[G] [H] 740.08.07 | Existential Dread

Casa? Thallyath’s voice was a quiet whisper against Casa’s mind, and she paused where she was drawing on her latest map, finishing with the line and focusing instead on her grumpy dragon. The gold felt off, had felt off ever since the clutching, and Casa didn’t know how to handle her. It wasn’t like Thallyath was inviting her to share in whatever was upsetting her. Before Casa could form a coherent set of thoughts in answer to her dragon, Thallyath continued. It’s time,. She didn’t sound at all happy about it, though, and Casa frowned as she set down her quill and stood up. There was no humming, and Thallyath was radiating discontent across their bond.

It didn’t take Casa long to get down onto the Sands, though she walked quietly and without rush, so as not to alert anyone else. Primarily, because she got the distinct impression that Thallyath wasn’t ready to let everyone know the Hatching was imminent. Slipping into the Hatching Grounds without being noticed, Casa made her way over to Thallyath, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she went. Not having expected visitors -- or a Hatching -- Casa was dressed in her lazy day cotton pants and a loose shirt, her hair pulled up messily.

“Are you sure?” Casa asked Thallyath, moving onto the Sands and stepping over the tip of her dragon’s tail to peer at the eggs. She walked around them, noting but not commenting on the way that Thallyath had set them out. The gold was off to one side of them, staring at the couple that were close to her, but thoroughly ignoring the couple on the outskirts. Casa could tell that at least one of them hadn't been rotated in several days, and she pointed to it without word, frowning up at her dragon.

Forget it, the little gold said, giving the egg in question a look of dismissal, though Casa felt the dispar the death of the egg caused her dragon, and she sighed sadly, moving over to Thallyath and stroking her neck soothingly. She followed Thallyath’s line of sight, and watched one of the eggs wriggle, moving so heavily that it toppled itself over, and Casa lifted her eyebrows. “Aren’t you going to hum?” She asked, looking up at her dragon. “Call the troops? You know. All that baby welcoming stuff?”

No, the dragon sighed, shifting so she could knock another egg over, sending it rolling awkwardly towards the one Casa had pointed at earlier. They’re not right, Casa. There is something wrong with them, and they shouldn’t Impress. Casa studied her dragon for several moments, frowning at her. “So, you are just going to let them all go between?” Casa asked, watching as another egg twitched. My preference was to drop them between, but Mizeath won’t let me. Thallyath’s tone was irritated, but resigned. Casa sighed, too, and gave Thallyath a gentle pat on the neck.

“Whelp, my dear, we have no choice. These babies are going to Hatch, and I’m pretty sure Mizeath will bite your head off if you let them do so without any Candidates to attach themselves to.” Casa paused, turning to look meaningfully up at her dragon. “Trust me, love, I’m not really thrilled about this either. The Touching was horrific and if it has any indication on this… I don’t even know. But… We have to do our bit, and we’ll clean up the mess afterwards, okay?”

Thallyath lowered her head, and let Casa hug her for a few moments, before lifting it and loosing a bellow, letting the dragons in the Weyr know the Hatching was about to begin, that the babies were ready to make their stand. Despite her invitation -- and she could hear the Weyrlingmaster’s dragon issuing orders to the remaining candidates -- Thallyath didn’t hum, but stood up stoically and moved away from the eggs, casting one last look at them before settling herself down and wrapping her tail around herself, the end flicking like that of an angry feline. Casa sighed, wringing her hands uncomfortably before lifting her chin and standing beside her dragon. She wasn’t dressed for a Hatching, but she also wasn’t willing to leave Thallyath alone.

---

Okay! Candidates can move straight out to stand around the eggs and the Hatching will begin in the next post!

Active Candidates:
- Will have been told to wear shoes! Sturdy shoes to save their feet.
- Be in Candidate robes that more or less fit them
- Will have hair pulled back in a pony-tail or a braid. In addition, they will be jewellery, belt, sash, or anything ‘extra’, free.
- Thallayth doesn’t approve of Firelizards, so they are not to come onto the Sands.

Inactive Candidates:
Those that did the Touching, but don’t wish to actively stand, are required to sit with the Healers along the edge of the Sands. They’re to stay out of the way, but be available if a dragonet comes to them.

On honorifics – it is SP canon that the dragon picks the honorific. They might pick something their rider likes, something they do not, or whatever. They will usually pluck the name from their rider’s mind, so it is likely that said rider will like their name, or have ‘pre picked’ it on some level subconsciously prior to Impression.

Once Impressed, please move through the following:
- Move dragonet to the sidelines and feed it
- Slap oil on any particularly dry spots
- Head to the Barracks to get some rest. Emotions are exhausting.

PC Impressee’s will have their dragonet posted on their Candidate Application! This will let you see your baby before anyone else!

Remember: NO SPOILERS. If you want to talk spoilers, keep it to the appropriate channel in the Discord!!