[Secret Touching] Have you spotted it yet?

[Tsunake]

Bukichi - he/him

Oh.

Bukichi's eyes widened a fraction as absolute happiness washed over him, barely biting back a laugh of surprise. Best Egg.... He couldn't help the ridiculous grin on his face, so focused on the baby dragonet within that he didn't even glance up at Aryale. All of his fears, controlled and hidden as they were, suddenly felt much less heavy. He'd absolutely stay for a little while. Did it know that it was the first egg that Bukichi ever got to touch? Of course, the youngling was always going to be special... but, to Bukichi, that made it even more extra special. He sent all the appreciation he could--both for that reason, and for being such a welcoming sort.

The nudge almost made him start, glancing at Aryale. "Go on," He murmured. He definitely intended to spend just a few more moments with the Night Sky egg.

demon_pachabel

--

Lauthisen -- he/him

The touch, as brief and almost soft as it had been... was enough to have Lauthisen slowly withdraw his fingers with a rueful frown. It hadn't even occurred to him that he might be projecting his own thoughts onto the emotions he sensed. That was.... embarrassing. But a good lesson, too. Still shaking his head at himself, he moved on quietly, The Ace Egg was the next he reached out to touch, quietly waiting.

--

Phryana - she/her

The intensity of the egg briefly impressed itself upon her before the inhabitant withdrew some, but the young woman held herself steady. The reassurance of safety... That was humbling, in a sense. "Thank you," She murmured without thinking. Was the egg speaking of her current dilemma? Part of her liked to think so. I will. Phryana promised. Her strength hadn't failed her yet, and she had no intention of letting it falter now. Her thumb gently stroked against the smooth shell before she pulled away.

It was nice to think that the egg spoke true. And maybe it did. It was hard to let hope plant a seed, though.

The Gay Flag egg was the next she touched, offering a warm greeting. It must be overwhelming, knowing there are so many people who want to meet it.  

[TheWishling]

Candidate Aelyx : Western : She/Her

Right. Of course! This was about what the egg wanted, so Aelyx was happy to simply move along. Shaking her head, she smoothed her robe. Hopefully, she wasn't getting anyone staring at her, but she was going to do naught but head her way over to another egg! All was well~. The Daisy Egg would get her next touch, a gentle offer for the Egg to say hi, but only if it wanted!


Candidate Wren : Western : He/Him

Okay, maybe the egg had a point. Once his fingers were off the shell, Wren took a moment to completely clear his mind. This wasn't about him, it wasn't about his feelings. It was about the Eggs. So as he put all his life outside the sands out of his mind, he moved on to the Teal and Yellow Egg. Was the little one alright with him petting the shell?  

[Uta]

Kiri The girl bowed to Killakeeth before turning her attention to the eggs. For a long moment she kept herself at bay, looking over the eggs, and most importantly, steeling herself and her thoughts. This was their day. What happened at High Reaches... What happened to her brother... No. She would bury those thoughts and feelings soundly. She was here, she was ready to stand, she was ready to... face whatever might come. Each of these dragons were a gift, and her brother... He would have been a rider, too. Today was a day for rejoicing in the new life to come.

So, she moved about the eggs quietly, until she reached the Shining Star Egg. She let her hand stroke the shell gently, sending it quiet greeting. Such a lovely shell, for what's sure to be a lovely dragon. Good luck finding Yours. She sent it a warm wave of support and appreciation, hoping that it wouldn't sense any negativity that the Touching stirred up within her heart.

Rasthell: Rasthell, for one, was looking forward to the distraction. The man knew that his time was limited--he had only a few more Hatchings left before he'd be too old. Still, the red-head knew there was time. There were plenty of eggs, each one more gorgeous than the last. He would be excited, damnit. The sun was shining, he had friends (somewhere), he was still at the Weyr, and he was going to be nothing but happy.

So, he strode onto the sands, focusing only on the eggs. He went first towards Hot Pink 80s Egg, almost relieved at the sensation of his stress lessening. "Well hey there," he drawled, letting his hand move fondly over the bright shell. "Quite the stunning one, I see." He mused aloud. He'd give this one all the attention it desired.
 

[SilverLutz]

Rundanrul stepped with purpose onto the sands, ready to inspect the eggs and let them inspect him. He bowed respectfully to the golden queen that lay watchfully behind them before moving in among the eggs, his eyes trailing over the pretty shells. He knew better than to go by looks alone for the strongest bronze could be within the smallest egg. He paused in the middle as other Candidates flooded around him to greet the eggs, letting the little minds reach out and give a bit of their personality off before he decided on which one to start with.

Moving over to the Candy Cane Egg, Rundanrul crouched beside it and rested a hand on its striped shell. The confidence rolling off of it was what had drawn him in and he wanted to meet the mind behind that impressive presence.

Greetings, small one. You seem ready to take on the task of meeting everyone.

---

Kateleel moved out onto the sands with everyone else, though his heart was beating with more anxiety than excitement. It had been a few Turns since he'd been out here and the last time hadn't ended very well for him. He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, remembering what the mind healers had taught him. Focus, breathe, and remember that you're armed with new knowledge of yourself. Taking solace in his own hard work he'd put in since the last time he'd been on the sands and now, Kateleel opened his eyes with a renewed confidence. Stepping forward, he bowed to Killakeeth and Teth both before moving slowly and carefully through the crowd of Candidates to find an egg.

Start with a simple one, he told himself. One that seems welcoming, friendly. Overly confident or excited and even too withdrawn could cause a problem. Stick with one that wanted to be talked to. The thoughts drew him towards the Night Sky Egg and he stooped a bit to rest his hand on the star studded shell.

"Hello," he said aloud, though his voice was soft and gentle. "You have a very pretty shell, in case no one has told you yet."  

[magnadearel]

Vosin/Gold Killakeeth
Vosin couldn’t have been more proud of Killakeeth, her clutch, and the clutch’s father Teth. The pair had put on a great showing for Western with a grand total of 37 eggs. Privately, the woman thought Killakeeth might have hidden a few, but time would tell. And the eggs all seemed a rather chipper bunch. Truth or deceit?

Her eyes roamed over the candidates. Not just Western candidates, but High Reaches candidates as well. She hadn’t been sure the other weyr would be allowed, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about them being here. Any other clutch and she probably would have been happy to see them. Her own dragon’s eggs though? Maybe she worried a tiny bit.

The red-head scanned the candidates again, looking for some familiar faces. There had been quite a few searched for this clutch. She was looking forward to seeing if they Impressed to one of these future dragons.

Killakeeth rumbled encouragingly to her clutch and the candidates. One particular candidate caught her eye, I know you will treat them well Mari.

Thaliawen

Candidate Omurntas
Omurntas tilted his head as he listened to their instructions. Protocol seemed simple enough. It was his first actual Touching though. The candidatemasters had been very clear on what to do and what Not to do, so he felt confident it would be easy enough to follow. Even if they weren’t his fruit trees; though maybe he could think of them like an orchard. They would still bear fruit, dragonfruit!

He took a deep breath and approached the clutch slowly. No sense in rushing this. Omurntas bowed respectfully to the parents of the clutch. They must be so proud. He approached his first egg, the Gay Flag Egg. Why had he picked this one? Maybe it had been all the bright colors. He rested his palm against the shell and waited. It seemed overwhelmed by all the people. He could understand that and thought soothingly of a cool orchard at it. When he was dazed, spending time there always helped him out.  

[demon_pachabel]

Aryale - She/Her

Offering a smile to Bukichi, she patted him on the shoulder before moving away to leave him and his new friend to each other for a while. Hopefully the rest would be as kind as the first was.

She wouldn't go far, however, instead resting a palm against the Charcoal egg and nudging a gentle greeting towards it. A lot to see today. Anything you're enjoying looking at?

----

Papys - He/Him

That was fine! Papys took no offense to the shy greeting, accepting that perhaps his little friend needed some space and instead moving on to make his next friend!

Which in this case was Blue and Purple Paint egg! Hello! Meeting lots of good people today? Hopefully someone special!  

[Tsunake]

Lauthisen -- he/him

Fair enough. Lauthisen removed his hand and moved on. Vasadryx would be eyed with a quiet, almost contemptuous snort. Anyone who didn't know the boy might think it was genuine--but there was a tiny hint of a smile at Lauthisen's lips as he reached out to also touch the Teal & Yellow Spiral Egg. Hopefully the egg was having a a good day so far.

Teiha

--

Phryana - she/her

Oh, sweet thing. Phryana's lips parted quietly with silent amusement even as she reassured the egg that it was just fine. It could talk about itself all it needed to. This was a big day, and anyone could understand how it could be almost too much to take in. It was very welcome, of course, but she wanted to make sure the Gay Egg knew that things would turn out wonderfully. They were all here to admire it, and though she knew how formidable that could be, she had a feeling it would impress everyone with its grace.  

[Prism Shine]

Nonami || Western || They/Them

There's a little bubble of nervous energy bubbling up in the pit of their stomach as they approached the sands with the rest of the candidates. They knew the high expectations, and listened to A'ral attentively as he spoke. It didn't stop the nerves from trying to jitter, though they called back to lessons at their mother's side. Soft, slow breathing techniques to calm down -- to not think of the last time they had been on hot sands. This wasn't about the candidates after all, it was about the eggs. Certainly they could go say hello to the eggs. Tentative steps as they stepped up to bow to Killakeeth and then to Teth, before gazing around at such a lovely clutch of eggs, and -- Oh, that one looked nice.

There were other candidates, but they just nodded meekly before gently touching the Shining Star Egg. H-hello there. Your egg is quite nice. Are you having a good day?  

[magnadearel]

(Ping me if you want a ride from any of them! Spots limited!)
HR Transports

Jynnat/Blue Begath
Open/Open
They had been allowed to attend Western’s Touching. Jynnat wondered if perhaps it was bit grudgingly. Still. She had been asked to help transport their candidates who wanted a chance to Impress at Western. Jynnat had pulled out her spare harnesses and strapped in the two she’d agreed to carry.

It didn’t take long before they were above the warm air of Western. Once Begath landed, she released the two candidates and unstrapped her blue. “Go find a ledge to nap on. We’ll see how this goes.” She headed to view the eggs.

Ly’bur/Brown Hinburath
Helene (Revel)/Open/Open
It had been touch and go since the rumors a gold had risen at Western. Ly’bur had been as up to date on them as possible. In the end, High Reaches had been invited to Western. He of course had to go to get a firsthand view of the eggs.

There were three candidates riding behind him on Hinburath by the time he left High Reaches. One of them he knew well. Ly’bur glanced behind him at Helene. There had been plenty of rumors about her not long ago.

The brown landed near the hatching sands to drop off his passengers. He would find a good spot to watch all the comings and goings. Ly’bur gave him a pat and headed in to view the eggs. Rumors had it the gold didn’t mind visitors and enjoyed showing off her eggs.

Revel1984

Banashe/Brown Severith
Open/Open/Open

Severith was flying perfectly now, despite missing an eye. Banashe enjoyed not having that healer always tagging along. Plus it would have meant one less spot for a candidate, for some were trying their luck with Western’s clutch. She wondered how many candidates the weyr would lose this time. They were shaftin’ lucky to even have a chance.

Banashe unleashed the trio of candidates into the unloving arms of their candidatemaster. She meanwhile made her way to the viewing stands. It was an impressively large clutch and Western was sure to gloat.  

[medigel]

Karunia - 20, she/her

Don’t worry about it too much~ I look forward to watching! Karunia pabbed Green Olive and went on her way.

“I just started, Toto!” she chastised him teasingly. “Like you got anywhere so fast. Calm down and let the captain work her magic.” And the magic was cooing over all these babiesssssss ahhhhhhhhhhhh!

Mint Choco Chip was next. Here and present, mister or miss! she said to the egg, adopting a formal tone as she gave a slight bow. How’re you?

demon_pachabel

- - -
Stormy - 19, she/her

Such a brief moment was still enough to make her smile. Understandable. Have a nice day. Stormy had had more than her share of days wanting to stay in, and she hoped the baby within didn’t get too tired out from the curious hands.

Shining Star called her attention, and she crouched down on the sand to get comfortable. I’d love to hear what you’re thinking about, if you don’t mind.

- - -
Nikal - 19, he/him

Maybe he couldn’t help thinking like that. Trouble felt like his shadow after all. Nikal drew away before he got sucked into that dark hole and shook his head. Don’t be stupid. Stay positive. Faranth, that was hard.

He moved to see Brown Pawprint and, feeling the air of challenge around it as he neared, set his jaw in his own quiet challenge before touching it. Nikal sent a wordless hello, probing and wary.  

[dawns_aura]

Candidate Velara – Western, 18 turns

The excitement of a touching was the same, no matter how many times one Stood. The chance to see and feel the developing dragonlings...it was thrilling. And though this wasn't her first time, it always felt new and exciting. And this clutch, it was very exciting.

She stood by calm and patient as the rules were laid out once again for all candidates, new and returning. She allowed her eyes to drift over the eggs, seeing if there were any that seemed to catch her eye more than any other. That would be where she would start.

Where other eggs seemed to be filled with energy and excitement, bright and vibrant, just waiting to be seen and admired and touched, they didn't call to her. It was the small Ace Flag Egg, with the quiet, bored attitude that caught her attention. Keeping her mind calm, but with a warmth for the unborn creature, she lifted her hand to set it on the shell.

Hello there.


Candidate Lelte – HR (swap), 17 turns
After the fracas that was the Hatching at High Reaches, and perhaps her own small part of it, the whole reprimanding the egg and whatnot, she was determined not to make the same mistake again. It was an honor to be here, and an honor to become a dragonrider, something she hadn't fully grasped before. So she was determined to to her best and be her best, and perhaps she might meet the one who was meant to be her partner, if in fact there was one out there for her.

Trying to keep her mind calm and settled with only good thoughts she made her way out to the sands and the eggs. The warm friendly vibe from the Purple Flying Heart Egg called to the rather shy girl. Perhaps this would be a good place to start.

Hello, is this day as special and exciting for you as it is for us?



Candidate Tandry – HR (swap), 21 turns

There were so many candidates, and a bunch of eggs. It was overwhelming almost, and he wondered what it must be like for them. Keeping an eye out to make sure his little sister was alright first, he turned his attention back to what was important, the eggs.

Not sure exactly where to start, there were no eggs that seemed to call out to him specifically, he picked an egg at random. Gently he rested his hand on the top of the Shining Star Egg What does this day mean to you I wonder? Have you met yours yet or are they yet to come?



Candidate Melhaika – HR (swap), 20 turns

While most might appreciate the chill and seemingly friendly attitude of most of the eggs, Melhaika was not of them. It seemed to fake or if it wasn't it was annoying to the youth who had spent the majority of his life depending on no one but himself. So he would keep himself to himself for the most part. He did note there were a few eggs who might not be too bad.

The first that caught his eye was the small Bone Egg. He lifted his hand and placed it carefully on the egg, not really saying anything but allowing the egg the feel his mind and take what it wanted or needed from the touch.  

[Meepfur]

Rio - He/Him

No matter how many times he'd done this now, it was always thrilling.  A little nerve-wracking underneath it all, maybe - would this be the time? - but as long as all the candidates behaved themselves, Touchings were just a delight.  So many new personalities to meet!  And even if none of them were to be his (which he was well used to by this point), he knew very well that they could still be friends regardless!  Baihath, after all, was his good friend, and he got on quite well with Hessianth (even if any conversations were one-sided), and even Brancath had more or less accepted him by this point.  He knew better than to expect to Impress, but he was content to meet the eggs and hope to get to know them.

Oh, he wanted to Impress, especially after seeing those he cared about injured - sometimes terribly so - during Threadfall.  He'd never been jealous of his friends Impressing, or felt left behind, but to be stuck on the ground while they risked life and limb, just waiting?  That was the hard part, truly.  If not for that, he'd have been content enough to continue on watching the people around him Impress for turn after turn.  There just wasn't much room for envy in his heart.

The young man listened carefully to all instructions, and bowed respectfully to the clutchparents and their riders before going about the business of touching eggs.  Heart and mind full of nothing but warmth and gentle friendliness, he laid his hand on the shell of the Flying Heart Egg.  

[houllow]

FISHER she/her - HR

Why the sharding shells of the seven kingdoms hadn't Fisher been searched to Western to start with? The moment she'd seen the waters come in to view everything had changed. The weariness of a Turn without the sand and salt seemed to vanish, and for the first in a long time....she smiled. Sure Fisher always smiled, but this was an honest smile, one where her heart sang at the sight of the surf and the tides.

The rules were listened to - and she'd follow of course, Fisher always followed - and then the bows came. Both of the parent dragons were huge, and it prompted a smirk and snort over the size of the clutch and eggs. Plus that brown was so friendly it was almost nauseating. Endearing, but nauseating.

"Let's do this." Her first touching, and only one thus far really, had been...underwhelming. The eggs hadn't done much and well, Fisher hadn't Impressed either. She'd taken to studying more to try and see if she'd done something wrong, but in the end a few random candidates had assured her that stuff happens and eggs and dragons were their own unique thing. Still weird, but at least now she felt less like she was following basic instructions and more like she was doing something.

A hand came to settle on top of the shell of the Ace Flag Egg. It was small, but size didn't matter and Fisher thought it seemed pretty cool. We're supposed to give greetings and things, but you're gonna be overwhelmed with 'em so I'll just say your parents are huge. Also, hi.