The Spooks Are Out Tonight: Vimiath's Clutching

[Masterharper]

The Spooks Are Out Tonight!

Welcome to Vimiath's Clutching Thread! This is where we'll be introducing Western's newest clutch to the world. This is a special time for the Weyr, as baby dragons are always cause for a celebration.

Teiha was kind enough to write up a clutching RP for your enjoyment. Beneath it we'll reveal the total size of the clutch, along with its theme, a few links of interest, and some other information. Feel free to have your characters congratulate Telela and K'tor, as well as Vimiath and Blundarth, for a job well done!

Additionally, you can have your characters ICly respond to this news, or come peek in at the entrance. Obviously, it'll be up to Vimiath and Talela if they want to host any guests, but loitering around the entrance to try to catch a glimpse is always expected on this first day!  

[Masterharper]

There had been quite a bit of rain over Western Weyr since the night of Vimiath’s flight, though no storm since then had yet matched the one she had challenged. The extended stretch of wet and cooler weather had wreaked some mischief upon her rider, and likely many others throughout the Weyr, both young and old. When Vimiath called her to the Sands that morning, Talela met her there with soggy sniffles and a blazing hot cup of klah.

The lithe gold slunk about the cavern, digging a bit here, testing it with a little lie-down, then rejecting the spot and moving on. Her restlessness was so tactile that Talela had to focus on the taste of her klah to keep from pacing herself. She’d have liked the distraction of conversation with Blundarth’s rider, K’tor, but she knew better than to try to force Vimiath to invite them. The gold was less and less willing to share the glory, these days. At any rate, for her lifemate, preparing the nest was an art, and best accomplished in privacy.

It was nearly mid-morning by the time she chose the perfect location, depositing each of her eggs in the perfect spot. Once finished, Vimiath curled herself about her clutch, crooning lovingly to the eggs as she rested after her work. With a softness far removed from the bizarre rage she displayed during her flight, Vimiath trilled aloud as she sent a mental beckon to her rider. Look, dearest! Finally, we have another clutch!

The woman smiled and hurried over, the exertion causing her to pause to cough into a handkerchief before pressing her palm against the closest egg. The shell was warm, soft and leathery, and still a bit damp. Talela heard Vimiath’s rumble and looked over to see the queen’s eyes focused on her, whirling yellow. “Oh, stop it,” she chided. “I’ve had a cold before.”

But never so close to the arrival of my children, Vimiath complained. I want you to be well enough to revel in their coming, too!

Talela laughed at the dragon’s petulant tone, moving on to stroke the next egg. That was part of what she loved about being a gold rider: Having her own personal Touching. Being the first one aside from their mother to welcome the incubating dragonets into the world. The quiet moments to embrace life before it grew up, moved on, or was swept away by catalysts beyond her control.

The woman brought the handkerchief to her face again, this time to dab at her eyes.

“I will be fine, love,” she said.  

[Masterharper]

Introducing..... The Spooky Clutch!
Vimiath x Blundarth
25 Eggs [16 PC // 9 NPC]

Werewolf Egg This small, black egg has a compelling crescent moon and seems to welcome you near.

Djinn Egg This medium, soft grey egg with white streaks seems to radiate an air of amusement.

Frankenstein Monster Egg This medium egg is vibrantly bright yellow with neon pink bolts of lightning! The egg itself seems surprisingly serene compared to its vibrant shell.

Ghoul Egg This small, dark pink egg mottled with stars leans contently against the Wraith Egg. Those who get close find themselves closely watched.

Siren Egg One of the eggs closest to the front is a medium pink egg, with a faint rainbow streaked through the egg. Why not step closer, if you dare?

Demon Egg This is one o the bigger eggs in the clutch. It's large and fiery, as if to ensure it catches the eye.

Hunter Egg This medium, brown and black spotted egg is off to the side and alone. It doesn't seem to want company.

Wraith Egg This medium, pale blue mottled egg gives off a dreamy sort of air.

Banshee Egg This small, dark blue egg appears to have a secretive, and heavy air about it.

Gargoyle Egg This big teal egg is also one of the larger eggs in the clutch. It doesn't give off any vibe or presence -- is anyone home in there?

Mummy Egg A medium sized mottled crimson egg is tucked behind the much larger Vampire egg. It seems more than a little bored and disinterested.

Vampire Egg One of the largest eggs in the clutch, this gold and cream colored egg seems to exude a sense of power. Dare you approach?

Angel Egg This small orange egg has a lovely spiral of purple. Rest assured, this egg is judging you.

Hellhound Egg A medium sized, lime green egg that almost looks like its glowing, this egg seems to be ever alert.

Zombie Egg This small green egg with green stripes is settled near the front. It is a quiet egg -- perhaps you can draw it out from its slumber?

Goblin Egg This small, dark purple egg covered in stars is settled in front of the Vampire. There's an aura of mischief about this little egg.

~ ~ ~ ~
Please keep in mind that the size of these eggs does not equate to the color inside! A bronze could be hatched from a small egg, and grow; just like a green could be hidden in some of the larger eggs. You just won't know until the Hatching! Also, some of these eggs might go to staff as staff customs! Some of these eggs might go to players! And some of those lovely NPC eggs might surprise the group by turning into PC characters during the Hatching -- either for staff or players!

Now that this lovely clutch has been laid, what does this mean for you?

First and foremost, you can now sign your Candidates up if you'd like them to be considered as a possible match for this clutch! Both High Reaches & Western Weyr Candidates are accepted!

Candidate Sign Ups

Secondly, you may now do a little betting! Staff are not allowed to participate in color bets, given they know the color distribution of the clutch, but they canbet on which Candidate impresses to what egg, or which egg will hatch first, etc.. Everyone else may have a go of getting their characters in on all the betting! Riders in particular are known to place some bets -- both on egg color distribution, as well as which Candidates they think will find their match! If you want to set up a betting pool that isn't listed, feel free to make your own thread for IC fun!

Spooky Clutch Betting! [Will set this up! Will link once it's there!]

Third, the clutching takes place about a month after the flight. We will be having a Touching sometime in the near future, but will likely assume that takes place at least 3 weeks after the clutching. Once that wraps, the Hatching could happen at any point, so beware!
 

[The_Muffin_Puppy]

He'd been banished. As the time of her clutching grew nearer it seemed that Vimiath's patience for Blundarth's excitability and constant questions wore thin. K'tor told him that it was normal. That this was how women got when they were clutching. It was best for him to just stay out of the way and not give her any reason to be mad at him. So Blundarth had taken to sitting outside the hatching cavern. Even sleeping there; sprawling himself unceremoniously across the entrance and generally being a nuisance. It wasn't on purpose. He started sitting, then got tired, and it became lying down, then sleeping. Generally Blundarth didn't end up compact for very long when he was sleeping. K'tor had tried to tell him to go back to their weyr so that at least he wasn't getting in anyone's way, but the great lump of a bronze couldn't bare to be too far away from Vimiath. What if she needed something? He needed to be close by so that he could get her anything that she wanted. Also, he needed to make sure that nobody bothered her. Privacy was important. That was why he had to leave.

Still, he wondered how it was going. Curiousity getting the better of him, Blundarth picked himself up and peered around the edge of the entrance. He wasn't to give Vimiath a reason to be irritated. That was important. The dragon awkwardly lowered himself to the ground to be smaller. Maybe Vimiath was worried he would damage her eggs. People did say he could be clumsy. This was different though! Careful, he had to be careful and show her that he could be trusted. The bronze awkwardly shuffled forward, dragging his belly on the ground. Left foreleg first in a big step, then his hind legs shuffling along after, he looked like some kind of strange trundlebug as he crept down the tunnel. Blundarth's head poked into the cavern, shooting up with an excited trill when he saw the clutch. Realising his mistake he quickly darted back, all the while excitedly broadcasting the image to K'tor. Slowly he peeked around the corner, one large eye swirling rapidly. He kept his head and chest low to the ground, but in the tunnel behind him, there was no stopping his great rump from rising into the air as it enthusiastically shuffled about.

K'tor! This is amazing! They are amazing! Vimiath is amazing! Everything is amazing!  

[demon_pachabel]

They're here.

Lennik sometimes wondered what it was that differentiated the dragon-rider bond from how his mother's bonded treated him. The green ever alert and ever knowing gently brushed up against his mind and it took nearly all of his willpower to not just drop his task in the middle of it. Certainly, nobody would have judged him for creeping out during morning chores, but....

But he was trying to prove he wasn't just some teenager incapable of controlling himself. A difficult task when he'd just spent 7 years being a teenage incapable of controlling himself. So while it was perhaps the hardest thing he'd ever done, he managed to trudge through the last of his chores before he, along with several others, made their ways out to the sands.

To no surprise of his, Martirae was not going. They'd both been standing since their first time together so he was tangentially aware of the girl (and with a face like that, how could he have not been?) in that sense. Sometimes he wondered if she was emotionally available enough for a dragon. You don't know what's going on in her head anymore than anybody knows what is going on in yours, Lennik. Be nice.

Would Eosphoth still talk to him like this once another dragon claimed up his mind as theirs? Him as theirs? Excitement finally settled in as he drew closer to the grounds and -....That was Blundarth. Lennik took a deep breath and offered the bronze a somewhat awkward bow. "I'm here to see your babies. I'll wait right here with you, okay?" If the father was being banished to outside, Lennik assumed he would be too. He looked around the very...distinguished bronze into the sands, breath catching.

Oh, his hopes soared as high as they ever did looking over those eggs. He counted quietly to himself. 25. He could see 25 of them. Oh man. Oh man. Maybe this was the time. Sure, Lennik could already hear his mother (peh, if he could call Danzik that) advising him to be patient and not get his hopes up, but....

But he had been patient far longer than she was. He was ready.  

[Tsunake]

Dragons, dragons, dragons! As soon as the talk had started, Alya immediately feigned a sprained ankle and limped pathetically from the kitchens... only to sprint as fast as she could towards the sands. The sight of the huge bronze crouched like an overeager canine was enough to make her stifle giggles, but she was hesitant to pass him. He was the father, wasn't he? And while she didn't intend to actually go onto the sands, she also needed to catch a glimpse of these eggs!

She glimpsed two boys who already were gathered near the entrance, and her eyes lit up with glee. Perfect. She quickly squeezed past beautiful Blundarth, nestling herself right in between the two boys.

"Can you see them? Are they pretty?" She cooed, her eyes wide and innocent. "Oh, of course they must be pretty! They're dragons! How is Vimiath? Is she proud?" Her excitement didn't have to be feigned, her heart pounding in her chest. Ohh, what beautiful babies they were! She was catching little glimpses of colorful shells, stifling little sounds of delight in her throat...

Dragons!  

[demon_pachabel]

Lennik easily moved as others joined him, shifting an arm here or leaning his weight there to make sure he wasn't taking up the entire view. It would likely get crowded there before too long, but Faranth herself wouldn't have been able to order him from that spot entirely. "I count 25," he answered to Phayton's question, "But there's a chance one's at an angle we can't see or sometimes the Queen will bury a few for..." well, he actually didn't know that reason. "So there could be more."

Alya's questions were somewhat more amusing, in a way. "They'll be more than pretty once we get to be up close." From a distance they were 'just' eggs, but up close they practically radiated personality. How would these ones feel? He'd stood and touched so many times since he'd been allowed on the sands, and yet...... "Vimiath has a reputation for enjoying her clutches. I'm sure she'll be proud until the next one comes."

But he hoped he wouldn't have to be there for the next one.

Tatterpixie

Tsunake

 

[ShinosBee]

Dolmar had debated long the merits of trying to situate himself with chores that would put him near to the hatching grounds, or if it would be more prudent (and less potentially troublesome, should the mother not wish for visitors) to be elsewhere when the glorious day came. Of course he wanted to see the eggs himself, make his own judgments, but...in the end, seeing them fresh-laid wouldn't help with much. Knowing how many, and what sizes was one thing. The eggs would be shifted endlessly before the touching though, so he couldn't begin to make a plan for which to touch in what order—they might shift places and necessitate a change. He couldn't interact with them now, of course, and it'd be barely any time before word of them spread.

So no. He didn't have to be right on top of the sands when the clutching was done.

But he COULD send his firelizard, after all. Why shirk chores or risk punishment by upsetting candidatemaster or clutch mother when he could calmly continue to fold linens? The near-black brown firelizard meanwhile swooped down to perch (boldly, perhaps) atop the bronze sire's head, tittering in approval. Mental impressions of ten, twenty...goodness, twenty five? That was quite the clutch! Dolmar shook his head as the impression of so-many-eggs pushed, blurily, into his head. Well done, then, Vimiath! At least the reckless choice of time to rise hadn't effected the clutch's count!

The_Muffin_Puppy

Quoted because Dolmar's firelizard is on Blundarth's head now. XD

 

[BastetAmun]

Henwas and Huarwar

"Are you sure about this?" Huarwar was following behind his twin as they moved towards the sands. Chores and lessons were finished for them, Huarwar knew he had at least done his own chores but if Henwas had done his and not lobbied them off to his pawns, he never knew. "Of course I am. One of those eggs may be holding our lifemates Huarwar. Don't chicken out on me now." The words got a look behind Henwas back as Huarwar glared some at his twin. It wasn't chickening out more then not wanting to be banned from the hatching all together. Sensing this, the older by a minute twin turned to look at Huarwar and placed a hand on his shoulder. "We aren't sneaking onto the sands, just getting as close to the entrance as we can to see what Vimiath has laid. I wouldn't risk the golds wrath or Aunt Tally's wrath either."

Something about his brother had changed some after the gold flight, Henwas had noticed and he was curious about it. Huarwar didn't seem as timid and seemed to stick up to him a bit more then before. It certainly was curious.

The boys got as close as they could without getting into trouble, seeing they weren't the only candidate's doing the same. "Well, what do you see?"

"Hard to tell with so many bodies in the way."

"At least we are a bit taller." This got a nod as both boys peered onto the sands, though Huarwar was glancing around him at the other candidates and Henwas noted this. Was he looking for someone in particular? It was curious.

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

The excitement of a gold rising was always fun, it meant future children and future riders. It meant there would be more work for her once the eggs hatched as an Assistant to the Weyrling Master, but it was a lot of fun. Children she had never gotten along with very well but the older candidates, the ones that would be chosen, she didn't mind them as much. Though she had learned over the years to never get attached to them, there was always a chance not all of them made it through to graduation.

Skyllamine, Vimiath's eggs are here. Neith was on their ledge sunning herself when she relayed the information to Skylla, who was on her way out of the kitchens having gone there to get a quick snake and something to eat. "I'll run by the sands and give Tally my congratulations." Her steps changing from that of her weyr to the sands, Skylla wondered how this clutch would turn out. Vimiath was known for loving to have clutches and she tended to have quiet a few. Neith was one of Vimiath's many brood and Skylla had always liked the queen, especially her rider Tally.

Congratulations Mother. Although she knew that Vimiath never cared much for familiar relations after her babies had been hatched and found their bonded, Neith still cared for her mother and liked to talk to her when she had the time. It was more as friends then a mother and daughter relationship, something the green was perfectly fine with.

Skylla moved past the gawking candidates at the entrance of the sands to stand a bit closer but not walking in. She saw Tally and smiled at her as she waved. "Congratulations Aunt Tally. This will be a grand clutch, it will be exciting to see them considering how Vimiath chose to rise during such a violent storm."

Teiha

Here we go! Neith reaching out to her mother and if you want we can decide how close Skylla and Tally are on Discord.

 

[The_Muffin_Puppy]

So absorbed was he in staring out at Vimiath and their clutch that Blundarth didn't notice someone joining him until Lennik spoke. His large head swung around so that his left eye could look down at the candidate. A moment passed, the bronze's large eye blinking once, before Blundarth rumbled happily nodding his head. He was happy for the candidate to come and see the eggs, this would be very important for them. Yet it wasn't his place to say that they could come on the sands, he didn't even have permission to be on the sands yet.

Feeling a hand on his hide, Blundarth's head swung around once again. The dragon became aware that he was taking up a lot of room and shifted, leaning himself against the wall in hopes of freeing up more space. Surely Vimiath wouldn't mind people looking? So long as they weren't a threat, right? Or was he supposed to be keeping out? Was that his job? Oh no, he hoped not. Blundarth didn't like commanding others. If Vimiath needed him to then he would, but he hoped she wouldn't. Another candidate arrived and Blundarth turned back to looking at the eggs, gaze swinging between the wonderful eggs and the beautiful gold that guarded them.

A surprised rumble escaped Blundarth as a firelizard landed on him. Being so large he was used to being a perched, but he didn't know this firelizard. Cautiously he brushed against the little creatures' mind, no he definitely didn't know this one. They didn't seem like he were going to cause trouble though, so Blundarth was happy to remain as a resting place.

Two more candidates arrived and Blundarth was glad he had made a bit more room. Still it wouldn't be long before there wasn't enough space for the bronze and a gathering of people. Where would he go then? The bronze looked down at the gathering of youths. They would want to impress to his children. The thought made Blundarth very happy. He hoped they were all nice and good people. That they would love their dragons the way K'tor loved him. He hoped that they made the dragons that chose them happy. The bronze loomed over the group of candidates, watching them intently. As though their conversation would reveal something to him. They certainly seemed enthusiastic, that had to be a good start, right?

Blundarth made a slightly alarmed sound as someone walked past him and the candidates, eye swinging from Skylla to Vimiath. The rider had stopped, and was waving, but still. The bronze felt his rump finally connect back with the sand as a sound akin to a whine escaped him. Elsewhere K'tor's pace quickened to reach the cavern, although he was still a fair distance away. Blundarth rested his chin on the floor of the tunnel, looking out across the sand at the clutch he had helped make. He was trying to be careful, but maybe he was just too big. Maybe later. He could always hold out hope for later.

show spoilerhide spoiler

Just tagging everyone since Blundarth makes noises, moves, is just generally in the way. Ignore or acknowledge as suits your character etc.

demon_pachabel

tatterpixie

Tsunake

ShinosBee

BastetAmun

Teiha

 

[Shaddaling]

Shod chores, Yevalee hurried as fast as the pants would let them. Who wore these things? And constantly, ugh. They were a little bit short and the shirt a bit tight but they had been given by the weyr and they really couldn’t complain since they didn’t have clothing that fit anything less than tropical paradise. Or work and chores now expected of them. They really needed to go out and find some better clothes.

But first! The eggs and the reason they were here in the first place. Yevalee straighten their clothes the best they could and pat the scarf containing their hair, pinned in place with bone and shell combs. They took a deep breath and headed down into the entrance and ooh, there was already a group… well, they should have expected that.

“Sorry, excuse me please,” They called moving past the large bronze dragon and frowned slightly at the crowd before trying to wiggle in. “Ooh…”That was a lot of bright color eggs.  

[Smerdle]

Oerlen wasn't friends with any dragons, nor did he have a firelizard to keep him on top of the latest news with regard to the clutch. He did go out of his way to swing past the sands whenever he could justify it though, and that was what he was doing today, just in time to see the entrance filling with both candidates and one distinctive bronze rump.

They were here.

They were here.

The young man nearly dropped the bolts of fabric he was carrying in his haste to join the onlookers, slowing his pace halfway there in the hope that he might come across as nonchalant. Dragon eggs? Sure, saw those every day.

"Hello!" Oer said when he got close, smiling broadly at all who had gathered. Alya was already there, as were a few others he had only seen in passing, but he didn't really know anyone here yet at all. He was going to have to change that now that he had settled in. He stayed near the back of the group, still able to see over most when he stood on his toes. There were so many eggs! He hadn't thought it possible that the clutch would be so large.

Looking up at the looming form of Blundarth, Oerlen nodded respectfully. "Good job... sir." Sir? Really? Idiot. Though it ran counter to his baser impulses, Oerlen was beginning to realize that maybe now was time to just keep quiet and watch.

The_Muffin_Puppy

lovely family hu hu yus yus righto

 

[TheWishling]

It was Iriseth that alerted him to the coming of the eggs, the blue gently nuzzling his to his feet and letting the flit begin the slow walk. It would be almost comical, seeing a green firelizard leading the blinded rider down the weyr by a strand of hair, but it worked, and Zephyr seemed content with it. She liked hair, that much C'yx knew for a fact. Slowly, he twined his way to where the crowd had gathered. Zeph flew just past Blundarth, sending what little she could to her bonded, letting him know, with excitement, what she saw. C'yx was glad for new eggs...it would be good for both morale and for other such things, which he was looking forwards to. Iriseth, keeping to the air, letting his hide enjoy the sun, even as his eyes swirled yellow and white. They oft did these days.