Verilith's Clutch

[Dragon]

Valon watched, mesmerized, with the others as the Copper preened and danced around on the sands, clearly enjoying the attention she was getting from everyone. That was just so adorable, but shouldn't the little thing be going to find her bonded? Unless, the unwelcome thought passed through his mind, she had no bonded and would between at any moment. But no, this little dragon clearly had someone picked from the grouping of candidates before her. She was too sweet to be lost.

Noticing how hot the sands were, even through his thick sandals, he was terribly glad he had remembered to put them on and tried not to give in to the urge to shift his feet to make the heat go away. It was only slightly bothersome, and as a farm raised boy, he was used to it. But still, it bothered him. It was hot enough here in Southern without the factor of the Hatching sands, and standing here just waiting... well, standing around was not something he enjoyed doing anyway, and the heat only added to his desperate hope that this hatching would continue on it's way.

He raised one sun-darkened hand to wipe his brow of sweat, while grinning at Yukito's antics. The other boy was clearly very taken with the Copper. Odd for a boy, but there was nothing wrong with that in Valon's mind. Glancing around the sands once, he noted many of the riders and even candidates there had very light skin indeed. This made him thankful for his darker skin, keeping him from reddening as he noted some of the riders already had. That was another of the advantages of growing up in a farming hold. Always being out in the sun saved him from burning up like some people did.

But this was not the time to think such things, and so he turned his eyes back to the eggs. While the Copper was very pretty, it was a female, and that was enough for him to turn his eyes from it. He wouldn't mind Impressing a female, but it was very unlikely such an attention-loving female creature would choose him. Now Yukito was more likely to be chosen, but somehow he thought this Copper was intended for a girl. So his eyes fixed on the unhatched eggs, with only a small glance at the queen egg rocking quickly, set apart from the others.

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

Indeed the Queen egg was rocking even harder, as yet another hairline fracture appeared on it's surface. But still, the egg held together. It wasn't time for it to hatch yet. However, another egg did hatch. It revealed a gleaming Diamond female, of average colouring but a good size. The little Diamond shook herself, poking around in the shards of her shell with interest. She snorted at it, as if to say "I'll show you for trying to keep me from my Mine!"

She quickly turned her attention away from the egg shards, however, and headed unerringly toward the girl's grouped to one side of the hatching. Her Mine was there, and she must get to her and get food. Passing the Copper, she paused, turning to her clutchsister. This one was stealing all the attention away from her! Attempting to preen as the Copper was, she too stopped, though it seemed the Copper was no longer trying to win attention from the crowd.

Actually, upon hearing Yukito's happy squeals and looking at the boy, she shuffled her wings. He was very amusing, acting like that. And oh how he enjoyed her beauty, as he should! But he was not her Mine.. No, her Mine was over with the females. Oh! She had forgotten about her Mine! Now that wouldn't do! Disregarding her adoring crowd of watchers, and only snorting at the Diamond in amusement, she began to make her way to the female's again.

This time there was nothing going to distract her from her Mine! Oh no, she was going to go and be with her Mine and find food. Oh yes, food was what she needed, but she had to find her Mine first. So, pushing past a few girls to make a direct route to her bonded, she came to stand happily before Alyana.

~AlyanaMine! You Kivath is here and wanting food! She enjoyed the attention of these others much, but now you must feed your Kivath, Mine! Your Kivath is hungry indeed. She has been in her egg for far too long and she tires of these people staring at her so!~ The Copper stated to Alyana, poking at the girl and taking the hem of Alyana's robe in her mouth, tugging gently. It was time to go, she no longer wanted the attention of these people.

[Pheonix]

Alyana watched as a few more people approached the Sands in a bit of a hurry, and they had missed the energetic little Copper's breaking free from her eggshells. She continued watching the Copper preen around, with a bit of a raised eyebrow, though she was growing more amused with the little Copper's efforts. Though, little was a bit of a understatement, as the Copper was a pretty big dragon, and would most likely grow to be even bigger, though perhaps not to the size of the Queens or Onyxs. No matter, a healthy Copper was a good start to this Clutch!

As she watched, her eyes glanced over to the Queen, who personally, Alyana didn't really care about. Queens, Diamonds, Jades, they were all dragons, really. However, she was aware that the Queen was rather important, though Alyana was always sure she would Impress a fighting dragon. She really was not the motherly type at all, so having to watch over eggs was, well, boring. Smirking, she watched as another egg burst open, instead of the Queen egg. A Diamond, and she was a beautiful little thing. However, it seemed to Alyana that the Copper wasn't trying to get attention anymore, and it seemed like she was now actually going to find her Bonded. Perhaps the hatchling hunger finally caught up with her.

Not expecting the dragon to approach her, she stared in a bit of shock as the Copper came closer and closer, seeming to directly approach... her?! Then, it hit her, the whirls of rainbow color, the odd feelings that came with attaching your mind to another's. She had never felt anything quite like it, and she probably never would. It didn't quite hit Alyana that she had Impressed for a bit, and she just simply stood there, not quite comprehending. Then, finally, she heard the voice again, Mine! Time to go! the Copper, no, Kivath said, tugging on her robes again. Alyana couldn't help the wide, almost insanely happy smile that spread across her face as she looked down at her dragon... though, that was probably too much, as Kivath was almost as big as she was.

Not quite sure what to do now, she looked around and managed to announce, "H-her name is Kivath!" as she had heard that you were supposed to announce your dragonets name when you Impressed. For the records, maybe? Who cares, it didn't really matter now! She had Impressed... at her first Hatching! Wait until T'rin heard, he'd flip! Well, he was probably out in the Stands somewhere, watching. Deciding that she didn't care to look for him, she payed more attention the Copper (HER Copper!) that was pretty much dragging her across the Sands to get to food. Mine, stop talking to yourself and come on!

[/color] Kivath said a bit impatiently. Alyana, not quite sure how exactly to speak through the mind-link, responded with "I'm coming! You can let go of my robes, now," Alyana wasn't sure if the Weyr wanted these robes back, though there was now a tear where Kivath had decided to drag Alyana across the Sands with.

The pair were now walking side-by-side to the table of meat set out for the Weyrlings. Figuring that she was supposed to feed her own dragon, Alyana grabbed a bucket of meat and dragged it off to the side, so she could feed Kivath and get a good look at the rest of the Hatching. She felt a bit lucky, her dragonet had found her right off, there was no excess waiting. Oh how Alyana hated waiting... although Kivath sure had taken her sweet time! But minnneee, it was fun! They were all staring at me! And that boy even squealed for me! she said happily, chomping down on a hunk of meat that Alyana had tossed her. Shards, these dragons sure required a lot of meat! It's a good thing Alyana wasn's squeamish, for this meat was also rather... bloody and raw. "I knooowww. But at least you came to me," Alyana responded with a small grin. She still continued feeding Kivath, it seemed like the Copper wasn't going to stop eating any time soon. Well, that was good, it meant she was going to grow up big and strong! Shards, Coppers were huge dragons, weren't they? How was she supposed to feed Kivath when she got bigger?!

Oh silly Mine, I'll hunt for myself! I can't now, but I will! And we'll be the BEST! Kivath continued happily, looking at her Bonded, her eyes whirling with great happyness, and if Alyana's eyes could whirl colors, she'd probably have blue-green eyes too. In any case, now she could happily relax and feed Kivath while watching the rest of the Hatching at the same time. She grinned, this was perfect! Impressing first was always some sort of honor... sort of. Well, whatever, who cares, she had Kivath! She didn't need anything else.[/center]

[Pheonix]

Cemasle watched the Copper prance around some more, and he couldn't help but giggle some more. Semacle was getting increasingly annoyed, and he felt that the stupid thing needed to find her sharding Bonded already and get off the Sands. The sooner this was over and the sooner they could go back to the Candidate Barracks, the better. Semacle was set on believing that they wouldn't Impress, as per usual, and they could go back to the Barracks and rest, WITHOUT a dragon. Cemasle frowned at his other half's pessimistic views, but he watched the Copper with a bit of glee all the same. Maybe he would Impress a happy dragon like that, and maybe they'd be able to cheer up Semacle together! Yeah... right....

Anyway, the "two" continued watching the Hatching, and Cemasle was still a bit amused by Yukito's shoutings. He partially hoped that the boy wouldn't explode over every dragonet he saw, or Cemasle might go deaf by the end of the Hatching. Well, he would let the boy have his fun, hey, at least he wasn't so nervous he was about to throw up! Then again, Cemasle wasn't really nervous either, but he wasn't calm. He had more of the butterflies-in-stomach type of nerves, something that made him not quite calm... but not about to scream in fear. He found the dragonets adorable, especially that Copper... who had gone? Oh no wait, with a bit of searching, he managed to see the Copper stalking off towards the females.

Where the Copper had been was now an adorable little Diamond. Semacle had taken to blocking out the Hatching, and he was now completely ignoring everything that was going on, as he usually did. That didn't make too much of a difference to Cemasle, as he was rather used to this behavior by now, though he still felt a bit alone. He sort of liked the reassuring mumblings of Semacle at the back of his mind, it gave him something to think about besides what would happen if he Impressed. However, now the Hatchlings deserved his attention more than Semacle did, so he focused on them. The Diamond was now preening where the Copper had left off, and with a glance to the female semi-circle, he noticed the Copper had Impressed. He had seen this girl around a few times, though he didn't know her very well, but he clapped politely all the same. He glanced nervously towards Yukito, hoping the boy wouldn't rush out and attack the girl for Impressing the dragonet he had taken a liking to. That would be... er, bad. Semacle snickered back in Cemasle's mind... he figured he would actually like to see that. Give some color to this dull Hatching.

Cemasle sighed, but he watched the Hatching with some interest, though he wasn't very sure that he'd Impress. Of course, he'd been standing at the Hatchings for what, two Turns now? And still, he hadn't Impressed. He was beginning to give up, and Cemasle figured he'd on Stand for a Turn or so more, then perhaps he'd find his calling in some other place. He had always had a passion for singing (this thought resulted in an outright burst of laughter from Semacle, and Cemasle had to stop his train of thought to calm his other half down) maybe he could join the Harpers Hall... or not.

In any case, he was still watching the Hatching, and the Diamond still hadn't tried to find her Bonded yet. It was pretty much the same as the Copper, although much smaller. She was a pretty color though, as Cemasle had always liked the color blue. It was a bit of a lighter blue than he prefered, though, as Cemasle did like darker blues. Hey, it wasn't right to not like a Hatchling because of her color! She was still very beautiful, as Diamonds usually are, although he couldn't help but let his eyes wander among the other eggs, mentally wondering which egg was going to hatch next. Semacle was copying Alyana (though he didn't know it) and was trying to bet with Cemasle as to what egg would hatch next. He was betting the Queen would, though Cem was a bit more skeptical. Queens usually hatched last, and although she seemed ready to break from her shell now, he doubted she would any time soon.

[Kisana]

Kisana, a smirk twitching across her face, watched the Copper dance and preen. Everyone else, it seemed, was watching the Copper as well. Hopefully, her dragon would not be so ... showy. Why would she need to be, though? Dragons were amazing by themselves, without fancy dances or techniques. Sighing inwardly, Kisana stared longingly at the other eggs. The Queen still shuddered, as other eggs began to join in the frenzy of hatching.

Another egg split open and released its precious cargo into the world. A Diamond, sizeable and healthy. It stared angrily at its shell-shards and poked her nose into them eagerly. This little dragon wasn't as ostentatious as the Copper - speaking of which, the Copper was on the move! It waddled rapidly towards the semicircle of girls.

'Maybe it will be mine...Oh, I hope not!' Kisa thought anxiously. She could hardly stand it if that little flirty Copper was hers. But no, the Copper walked past her, towards another girl - Alyana, she believed it was? They gazed intently at each other, then the girl raised her head and announced, "Her name is Kivath!" The pair walked off towards the table of meat.

Her dragon would come. She didn't know how she would cope if she wasn't chosen, out of the paltry number of Candidates there were! Shaking her head to clear her mind, she hummed a simple melody and tapped her foot impatiently.

'Please come and find me, my little dragonet, whoever you are. I need you...' she thought with - was that - fear? Kisa's eyes watered slightly, but she rubbed them dry and continued to watch the Hatching with hope and desperation.

[Femisis]

Though he had ceased his overly enthusiastic squealing, Yukito was still enraptured by the Copper. Though she had stopped demanding the crowd’s admiration, she still caught his full attention simply though her attitude. Such a sweet kitten of a hatchling she was and she wanted everyone to know it. If that was her goal, to attract too much attention, she was attaining it quite well and will relatively little effort. She’d be a charmer when she grew up; there was no doubt in his mind about that. She’d have no problem attracting a fine mate when she grew up. That was a long way from now, though, and only time would tell how she would grow.

The hatching of a second egg didn’t spoil her limelight, though the pretty little Diamond that spilled from the shell seemed to want some of it. She was just adorable as the Copper, even more so like a little kitten than her sister. He squealed, only once, at her, loving the way she tried to mimic the Copper to get some attention. Her sister was hogging all of the people and she didn’t like it, that was obvious. She was sweet, though, and he just wanted to hug her until he couldn’t hug her anymore. That was a bad idea at this point, however, and he refrained from doing so. The limelight wouldn’t be on the Copper much longer as, unfortunately, she was going to the girls. At least she Impressed, though, even if it wasn’t to him. Whatever made her happy was fine with him.

Clasping his hands together, Yukito continued to look on at the Diamond with quiet contemplation. A massive grin was on his face and he rocked back and forth on his heels as he waited. For what, he didn’t know. His dragon, maybe, if he or she was in this clutch. Heck, he had no idea what this clutch held in store for him or anyone else, only that… Wait… was the Queen egg hatching?

He blinked, grin fading to be replaced by a look of utter confusion that looked absolutely adorable on him. Didn’t the Queen usually hatch at the END and not the beginning? She was turning all logic on it’s head, but dragons did what they wanted, end of story. Still, it was confusing poor little Yukito to no end, even if he was a bright boy. He preferred things to be black and white, not technicolor. Rules were rules, even if they could be broken. It just wasn’t normal for the Queen to hatch at the beginning! But who was he to say what a Queen should and shouldn’t do? He was just here to Impress.

[awenys]

Talitha smiled at the Copper's antics of parading around the Grounds. She hoped that that dragon wasn't for her, or if she was, she wasn't always that showy. Tal shift uncomfortably, as the heat seeped through her worn out sandals. I should of worn my new ones, Tal thought to herself.

Tal watched with interest as the next egg hatched. A Diamond came out of it, and she didn't look too happy with her sister taking all of the limelight. She needn't of worried, it seemed, as the Copper walked past Tal to Alyana.

I hope my dragon comes soon, if they come in this hatching. I don't know if I will be able to stand watching everyone but me walk off with a dragon, though I think that thats impossible, as there are more dragon eggs than candidates. Tal told herself this to reassure herself that she had a chance to Impress at this hatching still.

The was still cracking. I wonder if she will hatch at the end or really soon. I remember that they are supposed to hatch at the end, but not everything follows by the rules. Pulling her mind away from the enigma, Tal then focused on the other eggs, and the newly hatched Diamond. Tal thought that the Diamond wasn't really her style, Tal wanted to fight not sit and watch eggs, for the next something years. Well mutations often occur so maybe I'll be lucky enough to get a large dragon, that will be able to fight Thread. With that last thought and hope in mind, Tal resumed to focus on the Hatching.

[tiamat]

Sylla could feel her heart pounding in her chest, and it couldn't have been from her rush to get to the sands on time because she was breathing normally again- fairly normally, at any rate. Far from rising to her throat, it felt like the beating organ was trying to burst free from her chest to escape between. Her attention was keenly focused on the rocking eggs, her eyes flicking back and forth as she tried to watch each individual shell, the gorgeous pale blue Diamond hatchling, and the newly-Impressed pair of the Copper and the girl. Kivath, that was the dragon's name. Sylla couldn't remember the girl's, however. Plenty of time to learn that later, though... if she Impressed.

It was far too early in the hatching for those fears to start rising, she told herself firmly. Besides, she was only fifteen Turns; she could always Stand again. An upstart Weyr like this one- and in the South no less- would soon have plenty of riders. Riders meant dragons, dragons meant Flights... that's right, nothing to worry about. Yet.

She inhaled, trying to quell the nausea roiling in the depths of her stomach. Would Hatchings always be this... frightening? Oh, she wasn't necessarily afraid of the dragons, she'd had enough time down here to acclimate to their presence, it was just... one probably just had to be there to understand. The girl giggled at that, amusement briefly relieving her queasiness. Be there? Then half the Weyr would know exactly how she felt! More, even... though that wouldn't really be saying much at the moment, would it?

Enough. Dragons were like flits, right? Really, really big ones, and much smarter, and– well they were supposed to be related. How could she ever expect to draw her lifemate– if it was here, of course, but she was not thinking about that– if she was virtually radiating fear and worry? She had to calm down. Just... enjoy it, as much as she could. Remember what they'd been told, about how to react to the hatchlings, and enjoy the experience. Right, then.

[Chellie]

To say that Sorcha held no care for the vibrant Copper would have been inaccurate. Her interest, despite her lack of admitting it, had been captured by the dragon child as it sought out for its one. The one person that would ensure it life, that would nurture and love it above all else. Above food, sleep, human companionship, and fleeting emotions. The one that were to be its bonded. The whisperings of questions of how exactly strong that bond was tempted her mind, raising an internal interrogation at how one was able to put complete trust and faith into someone, or something, in such a brief lapse of time.

The wary Sorcha held doubt for the explanations that were offered for this, dissatisfied with any conclusion that she came to, or was offered. The experience was beyond her grasp, honestly.
‘Twas what frustrated the eighteen turn old the most; being ignorant in an area that she could not be educated in. It was the type of knowledge that would be obtained through experience, and this was an experience that was not guaranteed. Shard it, she walking away from the Hatching Sands in the manner she walked in, whole in body and mind, was not even guaranteed. Knuckles became white as hands, scarred from her time spent in the unsheltered wilderness, balled into small fists- fighting back the anger at her being unable to comprehend.

Her full lips were pursed into a thin line as grey eyes scanned the scorching sands that were beginning to be littered with shell particles as yet another dragonet made their grand debut to the eyes of Pern. The material of the white robes still clung lightly against her figure, the perspiration that was forming a light sheen on her bronzed skin causing for the sticky affect. In this moment, when all eyes were focused on the newly Impressed pair, and the Diamond that was showing herself in vanity to the adoring audience. Eyes that could remind one of shattered glass had glanced for a brief moment at the dragonet, but her attention drew elsewhere. Onto the faces that resembled masks, illuminated by the light that a glow offered. Masks haggard with age, greed, disease, ignorance, bliss, hate, and sorrow; all with broken smiles and curious eyes as they watched on with a mixture of excitement and anxiety for what would take place.

The grounds resembled an inferno, raging with a mixture of emotions that provided fuel for the flames to gobble up and grow stronger from. Some would say that hope ruled in all the faces that were on those Grounds, the lads and lasses standing and persevering through the stifling temperatures just to have a chance at becoming a dragonrider, a chance of becoming ‘great’. What one would fail to realize, though, is the amount of greed and selfishness that was apparent in all that stood. Hearts proclaimed to be pure corrupt with power, minds innocent of hate and lust are ruined when given a position of power when not ready. Aye, the potential dragonriders proclaim to be of a different generation; to stand for what is right and just. But this had been stated once before…

Turn after turn, we hear the same story. Styles may change, traditions may fade. Different looks, different rhythms- it is out with the old and in with the new. Every generation claims to be a unique group; full of brilliant concepts and astounding views. This is a lie, not one generation differs much from the last. The ideas and concepts remain the same, even with the advancement of technology and the latest fashion trends; there is no enormous variation of thoughts. The human being is still as it was before; greedy, hateful, manipulative, and vain. But perhaps it is the fact that there is so much perseverance to initiate a change in the world that triggers the belief that the generation is different. Perhaps one should not dwell on the negative, but perhaps on the good that has been done. For there is plenty of that too, Sorcha thought to herself, if we have been able to accomplish keeping safe from the Threads- well, that must stand for something.

Inhaling deeply, the young woman began to gradually exhale while murmuring in an almost inaudible tone, “Maybe it is simply the fact that we realize our stupidity… Maybe that’s what makes us a race worth being given a chance of survival.”

“'ou should never put the new antlers of a deer to your nose and smell them. They have little insects that crawl into the nose and devour the brain.' It was a statement she recalled Arakin speaking to her, he warning her against things that are new and, outwardly, beautiful. Looks can be deceiving and one can be fooled by the glamour of something. Before one can even realize that this ‘new’ discovery is harmful to them, it strikes. The unfortunate few even finding death in their folly to admire a deadly beauty. The beautiful is not perfect, and the new is not always better. Mayhap that is what the healer intended- to warn her against the Weyr. To cherish her old life and hold it at the same value as one would admire a new life. It is the past that she truly had, if the old is brushed away; what is there left? The future is not promised, it eludes in a haze of mystery and the present is fleeting, burning off to become a memory. The past is the greatest treasure, it is the piece of us that actually tells our story; the past is what makes us, respectively, us. It holds all the triumphs, trials, and turning-points in our lives that weather us and form a rounded, functional person.

As Sorcha went in and out of memory lane, the solo fighter shifted her weight to her other foot. Ignoring the heat as it penetrated through her sandals, her eyes that caused the clouds to churn with envy for their hue rested on the mottled shells of the eggs. Fissures decorated their hard layer, cracking and quaking with each movement of the dragonet inside as it fought valiantly to make its great escape. To enter the world of Pern and fulfill its ‘destiny’. In this moment, yet another verse from her adoptive father came to mind as he educated the black-haired girl so that she may hold her own not only in a battle of endurance and physical challenge, but also in wit. It had been in one of their dearer moments, a memory that she recalled fondly upon and put into her chest of ‘treasure’. 'Are we to look at blossoms only in full bloom, the moons only when they are cloudless? He had around the idea that beauty is not only beheld in its prime, but through the entire cycle of life. It is this cycle, as he had come to reiterate time and time again, that is so dazzling, alluring, and mysterious. This cycle of life enticed her imaginations, much as the shadows that are so enigmatic that dance upon the walls. Beauty is found everywhere, in every perception- no matter how different the viewers might be.

Nature was beautiful in birth, life, and death. So were the dragons.

[tiamat]

Now that was a little closer than he'd have liked, if Sharralik was completely honest with himself. He'd practically missed the first Impression! Not that the Copper seemed to mind, or even notice– her attention had been all on posturing for the assembled crowd, then on her Bonded and, of course, food. His light gaze took in the sleek little Diamond then roved on to examine the shaking eggs.

Whoa, was the queen egg hatching?! Sharralik's attention snapped back to the crucial egg's shell and, sure enough, a spiderweb of fissures were spreading across its surface. Almost confused he glanced at the remaining eggs, counting under his breath even though he could easily tell most of them were still there. Nearly all, as a matter of fact. Good. For a second there he'd thought... but he hadn't missed the Hatching.

Ridiculous, thinking the whole thing could have taken place in a matter of minutes. That would be a little anticlimactic, wouldn't it? All these months of waiting– well, all right, so he specifically didn't have to wait so long, since he'd simply been brought over to try to help with the candidate shortage, not that he was complaining– just for the whole thing to be over so soon?

A smile snuck its way onto his lips as he leaned backwards a little in his place to see past a few of the other male candidates to where the first weyrling pair was. Good for them. Alynn was the girl's name, right? Aiana or something like that. He inwardly flinched, already imagining what his father might have to say about that. As a potential rider he ought to be meeting everyone, or at least know their names! Didn't matter if he made bronze or blue– at this point his lips silently moved in time with his thoughts– to make a useful contribution to the Weyr it was important he know... things. People.

So that last bit wasn't verbatim what M'bon said. Well, M'bon was an entire continent away so– Sharralik's thoughts froze as suddenly as if shoved between. Ooor they could have been told, indirectly of course, and were in the stands somewhere, watching. Watching him dash in, typically late, and... not good. As unobtrusively as he could he started trying to peer at the crowd out of the corners of his eyes, searching for his parents.

[Dragon]

Valon clapped along with the rest as Alyana Impressed Kivath and announced her name to the crowd on the hatching sands. Well, that was a good sign. The first Dragon to hatch had Impressed and looked very healthy and even a little playful. She was a healthy Copper and had effectively quieted most of the mutterings about the previous Sr. Queen's betweening being a bad sign for the new Weyr. The Diamond seemed to be making an attempt to draw the attention of the crowd like Kivath had. It was certainly cute, but in a more awkward way, as a younger child might look trying to imitate their old sister doing a ballet routine.

Shaking his head, he turned with some effort from the Diamond to focus once more on the as-yet unhatched eggs. There certainly were seemingly almost enough candidates here now. It looked like the Weyr stood a chance yet. Like, with some hope, a few more candidates might show up and none of the little dragons would have to between but that would be apparent in time. Until then he could only hope.

Now that he was adjusting to the heat of the sands, it really didn't seem that bad. Sure, it was hot. But he had been through far worse when farming with his father. And standing there rather then working the fields did seem to make it easier to keep cool. His mind kept drifting, however, from the hatching. It was the heat, beating at him from all sides to distract him from the welcoming thoughts he was supposed to be focused on to tempt his lifemate to him. He shifted his foot minimally, trying to refocus on the importance of the hatching. Somewhere, within these eggs, was the creature he would spend his life with.

His heart rate was quickly increasing from the anticipation, the eagerness to see that dragon which would bond with him. For he knew it was here, certainly. He could feel it. Though what it would be he had no idea. Eyes now locked on the unhatched eggs with an eagerness nothing could contain, he waited.

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

Now the hatching was fully under way. The Diamond finally gave up her attempt to look like her Copper clutchsister, and hurried toward the girls, mind searching for her Mine. She careened right into Talitha, and fell backward in the uncoordinated way only a hatchling could manage. ~TALITHAMINE! I have run into you..... Your Seluth is sorry she was paying attention to the others, but she wanted to be like her sister Kavith. Your Seluth wants food now, but please may we stay away from Kavith? Mine, she is too silly for me. Seluth just wants food and sleep. She has been shut in that egg far too long.... Oh did you see your Seluth show that egg that it would not win! Your Seluth freed herself and came to you! Yes she did. Now, Mine, food. Seluth needs food!~ The little Diamond chattered happily into her Bonded's mind, nuzzling up against Talitha like a cat.

While the Diamond was occupied with chattering to her Bonded so, it happened. The great Queen egg burst into tiny pieces and the Silver was revealed, standing proudly on the sands and shaking the remaining shards from her wings. Gleaming silver hide much like steel, it seemed as though one might see their reflection in her very hide. The hot sun glinted off her hide, sending jets of light bouncing off in all directions as the metallic Silver stepped free of her eggshells and looked around, seeming calm despite the large crowd. Certainly, she knew who her bonded was, but she just stood there for a moment. It seemed already the little silver knew she was destined for a high position here. It was a thing she had known from her shell.

Now certainly all eyes were likely to turn to the little queen. But while she was surveying the crowd, two other eggs broke open. Both revealed purples, although the two purple did not exactly look alike. It seemed so far females were the dominant gender in this clutch, though it was hard to tell when the hatching had just started. The slightly larger purple had a jeweled hide that was what one would consider Amethyst, and noticeable bigger then the other purple.

The other purple was very different from it's sister. Smaller with a pale lavender hide, it looked delicate and almost... breakable? compared to it's larger sister. The two headed in opposite directions, the jeweled one heading for the Male side of the grounds with purpose in her steps. But she paused, watching the males. Her Mine was certainly over here, but she was uncertain which one was hers. Shifting her wings uncomfortably, disliking all the eyes that watched her, she paced in front of the boys, searching for the one that was HERS.

Meanwhile the smaller purple was heading for the females, its steps careful. It kept glancing back at the unhatched eggs, causing it to stumble. It's eyes whirled with uncertainty. Was her Mine here? Where was her mother. That silver watching her, that was not her mother! Creeling, she stopped, raised her head to the sky and wailing pitifully for her mother. She did not like all these people, and all their eyes looking at her. She shuddered, her pitiful cry ringing all around them.

[Kisana]

Still humming impatiently, Kisana watched yet another dragon Impress. It was the Diamond, Impressed to that Tal girl. Kisa let out a giggle. She wouldn't be riding a low-ranked Diamond, at least not yet. One never could tell who would Impress to which dragon. Other eggs were covered in spiderweb cracks, like rippling water. As Kisa's foot tapped faster and faster, she longed for the one she could call her own - the one that would call her Mine.

All of a sudden, three eggs hatched - the shining silver Queen, a bright Purple, and another Purple - this one seemed delicate, like stretched hide, like ice. Kisa couldn't help but reach out for the pale Purple. The Purple whose skin looked like fresh blossoms, like rising dawn's light. The small Purple looked confused, and it began creeing, presumably for its dam. A tear welled up in Kisana's eye, and this time she did not wipe it away. The tear ran a glistening track down her cheek, dripping onto the Sands, where it sizzled away.

To spare herself, Kisa broke her stare away from the pale Purple and towards the larger Purple. This dragonet was heading towards the males with a purpose, though it stopped before the semicircle, her wings fluttering uneasily as she paced. Kisa giggled her sadness away at the little Purple's confusion. She wouldn't mind that little dragon, though it had veered unerringly towards the males.

Finally, Kisa gazed at the freshly hatched Queen, who was looking around calmly around the Hatching Sands. Kisa continued to laugh lightly, watching the Silver stare at the crowd. Hopefully, this little Silver would not follow her mother's wingbeats into the cold depths of between. Until the little Queen Impressed, Kisana could only wait on bated breath, and hope. Her pride told her that this would be her dragon, but she silenced the inner voice. Patience was what she needed now. She hummed again, more insistently.

[/size]

[awenys]

The Diamond hurried to the circle of girls and ran right into Tal, almost knocking her over.

WHAT!? The- Seluth was talking to her! Tal reeled slightly. Not believing that she Had actually Impressed. Seluth badgered Tal. /Talithamine I'm hungry lets go eat please. Come, come./

Talitha shook her head to clear it. "She says her name is Seluth!" Tal patted Seluth akwardly, as Seluth pressed against her, and almost putting Tal off balance again.

/Come now I am hungry let's go/ Seluth was incessant in her requests for food, and still felt slightly apologetic to Hers for showing off, but she wanted to be a little bit like Kivath. Though right now she only wanted Hers to get her food.

"Alright we'll go" Tal said aloud, not unsure how to communicate with Seluth the other way. Tal lead Seluth towards the tables, where the meat was kept for the hungry hatchlings, with her hand on Seluth's shoulder. Tal made sure to keep Seluth away from Kivath, but wasn't sure why Seluth requested that.

Once Seluth had her meat, Tal turned to watch the rest of the Hatching. She didn't get to see the silver coming out but she did see the arrival of the two purples. She only watched to see who would match up with who. It didn't really matter, but it would be a good idea to see the other new weyrlings, and their dragons.

[Pheonix]

T'rin was late. Horribly late, actually. And he was the Weyrling Master, for Faranth's sake! T'rin wasn't quite sure how he'd been late, perhaps it was because he was horribly nervous more than anything. He was the new Weyrling Master... and he wasn't exactly sure how to go about doing that. Shardit, he was a Searchrider, not a Weyrling Master! Cursing some more, T'rin glanced towards Ophith, who was relaxing. He would patiently wait for his Bonded, they weren't in a rush, afterall. "Yes we are in a rush, you giant beast!" T'rin impatiently responded to his dragon's calm thoughts. While T'rin was rarely one to be so nervous, he just couldn't help it! He was in charge of a bunch of Weyrlings! Hopefully though, Alyana wouldn't be one of them. As soon as he thought that though, he immediately regretted it. Alyana was his friend! Annoying as she was, she was still his friend. Deep down, he did hope that she would Impress... although he didn't really want to see her temper if she didn't.

So now, T'rin was riding on Ophith, the two of them making their way towards the Hatching Sands. Ophith wasn't rushing himself, and he was flying rather leisurely, as though he wanted to enjoy his flight instead of getting to the Sands. Oh Ophith, he could be so calm when the situation really needed him to rush.... Oh well, T'rin hoped the Candidates, er, the new Weyrlings would be able to cope without instructions until he got there. If only his sharding dragon would go at least a little faster! Mine, you're never in a rush. What's wrong?

[/i] Ophith inquired, he was a rather perceptive dragon.... But T'rin just grinned and shook his head, 'A little nervous, Ophith. I know, I'm never nervous... but I've never been in charge of a group of Weyrlings before... besides, some of them are almost as old as me![/i]' T'rin was rather young at 19, and some of the Candidates were probably older than him. He hoped they wouldn't defy him, although that was probably very, very likely....

As if that thought urged Ophith on, the Searchdragon-turned-Weyrling Master... Dragon... picked up his pace. They finally landed on the Sands near Celestia and Hers. They didn't take a place in the Stands because T'rin needed to be down there to coach the new Weyrlings about how to feed their dragons and where to go, as the few who had Impressed looked a bit... okay? In fact, they looked more than okay, they were feeding their dragons! Well, there were only two Candidates who had Impressed, and with a bit of a dismal look, he noticed that Alyana had Impressed, and first no doubt! Well, he never did think she would Impress FIRST, let alone a Copper. Well, he always thought Alyana would make a good Wingleader....

In any case, he slid off Ophith, and he'd been about to greet Celestia when Roy blinked out of between and on to his shoulder. T'rin glared at the little lizard, who cooed happily and nuzzled against T'rin, probably trying to suck up so T'rin would feed him. He had thought that the Onyx had more pride than to suck up, but apparently the scent of meat was what had gotten him. Well, T'rin certainly wasn't going to feed him! Roy picked up on this, and with an angry snort he fluttered above, going to sit with the other fire-lizards of the Weyr and flirt with the females, no doubt. Well, at least he was out of T'rin's hair for the time being.

"G'day to you, Senior Weyrwoman," he greeted Celestia with a bit of a bow, though he immediately began to head over to the tables of meat set out for the Weyrlings. Luckily he had only missed two Impressions, although one of those was Alyana's. Said girl spotted her friend and waved, shouting, "T'rin! I Impressed! Her name's Kivath! Isn't that awesome?!" she exclaimed to her friend. T'rin headed over to her with a small sigh. "I don't know why I let you convince me to do this, but since I did, you have to listen to me, I'm your Weyrling Master now," Alyana pouted at this, and exchanged a few thoughts with Kivath about how they were going to... correct that problem, but T'rin didn't notice. Instead, he turned away from his friend who he was now going to turn into a brilliant rider (hopefully), and looked out at the Candidates. "CANDIDATES!" he yelled across the Sands, not quite sure how to go about doing this, "IF YOU IMPRESS, LEAD YOUR DRAGONS OVER HERE AND FEED THEM WITH THESE BUCKETS OF MEAT," he gestured behind him, making wild hand-motions.

Mine, your friend is strange,[/i] Kivath commented to Alyana, who just laughed. They continued talking silently about what kinds of pranks they were going to pull, though Kivath mostly wanted to go along for the attention. Hey, they couldn't ban Alyana from Hatchings anymore, she had already Impressed! Besides, T'rin didn't have the guts to punish her. She snickered, this was going to be fun....[/center]

[Pheonix]

Cemasle watched the Diamond carefully, it seemed that her showing off had really only been her trying to copy her Copper sister. He couldn't help but giggle a bit at this, as she was quite cute. However, like her sister before her, the Diamond ran towards the females, and with adorable clumsiness, she fell backward and into a Candidate. Semacle's mind immediately snapped to attention as he watched through Cemasle's eyes, hoping the little Diamond would rip this Candidate to shreds... but no, to Sem's dismay and to Cem's relief, the Diamond had Impressed to the girl. Cemasle wasn't sure he had ever seen this girl before, but he clapped all the same, as it was polite.

The two of them were still having their mental bet, and it was to Semacle's pleasure that the Silver Queen actually did hatch next. He mentally grinned, and Cem sighed softly. They had bet the only thing they could, and the result was that Sem was going to have a full day of control, to do what he wanted. Cemasle let a small smile cross his face though, as he probably would have let his other half have a full day even if the Queen didn't hatch next, as he was started to get restless sitting around and not doing anything. Cemasle was still sure they wouldn't Impress, so maybe Sem could have control a few days after the Hatching when they were back in the Barracks. Of course, Cem himself wanted control for the Hatching feast, as even if he wasn't going to Impress, the Hatching Feast was still great fun. And there was food! He loved food.

In any case, Cemasle made a mental promise that he wasn't going to bet anymore, as for some reason Sem always seemed to be right. What little pride Cemasle actually had was hurting, and he was sick of losing to his other half, who was probably cheating somehow. 'I can't believe you'd think that of me!

[/i]' Semacle responded, all too sincere, which only made Cem doubt him even more. Rolling his eyes, Cem looked back at the dragons, watching the Queen with wide eyes. He had seen the little Queenlings hatch before, though they were always so majestic and regal... if not a bit haughty. Still, she was a pretty little thing, though little was an understatement, as she could probably tower over the short boy, and he thought he could see his reflection in her hide.

More eggs were hatching now, and Cemasle wasn't really paying much attention to the Queen. She was pretty, she was regal, she was haughty, and she was going to Impress a girl. He really didn't have much interest in who she was going to go to, most of the Queenlings were all the same, arrogant, prideful and annoying. He was a little interested in who she was going to go to, but for the most part, he didn't really care. He much preferred to see the other dragons, the ones that were more likely to come towards the boys... even though he was still convinced he wasn't going to Impress. It wasn't really a depressing thought, more of a... relaxing one, really. Impressing caused too much trouble... and he wasn't sure what would happen if his mind became even more crowded than it already was. Semacle wasn't a big fan of having his head explode.

Two purples had come out of their eggs while attention was on the Silver, and the two purples were both very different. For one, the darker purple one was far bigger than the other purple. The paler Purple was small, and it seemed very delicate. Cemasle kept his eyes on the poor pale Purple, she seemed rather frail. Could she survive? She was wailing now, and Cem resisted the urge to cover his ears, even if the Purple had gone over to the females. His heart went out towards her, although all the noise was starting to get Semacle even more annoyed than he already was. Sharding dragon needed to Impress already. Creeling wasn't going to get her anywhere.

However, the other Purple had come towards the males, and it seemed like she knew exactly where she was going. He couldn't help but allow a bit of hope to rise up in his chest, though he was still convinced they wouldn't Impress.... Dragons liked happy thoughts, and Semacle's thoughts were anything but happy. No dragon would want to go near their dark mind, even if Cemasle tried to think happy thoughts, though Sem would usually just make a cynical comment on whatever Cem happened to be thinking about, and that was the end of that. Besides, maybe the dragons would think he already Impressed? Cem had to snicker at that thought, it was a little odd to think of Semacle as anything more than his "other half", and certainly not a dragon. He was pretty glad Sem wasn't a dragon, though, as what a vicious dragon he would end up being. Cemasle almost shuddered at the thought of it. Semacle was a bit insulted at this, and proceeded to block Cem out for probably the third time this Hatching, and Cem couldn't help but grin a bit. His other half was so predictable.[/center]

[Lamia]

Lamia waited with bated breath as dragonet after dragonet hatched. Bright eyes flicked between the Queen egg and the rest of the clutch as she shifted from one foot to the other on the hot sands. Oh how she wanted a dragon! She had heard the talk of her Hall before she left-about how, since they were mid-Interval, the dragonriders wern't needed so starting Vyrzen Weyr here on the Southrn Continent was all but helpful. 'Who are they to talk?' She thought now, marveling at the spectacle before her. But wait! More eggs were hatching. Thoughts now fully returned to present, Lamia waited, suprisingly patient for one so nervous.

Hands flew up to her mouth as a small gasp escaped her. The little Silver had hatched! Slowly, she lowered her hands, gazing at the metallic dragonet in wonder. A quick glance back at the main clutch awarded her with the sight of the Purples' hatching. Watching the smaller, lavender hatchling wobble toward the group she was standing in. 'Could that little one be mine?' The thought flitted through her mind before she dismissed it. It seemed this little dragon was too keen on wailing for its mother. Poor thing. But now, Lamia's eyes betrayed her once again as her sight setteled on the little Queen.