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*Jada* · 24.Dec.12, 12:59 AM

Twist. Turn. Another twist, and then a little skip backwards. A spiral had changed to a circle, then an oval, and an oblong. Now, a square with two small dots on top. The antsiness was something that had been a common occurrence as the weeks had progressed and the eggs grew more and more firm. At one point, Krypth had decided it was a grand idea to try and bury her younglings in the Sands and see if they would be able to fight their way to the surface. That had been set to rights, however, and now the clutch was spread out in a perfect line, eleven points from largest to smallest. The Sands were fairly barren, with just the young mother and her children, Jada, and a brown firelizard clinging to Jada's bun, his tail draped over her shoulder.

Yesterday, a Healer had been chased off the Sands by a furious Krypth, and Jada had been severely chastised for the poor woman's near heart attack. Not like it was Jada's fault, she hadn't even been around. Still, Jada had reprimanded her dragon as expected, taken the screaming in her face with decorum, and waited until the lecturer's back was turned before she made a gesture she had learned from Indivara. Bint. Then again, it hadn't been much better today, with Krypth refusing to let even Jada onto the Sands from dawn to dusk. It was that very standoffishness that had Jada on alert for a familiar humming to start. Had most everyone on edge, in fact.

And now, an hour after midnight, she was finally able to step on the Sands. She had woken in a sweat, Krypth's consciousness brushing against her own insistently. She slid her feet into shoes, blinking sleep from her eyes and running a hand through her hair. Stumbling towards the Sands, it was interesting to see how very quiet the Weyr was this time of the evening. Almost no one was about, so there were no comments on her state of disarray... until she stepped onto the Sands. Seriously? You showed up in your nightie?

"It isn't my nightie." Jada protested. "Not exactly."

Well, you're stuck with it now. Krypth informed her tartly, and then a humming began. Klah's head popped up over the Gold's wing, his small body vibrating in reply. And then the humming began outside the Sands as well, spreading through the Weyr like a wave. Jada blinked again and burst into motion, running her hands through her hair and trying to make herself presentable. Hatching- meat! The kitchens! Would they be prepared for anything at this hour? And while the tables to the side were somewhat stocked in the event of an incident- Relax. My children are coming!

Jada puffed out air and nodded, possibly more nervous this time than she had been the last. Moving to her bondmate, she pressed a hand to the white-gold hide and beamed at the Queen. "Good job, dear heart. Now, no letting them eat anyone."

My children? Nonsense. Their father isn't some Bronze, like Hoth. They'll have more sense than to cause a fuss.

Locked until the Hatching begins, sometime on 12/26/12 Aussie time, so sometime on Christmas night for those of us East Coast? Please remember that while there will only be up to 5 PC Impressions this clutch, as per usual, there will be plenty more opportunities! Have fun!
Egg01 - FDBrown01 to FDMale02
Egg02 - FDBlue02 to FDMale04
Egg03 - FDBrown02 to FDMale05
Egg04 - FDGreen01 to FDMale01
Egg05 - FDGreen02 to FDMale06
Egg06 - FDGreen04 to FDMale08
Egg07 - FDGreen03 to FDMale07
Egg08 - FDBlue01 to FDMale03
Egg09 - Araith to Seijin
Egg10 - Khaduceth to Talian
Egg11 - FDBlue03 to FDMale09** This is the kid that thought browns fly blues, and will spend the next 2 years making B'jin's brain bleed.

B'jin · 24.Dec.12, 01:29 PM

B’jin had barely managed to get the entire candidate class shuffled through their Touching, finishing on the eleventh day with one class per group. Krypth had been so snippy the next morning when he’d dropped by to speak to Jada about tips on controlling Indivara. Personally, he was rather proud of himself managing to put up with the snarky young woman’s quirky comments for as long as he had, but the girl was like salt in a wound and B’jin had enough issues keeping his less than enthused students interested in the subject matters he was required to teach them, without Indivara making it even difficult for everyone else. He was pretty sure Jada would have laughed him off the Sands if she hadn’t looked so startled. Maybe she’d laugh later? In the end, B’jin had decided to just hope to the high heavens that Indivara didn’t Impress for any class he was required to teach - Starting with the upcoming Hatching.

The eleventh had had the day spent making sure the Weyrling Barracks were prepared for the upcoming Weyrlings. B’jin wasn’t sure when they were due, but between Jada and Krypth’s combined attitudes, and that insanely smug expression living on Indivara’s face, B’jin was pretty sure it wouldn’t be too far away. The eleven rooms for the kids had been cleaned out by kitchen workers, while B’jin had focused on the room he’d be spending the next turn in. That hadn’t been something B’jin had been pleased to realise. He was particularly fond of his hut! It was his (even if it didn’t come with the DO NOT ENTER that it once had). In the end, he’d chosen the room furthest from the eleven that were being tidied up for young Weyrlings, and set about making it nice. He’d had to bribe a couple of fellow greenriders into helping him move his bed in, and after a lot of whining and bitching with Larrikith, decided to move out of his hut, and into the room permanently. If he got his way, he’d spend what time he could in R’nd’s bed at any rate, and when he was done training the class he could have a new hut built when they built their own – one with separate bedrooms for the children, and maybe a room just for drawing in.

Not wanting to spend the night alone in the Weyrling Barracks – he’d be spending far too much time in there by himself in the upcoming months, thank you, B’jin had invited himself to R’nd’s, getting Larrikith to check in to make sure he wasn’t otherwise occupied with other company before he got into sight of the hut, and greeted Ayyonth as he let himself in. Exhausted, anxious and grumpy about the prospect of a permanent babysitting lifestyle coming up, B’jin had slunk up to R’nd and draped himself over his lover, wrapping his arms around R’nd’s waist and grumbling muffled words that weren’t really meant to be heard or understood into his back, between the shoulder blades. Lifting his head with a sulky pout, B’jin had kissed R’nd lightly on the back of his neck.

That, naturally, had led to mood uplifting activities that had the greenrider tangled with his lover, a variety of blankets, and half a pillow when the humming of dragons penetrated his thick skull, the greenrider whining as he cuddled closer to R’nd and pretended it wasn’t morning. It couldn’t possibly be morning! They’d only just decided to sleep, right? B’jin groaned unhappily as Larrikith insisted he wake up and get up and hurry up! Brown eyes fluttered open to meet his lover’s less than enthralled gaze. “Fucking dragons,” B’jin hissed, fingers tracing over R’nd’s waist. The touch and gentle, but the movements were jerky and B’jin rolled his eyes and sat up irritably as Larrikith tapped her nose against the bedroom window.

“Faranth! I’m up. Fuck me.” While B’jin wasn’t generally a swearer, and that particular phrase was not a common occurrence upon his tongue, the greenrider grumbled and huffed and swore as he stalked around the room, “fucking dragons, fucking hatchings, fucking nagging women.” The last was said with a filthy glare at the window he knew Larrikith was outside of, since she was tapping against the glass with her claws as she irritated the two men (mostly B’jin) into action. “I’m coming!” and B’jin threw a pair of rolled socks at the window, smirking when Larrikith gave a squeak of surprise and interrupted her humming. Tugging on a jacket, B’jin’s gaze sought out R’nd, and he approached the bluerider quietly.

A gentle kiss was given, brown eyes dark with annoyance, but his expression was dry. “Stand with me?” He really didn’t want to have to greet Talian with a dragonet on his own, and his worry was clear. Despite his intent to convince both himself and the young man that he wouldn’t Impress, B’jin knew he shared the same insistent worry that he would. It was terribly worrying, and the only colour B’jin anticipated Talian not having a hell of a life bonded to was a bronze… and would Tyrrisath grant him that? B’jin highly doubted he’d put any faith in that dragon to sire anything worthy of Impressing Talian! Kissing R’nd again, B’jin stepped back and took a deep breath, his expression pained as he turned and lead the way to what felt far more like his execution than his lashing ever had.

Get the Candidates together. Make sure they’re all here. I really can’t be bothered chasing them down. Tell them to control their lizards or leave them in their rooms. I want to see candidate robes when I get there. Is anyone missing? Good. Tell them to move in, they don’t need to wait for me they should know what to do. Oh, tell the stupid little – thank you. The mental conversation went on with Larrikith the duration of the short flight to get to the Sands, B’jin wondering exactly how intelligent the one candidate was. Browns flying blues, and now asking stupid questions B’jin knew he’d answered in lessons. He really hoped the kid didn’t Impress. He’d probably end up lost between and B’jin really didn’t need that on his conscience.

While some ‘Masters were inclined to send their crop on barefoot, B’jin had very little inclination to have half a class of Weyrlings with blisters on their feet from hot sands. The entire class had been told to wear whatever shoes they’d be most comfortable in, and all hair long enough to be tied out of the way, was to so be done. Jewellery was to be removed and left in their rooms or with parents, and all of them had been fitted with their sack-with-arm-hole’s candidate robes. Reaching the Sands and sliding off Larrikith, B’jin gazed around at the group, making sure everyone was there and set Larrikith on to the task of making sure there was enough meat for the eleven hungry little stomachs that were about to come barging over.

B’jin crossed his arms over his chest, frowning irritably as he watched the eggs rock, while Larrikith thoroughly enjoyed herself abusing Weyrfolk and making sure the required tasks were done to her satisfaction. The green did take a moment, however, to brush on the edge of Talian’s mind, with a gentle whisper of ‘good luck’, though she wasn’t sure what angle that ‘luck’ should come from, she was sure Talian would make the most of it.

The first egg will crack shell in approximately 24-36 RL hours. Give or take.

S'jin · 24.Dec.12, 04:06 PM

Seijin heard the humming and at first it didn’t register with him till Lana took it up as well. Then he moved into action donning his candidate robes . He pulled on his boots and made sure nothing else was on him that would distract or entice the young hatchlings. He had chosen to leave Claus behind again. Promising him a nice treat if he stayed and behaved himself. He knew he would he would never risk a treat. Claus while behaved might cause a scene if he saw food about but Lana adorned his shoulder hiding behind his neck. He knew she would be a proper little lady and not cause any fuss at all. He was one of the first to make it there.

Seijin waited for the others to arrive for soon he would walk out on the sand with the others. He made sure he was away from the others around him on both sides. He didn’t wanna bump into anyone as they headed out to the sands. He looked across the eggs then back at the candidates around him. He wondered if they felt as nervous as he felt. He smiled encouragingly at the others as they waited in nervous anticipation.

Seijin brushed his hair back behind his ear he pulled the length back into a tie but the bangs still feel forward cause it was too short to be pulled back. He didn't know why he was so nervous. He was prepared for this wasn’t he. He looked back over the eggs watching and waiting soon it would be time and soon there would be lots of excitement.

He wondered If I’shan would come to watch. He had finished the beautiful blue jacket for him and wanted to see him to finally give that one to him. Though he knew the I’shan was happy with the one he had repaired for him. He also wondered if A’liran would come and watch as well. He considered them both friends and hoped to see them both. But just from A’liran’s words he probably wouldn’t wanna see them together.

He finally looked back and B’jin waiting to see if he had more instructions for them before going further out on the sands. The eggs were rocking the time had come but he felt his body tremble slightly with nervousness. He felt the heat of the sand threw his boots even though the soles were thick and made for walking over the hot sand it still seeped through.

T'lian · 24.Dec.12, 09:25 PM

Talian's eyes opened to the soft humming. He was so confused by the sound at first that he felt only numb and uncertain. That couldn't possibly be it, could it? Had the time finally come? He continued to lie in his bed, heart steadily drumming faster as the sound grew louder and the realization set in. He frowned, curling into a tight ball under his warm covers as the sound continued to reverberate all around. Fellis chirped softly and pressed closer, oddly calm in spite of himself, his well-wishes filling Talian with the warmth he felt he needed to stick his head out from under those blankets and face what was coming.

"You're such a good little friend," Talian whispered, his throat tight and his words almost lost in the humming. It was sweet, in a way, how the dragons greeted the babies. Fellis was even making a similar little sound himself, though his much more high-pitched humming was more akin to a buzz than anything else. It was cute, and in a weird way, reassuring. Talian smiled and nestled in his covers for a couple more moments while he listened,gathering the courage to go out there and brave the unknown.

"Okay," Talian whispered. He sat up and held his arm out, inviting Fellis to take his normal perch. "I guess I'm out of time, little friend. Let's go."

Talian arrived a few minutes later, thin body comically small in his oversized robe. He wore his usual work shoes, thankful for B'jin's admitted breach of custom, and had his hair tied back as he'd been asked. The healer glanced around nervously, catching a glimpse of B'jin and R'nd as he fell in line with the others. As badly as Talian wanted to go cling to the man, he knew it wouldn't do either of them any good right now. Talian tore his eyes away, looking as his feet as he moved reluctantly alongside the others. Fellis crooned, and Talian could feel the creature's little forked tongue flicker against his earlobe. "I know, Fellis. Everything is going to be okay," Talian whispered.

Then, on the edge of his mind, he heard Larrikith. His heart skipped a beat and he quietly thanked her, though he was as uncertain as she concerned what exactly constituted 'luck' in this situation.

"Okay," he said, biting his lip almost to the point of bleeding as he observed the eggs. Everything was going to be okay. It had to be.

R'nd · 25.Dec.12, 10:06 AM

Shut up, Ayyonth. When his blue ignored him, which wasn't anything new, R'nd gave a soft growling rumble and tried again. This isn't the time for one of your jokes. We went to bed at a reasonable hour for once, why are you still punishing me? R'nd was convinced that was what was happening. No way could the clutch be ready to hatch. It seemed too early, both the hour and the day in general, but he had to admit he hadn't really been keeping track of the time the eggs were on the Sands. Ayyonth laughed and stated he wasn't fooling around the same time Larrikith started tapping her nose on the window, sending grey eyes to flutter open and stare less than enthusiastically at B'jin and saw the emotions reflected back at him.

Couldn't the little guys wait a few more hours? No, of course they couldn't, no matter how exhausted everyone would be or how grumpy a certain pair of not-weyrmates were over the idea of living in the Barracks.

As B'jin grumbled a 'fuck me' R'nd could only manage a quirk of a brow and a quivering lip as he tried to smirk before giving up. He was far too tired to flirt and reply that he'd follow the order if B'jin insisted. Besides, B'jin looked like he might murder someone if the wrong thing was said right then. Still, R'nd chanced a light tug to a hand he captured and gave a pout as answer to what he thought about getting up, losing his warm bedmate, and going to stand around for who knew how long for all the dragonets to crack shell. It wasn't that he was against Hatchings and he looked forward to seeing the new arrivals but his bed was so comfortable!

Larrikith's new method of tapping on the window, Ayyonth snickering in his mind, and B'jin doing a surprisingly well enunciated string of cursing everyone and everything, had R'nd finally detangling himself from the pile of blankets to start hunting down his clothes. Given how many times they did this routine since the first flight together, R'nd thought they would have been far better at it but still a shirt eluded him. R'nd was about to accuse B'jin of stealing another one when the greenrider was upon him for a gentle kiss and a smile replaced the complaints. "I will." He had his own fears about Kerrin Impressing bronze -- which reminded him to grab some alochol on the way out -- and even he was still against the idea of Talian Impressing, so he understood the unspoken fear B'jin had. If the little Healer Impressed, it was going to be hard on the boy and B'jin alike and R'nd was hoping he could be some sort of comfort to at least one of them.

Fully dressed, R'nd quickened his pace to catch up to his grumpy greenrider but when he got outside, instead of mounting and continuing to follow, he turned on his heel. "I'll be there not even two minutes after you, promise!" He thought about alcohol minutes before and his groggy mind had easily forgotten the idea. Inside once more, R'nd quickly grabbed an unopened bottle of wine and noted that was his second to last bottle. He'd have to work his magic for some more but that would have to wait! The bottle he grabbed was placed into a bag that was slung over his shoulder but before R'nd left again, he went for the already opened bottle. A long swig was taken, hoping the sweet wine would provide some energy and courage. Every hatching was going to be the same until Kerrin Impressed, he knew it. It didn't matter that his friend seemed destined for a green or possibly a blue, not when his imagination was surprisingly strong and could overrule logic.

After another long drink straight from the bottle, R'nd and Ayyonth were headed to the Sands. The blue settled gracefully near Larrikith in time to give her a quick nuzzle of greeting before she was sent on her new task of harassing workers. R'nd silently slipped up to B'jin and even though the greenrider was busy being a 'Master, he reached for B'jin's hand and gave it a light squeeze.

V'ler · 25.Dec.12, 10:08 AM

Valerian was surprisingly fast asleep and it took a dragon and two firelizards humming and pestering him before he deemed the fuss worthy of waking for. Naturally, when the realisation sank in that it was time for the eggs to hatch, the tune was something different. Forgotten was the idea to slink down under his blankets and hope everyone would leave him alone so he could sleep as the chronicler in him took over and had him working on autopilot to dress. It was a good thing his style of clothing was often seen as odd in the eyes of most people since Valerian wasn't sure if he matched all that well as he fumbled around in the dark to find all the needed items.

Once his boots were laced up, the hunt for writing equipment was underway. Lessons had been learned since the last Hatching he recorded at and Valerian packed his paper, inks, quills (thanks to Quill finding them in the dark for him), and something flat and solid to write on. Veeth was many things but he wasn't made for a neat and easy time of writing upon. With all of the items prepared, Valerian eyed the direction of his kitchen and debated klah. No, there wasn't time. There wasn't a guarantee the first egg would break open the moment he arrived but the Harper didn't want to take any chances and figured getting there early and waiting was better than arriving late and having to go by someone else's report of events.

Apparently Vex didn't agree with him and fluttered around the kitchen chirping and ignoring any summons to return to Valerian until the man went to him. "What are you up to? I'll just leave you behind if you insist on playing," Valerian sighed and went to the firelizard that had settled on the counter beside a pot. "You clever little thing!" A laugh was given as Valerian realised he still had some klah left over from earlier in the day. It was cold, but it was caffeine and despite the odd hour of night, he was willing to chug it down so nothing was missed during what would likely be another vision impaired Hatching. Chugging was exactly how he faced the cold drink as he still didn't want to waste more precious time and once the firelizards, still humming softly in their high pitched voices, had settled onto his shoulders, Valerian was out the door.

Veeth was excited. He peeked through Valerian's memories of both his Hatching and the last one they attended and while there were some scary moments because of Hoth and disappointing moments because of Charath and surprising because of golds in both clutches, his adorable human had enjoyed himself at both and the excitement was contagious. Veeth was looking forward to seeing who else was attending and who would walk away with a new friend for life. The dragonets would be so cute! As they landed, Veeth gave a trill of greeting at Larrikith even though she looked busy and called out to B'jin as well. Valerian bopped him on the head lightly, "stop distracting everyone. B'jin needs to make sure everyone remembers themselves and behaves. You can say hi to everyone after, though." It was so hard to chastise Veeth! Not that the excited little blue was really bothered by it since he had managed to sneak in a couple of greetings.

Although when both human and dragon saw Talian, Veeth couldn't contain himself any longer. Talian had decided he liked him after all and gave gentle pets! A little dance of joy at seeing their friend was given but Valerian had his hand on Veeth's head before a mental word was spoken. "Not Talian, Veeth. After. We'll see him after." Talian may have been fine with the existence of dragons but that didn't mean his friend wanted one. Valerian didn't know how to react upon seeing his friend given their location and what it could mean but he knew he could at least keep Veeth from being his usual chipper self and accidentally adding more pressure or fear to Talian.

"All three of you behave yourselves. No wandering off." Vex and Quill had almost been left behind but he knew Quill was too nosy to stay put and Vex, while anti-social, liked being near their little group and would have had a fit and chide them nonstop when they arrived home. Valerian was confident they would stay close by and not even bother other spectators though, which both proved as they settled in behind him on Veeth's back, ready to enjoy the show.

I'shan · 25.Dec.12, 10:26 PM

"R'nd! B'jin!" I'shan squealed as he bounded towards them, eyes wide and face plastered with the most cheerful of expressions. The bluerider was thrilled, for he loved hatchings; they reminded him of his own happy bond with Ilveriath, and the joy he saw in the candidates' faces helped alleviate much of the guilt of his past wrongs. I'shan liked to hold out that his candidates, as troubled as they might be by their fates, would find some redemption in their situation once they came upon their bonded. It wouldn't make it right, but it was help. It was what those kids were brought there for.

It was what they were born for.

So, of course, I'shan was thrilled. Hatchings were joyful times, and since the bluerider had managed to largely put the incident with poor Farlint behind him, he went into this one feeling confident. It was also the first time I'shan had made a noted public appearance since being lashed for setting the kitchen on fire! He'd mostly laid low while the Weyr was afire with scandal, only coming out of his hut for wing practice and to visit his closest friends.

As he charged towards R'nd and B'jin now, one would never have suspected that I'shan had ever been in trouble at all. He appeared impossible to discourage or dissuade. "B'jin! R'nd! It's happening!!" he screamed cheerfully, his voice becoming shrill as he weaved through the confused candidates. I'shan clapped many of them on the back of grasped their hands in passing as he made his way through. Squee was in hot pursuit, chittering loudly, eyes an erratic kaleidoscope of joy and anticipation. BABIES.

I'shan giggled as he bounced up to his friends, leaping first at B'jin. The bluerider's arms wrapped around the weyrling master as easily lifted him, twirling one before setting him back on the ground. I'shan's attention then shifted to R'nd, whom he seized in both arms and squeezed similarly, though I'shan didn't try to lift or spin him; blueriders didn't do that to blueriders!

"I'm so excited!" I'shan said before spinning and looking out over the sands. He screamed good-lucks to his own candidates, calling them by name and cheering them on. Then, he added the names of those he wasn't personally responsible for searching but had befriended. "Seijin! Jazira! C'mon kids, you got this!" he called. He bounced a time or two before his eyes flashed to another part of the crowd. Oooh, Valerian was here! "Hi, Val!!!"

D'hys · 25.Dec.12, 11:52 PM

D’hys was still awake when the dragons began to hum. He wasn’t alone, but he was awake. “Maybe later,” he vaguely promised as he pulled away from his lover to begin searching for his clothes. Anyone else in his position would have likely kept at the fun and ignored the Hatching and while that would have been tempting depending on the partner beneath him, D’hys, as always, had investments in the Hatching. Betting pools had been set up for who would Impress, who would Impress what, what colours would break shell, and even what day and time it would begin. From what he could recall, no one had picked the current hour and D’hys grinned as he slipped his shirt on. Perfect. When no one laid down on the right time, he got to keep that pot.

Without another glance at his lover, D’hys sauntered out of the hut and made the quick jog down to his own where Zeianth was sitting up straight and humming. “We’ll go in a moment,” he tossed out and ran inside his hut to grab his notes on the bets. He’d be a horrible bookie if he didn’t make notes for the larger occasions such as this.

A few minutes later and they were at the Sands and D’hys took note of those already there. It was amusing to see R’nd once again glued to B’jin’s side but the way I’shan manhandled the greenrider made for a good laugh. I’shan was an odd one but he was entertaining and a good lay. Continuing his perusal of the crowd brought to attention something extremely odd. Was Jada in her nightgown? Well wasn’t that interesting. A goldrider that didn’t seem to have all that many morals after all. He had seen multiple Hatchings before and after the plague and not once could he remember a goldrider showing up in anything less than her usual wear for a day. This called for a little gossiping to see what sort of reaction it brought out in the girl when it reached her days later.

“Hey, I’shan!” D’hys flagged down the other bluerider, intent on pointing out what he saw. I’shan gossiped worse than most women so he was the perfect person to start with. Z’ia would be the other he would spread the sight with since his friend loved mischief and would enjoy the laugh as much as he would. Maybe they should start a pool for what Jada would wear to the Hatchings as well.

J'ver · 26.Dec.12, 05:11 AM

J'ver was ugly when he was abruptly awoken. He liked to have a certain amount of sleep each night and didn't appreciate any sort of disturbance -- though he supposed S'kef swooping into his room at random hours of the night over the past several turns could be counted as the exception. Humming dragons most certainly did not qualify as an exception and J'ver woke with a groan of annoyance as he sat up. "Stop that, Rilaleeyth. There's no need for you to carry on like that." She had a sweet voice and the humming didn't bother J'ver nearly as much during proper hours of the day but given how tired he still was and how dark it was around him, it clearly wasn't a proper hour.

With a click of his tongue in annoyance, J'ver debated his options. He could roll over and go back to bed, ignoring the Hatching entirely and finding out the results when he woke again. That was the clear winner and J'ver was close to giving in to it when the other option refused to be shoved aside and he considered it as well. Tyrrisath had sired this clutch and given S'kef was his rider and S'kef was the acting Weyrleader and mated to J'ver, it didn't seem like he could avoid this. What sort of sign did that give off? J'ver was extremely catty and jealous to the point of revenge -- which B'jin would still one day learn when he wasn't expecting it -- when S'kef was near another greenrider but the little golden whore didn't bother him in the least since she was a small step into power and her only reason for existing was to make sure her dragon clutched. He wanted to make sure everyone knew he always supported S'kef and they were more or less one unit; which meant he had to get dressed and put in an appearance.

Light soon guided the slender greenrider around his room to find appropriate clothing. He wanted to be comfortable but also show off his station as someone important to the acting Weyrleader. All the while he did that, J'ver never noticed if S'kef was still in bed or if he left before him. As much as his thoughts had been on the brownrider, J'ver had managed to completely overlook such a detail. He blamed it on still not being used to sharing a hut with the man. It was still common for him to believe they would fall asleep together and S'kef would be gone before morning. One day he would stop believing that, he was sure of it.

All too quickly and still too early in the morning -- or late at night depending on view points -- J'ver arrived with Rilaleeyth and sneered when the first people he saw were B'jin, R'nd, and I'shan. They were all highly annoying and caused too much trouble in their own individual ways. Something would have to be done about them but he'd address that matter with S'kef at a later date. J'ver preferred to be prepared for such meetings. As Rilaleeyth trotted a bit closer to Krypth and Jada, but keeping a respectful distance since she was only a green though the real queen to Tyrrisath, J'ver noted the girl's clothing. Jada was in a nightgown and not even a stylish one! No doubt the little golden whore had crawled out of someone's bed before coming to the Sands but couldn't she have at least made an effort to be presentable? It was suddenly almost disgraceful to have S'kef attached to that girl.

J'ver quickly made some mental notes as he eyed the other little golden girl standing beside Jada. He'd have to find out what she enjoyed and start pushing S'kef to mingle with that one. At least it seemed that girl could dress herself! That was a strong good start. How very disappointed he was in 'Miss Jada'.

Now, about the eggs on the Sands... if they could make it a snappy Hatching, he would be most grateful.

S'kef · 26.Dec.12, 07:15 AM

S'kef hadn't been to bed long when the humming started. He knew what he was getting into from the start; the Weyrleader had a lot of work, especially with Tsuen being essentially dead on arrival. Stupid cow wasn't worth the skin she was walking around in! And D'ren's condition wasn't sharding helping. All day long that goldriding bitch hissed and spat at everyone in her path, demanding to know when D'ren would get better and insisting that he would be fine. It was one thing to be concerned for one's mate, but this was getting obsessive. And creepy.

Between the Weyr's state of disarray in wake of the poisoning and Tsuen's total uselessness, S'kef hadn't been getting to bed at a decent time. Tonight, he'd been in bed for around an hour when the humming began. He woke moments before, prodded awake by a mental alert from Tyrrisath. The brown was outside, humming softly alongside his favorite girl. He didn't speak. He simply waited patiently as S'kef reluctantly pulled himself from J'ver's side and sat up.

"Shells and shards," S'kef groaned. "Now? Of all times?" He frowned, righting himself before quickly moving to throw on some nice clothes. He was just as aware of the importance of appearances as his mate. S'kef cursed softly as he buttoned up his nice shirt and sighed. "See you there, Jai..." he grunted as he slipped out.

S'kef was there in a matter of seconds, taken by Tyrrisath in the blink of an eye. The brownrider stepped away, leaving Tyrrisath to rumble a soft greeting to Krypth as the eggs continued to shake. "Jada," S'kef said, nodding his head to the goldrider and offering her a cordial, borderline smug smile. "It's a pleasure to see you."

She sure looks comfortable he thought to himself. He was glad he'd taken a minute to dress up before coming over. It would look better, especially with his greenrider on his arm. Speaking of which...ah, there he was! S'kef nodded silently to the greenrider, intending to mingle with 'proper' company for a few more moments before calling his loyal lover to his side.

"The clutch looks good. They have pretty good size on them," S'kef said conversationally, indirectly praising both Krypth and Tyrrisath. He crossed his arms and laughed darkly, eyes glimmering with ambition and pride. Would there be another gold? Or perhaps bronzes? Tyrrisath had proved himself magnificently before...

Tyrrisath silently wished Kyrpth luck before detaching himself from the gold, ambling uncaring past the other dragons and taking his place beside Rilaleeyth. Who gave a damn what the others through? Rilaleeyth Tyrrisath whispered, nosing her lightly as he placed himself beside her. He said nothing else, simply wrapping his green in warmth as he waited to see what his clutch would yield. What pride he felt! Pride, and a great helping of amusement at the scandalized glances falling on them.

S'kef smiled and waved to J'ver, motioning excitedly and borderline impatiently for his cranky partner to join him. "Front row seat, greenie. Get over here!"

Early in their relationship, or at least the formal part of it, S'kef had thrown around a lot of endearments. Now that being together seemed so normal and real, well...no need to embellish. S'kef's mannerisms were very much back to normal, though there was always a subtle undertone of affection there. He really did cherish his little green companion, and he had every intention of treating him like a queen. As long as J'ver remembered who he belonged to, he would receive only the best.

Rhaedalyn · 26.Dec.12, 01:59 PM

Rhaedalyn sniffled as she got out of bed, convincing herself that it was simply cold out that night and not because she was close to tears again. The dragons were humming and that meant the dragonets would soon be running around looking for their other half. She was still excited since baby dragons were so ridiculously cute – the ones that stumbled a lot were the cutest of them all – but there wasn’t a gold. It was heartbreaking since she had been talked up so much about being a good Candidate for gold and how she’d enjoy the life of a goldrider, but the one she Stood in front of didn’t want her and now there likely wasn’t one about to appear tonight at all. Still, that didn’t mean she wouldn’t go. There was still a chance everyone was wrong and there was even a chance a little green would want her and push aside all the unworthy males to get to her. It wouldn’t be a gold to match her fairy tale ending but at least she would be wanted and Rhaedalyn wanted to be wanted.

She quickly donned her gold Candidate clothes and pulled back her hair, wrapping it up in a bun to make sure not even a strand of a curl would be a hindrance. She fell in behind a few others running from the Barracks to the Sands and Rhaedalyn found herself wondering if any of them would be moving out that night to the Weyrling Barracks. A couple of friends had Impressed in the last clutch and she didn’t see them all that much due to conflicting lessons and dragonets needing a lot of attention and care. It was okay; they’d reconnect eventually. At least she still had V’zire. He was such a shining gem and Rhaedalyn had no idea how she managed to have him in her life. Hopefully he’d be there that night and she could flag him down to stand with her in the wings in case a golden hide shone in the moonlight.

As the others moved onto the Sands to wait, Rhaedalyn turned toward the goldriders, greeting them cordially with a little curtsey. It was only after she addressed the women that she noticed S’kef and her eyes went huge in momentary panic. He was acting Weyrleader! She should have greeted him first! “Good morning! G-good night? I hope you’re well Acting Weyrleader S’kef,” She gave a deep and long curtsey to make up for her slight and to show her respect. It also helped to compose herself before risking another glance at the man. He matched well the ideal of ‘tall, dark, and handsome’ and exuded so much confidence that it was kind of sexy! But there was danger underneath it all and while that definitely scared her, she couldn’t deny the appeal that brought about as well. “My well wishes to Tyrrisath and Krypth as well!” A small smile and she was quickly excusing herself to go stand with the other women put on standby for the appearance of gold.

She was so embarrassed!

*Jazira* · 26.Dec.12, 03:57 PM

With the signal of hatching beginning, Jazz groaned, rolling over to eye her sleeping son before carefully scooping him up and taking him over to the waiting creche lady. If she impressed today, Jazzpur would be in for a shock. But he was getting customed to spending more time in the creche than in his mother's arms, which he had thrived for. He had grown confident and less clingy but in the end when he was upset, it was still her that he looked for.

Pulling the robe over her head, she pulled a face as the white fold hung out miles too big for her slim waist and showed signs of tightness along her post baby bust. With a soft sigh, she pulled on her favourite boots and headed out towards the sands. Shifting her weight from one foot to the other as she felt the burn of the sands, she looked around, having heard her name. Her eyes lit up at seeing her only friend of the weyr, waving like an over excited man. Laughing, she waved back, high and proud before joining the group. Eyes shifted along the neat line of eggs. She swore that eggs were normally scattered and not lined up. Swallowing thickly, she straightened her back, both to make herself feel more confident than the sicky nervous that was trying to take over and to steel herself against anything that would arise.

A moment of self doubt as the eggs wobbled and shook in their shells. Maybe she should wait a little longer, Jazzpur was still clingy and she wasn't dragonrider material... shards she was too headstrong and she hated being treated like outsider. She was social to a degree and being a dragonrider, wouldn't it all disappear until she was considered a true dragonrider? Oh fardles, she wasn't ready... Her eyes squeezed shut, she wasn't ready... she then opened them to see I'shan. He thought her good enough to ride a dragon. and he was a blue rider, a search rider at that. he knew best right?

*Jada* · 26.Dec.12, 09:38 PM

Krypth's eyes swirled with pleasure as the crowd began to arrive. Her little ones were coming, and to such a lovely audience. Well, it was a shame about all the Greens clogging up the place, but couldn't be helped. Next to her, Jada tilted up her chin, straightening up her spine. She might be underdressed for the occasion, but who knew? As S'kef approached, she gave him a bright smile, not at all tight. Nightgown- don't be ashamed. Nightgown, though, Jada! Oh, what must they be- Ohhhh. Shards and Shells. "It is a little early, but dragons on their own time."

You're not quite dressed for the occasion. Next time, I'll let you know why I'm dragging you out to visit me at a some distinctly odd hour of the night. But really, you would think you would have known.

Jada managed to not scowl. "It is a well-sized clutch." How she managed to keep her voice warm and not die from embarrassment, she wasn't sure. Taking a deep breath, she turned to smile at the other Goldrider, leaning in and lightly suggesting, "Remind me not to bother with nightgowns when the Hatching gets this close next time. Full Riding Gear or bust." At least then she would be prepared! She gave Rhaedalyn an excited smile as the girl approached, nodding to her.

Krypth gave a chuffing bark amidst the humming, blinking at the eggs and shifting her heavy body. Soon! Soon! Jada, be ready. This will be fantastic! It would have to be. This was her clutch, after all!

*Farlint* · 26.Dec.12, 10:43 PM

Rolling out of bed, Farlint managed to shove his feet into his boots, blinking fuzzies out of his eyes. It wasn't that unusual to be awoken in the middle of the night, but usually for a Runner giving birth, not for dragons Hatching. Still, waking up at one moment or another for one thing or another... Ah. Not too much of a difference! He stumbled slowly out amongst the others, heading for the Sands. And onto the Sands, where he blinked at the Katilans and the other Candidates.

Was that Jada in a nightgown? Well, at least she wouldn't be dripping with sweat if it took a while. Still. It wasn't exactly fancy dress. A little disappointing, considering that this was a big event! Oh well. It wasn't like she was naked- which would have been a sight to see. Huh. Look at that- S'kef and his little princess. And over there- I'shan! And so many others, all come to examine the poor suckers who were on the Sands.

Of which Farlint was not one. He was here willingly. Probably could have gotten out of it, if he had wanted to, or tried. But he hadn't wanted to be a little invalid again. Hadn't wanted to be the person everyone rather... pitied. He was strong enough to do this physically. And if he got left on the Sands? Well, he had his place here, with the herdbeast. It was a win/win situation.

**Random Event** · 26.Dec.12, 10:43 PM

It was a battle of wills, that much was obvious as the eggs within the sands rocked and swayed, with three of them visibly battling for the right to break their shell first. The eggs on the Sands had done little to wait for the candidates and their audience to appear, rocking straight into the action before even Krypth was comfortable in her humming, the sound barely sounding as Egg Number Eight toppled over, rolling a few feet before coming to a stop and wiggling impatiently. It was stuck!

Off to the side, Egg Number One shook threateningly, fighting for the freedom that was so close the dragonet within could almost smell the outside world! Not to be out done, Egg Number Four fought viciously against the shell, sending the first cracks radiating across the surface moments before Number One and Eight managed the same feat, the three of them wriggling to the point that Four went swirling through the sand to topple to a stop at the feet of NPCA, sending the young man skittering backwards with wide eyes.

The darkness, the lack of glows and the slimness of the moon restricted visibility as the three eggs all spilled onto the sands at the same time, each dragonet a different shade of darkness as mews of distress, croons of excitement and whirling red eyes of hunger filled the very early hour. Wings were tripped on, faces planting in the sand and tails lashing as unsteady legs were demanded to work and searching minds extended to the circlet of candidates, brushing against, seeking, seeking the one they wanted to be one with.

Number Four was first, weaving through the legs to attach itself to a young man, the pair quickly making their way to the side where B’jin was surrounded by glows and helping assistants as Larrikith towered over everyone as much as the small dragon could, sitting up on her haunches she crooned as the pair revealed a glossy green hide and a hungry mewl from the dragonet’s maw. Issuing quick instructions, the youngsters were set off to eat even as One and Eight joined them, the gentle light of glows showing a brown and blue respectively, and B’jin smiled at their ecstatic faces, and set them about feeding their little beasties.

In all the commotion of its siblings finding their lifemates and being settled into a feeding frenzy, Egg Number Two toppled over, tumbling sideways to bump heavily into Egg Number Three. The contents must have been more heavily intent on rolling than they appeared, for the result was a rather loud crack that caused B’jin to startle and several occupants either watching on or on the Sands themselves to cry out involuntarily.

The eggs both toppled away from one another, falling sideways to reveal a cascade of cracks and weaving in the broken shell before noses were poked through, clawed feet lifting damp little bodies from their cage, toppling into hot sands and crying out unhappily as hunger and heat assaulted young bodies. Soft sounds of distress and eagerness left the little ones as they scrabbled about in the sand, knocking over Egg Nine in the process, with the Hatchling from Egg Three head butting it for added effect, watching with hot red eyes of hunger as the egg (which had already been eager to Hatch) rolled to a halt at Seijin’s feet, the little one within poking its head out to peer up at the young man with eyes swirling of love and contentment.

The Hatchlings from Eggs Two and Three made short work following Seijin’s Impression, the pair quickly finding their own rider-to-be and dashing hungrily over to the sides where B’jin set them up with buckets, blinking as another blue and brown joined the ranks. Curious brown eyes shifting to see what it was Seijin would bring over and into the glow light.

S'jin · 27.Dec.12, 01:28 AM

Seijin watched egg eight roll and become stuck. Then he noticed egg four and one struggling as well to make a appearance. As they did they scattered looking for their partners and upon finding them the three pairs left the sands. He looked back to the eggs and noticed another egg moved and bumped against another one. They had cracks everywhere possibly from colliding and the hatchlings appeared shortly afterwards.

Amid the chaos of those two hatchlings looking for their bonded the egg that he felt reluctant to leave was knocked and it suddenly rolled right at his feet. He had to smile as he felt it brush against his booted foot. But as he looked down to the egg and head shot out of the egg and looked right up at him. Their eyes locked and he felt that familiar connection the same one as he felt when he touched the egg the first time. only this time a tiny little green beauty was looking at him with hungry eyes and he again felt the warmth and love from before.

I found you. You are who I am looking for. I am Araith and I am hungry please feed me. I'm hungry I do so wish to eat now Araith replied softly and happily into Seijin mind pure and simple. She had found her match quickly and now wanted to be feed. She looked up at Seijin as her eyes whirled with hunger. Seijin couldn't believe that she was his but he leaned down and touched her softly on the head. " We will go now so that i feed you, my dear sweet Araith. She was the most beautiful green in the world and she was his. A'liran was right about everything when he describe when his green hatched. It was the most wonderful feeling that Seijin had ever felt.

He slowly and carefully lead Araith her walk being a bit unsteady since she is just newly hatched and not sure on her feet just yet. He lead her over to B'jin his eyes shining happily as they weaved around the candidates still on the sands and over to the weyrlingmaster. " Her name is Araith. " He said quite proudly to B'jin.

R'nd · 27.Dec.12, 12:33 PM

Even with the rude awakening, sour mood, sleepiness, and a few stray looks he was earning as he took a random swig of wine here and there, R’nd was enjoying the Hatching. Naturally, there were the memories of his time on the same Sands waiting for a little dragonet to stumble his way and how elated he was to have Ayyonth, but there was more to it. There was a nervous energy around the crowd observing and the one waiting and it was nice to see that those on the Sands seemed more anxious as they hoped and waited to be chosen as opposed to all the sour faces of those worried that they would Impress. R’nd liked to remember his Impression as being perfect but so many of his classmates had been the first batch of those Stolen and were miserable – not to mention Volfetti tried to escape that night during the Feast. R’nd flinched and decided some memories were better left edited.

He cheered and congratulated every new pair that came to B’jin and him to get food for the dragonets but R’nd was also judging some of them. So far it had been a nice mix of green, blue, and brown and while he naturally smiled wider for his new blue brethren, it was the brown weyrlings that got a quick second glance. R’nd mingled with Candidates too much and had even earned the nickname ‘Candi Man’ from some of his friends and acquaintances so he had at least a vague idea of everyone on the Sands. He couldn’t quite say he was surprised at the men that Impressed brown dragonets but he was also cautiously optimistic that they wouldn’t turn into mini S’kefs or N’malls either. “He should be a fair leader,” he whispered to B’jin after the second brown weyrling left them. It wasn’t hard to remember how his lover felt about that particular brand of rider and R’nd wanted to keep B’jin calm as much as he could.

As Seijin made his way over, R’nd wondered how that Impression actually went though he knew the dragonet wouldn’t be able to answer it anymore than the human could. The Impression was either accidental with the way the egg rolled up to him and the possibly dizzy dragon went with the first man he saw, or the egg rolled with determination towards the one the dragonet could sense was the perfect match. Either way, it had been adorable to watch and R’nd was glad it all worked out. Since it was clear Seijin was addressing B’jin as proud as any newly Impressed boy could be, R’nd decided to meet the little female at their feet and crouched down to be more on her level.

“Hi, Araith. I’m R’nd, rider of blue Ayyonth and it’s very nice to meet you.” He didn’t really expect an answer since some Hatchlings were shy but as he did with the others, he still wanted to make her feel welcomed. “I know Seijin will take good care of you and you’ll do the same for him. But you better go eat now. I see you have a large meal waiting.” R’nd smiled as he got to his feet and watched the pair move off to tend to a hungry belly.

“I think I have a weakness for dragonets.” R’nd confessed quietly to B’jin, giving him a little smile before turning back to see if any of the other eggs were ready to crack open.

V'ler · 27.Dec.12, 12:55 PM

As Valerian wrote down quick yet still detailed notes about what interesting things happened with the eggs and who Impressed what, he kept stealing glances at Talian. How was his friend holding up? Would he faint from the anxiety or bolt for an exit from the fear of Impressing? It was easy to see Talian loved his little firelizard and he had been curious to know what it was like being bonding to a dragon but it was also to see the fear over actually having a dragon. Talian had been conditioned to become a Healer from birth and that was what he was good at and, thankfully, also enjoyed. Having a dragon would make that harder, at least for the first turn or two. But at the same time, Valerian felt a dragon would fill up a lot of the void deep within his friend. He had no idea how the Hatching would go nor was he sure how he wanted it to.

As another green pair came up to B’jin and R’nd – Valerian had chosen his spot near the men for the purpose of seeing colours and possibly getting names as well – the blue weyrling could do nothing more than inwardly sigh. Another female to catch Veeth’s attention. She is adorable but also freshly hatched! I’m not a heathen, Valerian. Valerian stifled a laugh as his precious dragon used a word that he picked up earlier that evening as they walked by some riders talking about another they weren’t fond of. Valerian had to give a definition before Veeth insisted on interrupting the group to ask them. Such a social and fearless creature he had to put up with!

Seijin and green Araith. Valerian made his notes and watched the pair depart. He idly wondered if Seijin had a group of friends that had or would Impress like he had. That had been oddly nice to have Allendris, Jada, Erisi, and even Echlerov there with him. It was easy to recall the moments where he almost Impressed Charath but then Veeth came along and the surprise when Allendris came in with the bronze he had been teased about Impressing. Simpler times, he supposed, as he looked around for those friends and the various positions they all held around the Sands.

D'hys · 27.Dec.12, 01:09 PM

D’hys was pleased but almost bored with the Hatching. Everything was running smoothly without injury, which was definitely a good thing, but a lot of the bets placed on colours and who would Impress had been accurate so far. He much preferred more being wrong since it meant a bigger purse for Z’ia and him but he’d take what he could. Besides, even though this was all chance and not something he could rig, it was nice to build trust in his gamblers and let them win at times so they kept coming back for other bets and scenarios. Still, when the biggest surprise was a fashion faux-pas, it made for a dull night out.

That new brown pair hadn’t been a popular vote, although it did add up nicely to his own vote of how browns would be in this clutch – he never bet on Impressions given his lack of interest in Candidates. It had almost been a risky move considering Tyrrisath had managed to spawn a gold last clutch and it seemed almost more than likely a bronze would appear over a brown. Yet D’hys still went with his gut and tossed his favour towards browns. It was amusing to see how many went for a gold in this clutch despite the multiple claims there wouldn’t be one. Although, who could truly say? They had two baby golds running around now after everyone losing hope that the age of the dragon would continue.

When Seijin stepped close enough with his little tagalong to show the dragon was a green, D’hys agreed with the Impression from the first glance. He was certain he had seen the kid around the weyr a time or ten but he didn’t stand out enough to catch any sort of attention. But that one quick glance showed D’hys that Seijin was indeed a greenrider in the making and his little female had chosen correctly. Given the meek look under the glowing pride, D’hys mentally marked two turns from now to pay that little greenrider a visit.

S'jin · 27.Dec.12, 02:17 PM

Araith looked up at the blue rider as he spoke to her. She tilted her head as if listening to every word since she was polite and would listen. Seijin will take real good care of me. We are meant to be together. It is a good match. I am so hungry now eat wish to eat soon. She replied softly up to him after all he spoke to her it was only polite to talk back.

Seijin was unaware of course of the looks he got from the other riders that where watching the hatching and seeing who paired up with who. The only thing he had eyes for was Araith and most of his attention was on her. But he did hear R’nd’s words cut through the fog in his mind and responded softly and respectfully. “Yes Sir, I will take really good Care of her. “ He promised both to R’nd but also B’jin and of course to Araith. He knew that he would take real good care of her having had the practice with the firelizards Lana and Claus and the training with weyrlingmaster B’jin. What could go wrong? It probably not a question you should ever think at a hatching. Cause anything could go wrong and so far there were no injuries or accidents but there were still more hatchlings on their way.

Lana of course remained quiet and peered around his shoulder at the green hatchling that was much bigger than her. He was pretty proud of Lana for making not a fuss or peep during the impression and hatching. He noticed as they moved toward the food Araith looking up at the tiny green . Seijin did you know you have a mini me on your shoulder? she asked clearly puzzled but enchanted by the creature that looked so much like her. As they got closer and she could smell the meat all questions where lost she was hungry. Oh fooodd she was now distracted by the food.

B'jin · 28.Dec.12, 01:40 AM

B'jin was still in a notably sour mood, for while everyone else with a dragon at their side had a fountain of delight to draw upon, he himself still reviewed his own Impression with bitterness and a distinct lack of joy. He hadn't wanted a dragon, and he certainly hadn't wanted to be a dragonrider. It was for that reasoning, he had decided, that D'ren had charged him with the latest batch of Candidates – Talian's inclusion aside, there were still a handful that were distinctly ill at ease with the idea of being a dragonrider. B'jin doubted that those that were truly sour about it would ever get over it, but he'd seen many of the past two clutches come around, and a lot of bitterness had been if not removed, at least dulled.

His early morning grumpiness was not improved when I'shan game galloping in, screeching at the top of his lungs and threw himself at B'jin, who was suitably startled by that simple act. Being picked up and twirled around, however, had B'jin squeal inelegantly as his feet left the ground, hands quickly grasping the taller man's shoulders as brown eyes popped wide, staring at I'shan with dizzy indignation as he was placed back on the ground. B'jin stumbled backwards, bumping into R'nd and pressed up against him, eyeing I'shan like a bomb about to explode. R'nd's soft amusement did little to settle B'jin's feathers, but his blueriding lover was distinctly the lesser of two evils at that moment.

Scowling fiercely, B'jin was interrupted before he could snark at I'shan, by the first candidate-made-weyrling approaching, the 'master giving small smiles and nods to the pairs that came to them. B'jin was distinctly pleased (even if he didn't outwardly show it) that most of them looked utterly thrilled with their new bonds. That could change, of course, as the thrill of the Hatching wore off, but the greenrider was willing to take what he was given. Many of the pairings didn't surprise him too much, having spent the better part of the past few months teaching them, he probably could have come out of it all quite well if he'd had the desire to seek out one of the blueriders holding betting pools. Many blueriders, in his experience, would take advantage of his being a greenrider in order to rip him off, exclude him for being a Weyrlingmaster, or show far more interest in betting on who would Impress green and who'd catch the little one first; noen of those sat very well with B'jin.

His thoughts were interrupted by R'nd, and the greenriders eyebrows tugged together in a slight frown as he shifted his attention to watch the young brown pair move off. A light 'mm' was given, neither in agreement not disagreement, though it was clear the man was less than pleased to have two brown in his class already, and an unknown additional number still in their shells. Knowing his luck, the whole damned rest of the clutch would be brown! He gaze the bleurider a mild sideways look, bemused and about to comment on that, when when Seijin brought his little green up before them.

“She's very beautiful,” B'jin replied gently, smiling slightly at Seijin as R'nd babbled to the dragonet. The greenrider supposed if you had to be bonded to a green, she might as well be a beautiful dragon. B'jin tilted his head, watching the pair move away, before turning to smile at R'nd in fond amusement. “Sap,” he teased, leaning over to kiss the bluerider lightly on the cheek, a sceptical eyebrow raising at the wine bottle. “You'll make yourself sick,” amusement lingered in the undertones of his voice, brown eyes dancing with humour before he scowled slightly. Giving the bluerider another quick kiss, B'jin spun and walked over to where the current Weyrlings were feeding their little ones.

“When they're full, slap some oil on any itchy spots, don't worry about a full coat we'll fix that up this afternoon. Then Larrikith will take you over to the Barracks. Choose a room and go back to bed. The kids will sleep until probably late afternoon. Everyone can meet and greet then. If you have any issues or the dragonet wakes you up, give Larrikith a yell. Okay?” B'jin waited for tired responses before waving them on, knowing that the fresh bond would affect the pairs far more now than it would in the future. For now, they were one, eventually, they'd learn to function on their own, but with the bond so young and fresh they wouldn't be able to differentiate between dragon or human for quite some time. Nodding when they'd made their way, with Larrikith shepherding them along, B'jin turned and returned to R'nd, one hand finding his mate's and fingers twining as B'jin leaned lazily against the other man's side.

I'shan · 28.Dec.12, 03:19 AM

I'shan responded to B'jin's indignation with a wholesome smile. "You know I'd never hurt you, sweet cheeks!" he purred, giving the greenrider an affectionate shove. B'jin was delicate and got frazzled easily, but I'shan was certain he'd lighten up and feel better soon. It was hatching day! And just think, some of B'jin's own would probably Impress soon! Maybe even the healer boy that B'jin was so fond of and worried about! A nice dragon would fix everything, right?

I'shan beamed. "Good luck to your kids!" he purred before his attention was seized by D'hys. I'shan laughed and ran over, stretching one hand to shake with his fellow bluerider. "We're in for a good show, yeah? Yeah?" he said, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

Before long, the eggs were cracking. The bluerider watched with joy as the eggs began to split and the babies toppled out onto the sand. Oh, it seemed like only yesterday his little blue had come to him! His eyes sparkled with delight, an expression that only intensified as the second egg produced a brown. It wasn't the color that overjoyed I'shan, though...it was his choice in bonded.

"That's one of mine!" I'shan screamed, pointing triumphantly. "That's one of mine! I searched him! I searched a brownrider!" he cried, barely able to estrain himself from bouncing all over. Thus far, Ilveriath seemed to have searched only greens and blues. It was a fine day indeed!

I'shan squealed again when Seijin met his little green. "Knew it!" I'shan cried, pumping one fist in the air. "I called it! I knew he would be a greenrider!" I'shan said, obviously beside himself. He was so excited, fed partially by his own memories of his Impression but also by a deep desire to see the Weyr happy again. New babies always helped, and the fact that some of I'shan's own candidates were Impressing made him even happier. "Way to go, Seijin!"

Ilveriath called the second new brownrider to I'shan's attention. I'shan's eyes widened when he realized that he'd searched that one as well. He squeaked and threw his arms around D'hys. "Another one! Hahahaha, A'liran owes me some money!" he said, devilish expression crossing his face.

I'shan peeled himself from D'hys to run over and greet the newly Impressed, though he had every intention of running right back. He held up one finger to indicate 'one minute' and charged over. "Congratulations!" he said, his words emphasized by Squee's joyous chittering. Squee took off from I'shan's shoulder and flew over to Araith, attempting to land square on her head. Green!

I'shan giggled. "Look at that! You'll be a great greenrider," he purred. He looked impishly back at D'hys. He wondered how long before A'liran showed up pitching a fit! 'Get away from that kid', blah blah blah...such a blowhard!

S'jin · 28.Dec.12, 04:34 AM

Seijin had to smiles I'shan's joy was overwhelming for sure and seemed to be affecting the mood. His grin grew even wider when I'shan congratulated him. “Thank you I’shan. I’m happy you could come, this morning “ He replied softly. He leaned over and gave I’shan a hug. He was happy to see him. He had missed him after all the time he was away and was happy that he was out and about again and in good mood as well to boot. Seijin tried to hide a yawn as he was feeling tired and hungry but he knew some of that wasn’t coming from him it was coming from Araith.

Even Araith eyes whirled amused by the little brown Squee as he attempted to land oh her head. Its another little tiny dragon like one of my brothers, Seijin She said softly in wonderment at seeing the tiny dragons that were more tiny then her. Ariath looked right up at I’shan Seijin likes you and I like you. You are our friend. she spoke to I’shan directly with a soft and gentle voice. Her eyes whirling in happiness as she latched on to I’shan excitement along with her own. He made Seijin feel good so he must be good for Seijin. Seijin had to blush softly his face coloring up in embarrassment. Wouldn’t you just know first day out of the shell and she already managed to embarrass him.

Seijin grinned at least Araith was more enchanted by the brown firelizard that tried to use her as a footrest then upset. He watched as she moved her head this way and that. The brown had taken her attention off of food but only momentarily as her hunger came back full force. [color=#a9e6a7]Food now she said softly. Seijin stole another quick hug from I’shan before moving off to feed Araith. After she finished eating he looked for any dry patches to put the oil on before they both went off for their rest. While they were waiting for the others to hatch and join them. He glanced back out toward the sands he wonder who else from class would be joining them.

I'shan · 28.Dec.12, 06:20 AM

I'shan threw both arms around Seijin, holding the boy in a firm embrace for a couple long seconds before peeling away. Squee chirped with delight, tiny body trembling excitedly as he settled on the greenling's snout. The fire lizard's excitement intensified when Airath bespoke I'shan, provoking a gasp of delight from the bluerider.

"Oh, she spoke to me!" he said. Being spoken to by someone else's dragon was always an interesting experience, and I'shan always took it as a compliment. Of course, it helped when the comment actually was a compliment, as it was in this case! He put his hands on his knees and leaned forward. "I like you, too, little lady!" he purred to the dragonet. He smirked before reaching out, plucking Squee from his hard-earned perch and holding the writhing fire lizard as he stepped back.

"Go feed her! She looks like a hungry baby," I'shan encouraged, motioning for Seijin to hurry along. He hugged the boy once more before turning to prance over to the next candidate, one of the little brownriders.

Similar exchanges followed as I'shan greeted both of them. Soon thereafter, while waiting anxiously for the other half of the eggs to crack, the bluerider bounded back over to D'hys.

"Hah! I knew that kid would Impress green!" I'shan gloated. Seijin's green was no surprise, but the brownriders still had I'shan glowing with pride. It was the first time Ilveriath's searchees had ever yielded anything other than blue or green! How exciting, though I'shan was going to lose a couple marks on those Impressions. Oh well!

He clung to D'hys' arm. "So, how many are left? I still hold out on one bronze. If Tyrrisath can sire a gold, he can sire a bronze too, right? And we haven't had nearly enough born..."

Meanwhile, Squee had re-situated himself on I'shan's shoulder. He trilled excitedly, tail lashing as he looked around. So many new big brothers and sisters!

T'lian · 28.Dec.12, 07:56 AM

Six down, five to go. Talian watched apprehensively as the little dragonets hit the sands and began their search. Part of him pitied the creatures, for they seemed both frightened and in pain. It was a rude way to start life, that was for sure. He knew they'd be hungry, but this was almost difficult to watch.

He cringed as one passed uncomfortably close, freezing in momentary distress, but the creature ambled on and made it's selection from one of Talian's nearby classmates. It was funny; Talian had made all sorts of plans for ways to deter the little creatures. He'd considered thinking ugly thoughts at them, or even envisioning his own suicide. He'd considered being hateful, and even made jokes about trying to kick any of them that came too close.

As he stood there now, he could hardly lift his feet or move his eyes. His heart slammed in his chest and his palms sweated. He couldn't do anything. Was it fear that kept him frozen in place? Not even the watchful eyes of B'jin and Valerian were enough to reassure him now. Fellis tried as well, chirping softly as he pressed himself close to Talian's neck. The creature wanted badly to jump down the front of Daddy's shirt and cower from their shared fear, but he sensed that Talian needed him to remain calm. Fellis was brave, for Daddy's sake, and closed his yellow eyes to hide them from the others. No one needed to know how scared they were!

Talian swallowed hard, shoulders slumping as he reminded himself that everything would be all right. He didn't believe in fate and he had a hard time putting any faith in the supposed 'perfect bond' that the riders shared with their dragons. He didn't desire it, but there wasn't anything he could do to stop it, short of running away like a maniac. Running away was just a temporary solution, though.

Just this one time he reminded himself anxiously, citing the rule he'd become so familiar with. If I make it, I can just go back to being a healer and wait to go home.

Go home to what, though? He knew there wasn't anything left for him there, if there had ever been anything to start with. He'd have been just as miserable at home, it simply would have only been a familiar kind of miserable. He realized in that moment that if nothing else, a dragon could free him from ever having to look at his father's face again!

His throat tightened. Strange, how pain and fear could still make him think of Talerian. Some things never changed. Fellis chirped in worry, but he recognized what was going on. Daddy was leaning on a coping mechanism, an old and tried one at that.

I hate you Talian thought sincerely. And I'm through with you. These people saved me from you.

**Random Event** · 28.Dec.12, 11:45 AM

It was time for freedom! It was time to be rid of these shells and to feel the air of the world upon their hides! With that very thought in mind, it seemed as if the Hatching was making another heavy handed attempt to be done with it. Perhaps an hour had passed, since the humming had started, with a long break in between the Impression of Seijin and the awakening of the youngsters within the remaining eggs. They were not duds, far from it in fact, as Egg Five and Egg Seven seemed intent upon breaking their shells first, the dragonets within squealing and chittering as they competed.

Their show was interrupted by Egg Ten, the otherwise quiet egg calling attention upon itself as it toppled over, landing heavily in the sand and wobbling, before two hind feet gave a mighty shove, and broke the shell, the dragonet whining as it scrabbled around before emerging. The little one's appearance seemed to send the contestants within Seven and Five off again, the two finally cracking their shells enough that they could topple out onto the sands, eyes of hot shades filling the night as Seven and Five sniffed noses, while Ten watched calmly for a moment.

Then hungry bellies set in, and anxiety prompted the little ones to find their life mate, struggling onto ungainly legs with wings refusing to move in the ways they wanted, the three little dragonets all set off in opposite directions, shooting off without giving anyone a moment to realise what was happening. Even as they all shot out, the remaining eggs – Six and Eleven – finally won the battle against the egg shell, and toppled onto the sands with a squeal of surprise (Eleven) and a hiss of indignation at the heat (Six) before joining the fray as they, too, shot off in odd direction, each dragonet seeking the young man that would best suit their needs for a life together.

The first to Impress was egg Five, the youngster coming to a halt at the feet of a young man, weaving through his ankles; Egg Seven followed swiftly, right on the heels of its sibling as it pounced literally upon the one it had Chosen, sending the man sprawling in the sands, more from surprise than from any real weight on the tiny dragonet's part. Egg Ten approached its chosen human with an ungainly stride, eyes shifting to rainbow, it sat itself down primly and simply waited. Egg Six was prancing as much as any freshly hatched dragoent was capable of prancing, quickly pouncing upon the chosen rider-to-be, rubbing its face against the new bonded's thigh and crooning lovingly. Not to be outdone, the surprised dragonet from Egg Eleven walked with great dignity across the sands, as if to make up for its inelegant squeal from earlier, and set itself down serenely, gazing over its shoulder at someone halfway across the sand, eyes a rainbow of colours as it waited for the confused human to approach.

T'lian · 28.Dec.12, 09:32 PM

Waiting for the remaining eggs to hatch was painful. Talian shifted from one foot to the other, looking sullenly at the sand and wishing the eggs would hurry up so he could at least know his fate. He felt as if most of the danger has passed, but just standing there waiting was a special kind of torture all it's own. The healer's heart would skip a beat every time the eggs quivered, watching nervously as the little webs of cracks spread over their surfaces. He swallowed hard.

Come on, little guys. Just get it over with...

Some length of time passed, with Talian lapsing in and out of his gloom and doom. He occasionally glanced nervously towards Valerian or B'jin, but he never let his gaze linger for long, fearing that even in the dark they would see just how anxious he was. He didn't want them to worry about him. They'd worried about him enough!

Fellis chittered, eyes flashing as the eggs began to move again. Talian wasn't sure why the little creature was suddenly so excited, but it both unnerved and distracted him. He wasn't looking when the two little dragons bumped noses, or when egg ten shattered and it's occupant calmly spilled onto the sand.

"Come on, don't worry.." Talian said, removing Fellis from his shoulder and hugging him gently. The blue calmed, much to Talian's relief, and the healer spent several moments coddling the little creature, totally unaware of what approached.

A presence slammed unexpectedly into Talian's mind. He grunted and reeled, toppling onto his backside in the hot sand without anything resembling grace or dignity. It wasn't a physical force, but rather a mental force that literally startled the young man off his feet. He produced an equally undignified squeak as he hit the hot sand. Fellis squeaked as well, wings flaring as he took off.

Talian sat there for a long moment. His head! It hurt so bad! That was pain, right? A headache?

The headache didn't seem to think so. The waiting dragonet sat, eyes focused curiously and intently on Talian as he scrambled to make sense of what was going on. A shocking sensation of warmth crept through the healer as he lifted his eyes, staring into the very face he'd dreaded meeting. "Oh! Oh, no, you can't..." Talian stammered, trying to scoot back in the sand and escape the dragonet.

One thing he didn't realize, however, was that he was crawling forward...not backwards.

Talian threw his arms around the dragonet's neck. It was a solid little creature, able to bear Talian's weight leaning upon him with a little bit of effort, and he didn't seem to mind. Talian clung tightly to the dragonet's sturdy form, only half-aware of his own hot tears as he felt the fabled warmth of Impression washing over him. Never in his life had he felt so loved! It was a completely different kind of love, too, something so raw that it confused and even frightened him a little bit, but the dragonet would have none of it.

The creature butted it's nose against Talian's neck and pushed it's forked tongue forward, lapping at the young man's skin. I love you the dragonet said, it's words slipping so quietly and naturally into the back of the healer's mind that for a moment he wondered if they were his own.

Talian gasped lightly. "Shards!" he gasped, squeezing the dragonet again. He didn't need to ask the dragonet his name or anything else; he already knew it, somehow. The dragonet still told him he loved him, though, knowing well that while Talian was smart enough to understand subtle missives, some things helped more if they were said outright.

Talian sat up, suddenly aware of the painfully hot sand beneath him. He grunted and awkwardly stood, just as unsure on his feet as his new companion was. Fellis reappeared, hearts racing in shock and joy at what had just occurred. The fire lizard latched onto Talian's back and clung to his robe, wanting desperately to be close but not wanting to interfere. Daddy still loved him, right?

The healer was in a daze. He wobbled uncertainly towards the sidelines, dragonet walking close at his side. The patient creature was hungry, of course, but he was too polite to demand food. Talian could feel the burning hunger in the pit of his own stomach, and that alone seemed to be the only thing making his legs work. His dragon was hungry! Poor thing, it was like they were both dying!

"B-B'jin? I don't know what to do..." Talian gasped though his tears as he made it to the sidelines. Fortunately, food was readily available. Someone shoved a bowl of meat chunks into Talian's hands, and it was only through sheer luck that he was able to actually grip it. The dragonet produced a soft sound and attempted to crane his neck upwards and access the food, tongue flickering out to snatch whatever morsels he could reach.

"Oh! I'm...I'm sorry!" Talian gasped. He flopped to the ground, holding the bowl nervously in his lap while the dragon happily pushed his nose forward and started eating. Talian watched and felt, reality slowly creeping up on him. He'd Impressed? Really? And a brown dragonet at that? That was good, right?

Fellis disappeared, retreating to Valerian in order to give his bonded some space. The blue settled unannounced in the young bluerider's lap, crooning softly. Daddy was so happy! Happy, but Fellis didn't want to get in his new big brother's way. Besides, Daddy was confused, too. He was confused, and Fellis didn't know how to fix it. Maybe his new big brother could fix it? Maybe? Please? The blue creeled and pressed himself up underneath Valerian's fingers, seeking comfort.

Back on the sands, Talian stared wide-eyed at the dragonet as it ate. Please do not be afraid of me the dragonet said, bumping his nose gently into Talian's midsection as the boy continued to stare. I love you. The repeated assertion brought a lump into Talian's throat.

He reached out with one shaking hand and drew it down the side of the dragonet's neck as another bowl of food appeared in his lap, dropped off by one of the weyrfolk. Talian was only scarcely aware of where he was, sitting crosslegged on the ground and pretty much squarely in everyone's way. The dragonet curled up beside him, obviously not about to move for anyone but Talian. Anyone who tried was promptly ignored, or even send away with a dismissive wing-flick. The young man's body trembled as he reached out to run his fingers down the dragonet's neck.

"Oh, my.." Talian gasped. He reached for a handful of food and offered it nervously to his new friend, watching with soft eyes as the dragonet happily lapped it from his hand. "I love you, too..."

As the burning hunger came under control and reality sank in, Talian found himself looking for B'jin. What was he supposed to do now?! What could he do now?

*Jazira* · 29.Dec.12, 11:24 AM

Jaz was too caught up in the moment as Talian and Sejin impressed. Although she couldn't make the colors, she could just see the shapes in the darkness and hearing voices helped. Her hands clasped together, both in restraint and delight, two people who deserved dragons in her eyes were now riders... sort of. Talian she had thought deserved a dragon, something to give him stability although part of her had thought he would never reach out for one.

Her gaze lifted and looked back to I'shan who was hugging Sejin in an almost delighted, childish way. with a soft chuckle she gazed back at the eggs. Was there a dragon in there for her?

[[ooc: sorry, muse is low but i'm trying to keep up! ^^; Work sucks.]]

V'ler · 29.Dec.12, 09:08 PM

Two more greens broke shell and made their Impressions and Valerian wrote it all down in his own form of shorthand before looking up again to see what would happen next in this nice fast-paced Hatching. What he saw, however, was enough to send shock rippling through him and a normally steady hand dropped the quill which slid down Veeth’s smooth hide to the Sands below. Quill was quick to fetch it and return it to Valerian but he hardly noticed himself taking the writing utensil back. He had to be seeing things. There was a dragonet by Talian with the Healer sitting on the Sands. Perhaps it was just a stare down and the little fellow would move on? Naturally, he had to be proven wrong as Talian threw himself at the dragonet and hugged him.

Talian had Impressed?

Valerian didn’t know if he was excited or worried. Perhaps, he quickly decided as he watched the pair get to their feet, it was a bit of both. A part of him felt this would be good for Talian and help him come to terms with their new life and location and maybe even find a bit more confidence and self-worth but on the flip side, did Talian truly want the life of a dragonrider? Valerian had seen Erisi’s easy change of mind upon Impressing Charath and he knew without speaking to his friend that it had happened with Talian as well but it was going to be a shock to what he was used to. Still, should he cheer?

Veeth made that decision for him. Valerian! Did you see? Talian Impressed! To a cute little brown! A brown? Really? Like everything else in the last two minutes, Valerian was both surprised and unsurprised. Brown was oddly fitting for his friend but he wouldn’t have expected it. “Veeth, you’re dancing around too much,” was all Valerian could think to say in response as he grabbed his board with papers and ink to hold it steady before it slid off the excited dragon. “But… wow.” Including himself, his little group of friends had managed to Impress every colour of dragon. It was odd to note right then but note it Valerian did. What were the odds of that happening? What did it say about all of their personalities getting along with each other? A gold and bronze mingling with blue wasn’t entirely unheard of but it couldn’t be too common. Then again, D’ren and B’jin were said to be good friends and bronze and green would be viewed as even more out of the ordinary.

Before he could figure out if he should go over right away or wait until the feeding was finished, Valerian suddenly had another blue firelizard appearing above his head, though unlike his two that were taking turns flying around and perching on Veeth’s head, Fellis laid claim to his lap. “Hey, Fellis. Talian’s, happy, isn’t he?” Of course he was, how couldn’t he be with the overwhelming joy of finding his other half? Of course Erisi’s fears they discussed right after their Impression while feeding their bickering dragonets wasn’t forgotten and Valerian wondered if Talian would have the same issues or those similar. “But don’t worry. He’ll still love you and won’t forget you. I can handle my group okay, right?”

Talking to the collection of blues around him was rather calming on his mind right then and Valerian realised he had focused too much on his friend’s special moment instead of being a Harper and recording the remainder of the Hatching. He missed the actual moment of Impression for the second last pair but saw the last dragonet on the Sands sitting patiently for his chosen human to approach him. It was a bit amusing to see that it had been a blue sitting there so dignified. Valerian was reminded a bit of Veeth when he was much smaller and tried his best to show how refined he was. Dragonets were precious little things.

S'kef · 30.Dec.12, 05:53 AM

S'kef was pleased. He nodded approvingly as he looked over the sands, dark eyes moving between shattered remains of eggshells and the silhouettes of the former occupants. The clutch yielded neither gold nor bronze, but the dragonets appeared healthy and had good size on them. Any contributions to their numbers would help, but a gold or bronze would have boosted S'kef's legitimacy.

She's a baby queen Tyrrisath reminded him dryly. Do not linger on it.

S'kef smiled. It was a flat, twisted smirk. He enjoyed the sense of pride he got from watching his own dragon's clutch hatch and Impress. He felt even greater pride as he allowed those fresh Impressions to remind him of his own, so many turns ago. The little browns in particular were a delight, though he imagined J'ver would get the same tingling sentimentality from the greens.

The brownrider thought on it for only a few moments before snaking his arm around J'ver and giving him a squeeze. "Come, J'ver. Let's go back to bed," he said softly. He nodded a cordial goodnight to Jada before turning to head back to his hut. Tyrrisath loomed on the sidelines, waiting patiently for his rider's return. The dragon didn't bother to greet the new hatchlings, but S'kef was quite pleased to look over them as he walked by.

"My, what a handsome little blue you have," he said as he brushed past one of the new weyrlings. S'kef had made a point of playing friendly in the past sevendays, and while his act was convincing on a surface level, most of the Weyr knew it for what it was. As always, it remained important to play the part regardless. There was something pleasing about appearing so outwardly pleasant, leaving your opponents with no proof of your character when they chose to attack it.

With that in mind, S'kef did not spend long fraternizing with the weyrlings as he passed, but he did greet many of them in passing. His eyes lingered for a particularly long moment on the dazed healer and his new brown.

"That's a fine brown hatchling, B'jin," S'kef added as he brushed past the greenrider, his arm still loosely locked to that of his own greenrider. S'kef was quite proud of his accessory, and the smug expression on his face was unmistakable. "..Probably wasted on your whelp."

He chuckled lightly, as if it were a joke, then gave J'ver a light tug. "Come on," he said. "I'm tired."

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