The Spooky Clutch Touching: Trick or Treat! Open!

[Masterharper]

Vimiath was over the moons; today she and her children would shine, if only for a short time. But then, after the Touching, the Hatching would soon come, and there would be much glory. Her dearest was taking long to get to the Sands; the gold lay with her neck curled around one of her precious eggs, trilling to it as she waited.

When Talela did step onto the Sands, she did so slowly, and carefully. She met the gaze of her dragon with a mental caress, hoping to reassure Vimiath. The woman was pale, and the dragon could hear her chest rattling with each breath well before she came within reach. “Don’t look at me like that,” she chided.

You are worse today.

“It has to get worse before it can get better,” Talela replied in a vaguely sing-song tone. Then she made a strange face, whipped out her kerchief, and coughed so hard she almost retched.

Vimiath growled, her eyes whirling orange and yellow. You said you would be well for the hatching of my children. I’m not sure I believe you, now.

The woman looked away, focusing instead on the eggs nestled around their mother. She saw one leaning a bit to the side and went to reposition it with a gentle twist. “Are K’tor and Blundarth on their way?” She asked.

Yes. Blundarth will arrive shortly, to revel with me in the delight of the future lifemates of our children! Vimiath had sounded cross at first, but her thoughts turned decidedly exultant toward the end of her words. There was nothing she loved more than to bring new life into the world.

Hurry up, K'tor. Vimiath is waiting!

K'tor huffed as he tightened his belt, scrutinising his own reflection. Blundarth was out on their ledge, shuffling around as he waited. Anxious to get back to Vimiath. The dragon had been like a shadow since the flight.

A loud shadow, staying as close to Vimiath as she would let him, as often as he could. Friends of K'tor had even begun to tease that he had become a widow to the gold, his dragon so besotted and devoted to keeping her happy. Waking K'tor to insist that they fly out and source a black caprine for Vimiath. Of course, she must only have the best. The rider tried his best to ignore the agitation that vibrated in his own chest, not all of it a side effect of being bonded to Blundarth. Clothes were clean, he'd shaved, Blundarth had been scrubbed and oiled, everything seemed to be in order. This was easily the most K'tor had ever been involved in any kind of event and he was determined that nobody would be able to say that he and Blundarth didn't look that part. Even though he would much rather they not look at him at all.

K'tooor, come ooon.

"Yes, I'm coming!" K'tor stepped out onto the ledge and stared at the bronze. "Hold still so I can actually look at you. You need to look your best for this." Blundarth stilled, but K'tor could still feel him itching to get moving. Once he was satisfied K'tor clambered up onto the dragon's back. "Now keep it slow Blundarth. Remember you’re not wearing your harness!" The last part pitched up as Blundarth threw himself from their ledge and K'tor latched on as the dragon swept down and in to the hatching grounds, checking himself to land a safe distance from the eggs and Vimiath. At least in that area he was careful. K'tor slipped off and had barely touched the ground before Blundarth was quickly limping towards Vimiath's side, crooning softly. The rider straightened himself, momentarily grateful he didn't have any hair to get messed up. He walked to Talela's side, hands clasped tightly in front of him. "Ma'am." If the rigid way he stood didn't give away his nerves and discomfort, then the way he was clearly trying to keep his face neutral to hide the fear that would.

Talela smiled tenderly, almost in a motherly fashion, as K’tor approached. She might have even laughed, if the act wouldn’t have thrown her into a coughing fit. “I take it this is your first time as a clutch-father? Don’t worry,” she said, “The kids are usually pretty well-behaved. All but the freshest candidates have had it drilled into them to Be Gentle and Whatever You Do, Don’t Move the Eggs.” She chanced a small chuckle, and though it was a bit more like a gurgle, she got it out all right. “Vimiath will certainly set them straight if they dare anything inappropriate.”

You look beautiful, Vimiath, Blundarth rumbled, moving to gently bump his nose against the gold. Do you need anything? How are they doing? His head turned so that his eye could take in the sight of the clutch as he peppered the gold with questions about her and the clutch's condition, joy radiating off him as it always did when he was with Vimiath and their eggs.

The golden dragon’s eyes whirled deep, dark blue with pleasure at Blundarth’s compliment. We need nothing just now, sweetest Blundarth, but thank you. Recline with me, and witness the rapture of the humans when they see what we have made!

Talela heard her dragon’s voice growing louder with her excitement. “The Candidates will be on their way as soon as A’ral can get them organized.” She grinned at K’tor. “Shouldn’t take long.”  

[Masterharper]

"Candidates," A'ral said, pacing back and forth in front of his assembled children. "We are going to do Western proud today. Each and every one of you is setting a personal example for High Reaches to follow. If I catch you up to mischief on the Sands, you're out. If I catch you lingering too long at one egg, you're done. If you cause an egg to hatch before its time, then even I will be unable to save you from the Queen's wrath. Do we understand each other?" Scanning the faces assembled before him, A'ral wore the grim visage of a training instructor before his soldiers. "One line - single file. Proceed orderly. No one is getting kicked off the Sands today. Now march." His kids were going to do him proud today. Of that he was certain.

Standing to one side, he gestured for the Candidates to begin heading to where the High Reaches Candidates were gathered. Once every young man or woman was out of the barracks and filing toward the Sands, he joined them. They knew what the penalty would be for disappointing him today. When he stood beside Gr'del, he gave the other a look. They had known one another of old, and Gr'del had been given the reins while he had been passed up. But not here. Not in Western. "Gr'del," he nodded, and then turned to the larger group of Candidates. "Many of you are unprepared to join the ranks of those who protect Western's shores. But you will certainly be welcome, if you prove worthy. I have simple rules, and I expect you to follow them. You will be on your best behavior, or you will be sent packing back to High Reaches. Each and every one of these eggs is precious. Upset them at your peril."

----

Closes: TBD -- Right now there's a little wiggle room. It should run at least a week, maybe more, unless something goes wrong. A'ral will call the Candidates back to the barracks, and Gr'del will usher the High Reaches kids back home. If your dragonrider was a transport, they are welcome to sit in the stands to watch. They also can linger in the Bowl or near the mouth of the entranc. Riders may either write PRPs or, if they're near the Hatching Sands or in the stands, can RP here. We'll leave it a little organic but if you want folks to touch the eggs, now's the time to do it!

Welcome to the Spooky Clutch Touching!
Please keep the following rules in mind.

• IC Action will result in IC Consequence. Remember this!
  
• You will not get to break or crack the eggs. Don't even try. If an egg is meant to break or crack, staff will dictate this.
  
• Misbehaving now can get a character banned from the Hatching itself or kicked out as a Candidate. Don't test A'ral or staff!
  
• Staff will try to respond to ICly to individuals touching the eggs. Depending on RL and time, we cannot guarantee a response to every post,but we will try! We will guarantee responses to at least two or three of your posts -- so make sure if you want your Candidate to meet an egg in particular that you have it be one of their first.
  
• Please make sure you mention which egg your character is touching by the proper name and in bold type i.e The Ghoul Egg
  
• Do not move your Candidate on once they touch a egg until you get a reply! If you move them on before staff responds, we will not write a response!
  
• Please keep in mind that you might not get to all the eggs. IC events might cause the eggs to be untouchable or for it to end early. If you have a favorite egg I would suggest touching it early because we will not keep this open or delay closing once we're ready to move on.
  
• Please do not edit or backdate which egg you touched. We'll try to keep things moving in the RP.
  
• If you feel staff has missed responding to your touching post, please PM either Masterharper or Fated Fable. We'll quote individuals with their eggs response but please understand that it might take some time. Give us a day or two, as we both have RL jobs and aren't always able to sign online daily.
  
• Staff will warn individuals when we get close to wrapping the Touching so folks can get their last posts in.
  
• It is okay if you don't touch all the eggs! You can either claim they did and got no response OR that they didn't bother with all of them and that's okay too. Not every egg has to be touched.
  
• You may join in or make new characters as long as the Touching is running. Once it closes, it will be assumed that all Candidates participated whether they actually did so ICly or not.
  
• You do not have to participate in the Touching to have a shot at Impressing from the clutch.
  
• You may RP with others while touching eggs or waiting for responses. You may also have your characters remove themselves to the sidelines or the stands to chatter. Candidate should not leave the Hatching Sands though. If they do not wish to continue, they can sit quietly in the tiers until A'ral herds them to leave.
  
• Once again, for sake of RP it is encouraged to touch one egg, and not move on to another until you are given a Staff Response. If your Candidate leaves the egg before the response, you won't get one at all.
  
• Any other questions? PM Masterharper or Fated Fable
  
  For a description of the list of eggs available to touch, please see the Clutching Post here: x
  

 

[Masterharper]

Fated Fable

Gr'del watched as the Candidates filed out on the Sands. He stood on the sidelines, ready to defer to A'ral's command. It had been some time since he'd been away from High Reaches Weyr, and standing in the foreign Hatching Sands was peculiar; thankfully, though it looked different, it was sturdy, and the clutch guarded by the queen looked healthy. He was on edge, quietly stressed, and anxious on how this would turn out. How many Turns had it been since High Reaches had been invited to partake in a Candidate Swap? Honestly -- the man had to wonder at the choice. Was Western Weyr simply hoping to make better the alliance between the two Weyrs, or were they hoping to snatch some of their up and coming stars?

Well, more Candidates and selection was better than slim pickings. Not all of his Candidates had signed up for the swap, but he was here to watch those that did. They were to be on their best behavior -- and like A'ral, he would not tolerate any shenanigans.

"A'ral," he greeted cordially, yet coolly. He had nothing against the dark haired man, and had known him from their time together at the Weyr. Western Weyr was a better fit for the outspoken man, as far as Gr'del was concerned, and he didn't blame the other for leaving. At least his Candidates seemed to be in good shape. "A fine looking clutch." He complimented, as if A'ral had anything to do with it. His focus was not on the eggs though -
- just those of High Reaches.  

[Meepfur]

The day was here at last, and what a day it was!  Rio, like his fellow Candidates, had been waiting for this since the night Vimiath had flown - and what a night that had been!  His first goldflight had been an experience he would never forget, for one thing, and the tales that came out of the Flight itself, why!  How grand and harrowing, and the winner!  So unlikely, and so very adorable.  Waiting for the clutch to arrive had been so very hard, and of course followed by more waiting for the Touching, but there had been plenty to talk about in the meantime!  A large clutch, and who knew what might rest inside each shell, to which lucky person they would call?  Maybe today would provide answers, but then again, there might only be more questions.  Either way, it was exciting!  And there was the shipment of folks in from High Reaches for the Touching, who would then come again for the Hatching.  New people to meet, and more for the dragons to choose from!  To his mind, this could only be a good thing.

Once it was time, Rio stepped forward with a wide smile and deep, courtly bow for the Queen and her rider. "I can't say which of you is more radiant," he complimented (truthfully, Talela looked perhaps a bit ill, but he was most certainly not going to point that out and she was lovely regardless), eyes alight with the thrill of the moment. "Thank you for allowing us among your eggs.  They're magnificent."

He didn't anticipate or wait for a reply, just winked and got himself out of the way of everyone else waiting to greet the goldpair.  His first Touching!  Oh, he hardly knew where to begin.  Ultimately, he couldn't resist the Siren Egg and its alluring colors.  He smiled and laid a hand on its shell. I must say, whatever color you are underneath, your shell may be the most fetching here.

------

So.  Western.  When the exchange had been brought up, Dezerac hadn't volunteered immediately, instead taking advantage of the time given to make his decision.  On the one hand, he was reasonably content to stay at High Reaches; a few turns ago, he likely wouldn't have risked the transfer.  He'd never taken any issue with the traditions and hierarchy of the older Weyr, and early on had been quite confident that he would find himself bonded to a dragon - bronze, naturally.  But thus far, the bronzes had all passed him by...and the browns, and the blues, and the greens.  And meanwhile, he was getting older.  The day that he would no longer be eligible to Stand for the chance of Impressing any dragon was looming ever closer.  Who was he to snub an extra chance when he was so quickly running out of chances?  He did have some concerns about the repercussions of signing up for the swap - not everyone, fellow Candidates included, was keen on the idea of Candidates going to Western to Impress, as though they were betraying their Weyr.  Being here was a calculated risk, but one he was willing to take.  And if a dragon from this heathen Weyr wanted him, he would shaffing well take it and learn to live here, and High Reaches would be the poorer for it. 

When it came time, Dezerac executed a short, precise bow before the gold and her rider, saying nothing and lingering only long enough to satisfy polite convention before getting down to what they were all here for: touching the eggs.  It would be a lie to say that larger of them didn't catch and hold his attention moreso than the others, the result of a lifetime of presumption that the larger and shinier the dragon, the better and more powerful.  But this was Western, where such presumptions had long ago been tossed off a ledge, and any dragon was better than no dragon at all.  They could all fight Thread.  With that in mind, he stepped towards the medium-sized Hunter Egg and reached out, offering no words but opening his mind to the being within.  Let it have a look at what he was and wasn't, and if it wanted more of an exchange after that...well, it was up the egg.  

[demon_pachabel]

Lennik

"You'll be fine. I promise." Danzik smoothed over her son's tunic, making the young man furrow his brows. He didn't want this from her of all people, but he also didn't want her to leave either. Vimiath had been Eosphoth's mother. Perhaps it fate would repeat itself for him and his dragon would also be from this gold who curled so lovingly around her clutch. He forced a relaxed look on his face and Danzik managed to force a smile. Smiles looked so odd on the woman's face. "I've done this more than you did," Lennik grumbled and Danzik raised her brows. "And clutches are more common for you than they were for me. Don't you fight me about that again. Positive thoughts, remember?" she smoothed a hand over his hair, then nodded, seemingly pleased.

Then she nudged him to join his peers.

He could see Martirae - her hair was pulled back into a complex braid and she seemed to have made herself even more presentable than previously. He knew it wasn't for the eggs. The eggs didn't care about what any of them looked like on the outside. But she'd been obviously annoyed ever since it had been announced that High Reaches would also be sending some candidates.

On one hand, he agreed with her. The two of them had been putting in their time and if someone from another Weyr just sayshayed in and impressed? It would be like a blow to the face. On the other hand, Lennik knew that he'd rather see a dragonet impress to someone from outside Western rather than between. He also felt like a hypocrite thinking that this also meant.....another clutch to stand at. More opportunities. He hoped he'd never have to take it.

A'ral's instructions were followed to the letter as he settled into line. Then, they were released.

He paused to offer both Vimiath and Blundarth - the proud parents - a bow of respect. Then he joined the others who were roaming the sands. The dark haired young man took a moment to look over the clutch, now that he was allowed close. He closed his eyes, feeling them out. Each egg had it's own feeling to it, and he wanted to feel them out first. Humor, judgement, power, and silence. Some craved attention. He could relate to that. But there was something he related with more.

His hand - as clean as he could get it after working on soaking hide for leather all morning - ran over the surface of The Goblin Egg, a small smile crossing his face. Ready to cause some trouble? I may be out of practice, but I definitely have some ideas. Probably shouldn't right now if you want to make any friends, though.

-----

Martirae

Talela didn't look all that great today. If nobody else noticed, Marty wouldn't fault them. But it was as if Martirae was hypersensitive to it, her dark eyes lingering on the woman who stood with the proud mother of the clutch they were about to meet. Marty had put them all out of her mind. She'd not let the excitement wrap her up, she hadn't joined in the gossip, and she most definitely hadn't put down any bets on colors. Now she wouldn't be able to avoid any of it. Everybody's hopes and excitement would be worlds above the clouds until the hatching and she'd have to listen to every round of gossip.

Martirae tied up any feelings she may have had about it. There was no use to waste her hopes and dreams on someone else's dragon. She would go about the easiest paces and keep her thoughts as neutral as she could. She would be braced for it. Martirae would not allow her distaste over the visitors to taint her interactions with these eggs. With this clutch. Positive thoughts? She could at least focus on those.

Her palm ran over the brilliant surface of The Vampire Egg, allowing it's power to flow into her. How bold you are. Will you be ready when the time comes? She was really trying to reign it in. She'd been told she was...intense....perhaps more often than anybody should have heard it.  

[smolderingskies]

Laelia hadn't arrived very long ago, and was still a bit shaken at the fact that her own sister dropped her off at the Weyr where she might spend the rest of her life, or at least the next couple of years, if it were meant to be. The goodbyes were bittersweet, as Sorcha didn't wish to really stay, and she had had this roiling feeling in her stomach, unable to sleep or do much else with her food than roll it around the plate. Everything was strange here: the smells, the temperature. Even the Candidatemaster was unfamiliar, although Gr'del had been standing nearby. But something as simple as a Touching - she had done this before, this felt familiar, motions she could go through again. She tried to tell herself that something felt right about this time - so she pretended like it did.

When they were finally allowed to move onto the sands, after their bows and thank-yous, Laelia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She felt immediately drawn toward one of the smaller eggs, felt a warm and welcoming presence, and she approached the Werewolf Egg, laying her hands on it. "Hello, little one," she murmured softly, smiling a bit, thinking that maybe she had a knack for it at this point. She couldn't help but smile at this little thing, calling for her attention. "I bet you'll be a pretty one, hmm?"


----


Dharzol had been running late, having accidentally slept in a bit on the morning of the Touching, and he had caught up with the group right at the end of the pep talk from A'ral, and he had the feeling that he'd probably be getting a talking-to later. He was nervous about the Touching, very much so, and his nerves reached an unprecedented height when he found himself on the sands and didn't know which egg to go to. He took a moment to mutter a thanks to Vimiath, averting his eyes but bowing fully, killing time with each millisecond. Not feeling particularly drawn to any one egg, he felt himself begin to panic a bit. He only had so many of these left...

He decided that trying was better than nothing, and he briskly walked toward the Goblin Egg, even though the egg had a mischeivous aura about it. He touched the egg gently, taking a calming breath, hoping the egg didn't mind that he was attempting to stabilize himself. He remembered what he had hoped - that if he were positive about this touching, that maybe he could get it right this time. "We're gonna try this together, okay?" he said to the egg, closing his eyes and remembering what Rasthell had said to him. "We're going to be positive about this. We'll both find who we're meant to be with, when we need to."


----


This was Saimwen's first hatching, and he was excited, he supposed. Everyone seemed to have an idea of what they were supposed to do, but he wasn't really all that sure. He had nearly forgotten to bow and thank the mother dragon, and quickly followed with the rest of his peers. Geez, he was a pretty bad candidate. And now what? Were you just supposed to touch the eggs you thought you were going to match with? Was it a feeling thing? Should he try to touch all of the eggs? Even though A'ral had told them all to not linger too long at one egg, it seemed that everyone was speaking to the eggs they were near, or at least taking a moment to, perhaps, think at them. Well, it was worth a shot.

He approached The Demon, one of the largest eggs, just because maybe he was meant to have one of these huge, strong dragons paired with him. He'd been strong all his life - a survivor. "I don't know what to say," he whispered, and felt a little silly. "So I'm just going to touch you and enjoy the moment, if that's okay."

 

[BastetAmun]

Henwas stood in line in front of Huarwar, a small smirk on his lips as he listened to A'ral go over the rules and everything they were supposed to do. At the mention of lingering for too long at an egg he smirked and looked over his shoulder at his twin. "Yeah, don't want to do what Caderyn did, now do we?" He whispered this and Huarwar had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. Sure, it had been a little funny what had happened to C'ryn, when they had heard about it from their uncle but he had managed to impress at that same clutch. There was no telling if they would have reacted the same and Huarwar wondered if Henwas would have been just as ensnared, though he'd never bring it up. Instead he decided to remain silent and keep his thoughts to himself always a good idea.

Once the lines began to file onto the sands, after they had been addressed, Henwas glanced at his brother again and smiled at him. "Good luck." The two had decided they would go their separate ways. Better that way, to get a better feel for the eggs.

Henwas already knew where he wanted to go. There was an egg that just seemed to ooze with power and he was drawn to it right from the moment he had began to scan the eggs. His eyes found the golden cream egg, the largest one. As he neared the Vampire Egg with his hand outstretched and placing his palm onto the shell, he began to wonder at just what the dragonet inside was like, with so much power, it surely must have the want to make itself even more powerful.


Huarwar unlike his twin, had a harder time deciding where to go. He always seemed at a loss during a touching. He never knew where to start or just the right thoughts to put out towards the eggs. Perhaps that was why he had such a hard time finding his bonded. His eyes found a brown egg with black spots upon it, away from the others and he moved towards it, finding that it's feeling of wanting to be alone kind of related to how he felt quite a lot of the time. He gently placed his hand against the shell of the Hunter Egg and tried to think thoughts at the dragonet inside, apologizing for intruding upon it when it wanted to be alone, he understood the feeling completely.  

[Ryala]

As much as she adored Ghost, Ryala was still glad that he'd eaten recently. She wasn't sure if he would have been allowed in to see the eggs with her, and equally uncertain of what his reaction might be. Resting now on her pillow, he showed every sign of staying there until his next meal.

Upon entering the Hatching Sands, the redheaded girl bowed towards Vimianth and Talela. The latter didn't look so well, though, but she was sure that whatever the illness it would be gone soon. It was sad that she'd managed to fall ill now, of all times. But then, was there ever really a good time for it?

The others already seemed to be spreading out amongst the eggs. Looking at all the curious shells, Ryala finally decided to approach the Ghoul egg. Stepping carefully across the decidedly hot Sands, she stopped before the dark pink egg and gently, almost hesitantly touched the curved surface with her fingers.  

[ShinosBee]

-----------------------------------------Dolmar-----------------------------------------

This was it. The day. At long last, the hinting impressions of eggs he'd received through the none-too-clear eyes of Half-Mark would be resolved into crystalline clarity.

Now he just had to deal with the fact that there were a throng of others indulging as well.

"Marinel, come this way first, would you?" His twin was at his side, as ever. It seemed plain to him that they would obviously go for certain eggs first. He had a plan of action, and he'd see it through. That meant that his first approach would be to one of the three largest eggs—and of course, Marinel would be at his side. Only the best for him, and for his twin! Two of the largest eggs had already drawn their crowds, and so he steered in a different direction, angling directly towards the Gargoyle Egg, reaching out with a steady, bold motion to run a sleek-fingered hand along the still, teal shell. Reveal to me your secrets... It surely would.

"Let's see to this charming fellow first, Marinel."

Thaliawen

 

[Shaddaling]

Western was hopefully going to open up new opportunity’s and good ones. Rylyrr had been through touchings before, hatchings of course, having spent 11 years as a candidate but at twenty-five it felt that time was ticking by. His oldest brothers had gotten lucky, finding their partners young, in a heartbeat of time between touching and hatching and it seemed that it had stopped there.

He paid attention to the Western candidate master and was there something he wasn’t quite getting between A’ral and Gr’del. Had they known each other? Sounded like that, and hmm, possible gossip. Later though. Other things were more important.

He looked up at the stands, spying the bright colors of his brother, managing to sit quietly to watch and the brown shape of Ihiannsith nearby. It was time to get going. He gave a faint nod and moved forward into the sand, looking over the large clutch, and the healthy protective queen.

“Thank you for having us,” He replied softly to Vimiath and Blundarth, giving a courtly bow, hands held flat against his thighs, before moving through the clutch and set a hand on The Wraith egg, relaxing at the feel of the shell underneath his palm and open to the familiar feel of a hatching reaching out. This part was actually his favorite, just meeting the hatchings.

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

Yevalee checked themselves subtlety as possible, making sure everything was in place. Their hair was pinned in place, a secure braid and coif affair to keep it out of their eyes and their clothing was spotless, wrinkle free and stainless. They wished they were confident enough just to wear a sarong out into the sands, between the heat radiating up and the clear skies, it was much like home. Yet, no one wore them here. Well, that they had seen.

They looked over the other weyr’s candidates, part of the reason they had been a bit fussier then usual about their appearance, Yevalee wasn’t about to look like a slob in front of them. They gave a fortifying breath and moved forward, towards the clutch parents and gave a polite if a bit unpracticed bow to them. They were rather cute and huge. Dragons were still surprisingly large.

They looked over the eggs before settling on the large pale green, such a lovely color and a sort of remember of home. Yevalee set a hand on the Gargoyle Egg and waited a bit unsure what was supposed to happen next.  

[Hattaki]

If the words hadn't been directed at everyone then Amra would have certainly believed that they were leveled straight at her. The talk they'd had after her first and only incident had set her straighter than the punishment had and the tall girl was more than happy to do exactly as the Candidatemaster said. With so many eyes on her, how could she not? Attention had never been her desire, in fact it was her enemy as much as her height was in regards to her duties.

Or lack there of. Who was she even reporting to!?

Throwing her shoulders back and taking a deep breath so that she could stop mentally berating herself, the girl walked slowly alongside the other candidates and flicked her eyes to each egg that they touched. The flashiest eggs drew attention the fastest but flashy did not mean anything to her. Amra searched for an egg that would call to her, one that just felt right. In lieu of any actually screaming her name, as if that would ever happen, she turned to the only egg that seemed to give off... well nothing. It gave off absolutely nothing!

Stepping gracefully, but calmly given her audience of large parental dragons, Amra took one large hand and brushed it against the shell of The Zombie softly before placing her palm to it. It was warmer than she had expected and startled her at first as the realization that these eggs were living, that they housed the next generation of Pern's defenders within. Maybe even a partner for some of them on the sands, for her? Shaking her head softly, not wanting to so much as move a grain of sand around the egg, she turned her attention back to it.

"Hello little green egg, your flashy siblings are drawing quite a bit of attention away from you." Her gray eyes looked at the striping down it and she took a deep breath as she cleared her mind. What was even supposed to happen? This was her first time touching a dragon egg and so far it was far different than anything that she had expected. Perhaps if she'd been around for Whirlwind's hatching instead of meeting him the way that she had, maybe then she would understand even a little about this. Or perhaps not, fire lizards were not at all dragons. I don't know what I'm doing little egg, but your silence calls to me. Can you keep a secret?  

[demon_pachabel]

Lennik

The excitement and energy of eggs was always palpable and Lennik found this little one no less eager and enchanting as any other he had met in the past. His hand continued to linger on The Goblin Egg, just for a few more moments as he steadied it's rocking. Not yet! Too much trouble now will get us all kicked out. Wait until the right moment when everybody can appreciate it. he urged. While he wasn't exactly keen on being so straight laced - he'd caused enough mischief growing up - he didn't want everybody to lose their chance on meeting this baby.

---

Martirae

She didn't bristle from the contact in the slightest. Martirae found herself bowing slightly back from the gesture. Good. Yours will be waiting. She made no pleas for if it would look her way or inquiries of what it would want. She instead took pleasure in the simple moment for what it was - a moment - and then moved on.

She moved quietly to The Hunter Egg, allowing her hand to run over it for only a moment, offering no placation of it's need for solitude, or attempts to earn it's affections. She offered only what she was, to consider if only for a moment.