Grains of Sand (Millieth's Hatching)

[Tashe]

War is over due
The time has come for you
To shoot your leaders down
Join forces under ground

Milleth's eyes were a kaleidoscope of colors, constantly switching back and forth between panic, rage and fear. She did not like this at all. The Wastelanders had taken Kai to make sure the Gold and her Rider cooperated nicely through the entire hatching, so most of the panic and fear was Kaegan's. Speaking of the Weyrwoman, she was nearly the color of a recently starched sheet. Something about this particular hatching was giving her the most horrible feeling. The Weyrlingmaster and the meat for the hatchlings were /on/ the sands rather than in the adjoining room. Plus, there were multiple Wastelander Dragons guarding the entrances, whether to keep people out or in was still yet to be confirmed. Anyway, its needless to say that the Goldpair was a little less than enthusiastic about the hatching. With her hide a little lack luster than usual, Millieth began to hum, spreading the unspoken knowledge from dragon to dragonic creature. Soon, all of the humans would know as well. The hatching was starting.

Clutching at Millieth's leg, Kaegan steadied herself against her Dragon. It was hard enough to control Millieth during a normal hatching, but this would require a whole other level of will power. Her nerves were stretched to the wire and she was just barely keeping Millieth from devouring the nearest Wastelander in anger. Dash was doing his best to try and calm her, but even he couldn't pierce through the anxiousness. Other than Kai, Kaegan's main concern was what would happen to Millieth's babies... the ones hatched with mutations. The Wastelanders were a collection of Bendenites and Kaegan knew all too well what the Benden riders could be like. They had been making progress with Ja'kin with the assimilation of the Wastelanders into Selenitas, but she feared that the outcome of this hatching would decide the fate of that progress. She hoped that the hatching would go as it usually went... undisturbed.

Rocking back and forth the Juniper Egg began to crack and crumble apart, not waiting in the least for those silly humans to start assembling. Obviously if they wanted to Impress they'd be here quickly enough, so why wait? A slimy looking Green nose poked through a large hole, chirping loudly and happily. Across the way, the Alluvium Egg began to split as well, a spiderweb of cracks and fissures quickly began to envelope the egg. It wasn't about to be beaten to be the point! Nope.

Loose control in increasing pace
Warped and bewitched in time to erase
Whatever they say, these people are torn
Wild and bereft assassin is born, yeah

[Tashe]

Appose and Disgrace
Destroy Demonocracy

Alluvium Egg: Hatched - Blue Kerpth of Ch'il [NPC]
Pediment Egg:Hatched- Green Lipeth of Tomerin [NPC
Cliffbush Egg: Hatched - Gold Nitrath to Caden
Datura Egg: Hatched- Albino (Blue) Lketh to Er'ani [Adopt/npc][/color]
Oasis Egg: Hatched- Green Chipth of D'ril[NPC]
Hoodoo Egg: Hatched- Bronze Epifayrmuth to Mo'rya
Juniper Egg: Hatched - Green Sprith to Ashlyn
Loess Egg: Hatched- Brown Tenloceth to M'ze
Ocotillo Egg: Hatched- Green Katearath to Leilani {adopt}
Humus Egg: Hatched- Blue - Betweened
Tumbleweed Egg: Hatched- Blue Jipth of Porita [NPC]



Look in the PENDING section for Adoptable Weyrlings and Dragonless/[candidates]



Deceased: Kerpth, Jipth, Chipth and Lipeth
Betweened: Humus Blue

Loose control in increasing pace
Warped and bewitched in time to erase
Whatever they say, these people are torn
Wild and bereft assassin is born, yeah

[heisokufire9]

Ashlyn felt the humming deep in her bones before she actually heard it with her ears. Then she moaned aloud once she did start hearing it with her ears. Of course she had to be right in the middle of washing dishes and of course the sharding headwoman wouldn’t let her go till she was done with all of the dishes. After what seemed like an eternity (though only a few minutes in reality) she was done with the dishes.

Cursing under her breath the raven-haired teen sprinted to her room in the barracks and dug around in her trunk for her robe. Finding it she yanked it on over the blue shirt and black trousers she had on and pulled her hair into a runner’s tail as she jammed her feet into thick-soled boots.

“Loki!” she snapped sending a pulse along her bond with her firelizard to call him to her as she turned to go. The bronze firelizard appeared above her with a pop and gave an irritated chirp as he landed on her shoulder. Blue eyes glared at the firelizard for a moment.

“Oh hush it’s not my fault you’re so sharding cranky.” She pointed out as she bolted to the hatching sands. Loki squawked and flared his wings but stayed on her shoulder. She skidded to a stop as she reached the sands, noticing the guards. Now that she realized she wasn’t late she could breathe a bit easier. A frown flickered across her face. This was so different from the last hatching. The clutch mother was obviously distressed as was her rider and that couldn’t be good for either of them. However the sight of the green nose poking out of the Juniper Egg with a chirp brought a smile to her face. She straightened her stance and strode up.

“I’m a candidate.” She said simply as she went onto the sands. She gave a polite bow to the clutch mother.

"I'm honored to be here, Lady Milleth. I do wish the circumstances were better but I'm glad to be here all the same." she spoke before standing to one side. She knew the drill and focused on keeping her quirky bronze under control, keeping half an eye on the Juniper Egg and it's hatching occupant. Loki eyed the guards warily, hissing softly. Only Ash's careful training kept him on her shoulder for the moment. She had managed to get him to start listening to her and for that she was thankful.

[Rei]

Erilena shifted from her position near the edge of the sands. Her hazel eyes flicking from the clutch, back to the dragon guarded entrance, and then finally to Feyrianth who was perched up with the rest of the Selenitas dragons. The green had her four wings mantled and was humming for all she was worth, broadcasting what soothing waves she could to her golden dam below. The air in the hatching arena was charged and not with the happy vibes it should be charged with. Instead the air felt thick with apprehension and what felt suspiciously like dread. Not something the woman hadn’t been expecting at all.

Swallowing down a sudden lump in her throat the greenrider adjusted the medical bag for about the third time and leaned back against the stone wall behind her. A healer was what she was here as, first and foremost. Which meant she had to be neutral. As hard as it was because the Wastelanders milling about like sentinels, and Kaegan’s obvious distress, had Erilena feeling very much like she needed some air.

Feyrianth arched her neck and increased the pitch of her humming as the first nose broke shell. Shifting so she was perched on the very edge of her rocky ledge she kept up the hum, her eyes whirling in greens and nervous yellows. The nervousness was in response to her bonded’s current feelings. The green didn’t understand why hers was so anxious. Hatchings where happy things and these new babies would be her partial siblings. She was looking forward to meeting them all properly.

~~~

Near the feeding station a small group of Wastelanders shifted Z’ves amongst them. Flipping his knife over in his hands his eyes strayed to where Lucith was coiled in front of the ground entrance to the hatching sands. A macabre smile was given to his rider from across the distance. Whoever doth tries shall meet my claws. A cold smile back at his dragon before the bluerider leaned against a nearby table and nudged a companion. In this case the one he had invaded the weyr with, S’tal. “And so it begins. Meeting of Wasteland and Selenitas genes. Lets see what the future looks like.”

[Requiem]

Come little two-leggeds. Calmly. Patiently. All that bull. We all know you'll be flocking around like wherries without their heads as soon as the dragons start spilling. A good first impression at least? Oh, look, I made a pun. Get it? First Impression? Ur'h squinted up at Ykiith, in place by the main entrance to the Grounds that the candidates would be using. How could people be wherries? Yes, he got the simile thing, but wherries died without heads, didn't they? Candidates didn't die at Hatchings. Usually. He never really understood this dragon of his.

---

Mother Millieth is very upset, Ruth observed quietly to His. There's something strange going on here. Not that this should be in any way surprising. M'ta glanced upward toward his mindmate, roosting high with the other dragons and humming as they all did to greet the new hatchlings coming into the world. Is there anything we can do? Doubt it. Just having those Benden men here playing guard dog would be enough to upset anyone. Nothing really we can do about that. The short rider leaned back against a pillar, arms crossed over his chest as his eyes returned to the eggs. He spun a knife idly between his fingers. Not expecting trouble. Simply...restless.

Behruth turned his attention to Millieth again. You are not alone, Mother Millieth. We will watch over our little brothers and sisters, too. Don't fret so.

---

Armind was not far behind Ashlyn. Shadowing her, to be precise. (He would have preferred the other girl. Rosie or Hosanna or...something like that. Girls were much like other girls and he didn't remember their names so well. Wherever she was, though, she was not moving nearly fast enough for his tastes. Ashlyn made a suitable substitute.)

The boy's jaw dropped upon seeing all the dragons and the people begining to flood the Stands. Then his gaze turned to the main event. Eggs! He was going to Impress the biggest, bestest dragon there ever was! And then he'd go home for a day and show everyone just how awesome he was and see if his uncle's head exploded. (It would be totally awesome if his head exploded. Even getting brains on you would be worth it.)

He hurried to catch up to Ashlyn, yanking at the sleeve of her white robe. His own had been white before scrambling down a hill and rolling half the way in his hurry. Not that he seemed to care. "Psht! They said no pets, remember? Millieth doesn't like them. Make him go away! Tch. Girls are so stupid." The child gave Millieth a bow. "Human girls anyway. I'm sorry. She's stupid, but she'll fix it I'm sure. Anyway, she should." He gave Millieth his biggest smile then scampered onto the Sands. Now...where was he supposed to go again?

Oh! Dragon nose! Armind stopped mid-stride and just stared. Ewwww look how goopy it was! Hm. He glanced sidelong at Ashlyn. Maybe he could make her shriek. But another egg was cracking. His attention was arrested again and he forgot all about gooping the girl.

[archenstone]

Is the water vibrating? It took Mikaze a second to realize that he was hearing a humming noise while he floated in the wash tub. He sat up, throwing drops of water from his hair. "The hatching!" He scrambled to get out of the tub, drying himself off and throwing his clothes on. He hopped for balance as he struggled with his pants. Robe...robe...where'd I put it? Managing to get clothed in one piece, he rushed to his room and started throwing clothes out of his chest in haste. Finally he found the only white fabric in there and pulled it out.

He was in too much of a hurry to sigh in relief and threw it on over his clothes. He ran his hand through his air quickly, trying to get any excess water off before it could dribble down onto his robe. The attempt left his hair spiking in all directions. He didn't notice though and took off for the hatching sands.

As he reached the sands he slowed down, nervous. It seemed like the hatching grounds where on lockdown. Dragon's guarded the entrance and as he looked around he saw that the Weyrling master had set the meat out on the ground. This isn't what the hatchings at Benden looked like.... But he knew that few people where happy with what happened. He hadn't been thrilled either....but it seemed like no one remembered him from Benden Weyr. It was a possibility he found encouraging. He walked over to where the other candidates where gathering, seeing only a couple candidates here. He wasn't concerned for them though. Instead he eyed the eggs and realized that two were cracking. Is that a green nose?

He pried his eyes away from the cracking eggs long enough to walk over to Millieth and bow. "Greeting Fair Millieth. I realize this must be a very harrowing time for you, but if one of your childrend choose me today....I promise to care for him or her...and my best to safeguard." His excitement had dimmed when he saw what the wastelanders had forced on the Queen and his eyes looked up at her with compassion. Maybe I should have slit their throats as I left. Perhaps then they would not have come here....to harass and destroy good people. Having said all he could he returned to the other candidates to watch...and hope that the hatching occurred peacefully. Where is Hinsero? The guy might be Wastelander...but he had a respect for man...all the same.

[Ruby]

It didn't take long for Mikaze's unvoiced question to be answered. The only slightly ruffled Hinsero slid smoothly in next to the younger man, nothing about his unwrinkled robe suggesting that he'd been carting refuse out of the kitchens less than fifteen minutes ago. Blue eyes scanned the stands, skipping briefly over the dragons guarding the entrances before settling on the queen. Her rider looked white as a sheet, which left Hinsero looking puzzled. He'd heard of half-formed and damaged dragons being euthanized at Benden, but he'd always assumed that was only done to those too weak to live. Like the White at the Salamandyr hatching.

That was for the best, Heart purred. The green had refused to be left behind, and Hinsero was a pushover when it came to his pets. Luckily, she was tiny, and easily concealed below the collar of Hinsero's white robe, hardly even making a lump. This shining vision, however, seems the type to choose what is best for her, as opposed to what is best for all.[/i] That seemed clear enough to Hinsero, who nodded slightly, then clapped a hand on Mikaze's shoulder. "May all Faranth's luck be yours, today," he said, just as a green poked her shining nose out of a shell. That made him let a surprised laugh loose - Hinsero might be the only person on the sands or in the stands that didn't quite pick up on the tense mood today. Tilting sideways so his shoulder nudged Mikaze's, he changed to a murmur. "See? She favors us already."

--

Serissa was vaguely annoyed, which translated to an attractive pout on her over-full lips. Dragon hatchings weren't her favorite thing ever, Ildyth notwithstanding. They were a forced reminder of the nasty scar twisting across the small of her back, which twinged and itched any time those infernal Golds picked up their humming. Of course, the egg they'd thought was Gold all those years ago at Fort had, in fact, been a Bronze, but still. Scars weren't any less livid if the dragon was bronze rather than gold. Regardless, the Shinies got on Serissa's nerves.

Leaning up against the low wall that separated the Sands from the Stands, Serissa let out an exaggerated sigh, mostly for the benefit of the pretty blonde who'd also been unfortunate enough to draw patch-up duty. It was Erilena if she wasn't wrong, which, of course, Serissa wasn't. "You'd think they'd get over it," she said, gesturing at the oldest candidate on the Sands, the one who'd laughed. "I can guarantee that one's stood before, and yet..." She trailed off, throwing a hand in the air. "They never lose the shine." Pausing, she tilted her head at her fellow healer, examining both knots and profile shamelessly. "How about you? How long since it was you, out there?"

--

Speaking of out there, another candidate had made his - her - appearance. As soon as she'd pulled on her over sized robe, Caden had run off to beg the headwoman for a replacement. Over sized was right, but her robe had an integral design flaw. Unfortunately, she'd recently discovered that no one had thought Candidate robes needed pockets, which Caden had recently realized were a genius invention in the world of clothing.

Caden's hands were still pink.

She'd managed to avoid Z'ves so far, and while it had been reported that he'd fumed and been forced to wear at least ONE of the pink shirts, no one had thought to check the hands of Candidates for mysterious pink marks - not yet, at least. She'd kept her hands in her pockets as much as she could, but now they were to be on display for all the Weyr to see. Oh shards. Shells and crackdust and every bit of Thread left in the sky. She was completely, 100% caught.

Well, Caden had never been one to sneak and lie and avoid punishment. She had been vaguely tempted by gloves, but the insistent hum vibrating every surface in the Weyr had decided her. She'd returned to her original robe, which was now staticy and clung to the vague outline of hips and bust no matter what she did to it, and vainly tried to flatten her hair, which was standing straight out from her head. Sel came to examine her, nipping her gently before draping a green ribbon around Caden's neck, then obediently curling back up on the Candidate's bunk. Caden tied the ribbon in a knot - no reason to lose it - and headed for the sands, shuffling somewhere between a jog and a run.

While the rest of the Candidates looked towards the Gold and the Clutch, Caden's eyes settled on Z'ves. Her hands were at her sides, partially concealed by white folds, but if he spent any time looking at the Candidates, he was sure to spot them. Hopefully, some grace protecting Candidates during the hatching would delay his retaliation, but Caden wasn't counting on it. Shifting her eyes, she looked at the clutch instead, drifting towards Ashlyn and Armind but unwilling to associate herself with them in case Z'ves did decide now was a good time to get revenge. Instead, she put her back to a wall, where she could see both the Bluerider and the clutch at the same time. Maybe she'd leave alone again, but Armind and Ashlyn didn't need the taint of misdoing if they were to Impress. Still, she wished them luck.

[Kisha-Ra]

Was Mort nervous? Oh yes, his hands, neatly concealed in the sleeves of his white robe, trembled slightly, and chills ran over his skin causing him to shudder softly even as he stepped out onto the heated sands. Had he felt like this during the last hatching? The boy examined his memories for a moment and decided not. The wastelanders made him nervous, wary. What were they doing, and when would they do it?

A barely noticed weight lifted from his shoulder as he stepped towards Millieth, it was a wrench to lose Ghost’s silent support but his dear little gold was far too polite to intrude on another queen’s hatching, not to mention being out on the sands would make her very obvious and Ghost didn’t really like everyone to look at her. Mort sighed softly, no doubt his Ghost would find somewhere discreet to watch from, he knew he’d always have her support if he really needed it.

Firelizard free Mort continued on his way, taking a little heart from the fact that this time around he was wearing his sandals (a painful oversight at his first hatching), and his hair was neatly tied back in a single braid, though at Ghost’s insistence he’d stripped the beads from it. They hadn’t gone with the white robe anyway. The pale boy bowed deeply to Millieth, allowing his eyes to linger on the grown queen and wonder what her golden daughter would be like, he did not speak however, as some others did. He was beginning to suspect that golds like girls better than boys and it wouldn’t do to make some social faux pas and get thrown out when his queen might hatch this time. As he found himself somewhere to stand Mort felt a little guilty about that thought and corrected it to his dragon queen. Obviously Ghost was just as much his queen.

Ignoring the wasteland riders as much as he could for now Mort took note of what other candidates had arrived thus far, a fair portion, not all, and many seemed to have a slightly fearful edge to them, unless that was just his perception being clouded by his own nerves. It looked like those wasteland riders were getting to Millieth too, Mort noted. Poor gold, her babies shouldn’t come into a world tainted with fear and suspicion, could he push them aside for a while? For that little green fighting free of her shell, and the others who’d be here soon? He would try.

[Avu]

The break of day begins with gold.

“Uh?”

Rhiiseth dipped his wing expectantly, and Ka’aen went to the blue’s side automatically, tilting his head back to look at the blue suspiciously before he swung aboard, too accustomed to letting Rhiiseth have his way to bother arguing until he got clarification. Rhii had never done anything downright stupid, anyway. The blue curled his tail loosely over the stone of the ‘ledge, let it slide to and fro briefly, judging the moment before he flickered between without warning, leaving Ka’aen to grope at his hide for a place to hang on, a low “mmph!” of protest slipping out of his mouth before it was swallowed by the darkness.

The dragon curled tightly into being above the Hatching Sands, sweeping in to land so Ka’aen could get off near the tables covered in food. His hands found his pockets as he maneuvered among the other Wastelanders, an amiable smile flickering to those who glanced at him, until he was finally leaning his hip against one of the tables, near Z’ves and S’tal. Ka’aen wasn’t particularly fond of either man—Z’ves in particular; S’tal due to a lack of any real conversation before, and because the man didn’t seem exactly intelligent—but that didn’t matter, not really, not when their attention would be so diverted anyway. “Green,” he said, like it was a proper reply to Z’ves’s words. “Bad luck, isn’t that?”

It wasn’t a superstition that Ka’aen really held with, since he thought the Hatching he had Impressed Rhiiseth at had started with a green too, but that was okay. “Hatched a little late to be a proper omen,” he added lightly. At least he was tall enough (if barely) to see over or through the small group towards the Hatching itself—it would be awfully boring if he couldn’t. Hands still in his pocket twitched at the fingertips, drumming against Ka’aen’s thigh, the tempo erratic, involuntary.

A different kind of dream and dawn, Rhiiseth commented softly, coiling to land near Feyrianth. He had not been chosen, of the Wastelanders, to guard the entrances (he may or may not have cheerfully saddled the task on another Wasteland dragon who considered the assignment an honor instead of doing it himself—but hey, as long as someone was there, right?). He wanted to watch. A new beginning, purred in smoky tones, A bud of new life, as it were; such a lovely flower brightens. His gaze swept across the clutch, lingered on Millieth with quiet contemplation.

Ah, gold…such a lovely show of suspicion. Was that really the first impression she wished to make upon her babies?

[InsaneWhitey28]

It was odd really, how simply being busy could make ones shoulders ache like Threadscore. Well, probably not completely like Threadscore(though she really had no one to ask for reference considering Thread hadn’t fell on Pern for quite some time and never would again), but still that aches of her shoulders were hard to ignore. Therefore, the faint vibrations growing throughout the Weyr found the mahogany haired girl stretching her arms high above her head, hoping to work out the kinks in the muscles. Of course she had done most her chores already, she was just taking a small break to relieve herself of the pain that’s all. Sadly, kinks in the shoulders are never worked out that quickly, so just as the teen was about to return to unfinished work, having already thoroughly cursed the Wastelanders mentally for the day, the vibrations finally registered to her and once they registered they actually became coherent sound. Humming.

She immediately stiffened, gray eyes widening in faint surprise as she asked herself: Really? But the humming answered her question for her as it slowly grew in volume and intensity, indeed the day of hatching had come. Joy immediately swelled inside her chest, a smile flickering across the usually blank face, her eyes shimmering with the golden flecks that resided in usually cold depths. Instantly she was off, not running, but power-walking into the barracks and over to her bunk. She rummaged around in her chest for a moment, eyebrows creasing with confusion as she seemed to have misplaced what she was searching for, but then she spotted it: the white robe she had hidden at the bottom. Why in Pern did she put it there? Oh yes, because she wasn’t the least bit happy about being surrounded by Wastelanders, wanting to shove the thought of a Wasteland dragon sire from her mind. But now, well circumstances were changing and at the moment she had had her own brief revelation. Dragons are dragons, and will do as dragons do, but it is the rider who truly makes the choices that lead to a world such as Pern now exists in.

Sighing absentmindedly to herself, she briefly threw the robe onto her bunk as she took off her over shirt and sash, aware that they’d get in the way on the Sands. Then after checking that her sandals were secure and on her feet, she grabbed up the robe once more and pulled it on. With a frown she noted it was rather wrinkled from being at the bottom of her chest for some time, but oh well. It was her own fault really. Self-conciously she tried to smooth the wrinkles out as she trotted out of the barracks, following after the others, she even spotted Ashlyn and Armind a ways ahead. She put her hands under her mass of hair, quickly removing the mahogany strands from within her robe and deciding to braid it and put it in a bun atop her head even as she became aware of a sore taste in the air. What was that?

Apprehension. Dread. a voice seemed to whisper menacingly at the back of her mind. With a shiver, the teen tried to push the matter away but it would not be pushed. She could taste it, the air thick and dripping with it, a feeling that soaked its way into her skin and into her blood, quickly poisoning the joy in her heart until it became something wary, twitchy in anticipation, only briefly colored with the rosy spring of joy. The heavy feeling in her chest continued to grow as she approached the entrance to the Sands, eyes narrowing at the dragons guarding the entrance, on their rider’s orders she supposed. When were guards ever needed before? Well, technically she didn’t know since this was after all her first Hatching. At that thought the giddiness in her rose once again, picturing the dragonets spilling from their eggs even as they wandered toward the candidates in search of Theirs. There was a small thought, a small hope, that she herself would Impress one of those wandering dragonets, to have a mind meld with hers and be forever more her companion.

A shiver of absolute delight coursed through her even as she passed the guard dragons, holding herself a little aloof from reality, keeping her eyes forward so as not to show the dragons the brief fear that laced through them at being so close to teeth that could easily rip her apart in one go. But soon enough she had passed the guards, walking forward to greet the great golden queen even as she finished her braid, and placed it atop her head in a bun, the customary ribboned strands of hair outlining her face.

Awe flitted across her face even as she bowed to the queen and her Bonded, giving a rare shy smile that softened her features to an expression very unlike her. But even that was slightly twined with fear, not because of the Wastelanders this time, but because, this dragon, this queen, before her was larger than any other, a gold that would protect her Clutch from anyone even a candidate, and she more than any other dragon was the one that would be more than likely the one whose throat she would slide down should she put one toe out of line. Rising from her bow, she quickly took her place on the Sands, her eyes alighting on the Juniper Egg, a slimy green nose in view through the hole, the nose happily chirping.

The chirping, happy and loud, was the cure to the poison plaguing her joy, and it quickly receded taking its darkness with it to let a faint glow appear once more in the teen’s gray eyes. But even with the darkness receding, she knew it wasn’t gone since the poison in the air was still thick as ever, it was only waiting in the back of her mind, almost soothingly bracing the teen for impact. The impact of what she wasn’t sure, but surely the thickness of the air told the story. Rosanna’s first Hatching had begun.

[Tashe]

Stay away from me
Build a fortress and shield your beliefs
Touch the divine
As we fall in line

Millieth eyed every single Candidate who stepped near the clutch, watching them with unmerciful scrutiny. For all the little humans who brought their pets, the Gold directed a jab of distaste, her will pressing on the flitters and mandyrs and making a distinct impression they were not wanted on the sands. Go to the dragons, go into the stands, she didn't care, as long as they were not on the sands. Her attention was briefly disturbed by a comment from one of her older children. Behruth. I do not like this. I do not like them so close to my hatchlings. They have little Kai and Mine is nervous. Fretting is the least I can do... they are lucky to not have my fangs in their faces. Nosing the sand around the Cliffbrush Egg, she tried to distract herself by focusing on her clutch.

By now, the little nose had turned into a little head and the Juniper Green was making serious progress on getting out of her thick shell. Legs and a body erupted from the cracked shell and out popped the Green with a small flow of egg goo. In the light of the Hatching grounds the Juniper Green looked shiny, although, that could very well be attributed to the fact she was completely covered in egg goo. Picking herself out of the sand, she wobbled a little as she stood, flaring her wings and flapping them once or twice to dry them. Chirping, she glanced at her Goldmother. Why was she worried? The little Green felt it even in her egg! She chirped again before being encouraged to go and pick her human. Shaking herself like a canine, the Juniper Green did her best to rid herself of most of the slime.

Not to be outpaced by it's clutchsibling, the Alluvium Egg seemed to bulge out on one side before exploding outward in a tangle of Blue appendages. The flailing legs were brilliant Cerulean hue, flashing with an almost metallic shimmer. Pulling himself free of the wreckage, the Alluvium Blue shook himself, ignoring the gasps from the crowd. Why gasps you might ask? Well, the Alluvium Blue has a very obvious mutation. His back is completely devoid of wings. No wings, means he can't fly. But obviously the mutation doesn't bother him in the least. Cheeping at his Green sister, the Alluvium Blue bounded quickly over to the boys. Nosing his way through the candidates, the Alluvium Blue sat down in front of a sandy blond and stared up at him quietly. Ch'il, I am Kerpth. Will you feed me?

Waving a wing in response to her Blue Brother, who by the way was a very pretty color in her opinion, the Juniper Green quickly made about following the other's example. Except, she went toward the girls. Oh she could see Her's! Yes'm, yes she could. Oh happy day. Prancing over to the girl, the Juniper Green pawed at her leg with a cheerful croon. Ashlynmine! I'm Sprith. Will you take care of me? I am very hungry you see...

Meanwhile the Datura Egg, the Ocotillo Egg and the Tumbleweed Egg begin to sway. Large cracks can be seen forming on both the Ocotillo Egg and the Tumbleweed, but none seem to be appearing on the barely moving Datura Egg... curious.

Can I believe
When I don't trust
All your theories turn to dust
I choose to hide from the all seeing eye

[Tashe]

Destroy this city of delusion
Break these walls down
I will avenge
And justify my reasons in your blood

Juniper Green

Impressed to: Ashlyn

Name: Sprith (S-per-ih-th)
Age: 1<
Color: Green #9F9F5F

Appearance: Small, Sprith stands at nineteen feet, no more no less. She's not stubby, but she's not exactly tall for her color and length either. Her tail and neck are thin and whip like, while her face is pointed and angled. Slightly shorter legs are attached to a rail thin body, if not for her appendages, she could very well be confused with a snake. And since speed seems to be her second strongest ability, she has thin but sturdy wings to keep her aloft as she slices through the sky. She might not be the fastest Green on the face of the earth, but her aim is certainly one of the best. She has an almost unearthly control over her body, able to almost always hit whatever mark she chooses. Whether it be with fire, teeth or tail. As for her claws... well, she has none. Where those knife like protrusions are supposed to be, the skin has grown tough to protect sensitive nerve endings.

Kahki green, Sprith is able to blend into her surroundings under heavy foliage as long as she doesn't move. Which is not a problem in the least, her control is impeccable. On the underside of the forked section of her tail and on the bottoms of her feet, dark green (nearly the color of Ichor) lines run haphazardly back and forth. If Sprith walked across a field of razors, those markings would be what the aftermath would look like. This ichor coloring can also be found in the long, but paper thin streak that runs from the base of her neck to between her two front legs, effectively cutting her chest in half. Because the color of these markings are remarkably similar to Ichor, Her's will have to make sure to memorize her markings so they can immediately tell if there happens to be one that just isn't supposed to be there.

Personality: Warm-hearted, Sprith tries to believe in the best of everyone, sometimes she purposely ignores the bad qualities, thinking the good always outweigh the bad. Because she loves and lives, and lives to love, this Green has a very hard time saying no to people and dragons. Especially when it comes to children or her most adored people. She literally will do whatever they ask of her (as long as it falls within her moral compass of course). Extroverted, Sprith is very much a creature person. She needs contact with others or else she starts to exhibit signs of depression. The beings around her are her life, without them... well she thinks she doesn't have much of one at all. Fortunately for Sprith, she has a very deep bond with her Rider. What she feels, they will, and what they feel, she will. But this is both a blessing and a curse. Her rider must be very careful about overwhelming or being overwhelmed with emotions.

Sprith loves constructive criticism, although it can be said she hinges too much on the opinion of others. When she's under stress or in a foul mood, the female will become snappy and irritable. Hissing and snapping her tail back and forth in the attempt to ward unwanted attention away from her. Let her just sulk in peace for a while, honestly that's the best way to let her deflate. Speaking of deflating, Sprith has basically no ego. She doesn't boast or brag, and arrogance is pretty much extinct. In fact, she spends most of her time praising others instead of talking about herself. This may or may not stem from the feeling of inadequacy she sometimes feels, even though she tries her best to believe in her abilities to the fullest.

You'll not rest, settle for less
Until you guzzle and squander whats left
You're not divine
Yet you live and let die

[Rei]

Erilena’s eyes flicked from the clutch to Serissa when the bluerider spoke. Giving a soft and nervous smile the greenrider gave a half shrug. “I don’t know if you can get used to something like this. It’s an emotionally charged situation. It’s normally happier than this though. The whole atmosphere just seems wrong.” The words where softly spoken and quick. To be honest the young woman was far too busy focusing on Feyrianth and the hatching babies to pay much more than passing attention to her companion. Although she did to her utmost to remain polite as always. The question Serissa voiced however was heard and Erilena watched the new little green struggle to free herself as she answered.

“Hmm it’s been a little over two turns now since I impressed Feyrianth. Two clutches prior to this once. Millieth’s clutch before this actually. So these new ones and Feyrianth will share at least a dam.” Gasps from the crowd had the greenrider’s attention going back solely to the clutch and she gave a soft and slightly sad smile. Wingless. So there would be more mutations in this clutch. Eyes going back up towards her own ‘special’ dragon Erilena swallowed against a lump that suddenly formed in her throat.

Feyrianth offered Rhiiseth a soft welcoming croon, made a little garbled by her continued hum, as landed near her. Yes a new beginning. Sisters and brothers to add to our family. Her eyes whirled in happier shades as the green’s attention went back to the clutch. Oh and look! The four winged dragon gave a soft croon as the babies below spilled from their shells to make their way to the waiting candidates. A loving mental brush was given her rider. The mutated blue did nothing to dampen Feyrianth’s joy at all. Instead she found him quite cute. Her hum increasing in pitch, she spoke softly to Erilena. It is too bad that I cannot share my wings with my new brother. But look at what a bright and vibrant color he has. I am sure he will get along fine.

The rider gave a soft smile. I hope so. What Feyrianth said was true though. The little blue was vibrant, and he seemed to be completely healthy, baring the lack of wings. Hmm who knew? Perhaps there was a place for him somewhere. Even lacking wings. If there was a place for a dragon with four wings why not one with none?

~~~

Z’ves gave a mild shrug as Ka’aen spoke. The two had been weyrlings together but still there was no love between them. More of a sort of lazy toleration more than anything. Not that the other bluerider cared. He had never gone out of his way to make friends. Or enemies either really. Cold eyes straying back to the hatching dragons he chuckled. “I don’t know about the whole superstition thing. The clutch we impressed at began with that nasty little green that stepped on me. I still got Lucith out of the deal and she lost her eye. So bad luck for whom maybe is a better question.” Flipping the knife over in his hand again Z’ves watched as first the green broke shell and then his eyes strayed to the next dragonet to hatch.

Blue. Wingless. Disgusting. Not a proper dragon at all. It couldn’t even fly. Thus it was next to useless. With an impassive gaze he watched as it none the less impressed along with the green. Poor boy having to be saddled with such a useless creature. From his place leaning against the laden table Z’ves’s gaze flicked to Ur’h. Time to round up the little ones and feed them brownie. Shifting he nudged S’tal who moved to another table closer to the one that the newly impressed bluepair where heading towards. Keep them all contained at least for now. Until this whole messed up spectacle was over.

[Requiem]

Behruth was silent until M'ta prompted him, concerned. The brown rarely showed distress. The hatchling of Millieth's. He has been taken again. The blade stopped its casual travel through the brownrider's fingers. Kai? Yes. Now Millieth's mood made all too much sense. M'ta scanned the heads beneath him. It was kind of...futile, though. They wouldn't be keeping the child close to the Sands, not if they were smart. He returned to spinning the blade idly through his fingers. They have no reason to do that unless they're worried they won't be able to control Millieth. Something's coming.

The brown agreed uneasily. Last time they took Kai, the Wastelanders took Selenitas. What did they want to keep Millieth from interfering with this time? Behruth had no answers or guesses for that. Whatever it was...it wouldn't be good. Be alert, Behruth warned the Selenitas dragons he knew (almost all of them) - excluding the new hatchlings - privately. The hatchling of Millieth's has been taken again. His eyes were returning to the calm colors they almost always exhibited. The hatchlings can feel your upset, Mother Millieth. It may frighten them. We will be vigilant so you can concentrate on your babies. It was all he could offer her.

---

Little ones. The food is over there, Ykkith told the hatchlings helpfully, displaying the image of waiting meat by the gathered riders. His next words were delivered to the candidates and two weyrlings at large. After you Impress you can feed your hatchlings. The Weyrlingmaster will take you back to the barracks together, so don't leave, he urged gently. His attention turned to His, who was watching the wingless blue cross the Sands. It seems that the rumors are true; the drugs make Millieth's offspring prone to mutations. Rumors? When there are records? Her ichor is too tainted even for our vaunted Demotaeth. I wonder that he is not pleased, Ykkith responded with a shimmering of dragon laughter.

---

If Armind had ever wanted anything to capture his attention, he didn't have to look any further than this hatching. His eyes were wide as the gleaming green creature emerged from her egg. How...oh! Now if that wasn't entirely weird. That blue had absolutely no wings. Oh, he was certainly pretty, but dragons were supposed to have wings. (Armind was almost definitely sure about that. Then again, what few classes he'd had a chance to attend he hadn't been paying attention to.) Maybe wings were the exception? But then where were the rest of them? His nose wrinkled up in confusion.

His next distraction came in the form of where the green was headed. The boy's eyes widened. Yay, Ashlyn! She may annoy him sometimes, but he'd much rather see her with the green than some stranger. Yes. Plus, if he Impressed, he'd have so many more opportunities to prank her if they were in the same class. (Those if's were more a matter of reminding himself that it was possible he wouldn't Impress. He knew it in his head but he didn't really believe that one of these dragons wouldn't notice his awesomeness instantly.)

That kind of made things difficult though, didn't it? He caught sight of Rosanna and gave her a wave. Guys were supposed to be with guys and girls with girls though, weren't they? Even if Caden was completely cootified. Hm. Armind scooted closer to him and bounced excitedly on his toes. "He has no wings. That's not normal, is it? I'm almost sure it isn't. Wow! Have you been to one of these before? They said they'd be small but they're so not." He was referring to the hatchlings, of course.

[Ruby]

Z'ves didn't seem to be paying any attention to possible Candidate transgressions, so Caden relaxed a little, paying more attention to the hatching and less to stray Blueriders. The Juniper Green got a vaguely approving look, but she was taking her time to Impress, and another dragonet had broken shell. Caden's heart skipped a beat, eyes skittering away from the tangled blue form in the remains of his egg. But no, without the egg goo that coated all hatchlings at birth, he was a pretty teal, and... wingless. This time, Caden's eyes went sideways, to the Wastelanders guarding the doors. She knew what would have been done to the Blue, back at Benden. Smath had been whole, with the exception of his odd white ridges. Some of Smath's siblings, though... at the time, she'd seen the logic of removing them humanely, before they hurt someone. Since then, she'd been on the receiving end. She wouldn't wish that on anyone. Ever.

Her thoughts were interrupted, though, by applause from the stands. The Blue had already found his partner, a boy Caden didn't know well but felt for none the less, so... Her eyes found the green, pawing at a candidate - Ashlyn! That really did make Caden smile, and she even clapped, letting the Blue fade from her mind. His life was his own; she couldn't do anything about it, now. Ashlyn's green seemed both solid and whole, which sent a wave of relief throughout the Candidate. Not all of them would be mutated. Ashlyn was safe.

A slight bouncing to her left made Caden glance down, smothering the smile remaining for Ashlyn's impression. Armind, of course, and Caden always felt the need to be stoic and reserved around him to counteract the boy's youthful energy. "Me?" she asked gravely, clasping her hands behind her back before she realized that that pulled the fabric tight over her chest. Oops. Switching quickly to crossing her arms in front, she went on, "Two, exactly. Once for Jingth's, once... long before that. And no, that's not normal," she added, trying not to dwell on the past. The past was the past. "Mmm, they are big. Not compared to Millieth, though. What color?" She meant what color he wanted - that, certainly, would keep the child babbling until another egg hatched.

--

Hmm, as if Serissa had never been to a hatching before. Luckily for Erilena, she was pretty enough to get away with it. Instead of snapping like she would have at anyone less, the Bluerider swallowed her acid tone, contemplating the guard dragons instead. "True. Why they want guards is beyond me. I thought they'd keep us - well, regular spectators - out, but apparently that is not their job." Serissa didn't really expect further conversation, given Erilena's apparent distraction, but she was surprised. "So young!" Serissa exclaimed, then applauded first for the wingless Blue, then the Green. Only two years? My wings are MUCH bigger! He doesn't even HAVE them! Ildyth trilled, his idiotic mindvoice removing any malice there might have been in that statement. With a very concerned tone, he asked Feyrianth, Are those his wings, that you have on your back? Why does he have green wings, if he is a Blue?