostly done with his generous breakfast at the time of the call, so he finished what he had left on his plate-- a few scraps of sausage and egg-- and then clambered right back to the candidate barracks, following in the footsteps of a dark-haired candidate with an unpleasant expression.

It did take him a little while to find his robes-- he'd stashed them at the bottom of his trunk, since they wouldn't need to be used for awhile. Tohr had meant to drag them up as the hatching drew nearer, but he'd always forgotten shortly after the idea occurred to him. Eventually he managed to unearth the white robes, and pull them on. They were somewhat ill-fitting, stretched a little bit too tight, but they were certainly wearable.

Once they were on and securely fastened-- he'd hate for them to come apart in the middle of the hatching-- Ulteritohr made his way down to the hatching grounds, following the now-steady stream of candidates doing the exact same thing. He looked around their faces as he went, and reveled in all the different manifestations of emotion they were all wearing. Stormy expressions similar to Kordelia's, worry, excitement.. all of them naked on so many faces. It made him wonder what his face showed, and also wonder why so many of the candidates looked... negative? Perhaps that wasn't the right word. But certainly there were unpleasant twinges to many a nervous face. Was it mauling they were afraid of, or failure, or were they just reacting to the anticipation in the air?

His wondering made him realize that he, well, wasn't. Oh, there were plenty of emotions going through his head, but they were excitement and joy and curiosity. He knew this was a potentially dangerous situation, and he knew that there was a chance of failure-- but he also knew his own abilities, and that he had handled dangerous situations before, and if he survived everything would be fine, and that if he failed to Impress, he could always stand again. There really wasn't much negative to what Ulteritohr was feeling, and he wondered vaguely if, perhaps, there should be. Was he being stupid to be so optimistic, or was it wisdom?

Regardless, he was certainly happy simply to be there, in attendance as a candidate. He crossed onto the sands with a wide grin on his face, bowing to Maeleth as he saw so many others doing. "Thanks for letting me stand for your clutch!" he said brightly. "I hope they all do well." He wasn't one for excessively fancy words.

That done, he joined the male candidates, and took up the vigil for the eggs. They didn't hold his sole attention, though: he also visually swept the teirs, looking for familiar faces. His family was poor, and likely couldn't afford to come see him stand.. but he still had hope that perhaps they'd be there, however few of them they could spare. He was pleasantly surprised, doubly over, to see all but three of his brothers arranged in the teirs, waving when they caught his eye. Faranth, that was a nice surprise. He'd have to ask them how they'd gotten here after the hatching- hopefully the journey had been neither too hard on them, nor too expensive.

[Zara]

Iirla was attempting to care for Ama's hide when the first signs of the hatching were sounded. The flitter had been sending itchy feelings all night and had woken her rider, but when Iirla had actually attempted to get up and care for her flitter's hide, Ama was less than willing to hold still for the time being, making Iirla wonder if all she really wanted was attentions, which would make sense, considering she had just oiled her hide the other day. She released the squirming flitter who chittered at her before she started to hum along with the other flitters and dragons of the Weyr. And that was Iirla's cue to jump into action. She nearly ran out the door without changing into her white robe, but she quickly turned back, pulling it on over her head and grabbing her boots, taking a deep breath and calmly pulling them on. It would do much more good to remain calm than it would to panic as one raced to the Hatching sands.

She could feel Ama in the back of her mind, protesting "hers" going back to the sands to see the other Queen's babies and maybe attach one. Her flitter could be as upset as she wanted to be. It didn't matter. Right now, it was the dragonet's moment and her moment as a Candidate to stand before them in hopes of Impressing.

She paused outside the entrance to the Hatching sands before calmly walking out onto the sands and bowing to Maeleth. "Thank you for this great chance, Gold Maeleth," she said calmly and for the Gold's eras only as she bowed to her and moved to take her place amongst the other females on the sands. She was not surprised that Ama was not on her shoulder. And if she had been, she would have sent the flitter away most likely. It was not entirely respectful to have such a brash and obnoxious flitter on the Queen's sands right now. Certainly she loved her Ametrine, but this wasn't Ama's day at all. She shook her head slightly and put it from her mind, watching the eggs. Some of them were already cracking and she couldn't help the small smile that traced her lips. The excitement in the air was palpable. She did not fidget, but stood quietly, waiting. She was positioned at teh far end of the female Candidates towards the front... Was it a good position? she couldn't say.

Iirla took a deep breath and let it out slowly, calming herself before smiling again. The girl's brash and strong willed nature was not always worn on her sleeve. One wouldn't see it without reason, just as they did not see it now.

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

Raevin woke with a start once he heard his Bronze start humming in his ear and sending him pictures of babies (whether they were flitter or dragon, he couldn't say) hatching. He scratched Monerae's eyeridges in quick thanks and tumbled out of bed, stumbling over to hte chest where his robes wewre along with the boots which would protect his feet from the hot sands. He pulled the Candidate tunic over his head and pulled on his boots, hopping slightly as he did so and hoping that no one, not even his roommates saw him.

He ran a hand through his black hair and, with that, was off towards the Hatching Sands at a run. He hoped he wouldn't be late. He didn't even pause at the entrance, though eh did slow to walk across to the Gold and bow to her. "Thank you," he said, words quick and simple before he went to take his place on the sands.

He stood there, watching the eggs. Cracks were starting to appear in some and they were shaking. He found he was holding his breath and had to remind himself that that was not the best idea in the world. Especially for the appearance he was trying to keep up.

((Eliitra and Nevinth will appear after I post in the Hidden Gem again. ^^'; ))

[kitsuneko]

Maeleth was still somewhat restless, but as the candidates bowed and paid their respects to her and her clutch, she began to settle down a bit, even raising her head to expose the gold egg between her front claws. Iskra gave the candidates a smile when they came onto the sands. They did seem to have a fine selection of candidates this time around. Hopefully the hatchlings would feel the same way.

As she watched, the first of the eggs began to hatch. The Fallen Leaves Egg already had a rather sizable hole at the bottom, where the dragonet's tail poked out of the shell, and the egg seemed to be hatching in reverse. The hole grew bigger as the dragonet inside kicked at the shell, until the powerful hindquarters and legs of a green dragon were obvious.

Even as she tried to break free, another egg was cracking open faster. Soon, a bright blue head was poking out of the Piercing Thorns Egg, soon followed by the rest of the dragon. He climbed out of his shell and flexed his wings, throwing sand everywhere around him, though he was too far away from the candidates still for them to be affected. He was middling in size, for a blue, but his hide was striking, marked with pale blue specklings all over his body, with a deep navy blue on his neck and belly as well as his muzzle and tail.

The blue ignored the candidates at first, seeming more interested in his pretty sister trying to back out of the remains of her own egg. At last she succeeded in freeing the rest of her body, revealing a deep green hatchling, who might have been mistaken for black in the right light, if it weren't for the light green marks on her belly. The green's slender limbs belied the strength evident in her powerful shoulders and hindquarters. The blue chirped at his sister in a friendly manner once she had freed herself, and she returned it with a curious croon of her own.

Once the two siblings had finished their hellos, they both turned their attention towards the candidates. The green began to walk towards the females, and rather than inspect the male candidates, the blue seemed more interested in following his sister. The green looked at each of the girls, and then the blue. They passed Iirla, Jillalene, and Yufa without comment, until they came to Akira. The green soon moved on to the rest of the candidates, but the blue stopped, stared at the girl for a moment, and then crooned happily.

Hello, there! I thought my sister would find Hers before I found Mine, but I guess not. I'm terribly hungry, though, AkiraMine. Will it be very long before you get your Oridith something to eat? The dragon asked, clearly torn between making sure his green sister found her rider safely and going to get food now that he had found his.


Oridith:

25 feet at full growth
Egg: Piercing Thorns Egg
Impressed to: Akira
Personality: Likes meeting new people, focused, diligent, dedicated, obedient, flirty, a gentleman, doesn't like arguments
Appearance: Average build, long legs. Middling blue hide with icy blue speckles over his whole body. Neck and belly are deep blue and muzzle and tail end in deep blue as well.

[Zirin]

Yufa watched the eggs with rapt attention as their contents began breaking free. She though it would be the first egg there, the Fallen Leaves egg, that hatched first, but the young on inside seemed to be having trouble escaping. Instead it was a second egg that hatched first, revealing a beautiful blue dragonet. She lowered her head in reverence to the First hatchling. Though he wasn’t the bronze that everyone hoped to see hatch first, he was without a doubt a strong and healthy blue. She lifted her eyes as the sound of cracking shell told her the first egg had finally succeeded in hatching. It could have been mistaken for another colour, if not for the markings on her belly. A green! Yufa tried to keep the curiosity from showing in her expression. Both were colours that could impress to females, maybe one of these would choose her?

She clenched her fist, berating her eagerness. A proper lady was patient, did not want or hope to be first in anything. A proper lady stayed back and let the men do their thing first. No, she had to calm herself, she had to hide the hope. It wasn’t proper! She glanced at the hatchlings as they made their way towards the candidates, both passing right by the males without a second glance. Yufa tensed as they drew closer, but green and blue both passed her by without more than a glance. Then the blue stopped beside the nearby girl; a girl Yufa remembered standing with at Loraketh’s hatching. The rainbow coloured eyes told Yufa all she needed to know, the blue had found his. She forced a smile at Akira, happy that she had been successful this time, but also a bit jealous. She looked away, making sure to glance at the green just in case, but pretty sure she would be finding hers somewhere else down the line of girls. Her eyes returned to the rocking eggs.