It's Now The Monster Mash: The Spooky Clutch Hatching!

[Masterharper]

It was just after dark, and Western Weyr was quiet.

Vimiath lay among her eggs like one dead, bland shades of gray and yellow slowly whirling in her eyes. Around her inert form were various animal carcasses, gifts of food that were brought daily by friends and loved ones, arranged on reed mats to protect them from the heat of the sands. Only the freshest, only the finest, and yet none had stirred her appetite. Her golden hide, unwashed and unoiled for many days, had become dingy, and beneath the dirt, patches of flaking skin, and clinging sand, its brilliant hues had dulled to a dismal ochre. All offers to oil or bathe the queen were rejected; she would let no one touch herself or her children until their time came.

Her dearest Talela had been slipping in and out of consciousness for three sevendays, and had not left her bed. The healers said such kind things, such gentle things… such hopeful things to the dragon… but they did not fool her. She shared a mind with the woman. They felt every excruciating cough that rattled their bones. Every frightening moment when they were wrenched from sleep, fighting suffocation. And the powerful, painful, longing memories of one who left before.

The dragon’s blank stare suddenly focused on the faint outline of one of the eggs that rested in the sand nearby. She sensed something about it had changed. Weakly, she lifted her bulk and moved close enough to nose at it. She felt the infant stirring within, and her hearts reached for it, gathering it up with loving thoughts to welcome it into the world. It would not be long, now.

Finally, she whispered. Then she began to hum.

Welcome to The Spooky Clutch Hatching!
Vimiath x Blundarth
25 Eggs [16 PC // 9 NPC 25 PC]



1. The Werewolf Egg - Green Therianth to Shahera (faesinger)
2. The Djinn Egg - Blue Jannath to Dharzol (smolderingskies)
3. The Frankenstein Monster Egg - Blue Aramath to Silviu (Teiha)
4. The Ghoul Egg- Green Gallath to Yevalee (Shaddaling)
5. The Siren Egg - Green Seirath to Amra (Hattaki)
6. Demon Egg - Bronze Illiandinth to Cesare (Mx Cherie)
7. The Hunter Egg - Bronze Helsinth to Ladellan (Ryala)
8. The Wraith Egg - Green Taivshath to Tacelon (mewrose)
9. The Banshee Egg - Blue Loreleth to Jalarus (Uta)
10. The Gargoyle Egg - Blue Rouenth to Rennati (Nilah44)
11. The Mummy Egg - Brown Sarcoth to Gavryl (Waiver)
12. Vampire Egg - Blue Strigonth to Dolmar (ShinosBee)
13. Angel Egg - White Akeroth to Miach (~Kiana_Nala~)
14. Hellhound Egg - Brown Konvakith to Roknhin (DruidTigress)
15. Zombie Egg - Green Nzambith to Vennodren (SilverLutz)
16. Goblin Egg - Green Dokkaeth to Apate (stella cinere)
17. Mauve Egg - Blue Tinanath to Phayton (tatterpixie)
18. Spotted Cobalt Egg - Bronze Vedmath to Dezerac (Meepfur)
19. Scarlet Egg - Green Suwayeth to Kieza (Mewsings of An Angel)
20. Plaid Egg - Brown Hessianth to Lennik (demon_pachabel)
21. Mustard Yellow Egg - Blue Micheth to Jailla (Thaliawen)
22. Plummy Plum Egg - Blue Fantoth to Norathoman (Andranis)
23. Eggshell White Egg - White Brancath to Isilje (-_Wish of Tevarae_-)
24. Peacock Blue Egg - Green Kiemeth to Lissa (DaisyMilk)
25. Greenest Green Egg - Brown Aleyath to Oerlean (Smerdle)

 

[Masterharper]

General Hatching Information

Welcome to Western Weyr's (and the shop's 2nd) PC Hatching! We want to thank everyone for participating in this shop and giving it so much life! Fable and I wouldn't be here without you, so thank you for sticking around. That said, we do want to go over some general rules (IC and OOC) and reminders so this Hatching can be a success!

General Information & Rules

• Not every Candidate or Player is going to Impress. Please, please, please don't get too discouraged or upset if that is the case. We only have a limited number of pets to give away, and honestly tried to find the best fit for each dragon. There will be other Hatchings, I promise. gaia_star Many, many, many other Hatchings.
  
  
• Please don't get upset if Staff impresses a dragon. We try not to take away from the players fun, but staff are also players, too. Any dragons that might go to staff were either customed-in behind the scenes or chosen simply because their Candidate was the best fit. As stated above, there will be other Hatchings.
  
  
• Please don't get upset if your Candidate does not Impress to your preferred color. Just like in Pern, nobody could ever guess whether or not a Candidate Impressed, much less a certain color. This is supposed to be fun, not some sort of tragedy. If you don't like the dragon that we fit to your Candidate you absolutely cannot rehome it or give it away. Additionally, if you throw a fit about it and we find out, or you discourage other players, this could bar you from future Hatchings. We honestly tried very hard to match Candidates with characters so the fit mad sense.
  
  
• Don't discourage others or vent at them if they Impress (or don't Impress) a dragon or certain color. If we hear about players giving other players crap for their Impression, we can bar you from future Hatchings. There will be other characters, other Hatchings, and other opportunities for all! Please keep this fun and support one another, not tear folks apart.
  
  
• We really, really, really, really loved all of your Candidates! No really, Fable and I hemmed, and hawed, and went back and forth, and back and forth for days. In some cases, Candidates may not have Impressed because we have ideas for particular colors or personalities for them. If you do not Impress, we are aware, and we have big ideas for the future. Please give us a chance and be patient.
  
  
• IC Action = IC Consequence. If you role-play in the Hatching and your Candidate does something stupid, remember that ICly there could be hell to pay. If a dragon doesn't maul you, then A'ral could very well pull you from the Sands. Please don't make A'ral do that. They already had one Candidate almost eaten... we don't need any one chewed out by the Candidatemaster!
  
  
• We will hatch all the PC eggs and play the hatchlings until they Impress. Once they Impress, they will be the players to control. We will quote folks in the Hatching Sands, but also PM them the dragonets profile.
  
  
• The Hatching Thread will likely peter off after the last egg Impresses. We may not close it officially so folks can RP in the thread as needed.
  
  
• Everybody is encouraged to participate! Bring your weyrfolk and holdfolk to watch by having them sit in the Sands and cheer. Candidates, whether they were at the Touching or not, should be on the Sands an will be assumed to have arrived regardless if you have time to post them. Dragons can perch on ledges to watch the newest babies, and comment to one another. Guests and visitors will be flown in -- from mighty Holders to the families of those hold- and craftbred Candidates. Come one, come all -- even the lower cavern workers, while some might have volunteered to help behind the scenes for extra pay, are also encouraged to watch if they wish. It's up to you! This is a time for celebration.
  
  
• High Reaches Weyr folks are invited! While the entire Weyr couldn't go -- Zheria left Olliah & Fianth in charge -- I would imagine a good number did get clearance to go. Tarot Clutch Weyrlings do NOT get to go! They must stay behind. Wingleaders were invited to represent High Reaches, but they must have at least one Wingsecond at the Weyr in case of emergencies. Or vice-versa. Not all Wings were allowed to go... Well just pretend it was some of the NPC Flights that were asked to stay jusssst in case. High Reaches can't quit functioning just because Western is bustling with activity!
  
  
• There will be a Hatching Feast thread for Candidates to console themselves, the newest weyrlings to mingle and introduce themselves to one another, and all the Weyr and its visitors to rejoice. This will open after the Hatching thread closes/ends.
  
  
• This Hatching takes places just before the evening meal, so around 5pm. Given timezones, it likely is a few hours later for High Reaches, so I'd imagine it being closer to 8pm. No one's getting much sleep tonight!
  
  
• The Feast will commence immediately after and likely run late into the wee-morning hours. Western Weyr is prepared to ferry guests home as needed, and of course, High Reaches Weyr will be taking their own Candidates back home that night, too.
  
  
• For High Reaches non-riders, any Lower Cavern workers and such can likely attend the Hatching either as a guest -- if it was their restday -- or as hired-help. Since Western will be feeding two Weyr, plus guests, and housed their Candidates for a week or so, High Reaches only thinks its fair to offer to help bring food, chefs, and worker to aid in setup and post-Hatching clean up!
  
  

IC Rules & General Information

• Candidates can get mauled, so they have been told time and time again to stay out of the dragonets way! If they art attacked, they are to try to cover their head and protect their vulnerable bits, but should not really fight back. That might upset it further.
  
  
• Guests and visitors CANNOT enter the Sands. Those who arrive late will be ushered to seats closest to the entrance, or asked to stand at the entrance itself, or just wait outside. Any person who is not a Candidate that tries to get on the Sands will be removed, unless (of course) a dragon is attempting to get to you.
  
  
• Do not break into eggs! Period. If an egg needs to be broken into, the shop will make it VERY clear.
  
  
• Candidates are asked to arrive on the Sands with a thin pair of sandals but no boots or heavy soled shoes! The Sands are hot, so standing from foot-to-foot is common.
  
  
• Candidates will be brought to the Hatching Sands by A'ral. Should they Impress, they will take their dragons outside of the Hatching Sands entrance, where Weyrlingmaster Liat and her assistants will have prepared meat to feed them, and have buckets of oil and brushes to scrub them once fed. Baby ragons tend to eat a lot, and tend to itch a lot as their skin dries. The new weyrlings belongings will be moved from the Candidate Barracks to the Weyrling Barracks by drudges and lower cavern's workers as needed.
  
  
• Visitors and guests are invited to stay for the Hatching feast and riders will bring them home when finished.
  

Any other questions? PM Masterharper or Fated Fable! With that, welcome to the Hatching!!  

[Masterharper]

There was indeed a change in The Demon Egg. In fact, the loving thoughts that embraced it was enough for this egg to wobble, to shimmy, to shake once, then twice. It was its mother's humming alone that made this egg curious about the outside world.

It was time. And this dragon wanted out now.

With another large shake and tremble, the egg split down the middle, as if the being inside forced it open with a spread of its wings. Though the stands were empty, though the rest of its eggs had not yet wobbled or moved, the Demon didn't care to wait. Screeching loudly, a wet, bronze head stared balefully up at Vimiath, sizing up his dam with great consideration.

Ah, but before he had a chance to make up his mind, its wing pushed through the side of the shell that had been supporting him, and caused him to spill out of his egg. He gave a great, undignified squawk at the tumble, but didn't seem hurt or upset. Once balanced, he shrugged off his shells remains, and started testing out his legs. Yes, this was much, much better. He was no longer cramped in his egg, no longer shut away from the excitement of the world. Glancing up, he looked at Vimiath, and then at the empty Sands. Wherever was his audience to greet him?  

[Masterharper]

While it was just before dinner at Western, it was a bit later at High Reaches Weyr. It was cold, it was dark, and dinner had long since finished up. The Weyr was enjoying a relatively quiet evening when the call came to the Weyrwoman. Eveleth lifted her head, and her change of emotion caused Zheria to look up from her desk. "Love?" She spoke, arching a brow.

The queen gave a pleased rumble, her eyes whirling a brighter blue-green. Treth has called. Her tone was polite enough, though Zheria could all but feel the queen's bemusement at taking announcement from a green. The Hatching has begun and a dragonet has already cracked it shell. A bronze. She added, pleased.

"Tell the Weyr it is time."

Spread the word and wake those already turned in. Western's eggs are hatching and a dragonet is already on the Sands! We must hurry. Those who volunteered to transport, please bring your assigned guests and visitors. For those who agreed to remain, we will keep you apprised of the procedings. Those who are going, remember, you represent High Reaches Weyr. Make me proud, my loves... We will be watching.

Thankfully, Zheria had her outfit picked out. A dark purple and black dress that fit her in all the right places, with gold jewelry as an accent. It had been some time since she last was at Western, and she would be among peers. She had no plans to cause trouble -- not at all. Western Weyr would make a good ally, for all that it had backwards ideas. So long as those ideas stayed at Western, she had no problem being diplomatic and cordial.

This was a social call, after all. Maybe she'd find someone interesting at the Weyr; or maybe she'd hear some intriguing news. There would be men and women of all ranks and colors there... It looked to be an interesting night, indeed.
 

[ShinosBee]

It was time. TIME! A flurry of activity overtook the candidate barracks, and there in the thick of it was Dolmar. His twin at his side, it was a sprint to get dressed (and never had the tall youth been less worried about being prim or poised about it!) and sandals on, and then the charge began. It was less a march in formation and more a half-jog—a baby had already shelled!—but no one seemed to mind. Decorum was less critical than lives, and who knew which had come popping out to greet the world first. "Marinel, remember, if you feel in danger, get out of the hatchlings' way. Don't aggravate them, don't try to touch any that aren't yours..." His advice was half aimed at himself too. They'd be side by side regardless, so he could keep an eye out for any trouble. Dragonet or not, he'd do what he could to keep his twin safe.

The sands seemed hotter than usual as the hopefuls clad in white spilled onto them. A full day of heat baking them had left the air thick and warm, but...oh! A glimpse of glittering bronze hide made thoughts of comfort fly from Dolmar's head. A bronze out first! Good luck, and of course, the object of his full attention. Which egg had it been? He couldn't tell through the crowd, but it didn't matter. "Look at him, already ready to go!" He whispered, half-awed to Marinel. The golden mother, meanwhile, looked terrible. Her rider hadn't been well since that fateful touching day, and it was...painful to see the grief of the mother written so clearly on her hide and in her face. Was it proper to bow with a baby already on the sands? Normally the candidates crossed a bit closer, but to do so now would crowd the hatchling. Surely the life of a baby, a bronze to boot, was worth more than a show of respect.

He sidled around to the left-hand side of the ring of candidates, tugging Marinel gently behind him, then pressing forward to near the front row. As tall as they were, such a vantage point wasn't exactly needed...but it was desired. He wanted to see that bronze, and be seen in turn. Which was it? His eyes rolled across the wobbling eggs, and...oh! Oh...it was Demon! With a roiling burst of intent in his chest, the young man's eyes fixed again on the searching hatching. Here, I'm here! He willed the dragonet to hear him, to remember him. He'd certainly remembered it...or its egg, at least.

Thaliawen

For mention!

For their parts Jacquol and Falienn chose to stay further out from the baby bronze. A bronze wasn't fora girl...and Falien,, given the choice, would rather sit a white than someone that might make him anything more like his father. Still, excitement thrilled through them, and even with their disinterest they couldn't keep from staring after the baby. It was so small...would it really grow as large as the adult bronzes? Surely so, but it just seemed so...strange. And the golden mother, Vimiath...Jacquol couldn't bare to look. Falienn, for his part, was too busy seeing who was coming to sit in the stands to care that much, not yet.  

[Ryala]

Ryala

Ryala was just finishing feeding Ghost before dinner, when the blue flit's attention suddenly seemed to be drawn elsewhere. "Hey, come on, Ghost," she tried to coax him, dangling one of the few remaining pieces of meat from the bowl in front of his snout.

He was apparently finished, however.

Eyes whirling excitedly, the blue took flight, a hum beginning to issue from him as he circled overhead. It was then that the redheaded girl became aware of the humming escalating around the Weyr.

It was time. It was time!

Heart pounding, she dashed back to the candidate barracks to snag her robe, suddenly both wishing that she'd had dinner, and thankful that she hadn't yet.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Ladellan

Del had just been heading towards a table when the humming began. At first, he didn't understand what the sound meant, but A'ral's words motivated him. No time to waste, then! Abandoning his plate, Del jumped up and dashed to his quarters. An egg... already hatched? Yes, best to get going NOW!  

[BastetAmun]

Henwas and Huarwar

Stopped in their tracks, Henwas and Huarwar were suddenly washing up as quick as they could. A hatching happening late at night wasn't really strange but, it had never happened before in their tenure. Dressed in their robes and sandals they hurried out onto the sands.

Henwas didn't know what egg had hatched, or if he had even had the chance to touch it's shell but seeing the bronze made him smile some. Huarwar's eyes watched the bronze as he seemed to watch everything that was going on around them. There was a sense he had touched the egg but he did as he had always been instructed to do, standing beside Henwas as they waited. His eyes did move to look at Vimiath and he wondered if she was doing well, he worried about Talela as well.

(Feel free to come and speak to either Henwas or Huarwar)

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Tyra and Orodreth

Orodreth relayed Eveleth's message to Tyra just as the woman had sat down to take her dinner in her quarters. With a whistful look at the food, she grabbed a pie and stuffed it into her mouth before hurrying to dress. By the time she was in her riding jacket again and on Orodreth, she had managed to chew and swallow the food, glad to have finished it before landing to take on her passengers.

There was an excitement to Orodreth as they waited. He was glad to be going home but he had always loved the excitement of hatchings. Tyra enjoyed them as it brought new blood into the ranks, she had never been one to get too close to children,

(Any candidates who dont' have a ride feel free to jump on Orodreth!)

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Skylla and Neith

There was a humming sound that began to resonate through the weyr. Skylla became even more aware of it when Neith joined in. Her emerald eyes moved to look at her lovely green as she hummed. "It is time I see." The green gave a look to her rider as she perched on the ledge and Skylla smiled softly. It was about to get even more busy for her as she began to help out with the weyrlings again.

Skylla easily climbed upon Neith's back and the green took to the air, letting Skylla off near the entrance before she went to find a spot of her own. Her eyes moved to the gold in the sands, her hearts sinking for her mother though elated for the new brothers and sisters that would join their weyr. She had brought her mother meat when she had been able and she was saddened to see that Vimiath had not seemed to touch any that had been brought to her. Worry laced Neith's hearts and Skylla sent a soothing thought to her. Everything would be alright.

Standing off the sands, Skylla went to getting the buckets of meat ready for the newly impressed dragonnets. It wouldn't do to just wait for the Weyrling master before beginning the duty.  

[Waiver]

Ameliah
Ameliah and Sharath were just settling into their evening meal when the thrum went out and everyone was summoned to the Sands for the Hatching. Vimiath was... dull, in poor spirits and health. Even Sharath was concerned for her peer, a rare show of empathy even if it was spoken privately. Word was that health had fled the rider... Ameliah hoped that with the Hatching, the mother could turn her attention wholly to her rider's health and the two would benefit.

Abandonning her meal, Ameliah ran out of the guest weyr to scrambled up on Sharath's back and the pair sailed through to the Sands, the Queen thrumming loudly and joyously. Sharath might not get along with golds but she certainly had no qualms about the hatchlings. In an unusual display of deference, Sharath crooned her greeting, head bowed in respect as she alighted in the dragons' area. Ameliah scrabbled down, surprised to find a Hatchling already on the Sands and not a Candidate in sight yet.

Concerned, she looked to Sharath, They know they have Hatchling on the Sands already, right?

Sharath rumbled, nodding her head as others began to crowd in and Candidates practically dashed onto the Sands.

Sinking down into a seat, the miner smiled to herself as it looked like she had lost her bet.... or at least part of it!

[OOC: Anyone is welcome to interact with Ameliah and Sharath]

Candidate Gavryl
Gavryl's intense retrospection on the past days and the declining health of Vimiath were interrupted by the rising thrum of a Hatching and the immediate, almost panicked summons that came with it. He was glad he kept himself presentable and it was a simple wipe with a cloth and shuffle of clothing and he was out the door with the required sandals.

They were ushered out and Gavryl stumbled in the sand as some of the grit caught the edge of his sandal. Running the back of his hand along his cheek as he corrected, the youth inhaled deeply and closed his eyes for a moment to settle the sudden surge of nerves that gripped him there. He was glad he'd skipped lunch today – he wasn't one for too much gore and Hatchings could be bloody things. And dinner hadn't happened yet, thankfully.

A bronze was already on the Sands! A quick survey of the eggs revealed it was the demon egg with the enticing questions that he hadn't really understood. Who would that sly, honey-tongued dragon go to? In its rush to leave the egg, was it also in enough of a rush to trample candidates? He looked on in anticipation, hands flexing at his side as he looked at the other eggs and tried to guess what would come next.

It was always so different when the eggs had actually hatched... before they were oblong, mysterious forms and now, now there were tiny, mighty dragons. He grinned despite himself.  

[Thaliawen]

Marinel quietly, patiently, listened to the advice Dolly was sprouting, smiling to himself. Dolmar sounded like their candidatemaster! “I know,” he said. There was an excitement alight in him, one he hadn’t felt before. Today might be the day he found the most important thing in his life; aside from his twin.

He followed Dolly onto the sands, walking a bit hesitantly due to the heat. “Oh, he’s beautiful,” he marveled, admiring the bronze. “That was the egg you liked so much, Dolly!” He gave his brother a smile. Maybe he’d Impress him?

He moved foot to foot, eyes scanning the sands. Vimiath looked terrible... When would Tally be well again?  

[Meepfur]

Akaris was perhaps the only Candidate in the Weyr not looking forward to this day at all, but dreading it.  If she'd had any real choice in the matter, she would have been long gone within days of the Touching, away from Western and its dragons both full-grown and unborn.  She would no longer go so far as to say that every last one was horrible, not after sevendays of work on the Candidatemaster's part to counter the reflexive terror of being anywhere near one.  There were a select few, at least, she could stand to be in the presence of without wanting to run, without cringing if they got too close, or starting to shake if they overstayed their welcome.  In spite of time and work, and despite assurances that Vimiath couldn't truly have hurt her, had gone as far as she possibly could have, the seeds of doubt had been planted, and truly trusting a dragon again would take a very long time.

Not that it mattered, anyway.  If there was one solitary thing she was looking forward to, it was that after today, she could leave, and never have to be up close and personal with a dragon again.  Trouble was, she had to get through today first: out on the Sands with the gold who haunted her nightmares and all of her unbonded children.  It wasn't unusual for Candidates to be injured or even killed, and at least one dragon who'd be hatching today was going to be none to happy to see her, and she flinched when he mentioned not making more stupid decisions.  It was a thought that was difficult not to linger on as sheed donned her white robes, reluctant to hurry but doing exactly that because A'ral said to, and she had finally taken to doing what he said.  She did spare one moment for her hair, and another for her face, to make sure that the circles under her eyes were properly concealed.  If she was going to walk to her doom, she was was sharding well going to look good doing it.  There wasn't much else she could do.  If her battered pride had its way, maybe she would walk away with a dragon, simply to prove to everyone that she wasn't such a useless fool as some of them might think, but it was at odds with the tired part of her that just wanted to survive unscathed and go home.

When the time came to go out and take her place in the grouping of Candidates, though, Akaris hesitated, glancing askance at A'ral but saying nothing, and stopped where she was, to the side and slightly behind.  Maybe this was close enough.  Maybe she could stay here.  Here felt just a little safer than out there.

Mx Cherie

------

When the humming started and the call went up for the Candidates to get to the Sands, Rio wasted no time in getting to the Barracks, stripping out of his clothes, and putting on his robes.  He had to admit, it was hardly the most flattering garb, but it wasn't a concern, not when it was time!  Time for his first hatching!  But his excitement was subdued at best.  Everyone knew how wretched Vimiath looked these days, how her rider was still ailing.  He was new to the Weyr and didn't know her as some did, but he felt for those who did, and was solemn as he made his way onto the Sands, occuppied by the gray-hued Queen and her bronze son.

------

Yet another Hatching, albeit at a different Weyr.  It almost felt routine to Dezerac by now: hurry to change into the proper attire, which in any other circumstances would look absurd, stand around on hot Sands surrounded by other people he mostly didn't know very well or care about very much, and walk away empty-handed.  Would this one be like all the others, or would it be the time he didn't leave disappointed...or just the time he didn't leave?

As he took his place, he eyed up the fresh bronze on the Sand carefully.  A quick glance at the eggs said it was the one from the fiery shell.  The one he had at first welcomed in, then pushed away when its of offer of power had turned into a grip, an unsettling hold.  It had been impressive in the egg - what would it do now?  He did spare a look for the Queen, only to lower his eyes.  It was a terrible sight to see a dragon look as she did, and it didn't seem right to stare.  

[Hattaki]

At A'ral's words she was up, bathed and pulling on her sandals as quickly as her fumbling fingers would allow. Amra knew the first dragon would likely never be hers, but there were others! Others on the sands that might just be the part of her that was missing. The part of her that had no purpose after all the deaths.

Shooing away Whirlwind who was tugging balefully at her loose tail of hair, she straightened out the white robe, fitted to much larger male candidates, and tried her best to look graceful... while running almost breakneck towards the burning sands.

Once there she took in the eggs and noticed the Goblin still in it's shell, her thoughts returning to the strange woman she'd placed the bet with. Shard it all she'd lost that bet, but not the Hatching, not yet! As many of the other Candidates arrived around her Amra braced herself for what was to come, for it could be a very violent hatching indeed with the way the Touching had progressed.

Instinctively she glanced over the crowd at the faces of her fellows and took in a deep breath, some were younger than her. Eyes fell to a familiar face and she allowed herself a moment of regret for her harsh words to Akaris before washing it away with a well placed feeling, a memory of peace sitting on the back of her mother's runnerbeast as they traveled a mountain pass. Having to be quiet to avoid the inevitable avalanches the region was known for, it had been the silence she saved, a stronger memory than most. Only wind in her ears and hair as snow fell in places that chilled her then small and thin frame.

She could do this, she could stand and face these hatchlings! There was no danger to come from a dragonet as long as she was fast, as long as she was smart, and her mother and master had taught her to be both. It would be a disservice to either to fail them and fall victim on these Sands.

Lifting herself up to her full towering height, Amra glanced to the boy she'd seen interacting with the Demon the strongest and longest. Would he be the one to Impress it, or would it find it's partner in another?

Things were going to get interesting, she certainly hoped she could focus enough to retain everything that happened!  

[faesinger]

The tone of A’ral’s voice told Shahera to listen. The words told Shahera what to do. And for once in her life she did as she was told. As quickly as she could, Shahera made herself ready. An dragonette was already there waiting, they didn’t have time to not move. Shahera hastened a few around her who were taking time to change along. “Hurry, hurry,” she whispered.

Following A’ral out to the Sands, Shahera didn’t even try to see around the other Candidates. It would have been a futile effort. She simple moved with them as they entered, the picture of composure. Well, hurried composure. They were moving rather quickly. The first thing that got her attention was the dragonette. It was a bronze, so Shahera only tracked him in relation to her not worrying about if she would impress him only if he would attack her.

As they fanned out, she started marking where people she was worried about were. Where was Dolly and Marinel, Cesare and Migel, and Serfie, … where was that girl that almost got eaten? Shahera had gone the same direction as Dolly it turned out. There were advantages to having tall friends. She wove through the crowd to end up on the other side of Dolmar from Marinel. That intensity that seemed to be growing in Dolly, Shahera rolled her eyes a little at it. He would be insufferable if he impressed a bronze. Just insufferable. Normally, she would have done something to poke at that intensity, to deflate it and get Dolly back in a mindset he could properly function in. But with a dragonette already at risk of going between…she chose discretion instead.  

[smolderingskies]

Saimwen was just finishing up washing the dishes for supper when they were called to the Sands. The sound of dragons humming was ethereal - and in a sort of trance he made his way toward the noise, hand trailing along the wall of the cave in the Weyr, wondering what he'd experience in this. His first Hatching. He wasn't so sure he was ready.

The Demon - that was the egg that had hatched already. Saimwen grinned as he remembered the brief time they'd had together during the Touching, but something about him was also nervous as he saw how large this Bronze hatchling was, how porud. How large and nearly covered in claws and teeth. He clenched the neck-hem of his white robe impatiently, wondering if he needed to do anything other than just stand here.

---

Dharzol felt more awake, more grounded than he had felt in days. The summons was not even a surprise to him at this point - sometimes you could just feel it on the air. He hurried to grab the customary clothing and head toward the Sands, of course, jogging halfheartedly alongside everyone else in the Weyr.

He was more ready for this Hatching than he'd ever felt in his life, but not in a positive way, really. He just wanted it overwith, at this point. Wishing he had pockets to shove his hands in, he instead stood toward the back of the crowd, crossing his arms. Out of danger's way - heartbreak and physical danger, that is. He'd one too many times seen a dragonet headed in his direction, only to realize that the Impressee was standing right behind him.

---

Laelia hadn't been able to get to sleep in the small moments she'd had since she retired early - perhaps as if she had received a premonition of some sort, that caused her to fidget in her bed, thinking of the Touching. It had not gone badly. And she'd made a friend in her time at Western. Maybe it wouldn't end.

They were wrested out of bed, and hurried to the Sands. The journey felt like a blur, and suddenly Laelia was there, eager, shivering, poised at the ready. Already a dragonet was on the Sands, and she realized with no small worry that it had not yet Impressed as everyone was still scrambling to get there.