[G] [C] 731.06.04 | Wish Upon A Star [HATCHING]

With only five eggs left on the sands, the next half hour dragged slower than a snail. Indivara and Farlint were well tended to by this stage, though the healers still seemed to be scurrying about frantically, most likely due to the panic instilled into them. The previous clutch at Katila hadn't had such horrendous injuries and after sixteen turns, it seemed that they had forgotten how awful hatchlings could truly be.  The crowd's noise had changed to an irritated impatience, why weren't those damn eggs hatching? Whispers of dud eggs were quickly quashed; five dud eggs? The thought was terrifying.

Of the five remaining eggs, two grey, one white, one green and of course, the tan and red "queen/bronze" egg, only the first three had noticeable cracks through them. The Bombardment Egg looked like it had received just that, which thousands of tiny hairline cracks spanning the surface. The thin membrane on the inside was all that held it together and with a hard shove, the Larger Than Life Hatchling came tumbling out. It creeled, though it was rather muffled as its snout was shoved completely beneath the sand. As the heat seeped through it jumped up and yelped, shaking its head furiously to get every last grain of sand off. Sniffing it gazed around, lingering on the female Candidates much longer than the males. Stepping forward it slipped, its nose burying into the sand again. Jumping up almost immediately it shook its body, glaring down at its legs which were failing it. Snorting it tried to walk forward again, this time placing its feet very carefully.

While the Larger Than Life Hatchling was tumbling about or trying not to, the Endless Romps egg finally grew several cracks, splitting the small dots on the top half of the shell. Once its sibling was taking careful steps forward, the egg fell apart, revealing a hatchling that was… on its head. Barking with surprise it toppled over, blinking widely as it tried to orient itself. Making a noise that was probably the draconic equivalent of giggling, the Love The Hand That Feeds Hatchling bounced forward, quite literally romping through the sands with glee. Sheets of the scorching sand were sent up flying in every direction as it pounced, leapt and swirled through it. In its excitement, the hatchling collided into another egg, sending itself head over tail for several rolls. Trilling it jumped up, staring at the remains of the Hesitant Strikes Egg. Hang on, it was empty! The hatchling spun around wildly, seeking its clutchmate before it spotted it, the My One And Only Hatchling was crouched behind the Dragging Anchors egg, glaring at its sibling. The two creeled at each other for a few moments before the Love The Hand That Feeds Hatchling bounced away, this time slightly more mindful of the remaining two eggs.

The Larger Than Life Hatchling glanced back as its two clutchmates hatched, snorting and shaking its head at the energetic one. Turning back it gave Breccan's hand a bump, before turning and sprinting across the sands, somehow managing to only stumble twice. It skidded to a halt several feet away from the Candidate it had been aiming for, shaking its body and rearranging its wings neatly. Tossing its head in the air it strode forward, giving the Candidate's clammy hand a swift lick before striding off, its rainbow-hued eyes shining. Bossy, or just hungry? Nevertheless, an Impression!

Evolutionary Striding Bronze Vyaniorth to Allendris

Seeing its much more calm sibling Impress, the Love The Hand That Feeds Hatchling gave a rather piercing shriek, before rushing into the Candidates. It bumped several, including Lymsleia and Razzah, but these weren't purposeful or harmful, simply a brush as the hatchling homed in on where it felt its rider. Its eyes shone well before it came to a long, skidding halt, coating Tarrekel in sand. "What are you doing? Racing? I can do that! Let's race Peostath, to the food!" He challenged, running alongside the boisterous little dragon to the pails of meat.

Just One More Green Peostath to Tarrekel

Having watched Peostath bounce and gallop her way out of the Candidates and to the edge of the sands, the My One And Only Hatchling now stood up tall. It was alone on the sands, but much unlike Terth earlier, it seemed at peace with this. Its two siblings had Impressed within five minutes, but this little hatchling was going to take its time. Striding over to the Candidates, it sniffed at Kerrin and Allendris, before tossing its head and continuing to walk on. Slowly it passed each Candidate, taking the time to inspect every one of those left standing. This was a painstaking process, as there were still upwards of thirty Candidates there and each inspection was quite thorough. After almost ten minutes of its prowling, it doubled back, sitting down and staring at Fayleri with a determined, shining gaze. "I thought you didn't want me…" She whispered to the hatchling. "Of course Pluth!" Fayleri cried, dropping to her knees and scooping the hatchling up in her arms.

Left In The Dust Green Pluth to Fayleri

As the three new Impressions were escorted off to the meat for their first meal, the final two eggs were stared at with such determination, as if the Weyr hoped they would hatch just by the sheer force of their gaze. A quarter of an hour passed before the two eggs showed any movement and even then, only the Crumbling On The Inside egg moved. Ever so slowly, it tipped and landed on its side. A muffled squeak came from within, with the egg gaining a massive crack down one side. A few claws pressed out through it, almost peeling the weakened shell back the hatchling within stretched out. It gave a soft creel as it rolled and crumbled the egg beneath its body. Standing, the World's Last Hope Hatchling stretched its wings out, seeming to enjoy the attention. Suddenly white pulsed through its eyes as its head snapped to stare directly at the healing area. Squealing ear-piercingly, it bolted forward, stumbling and sending up sand behind it in a huge wave. There was no sign of it breaking as it neared the platform, in fact it slammed straight into it with a rather loud thud. The hatchling seemed unharmed, but for the first time a hatchling's colour was revealed before it Impressed. Light danced off the golden hide as she scrambled up onto the platform, her voice shrieking into almost everyone's mind. You're hurt! Why are you hurt! Get away, only I can heal her! An Impression had been made, but white still streaked predominantly through her rainbow eyes.

Rank Above The Rest Gold Krypth to Jada

Nirinath crooned at the final Impression, her humming ceasing along with all the other dragons. Rumbles of congratulations were ushered about as Nirinath shifted and picked the Dragging Anchors egg up with her forepaws. Waddling forward a little she then leapt up into the air, winking between before she could hit the roof. Outside the hatching circuit she reappeared, both happy and a tinge sad at the outcome of her clutch. It had been a strong, healthy clutch thus far, but with some terrible casualties.

A long and quiet 30 minutes passed as the remaining Candidates stared with varying levels of heightened emotions at the five remaining eggs. For his own part, Allendris did not feel nearly the same amount of steadily growing anxiety that the boy standing next to him was obviously going through as the minutes ticked past with excruciating slowness. Allendris merely stood with the very distinct idea that beyond the short-lived shock of seeing his friend and roommate Impress, the outcome of this clutch did not matter much to him. He was, after all, only willingly present to observe and to learn, and after seeing just how unpredictable and violent a newborn dragon could be, the young man was willing to call the mere survival of his first Hatching a success. If he felt any anxiety at all, it was borne from the desire to simply sit down somewhere quiet and collect his thoughts on all that had happened that day.

Still, there were eggs remaining, and he was still curious as to what would come out of them and which of his classmate would be lucky? enough to walk away from the sands with their new lifemate in tow.

Finally, the shells were beginning to show some cracks. Though nearly all of Allendris's attention was focused on the familiar Dragging Anchors egg, it was not the one to hatch first. Instead it was the much smaller, much more nondescript egg next to it that suddenly burst, seeming to shatter into a hundred pieces with one mighty push of its inhabitant's snout. The glass-smith watched with a startled blink as the little dragon topped forward from its own momentum, and buried itself in the burning hot sands. The journeyman took a step forward, feeling strangely concerned for it. The sands were hot enough beneath his own sandaled feet, he could not imagine what it felt like to be suddenly neck-deep in the searing grains.

Before he could complete that thought, though, two more of the eggs split, one of which revealing an exuberant little hatchling that soon set to work sending showers of sand flying in all directions as it bounced its way about the Hatching Circuit. Allendris squinted, shielding his eyes from the spray of sand with one hand. Shells! Why did so many of his experiences recently end with sand in his hair? Honestly, the young man bemoaned with a quiet, barely audible groan, fingers rising to shake the grit out of his hair, he really--

Just then, a silky, regal voice invaded his mind, interrupting his admittedly somewhat vain thoughts.

You! You will do!

Allendris startled, brown eyes flying wide open and his hand abruptly dropping to his side as he found himself unexpectedly staring into a whirling, rainbow-eyed gaze. The dragonet he had not seen approaching gave that hand a friendly lick, confidently assuring the shocked young journeyman that, indeed, he had not just been imagining this loving new presence suddenly swelling up in a corner of his mind that the man had never realized had been so lonely and vacant, until that very moment. The hatchling perked, its chest puffing with the knowledge that he now held his chosen's full and undivided attention. The little one did not even wait for Allendris to speak. With a toss of its head and a happy rustle of its proudly-poised wings, the newborn dragon began to prance its way off the sands, utterly heedless of how awkward such affectation made its gangly hatchling body look.

Don't look so shocked, the dragonet's smooth voice filtered into his mind again in a tone of gentle but firm command, though the little creature didn't bother to look back. You will be perfect, I am sure of it. Now come feed me, there's nothing of interest left here for us.

As the hatchling's careful but increasingly confident steps carried it off the Hatching Circuit and towards the delicious smell of fresh meat, a dim glow of light finally caught on its smooth, gleaming bronze hide. Allendris thought he might have heard a few gasps from the crowd in the Stands as the clutch's second metallic was revealed to the eager and anxious eyes of the weyrfolk, but he paid them no mind. Everything just seemed so... oddly natural. With his head held high and a very rare grin spread wide on his lips, the glass-smith strode after his regal little bronze without even a single glance back to the unhatched Dragging Anchors egg. "I do believe you're right, Vyaniorth."

A'din's eyes shifted from the mangled features of her daughter to look at the crying harper with serious eyes. "Correct." She stated simply, turning her gaze back to her daughter for a moment before looking at Jada with a brow knitting frown. "You should be on the Sands," she informed the young woman blandly, an opinion that was echoed by the Healers that surrounded them, apparently and the woman turned her attention upon her wayward daughter with frustration and fear. Getting the child out of trouble was a usual adventure for the woman. This, though? A'din sighed. Maybe having her face mauled would be punishment enough?

There was talking, voices, noises and the rush of commands being spewed forth and acted upon, but the child - wide eyed and in shock - was unable to get her brain to focus and that might not have been a bad thing, Indivara thought with sudden clarity, as new voices started barking and pressure was released, and antiseptics applied, and the girl gasped out at the new and sharp pain, the feeling different to the low, endless throb her face, chest and shoulders were currently subjected to. Blue eyes focused, sharply, staring at the world laid out above her with eyes feverishly bright with pain as she shifted her gaze to lock with her mother. Her face blanched further, and the girl trembled, though whether from pain or fear of the woman wasn't determinable.

It was then that Jada's comment filtered through her murky brain, and Indivara's right eyebrow twitched, but the motion was a bare flicker. There was so much pain! Her blue eyes met the harper woman's, and the left corner of the girl's lip managed a half hearted twitch before she breathed out a soft sigh, words lingering on it just barely though she refrained from moving lips puffed up to several times their size. Her left eye was swollen and she couldn't see properly. "Mmmm," she affirmed. She would Impress, and damn it, she was still set on a bronze. Amusement flashed behind the pain, and the girl did her best to gulp the fellis that was poured down her throat. It would help, right? But shards! She was so sore

Tears burst into life in the girl's eyes as some heartless healer poked at the mess of her face, and the child's stomach clenched with sudden and horrible nausea. She held it down for a moment, before her entire body convulsed and Indivara hurled herself up to heave over the side of the table she was on, barely missing one healer's feet as the fellis she'd just swallowed, her dinner, and whatever else exploded passed her shredded lips. It hurt! It hurt! Indivara's breaths came in choking gasps as she tried to breath and her nostrils flared, attempting to put off needing to move her lips in order to breathe - they hurt. She hurt. So much hurt!

You're hurt The voice bashed into her mind like a clap of unexpected thunder, and Inidvara jerked. What? Why are you hurt! Get away, only I can heal her! Huge blue eyes twisted around to stare at the dragonet that had come barrelling towards the highly emotive gathering, and Indivara just stared, dumbfounded, at the creature.

Additional footsteps caused the girl to shift her position to see who it was. Unfortunately, in so doing, she turned her head into the cautious attention of a healer, and their fingers pressed rather suddenly and painfully into the slice just under Indivara's left eye. The girl's entire face lost what blood wasn't pouring down it to the center of her stomach. She was faced with a crossroad; puke, or faint.

Fainting won, the girl crumpling into the arms of the healer who laid her down, tuttering.

B'jin and Larrikith both let out enthusiastic sounds of congratulations when Valerian joined the ranks of Weyrlings, the little blue dragon at his side. The green dragon lifted her head,  a whistling sound leaving her jaws to echo out over the top of the humming with the thrilling sound of congratulations that was all Larrikith. Beside her, B'jin gave a delighted laugh and patted his beast, sending Valerian (who may or may not have seen) an cheerful wave and a wide smirk. The boy may not have been sure he wanted a dragon, but B'jin knew from personal experience that while some irritation may linger at a life uprooted, that Val would appreciate his new life mate as much as B'jin (usually) appreciated Larrikith and her internal presence. The green snorted and gave him a bump with her nose. He did very well, Larrikith said proudly, as if she were the one that had Searched the harper, set him up, and made the Impression happen herself. B'jin just laughed, and rolled his eyes with good nature as his attention returned to the sands and those still left upon it.

[[There was a huge break between eggs, in which B'jin and Larrikith were bored, and their writer needs sleep so she's not filling this section with mind goop and brainless fodder. Shoot me. I dare you.]]

If the Search pair's response to their young friend Impressing had been enthusiastic - and it had - it was nothing for their reaction when the young bronze dragon melded minds with the glass smith. Larrikith gave a trumpet of delight, her wings twitching with her desire to fling them out wide while her eyes sparkled brightly with a rainbow of high ended emotions fit to conquest any Impression shield. Beside her, B'jin let out a crow of success, arms flinging up and he pounced on Larrikith, wrapping both arms around her face with a delighted laugh as she lowered her head. The man ignored the twinge and pull the sudden movements made his tender back endure, laughter still bubbling up from his lips as he just about danced with delight, "Larrikith, you amazing beast!"

Releasing Larrikith to cup his hands around his mouth and bellow over the sound of the dragons humming, "WELL DONE ALLENDRIS!" at the same time the green dragon's voice clashed into his mind with little thought to her volume; I TOLD YOU HE WAS A GOOD CHOICE! Larrikith cried smugly, swaying back and forth with delight so she bumped into Ayyonth's side with every other motion. Her eyes were still bright as B'jin lowered his hands, spinning to fling himself at his dragon again, laughing with delight.

"You are amazing!" he gushed. Searching green, blue and brown riders was nothing special - any Searcher could claim a blue or green, even brown to their tally (though women on the male dragons wasn't a bad score to claim) but Searching gold and bronze were a notch of glory, and B'jin was not above telling his dragon how amazing she was, every time she managed to Search one that Impressed just those colours. The fact that she had a talent fro sniffing them out was probably part of the reason her ego was so damned big. Not that B'jin cared. Her searching such was hat had helped him get so far up the social ladder -- especially for just a green rider!

An interminably long and hopelessly lonely quarter of an hour passed between the gut-wrenching moment Kerrin had to watch the last and very least enthusiastic looking member of his rapidly dwindling group Impress to what turned out to be a bronze dragon - two Northerners on bronze! he couldn't believe it - and the crack of the next shell. In the meantime the My One and Only Hatching had paused briefly to give a quick inspection, but the weyrbrat knew right away that much like the first Hatchling to approach him with its inquisitive sniffs, the little creature was far too hesitant and careful to be a good match for him. Kerrin knew dragonkind well enough to imagine that any dragon destined for him would surely be bursting out of its shell in its excitement to meet him.

The sand-spraying Love the Hand That Feeds Hatchling had been a little like that, but she had chosen another, and Kerrin simply had to trust that the dragons knew best.

But no. With just two eggs left on the sands and close to 30 hopefuls left standing, in that seemingly endless 15 minutes Katila's youngest Candidate had come to terms with the very real possibility for all his confidence that he would Impress, and for all the strength of his mental bonds with more than one of Katila Weyr's already-existing dragons that showed he was a natural shoe-in for Candidacy, that he would not be walking away with a dragon that evening. He didn't like it, but somewhere deep in his gut he already knew that was the fate awaited him. Even as the second to last shell began to crack, Kerrin was already stealing impatient glances in Indivara's direction, his mood growing more and more sour by the second. Just hurry and let me go see her, he silently urged the hatchling as it struggled within its egg, tiny claws piercing the stubborn shell. When it finally peeled back the walls of its miniature prison, the boy could only boggle as the newest dragonet let out an ear-piercing shriek and immediately bounded off in the very direction he had been wanting to go.

The weyrbrat's slow-burning anger dissipated in that split-second of shock that overtook him - as it did all the weyrfolk, he was sure - when the youngest hatchling's hide gleamed gold in the light at the same time her furious words echoed in the minds of all who were receptive to the voices of dragons. What the--had that enraged little beast really Impressed to Indivara?! Impossible! Everyone in the Weyr knew the girl absolutely loathed the idea of being doomed to ride gold.

In that instant, Kerrin knew that he had sharding well better sort this out for himself! He hardly waited for Nirinath's humming to cease, signaling the end of the Hatching and the sad fact that the last and largest egg was a dud, before he was already dashing off in the footsteps of the screeching dragonet, very nearly bowling the poor creature over in his rush to Indivara's side. "INDI!" he all but screamed, heedless of the fact that the girl wouldn't be able to answer her, much less at the wide-eyed shock of many of the spectators at his completely inappropriate outburst. He just didn't even sharding care anymore. Not only had there been no dragon on the sands for him, his clothes were blood-soaked, his friend had almost been ripped apart in his arms... and NOW just to add a dash of insult to that injury, it looked like in his place, that pig-headed girl might have actually Impressed a gold dragon?! When EVERYBODY knew that was the one thing Indivara hadn't wanted at all?

"Please tell me that's not your gold!" Kerrin demanded frantically of the girl, not even seeming to notice that she was on the very verge of fainting away altogether. His voice, much like his emotions, was colored with a strange and very confused mix of irrational jealousy at the possibility that Indivara had nabbed an Impression before him, and abject horror at the thought of his poor friend and fellow carefree weyrbrat saddled with a gold... as if the day hadn't been traumatic enough for her already! And that was not even to mention the healthy dose of the all-consuming worry for her well-being and safety and had been eating away at him for the entirety of the hatching, despite all of his most desperate attempts to bottle it up. It was all spilling out now, that much was obvious!

Razzah began to worry slightly when there were only five eggs left; he wondered if he had not been worthy enough. He watched with some amusment at the antics of the hatchlings when they arrived and he felt happy for the candidates who had impressed. When the final dragonet went to someone else Razzah was happy for them of course but he was overcome with a since of emptyness. He stood there only a few moments longer before leaving; he beat a hastey retreat so that none would see the pain or tears in his eyes.

He had failed to impress, he had been unworthy of any of them and he couldn't blame anyone but himself; after all who was there to blame? no one. Razzah didn't even wanna be in the weyr right then so he rushed back to change where he had changed at before then left. some tried to stop him and offer condolences or make him do some chore; but he blew them off and just left the weyr.

Once he was finally alone as far away the main weyr as he could get he let his sorrow and greif pour from him. His dream had been given just within grasp then crushed at the very edge of his fingertips.

R’nd watched the Hatching in silence after Indivara was ushered off the Sands to be looked after. He knew Kerrin would be rattled from that attack and not being beside his young friend would be driving the weyrbrat crazy but R’nd was proud of the way Kerrin stayed where he was, focused on what had been asked of him. While still nervous about the outcome of the Hatching, R’nd had slowed his drinking from nearly doing shots of the beverage to sipping slowly on a glass of wine as he watched Impression after Impression being made. Erisi was a surprise to him but he was happy for the younger man and even happier for I’shan when not only Erisi but the other snarky Harper he had Searched Impressed. His friend was doing well with this clutch and R’nd hoped D’ren acknowledged this as compliments could go a long way after so many negative decrees and actions. Of course it wouldn’t make it up to the bluerider that was still bitter about the twenty lashings B’jin had received but it would be a start and help get I’shan out of constant suspicion for troublemaking.

When B’jin and Larrikith started cheering for Valerian, R’nd hoped he would soon be able to do the same for Kerrin. There weren’t many eggs left but it would serve his friend right if he Impressed last, perhaps as punishment for always arriving to classes late, or having poorly timed visits to a bluerider’s hut. That line of thought was cut off when the gorgeous man he didn’t know that stood near Kerrin Impressed which sent B’jin and Larrikith cheering even louder. In fact, Ayyonth started cheering as well! His blue didn’t know the man either but the excitement the two he was sitting with exuded was contagious and sent Ayyonth dancing around and giving his own excited sounds. As Allendris led the dragonet off, R’nd caught a good glimpse as to why the Impression was exciting and smiled at seeing a second bronze. Even better, it hadn’t Impressed Kerrin! It had been close, as had two other Impressions, but none had taken an interest in Kerrin. There had to be a dragonet in there for him, right?

Unfortunately the following two dragonets paid him no mind and suddenly there were only two eggs left. As one shell cracked open and the inhabitant headed for the healers, R’nd had no idea what was going on. Was one of the injured Candidates about to Impress? That question became extremely important as the light shifted and caught the metallic shine of a gold hide. There was a gold! Relief poured through him, as it obviously did through the rest of the viewers in the stands judging by the sounds. Finally. Nirinath was wonderful but she was aging and as the last gold, that was a frightening thing to dwell on. He couldn’t make out the chosen Candidate and it didn’t matter since there was one egg left and it had to be for Kerrin’s. With his spirits suddenly lifted, R’nd turned to where his dragon sat with B’jin and Larrikith and smiled at the greenrider who was in celebration mode. He felt good about the odds and started to let Ayyonth’s joy wash over him as he turned back to the sands and abruptly ignored the excitement as the final egg remained unmoving. He stared at it, willing it to wiggle and crack, but nothing. Perhaps it truly was taking its time after all? But Nirinath wouldn’t even allow him to properly entertain that thought or work on willing the dragonet free as she moved to grab the egg and disappeared between.

It was always horrible to see an unhatched egg but this one hurt even more as R’nd was utterly convinced Kerrin would Impress with this clutch. His gaze went straight to Kerrin to see how his friend was doing only to see him take off towards where Indivara had been taken. It was extremely unselfish of the brat and R’nd was glad to see him going to check on his friend instead of giving into self-pity and wallowing in rejection right then. Besides, R’nd could do enough of that for Kerrin for the moment as he wished his young friend didn’t have to deal with so much all at once that night. He looked down at his legs, a hand lifting to massage at his temple. He clearly hadn’t had enough to drink since waking as a hangover headache was trying to pop up. Or maybe it was simply because he had been worrying too much for the last few hours and with little sleep leading up to that moment, he was just taxed.

R’nd, cheer up! It is a wonderful night filled with perfect matches and a gold! Your mood is going to ruin mine. R’nd always considered Ayyonth to be among the more intelligent of his clutch and the dragons he spent time with but right then, he wasn’t so sure. Kerrin didn’t Impress and there were a lot of injuries. Why should I be in a good mood? Why were they even having that conversation? What kind of influence was Larrikith being on Ayyonth?

Kerrin’s friend will be okay and he didn’t Impress a bronze, so it can’t be too bad, right? In truth, none in that clutch were worthy of Kerrin. I will tell him that when you see him. You are going to him, aren’t you? Ayyonth would have preferred sending B’jin to cheer up R’nd since he wasn’t fond of the darker moods his rider could slip into when he tried to take on the weight of the world for everyone else but Kerrin needed comforting as well, whether he knew it yet or not. The shock of the night’s events would sink in soon and a friend would be needed.

R’nd nodded, almost absently as grey eyes tracked Kerrin across the Sands and nearly running over the gold dragonet in the process. That was just how the night needed to end; Kerrin getting punished for injuring the newly hatched golden dragon that would help repopulate the species! He couldn’t sit around moping for them while he waited for Kerrin to pick up his share of the emotion. With his bag and wine bottle forgotten, R’nd moved down the stands and hopped the barrier to let himself down to the triage area coming up behind the frantic weyrbrat exclaiming his disbelief at someone. “Kerrin,” he called the name and stepped up behind his friend, arm moving to wrap lightly around the man to gently rest his hand on his thigh. He was there to lend his strength to Kerrin and check on the injured but he couldn’t help but going wide-eyed at seeing Jada and the gold. Had the little Harper girl Impressed the young queen?!

I’m sorry, Larrikith. R’nd… he hides his feelings even from himself and when it comes to Kerrin and B’jin, he’s always floundering. Tonight, it seems Kerrin needs him more. He loved Kerrin almost as much as he did R’nd but he hated disappointing the petit green that had taken him under her wing and was such fun to spend time with. He also couldn’t deny that B’jin and R’nd had good chemistry and both men were happy together and Ayyonth did like it when his rider was happy –his teasing of R’nd to irritate him was another story all together. So he brushed up against the excited green and nuzzled her in apology and then very carefully so as not to incur the wrath of either, leaned down and brushed his head against B’jin’s outer thigh, which seemed like an okay place to nuzzle without harming the rider. He wouldn’t be rude and speak to B’jin without permission but he wanted to convey his apology for R’nd’s quick departure for the other man that meant something to him, though given the good mood of the pair, R’nd would be missed but not needed like Kerrin needed him.

It was tough looking after two humans.

Breccan watched the Empty Rooms Egg most of all, both dreading and oddly anticipating seeing the mad dragon hatch. It did no more than shiver, and had done no more than that the entirety of the Hatching, but it was the only remaining shell she'd had any contact with. No, it hadn't been welcoming or given her any positive feelings at all, really, but she still had to wonder. Maybe it had been even less friendly to all the others who'd Touched, and all that tapping had been its version of friendliness.

A sudden crack made her jump, and she swung her attention hurriedly to a shell that had apparently just disintegrated all at once. The hatchling trumpeted grandly, making her wonder if a Brown or Bronze was standing just over there, and then went jumping across the Sands in a manner that made her think not. An angry shriek arose from where the Empty Rooms Egg had stood, and soon the two hatchlings were rolling over one another. She couldn't see any ichor, so she had to conclude they were more gentle with one another than with the Candidates. Of course, immediately after, she clearly saw one hatchling gouge the other deeply across the jaw. A boy abruptly stepped forward and pulled them apart, which was perhaps the stupidest thing she'd ever seen, but he was rewarded by an Impression. She wasn't positive, but she was reasonably sure that was the hatchling from the Empty Rooms Egg. Well, so much for that hope.

She watched until she was quite sure the dangerous little thing was a Blue, then looked back in time to see the remaining hatchling choose a girl, and then prove to be a Green. A small hatchling remained, but she couldn't remember seeing a third Egg hatch. Odd. It moved to circle a boy near where a Green had just chosen, and was, apparently, another Blue.

Another slow time passed, with little more than rocking from three of the remaining Eggs. Breccan was oddly sure, somewhere deep down, that she would be leaving the Sands alone today. If she did, would she try again? Could they force her to? She remembered what Echlerov had said about Hatchings being the most exciting and the most disappointing thing to ever happen to him. That was much easier to understand now. At least he'd Impressed, to that fine little Blue. Perhaps he'd let her meet his dragon. Perhaps that would make this all worse. Her heart tightened within her at the idea of being left alone today. Obviously she'd changed her mind about Impressing.

A big hatchling spilled out of one of the few remaining Eggs, obviously doing its best to keep its feet, and then there was suddenly another, tripping and dancing across the Sand before abruptly slamming directly into an Egg. The hatchling inside vacated quickly, hiding behind another large shell and holding a brief conversation with the hatchling who'd so rudely evicted it.

Breccan looked down, a little surprised to see the big hatchling right in front of her, sniffing thoughtfully. It bumped her hand -affectionately, she wondered?- and then darted to someone else, Impressing almost immediately. She watched it curiously as it went towards the food with its new other half in tow, and felt a sharp sting of surprise to see the hatchling had been a Bronze. Why would a Bronze give her any encouragement, or any attention at all?

In the meantime, the wild little hatchling had Impressed; she managed to catch sight of a Green hide before turning back to the remaining dragon on the Sands. This one was moving methodically, carefully examining each Candidate. Breccan stood patiently for the study, but was unsurprised when the baby moved on, going right to the end of the line before doubling back and choosing a girl, one Breccan vaguely recognized as a former Weaver.

Nothing seemed to happen with the remaining two Eggs, but the dragons were still humming determinedly. Did they know that there was more to come, or were they just optimistic? She half-expected to hear the humming falter or begin to die away, but it remained, steady in the background, for the next fifteen minutes. Finally, one of the Eggs rolled, tipped, broke, expelling yet another new dragon. This one knew precisely where it was headed. With a piercing sound, it charged towards the platform, and Breccan caught a surprising glimmer of gold. So Nirinath had produced a daughter after all! She supposed she should have been relieved, along with everyone else, but she felt oddly distant from everything, removed.

The squeal of a voice in her mind made her wince. Was the Gold referring to Indivara? She certainly wasn't talking about the other one who'd been injured, a boy. Well! She supposed a Katilan-born girl would be the logical choice, but Indivara hadn't quite seemed like Gold-riding material to her. Too young, too wild. Then again, dragons knew best, didn't they?

Nirinath was on the move, and soon the remaining Egg was gone, the humming dying off. Breccan looked at the faces of those left behind, interested in the gamut of emotions. Predominant was sadness, and there was more than one girl crying openly. Even a boy seemed to have his head in his hands for that reason. A few looked relieved, but it was a confused sort of relieved. She did not bother to ask herself how she felt. The answer was too big to be given out here, and if she was upset, she hardly wanted to show it to everyone. Instead, habit composed her face into a serene mask as she left. She knew from experience she could maintain that expression easily for sevendays at a time, even months, if she had to. And by then, she'd have dealt with whatever it was. Everything would be fine.

Eventually.

"Stay awake, Farlint," Talian breathed as he opened his bag. He was aware of the commotion behind, eggs breaking and creeling dragonets spilling out onto the sands. He didn't care about them, though. He only cared about Farlint.

Talian narrowed his eyes a bit and focused on the other man's slurrs barely-audible words. Bro? Nee? Sa? Talian shook his head and looked down at the injury. The leg was clearly snapped at the tibia, only a few inches beneath the knee. Knee!

Bro? Talian's eyes darted around and quickly caught sight of one of the larger hatchlings, it's hide a dingy metallic brown color. Bronze.

The bronze dragonet had done this. Talian shuddered; dragons were such vile, evil things sometimes. He swallowed his disgust and reached for some lambskin gloves and a skin of water in his bag.

"Hold still for me," Talian said soothingly, his tone even and focused as he rinsed the sand away from the wound. He couldn't apply numbweed until the wound was wrapped. Poor Farlint would just have to deal until then. Talian quickly and precisely washed and prepared the wound to be dressed. This was the sort of thing he was born to do.

"Hold him," he grunted to a fellow healer as he finished cleaning the wound and moved to actually set it. The tibia was poking through the skin. It would need to be drawn back before it could be set. It would be painful. Talian wiped some blood on his pants before grabbing Far's leg in both hands, one on the knee and one below the break, and pulled.

Hard.

He jerked the lower leg down and slid the tibia forward, pulling it back under the skin. It look a surprising amount of muscle and must have been hideously painful. The bone made a disgusting grinding sound as Talian quickly set it and held it fast. "Splint!" he called out.

Another healer was ahead of him. The man bolted over, offering a splint he'd fetched in advance. Tal motioned for him to hold the leg in place. First the ripped skin needed to be stitched. It would only require three or four sutures, a minor task. Tal reached for a needle and some sinew and quickly set to work, fingers flying and motion fluid. Then, he started splinting the break. "It's almost over," he said lightly, trying to sound comforting, though the total focus and near emotionless in his voice may have been anything but.

By the time the eggs started hatching again, it was over. Farlint's leg was splinted and some numbweed cut with water had been allowed to soak through the bandages. Talian had some blood smeared on his pants, but otherwise he'd come out of it fine.

He gave Farlint a reassuring pat on the shoulder before running to Indivara. The other healers had done a good job containing her bleeding with pressure, but her wounds needed to be cleaned immediately. She was also going to need stitches.

"Hang in there, dear," he said, knowing the unconscious girl wouldn't be able to hear her. He took her in his arms and pulled her close. She was covered in blood caked sand, vomit, sweat...and the others had handled her so roughly. Talian frowned and reached for his bag with one hand. He was loathe to set her down, but he had to in order to change his gloves.

Once changed, he got a roll of bandage and started to pull her wounds together. The others had already cleaned the sand from most of them, but the bleeding had to stop now. The bandages would suffice until he could get her to the infirmary and stitch her.

"Here we go, dear..." he sighed weakly as he quickly started to wrap. He was almost finished when he realized that Jada, the selfless girl who'd stayed by Indivara's side, was now accompanied by a gold dragonet.

Tal's eyes widened as he rose to his feet, Indivara clutched closely to his chest. ".... Congratulations," he said to Jada, eyes wide with caution. He started to take a few steps back before letting out a shout:

"Can someone take us to the infirmary?!" He hated to ask for a dragon's help, but it was necessary. Right now. Far could be carried on a stretcher, but Indivara still needed treatment.

The Harper clung to Indivara’s hand, laughing tearfully at the young woman’s grunt of affirmation. “yes,” she agreed with the girl, “You’ll get the best Bronze ever. You just watch.” Jada winced as Indi chose to take that moment to vomit, and Jada tried to stop the bile rising in her belly by telling A’din, “I’ve made my decision.” It hadn’t been an easy decision, and it was one she was too selfish to make again, probably. At the moment, this was the best course for her “There are plenty of other Candidates out there, but Indivara needs a friend. I know that you are her mother; I just know how I’d feel in Indi’s place.” Jada’s heart clenched. “There will be more chanced for me, A’din.” In truth, Jada thought, it was not the selflessness that some people might say it was. It was cowardice, and the Harper waited to eb called on it. It wasn’t concern for Indi that was the deciding factor, it was fear for her own well-being, fear that the dragonets would scent her wounds and come for her like feral felines. No dragonet would want a coward, anyways. Jada couldn’t even claim to blame them; she wouldn’t want one either.

But it helped her that she truly did care for Indivara.  The spunky child was only one of the many people she could love, even in a platonic manner, during her half-turn stay at Katila Weyr. She’d discovered new friends, rediscovered old, encountered so many personalities to challenge her and help her to grow. For Jada, though she constantly missed her family and her Craft, coming to Katila had improved her, freeing her from her bonds almost as much as it had chained her to a new way of life. The old had been turgid  with expectation, with living up to the legacy of her parents and the talent of Litir. Here in Katila no one cared if her brother had been a musical prodigy, no one cared if her mother was a wonderful storyteller, or if her father had been one of the most wonderful tenor voices on Pern before his death. Here in Katila, even the other Harpers barely knew her, and no one would be ableto look at her and say “Ahh, you are Master Szelem’s daughter…” It was funny: until she had been believed dead by everyone in her life, she hadn’t actually come to life. (The irony was not lost on her at all. And the Rider who had Stolen her was still a lunkhead.)

She ached to do something as she watched Indivara and Farlint shuddering with pain. Talian and the Healers had that well in hand, however, so she clung to Indivara’s hand, leaving the work to the Healer’s. The broken leg was back in place, and that was good. It would be nice if he would also have another chance to Stand. His screams, a fierce comparison to Indivara’s rigid silence, had turmed her blood to ice as she had been forced to listen. No, not forced; but there had been nowhere else that she could go, She could still hear the sounds of his leg crunching in her ear, and Jada looked back over at the handsome Master still bent over him, finishing up something with the bindings. Her stomach twisted as she tried to imagine- ugh. Bile rose, and it wasn’t really as through she’d had a particularly strong the last sevenday or so anyway. Nerves, most like, as she’d looked forward to this day, tried to remember all the stories, and pay careful attention to everything they warned her about. Her stomach gave a fierce twist and she heaved, getting the attention of a Healer.

Honestly, she was surprised she’d lasted this long already. The bucket that she had been using to store the bloodied wash rag for her arms in was shoved under her nose by a hand, and… well, that bucket would need to be emptied even if she hadn’t upchucked bile into it. And that rag was not likely to be used again. Looking into the bucket after she had vomited, the Harper realized just how blatantly obvious it was that Jada had eaten almost nothing that day. They are Healers, she thought inanely, focusing on something else, They have plenty more rags. They can just drop this one Between. And Healers needed to, or did, know what was best for their patients. Clean rags were best for their patients.

Even the Healers rumored to be suicidal seemed to be quicker thinkers than her. Mother would be ashamed of her, and Litir would laugh. Jada wiped her mouth absently on the clean piece of cloth she was passed, rinsing her mouth and spitting back into the wooden container, amber eyes on Talian as he worked. She had never seen the man this close. It was true that he was very handsome, and she’d already thought he had a very nice voice. He’d shown quick judgment in looking between the three wounded here in triage and making his decision, and while Indivara was profusel bleeding, Far’s leg was… quite disgusting, actually. The bone was all- oh shards, she was going to- Euck. A hand stroked through her dark hair, shushing, and Jada was surprised to see A’din. Was the one doing so.

“How far along are you?” snapped an irritated healer, and Jada blinked.

“It smells like blood and vomit, and you’re assuming she’s pregnant because she is a reactive vomiter?” snapped another Healer, and the two started bickering over Indivara’s body, doing what they could to stop the bleeding. Over at Farlint, his leg was being sewn on or bandage, or somtething, and she thought she heard another pop of bone, heard a low curse as a fragment of bone was pulled from the wound. Strange, how a bump from a creature like that little bronze could cause so much damage. Really, just strange how something that small could have been so dangerous. All until Impression, when the beast had faded into submission. Huh. Jada rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair. Thank Faranth the Healers had thought of them.

Talian finally found his way to Indivara, lifting her close. Amber eyes closed, watching one of Indi's hands fall, hissing through her teeth. She had almost started to relax, watching him bandage the girl's wounds, when there came an ear-piercing creel from behind her. It seemed to startle almost everyone within eyesight (except for the incredibly focused Healer,) and Jada’s was not the only head on the platform to whip around to watch a gangly, awkward Hatchling galloping in their direction, sending Sand flying everywhere. The dragonet had to be insane. Crazy. Defunt. Surely Nirinath would stop it before it- Ouch! Jada winced in sympathy as the dragonet thudded roughly into the platform, white eyes spinning. Only here in the light did she- and everyone else- see the metallic shimmer to the hide. Was it Indivara’s bronze, come to claim her at last? No… that was a golden hide, and Jada’s breath caught. And the mind voice, when it blasted through their ears, was too gentle and crisp to be masculine.

You’re Hurt! The voice shrieked, and Jada winced, as did several others. Why are you hut? Get away! Only I can heal her! Hot on the dragonet’s heels, Kerrin came pelting across the Sands, and almost shoved his way over her in his eagerness to climb up. Following his example, the dragonet shoved one leg up, and dragged itself onto the platform by sheer determination. Jada, like so many others, turned to stare stupidly at Indivara. The girl would hate this development. In fact, Jada was concerned that- yep! It looked like Indi had blacked out from shock. And Kerrin was yelling, and probably getting in talian's way. She knew the boy, but this racket wasn’t going to help anyone, least of all Indivara! “Kerrin,” said Jada, voice shaking, “Yelling won’t change anything.” She couldn't bring herself to tell him he might, in fact be doing more harm than good. And if the healers weren't going to stop him, who was she to? She reached out to touch him, but R’nd beat her to his side, putting a familiar hand on the younger man.

Jada drew back her shaking hand, turning to give the white-eyed dragonet another look. If they didn’t wake up Indivara soon, who knew what would happen? The dragonet was shaking her head side to side, tail waving in agitation, advancing on them across the platform rather like a very angry bull. And people were certainly getting out of her way. “R’nd.” She said urgently. “Kerrin.” They all needed to get out of her way. She doubted the Healer was in any kind of danger, he was trying to help, after all. It never once crossed the Harper’s mind that the Gold might be there for someone other than Indivara, much less that the dragonet could be there for her. After all, as Jada had pointed out there were lots of other, valid options.

I told you to get away! came the voice again, and the gold charged. There was a single shriek from someone- Jada would later deny vehemently that is was her- and a healer tensed; Next thing Jada knew she was falling off the edge of the platform and onto the Sands, fairly slender form being crushed underneath a dragonet. Fabulous. She was going to die. Ferocious teeth were going to rip her beautiful face off, and she’d never be able to admit to Valerian just who she’d been writing that love letter to when she was ten. She was going to DIE, and- the beast’s maw descended for her, and Jada wailed. Goodbye, Cruel World!!

A nose poked her face, snuffling, velvety and warm. A little damp. Kind of smelly, truth be told. And it was gentle. Jada cracked open one amber eye to see the white eyes whirling inches away from her own. Did they hurt you? Silly Healers, thinking they know what is better for you than I do. I tried to warn you. Did they hurt you? The gold’s eyes were losing the white film as she buried her nose in Jada’s armpit, and Jada reached up- to shove the gold dragonet off of her. Rainbow gleamed at her as the dragonet said sagely, You should not exert yourself. You are bleeding. That is a very bad thing. Is all human blood red? That doesn’t look healthy. Let me help you up, and your Krypth shall help you get better. The dragonet nosed down her arm to the bandage and opened her mouth, gently tugging on the bandage without waiting on Jada to speak.

Hey. Wait. “Krypth!” she protested, and squeaked as a heavy foot landed in her stomach. “Get off me!” she told the Gold, and was genuinely surprised at the fact that the bossy little Queen blinked down at her with those rainbow eyes, waiting. “I’ve already seen someone. They put these bandages on me to help keep away infection, and put a salve on to help with the pain. If we disturb them now, it could hurt me. Let’s wait until later.” How on Pern had she suddenly found herself bartering with a dragonet?

She could feel the slow, calm consideration. If you feel any pain, then we shall find someone who may actually be competent at once. The comeback was swift, and the Harper breathed out in relief. Lifting her paw, Krypth waited until Jada stood before twining around her legs once and then bouncing away. I am hungry. she informed everyone in the vicinity.

“I’m so happy for you.” Jada said dryly, and cast one last long, lingering look at Indivara. The Healer had her pulled to his chest, and he was staring at her and the Gold, eyes wide. What was the expression in them?

".... Congratulations," talian said, then yelled out for someone to come and collect himself and Indivara. Jada lunged forward, gripping the edge of the platform.

“Keep me updated on how she is.” she begged R'nd. She knew that most likely the bluerider would be the one to take the pair to Healer Hall. He was right here. He knew Indivara needed help, and that- “Please, I need to know as soon as you hear anything. R'nd?”