That's the way it goes (Hatching

[dragon]

The humming woke him from his slumbers, but he only grunted and went to roll over and go back to sleep. Until in his bleary half-awake state the thought of what that meant wiggled into his mind. Even then, it didn't quite register until Paglieth said something.

They'll never hatch! He said excitedly, wiggling and crawling his way farther into the weyr on his belly, tailfork twitching.

L'nu sat up so fast that he fell off the bed he'd been a bit too near the edge of. Crashing to the stone floor in a spectacular flail of furs, he staggered back to his feet. "What?! NO!!"

What, you want them to live? Paglieth asked, pausing mid-scootch to look at his rider strangely.

"Yes! No! I mean ... Not here!"

You want them to live, but not here. Right. Paglieth repeated. You are a nice, nice person. I don't know why Rose does bite you.

L'nu blinked the sleep out of his eyes and just stared at his dragon a moment as he tried to decipher what Paglieth was saying. Was he lying again, as was his wont (unintentional as it was), or was he telling the truth ... or ... what?

"Whatever." He shrugged the furs off and staggered out into the floor, resting a hand on the blue's shoulder as he made his way to his underwear drawer. Nevermind it was hardly an underwear drawer anymore. It was a good thing he had been needing to do laundry the day Rose had decided to clutch. For he had found his drawer filled with sand, eggs, and a very snarly Gold that didn't appreciate having the drawer opened the rest of the way. He supposed that was what he got for leaving his drawers haphazardly open.

But mixed in there somewhere were a few changes of his britches still. He hadn't been able to rescue them or use the drawer or even relocate the nest.

But that was then. This was now. He walked over to the half-open drawer and pulled it slowly out of the dresser, watching Rose suspiciously the whole while. She was perched regally on the top of the dresser, humming her little heart out happily as she picked at ... what used to be a fish.

He knew what that meant.

Like always, she wanted to keep her babies. Which meant slaving them all to him. The last thing he wanted was a whole posse of little Roses chasing him around, but like always she had failed to ask him first.

Rose jumped from the dresser to the drawer, making L'nu flinch in preparation to get bit. But she didn't bite him. Instead sitting on the sand with the raggedy fish in her jaws.

Peeking out of one cracked eye, L'nu checked the situation out, and then breathed a sigh of relief when Rose didn't try to maul him. Carefully he carried the drawer toward the door. And then remembered he wasn't wearing anything but his britches.

Setting the drawer down quickly - but gently lest he raise her ire - he hurried back to put some pants on. Hopping barefoot through the mess on his floor, he scooped the drawer up again, headed for the door.

Out, anywhere, anywhere but with him. "Paglieth!"

The blue whimpered, resting his head on his front feet as he watched the nest vanish to where he couldn't follow. What?

"Let everyone know, maybe someone will come get them! Let them know that the eggs are hatching!" L'nu instructed, padding down the hall as fast as he dared, trying to not jostle the nest or Rose, who was busy tearing bits off her fish again, but not eating it.

Paglieth sighed. Does that mean we have to keep them?

L'nu sighed, and muttered at Faranth. "Just tell them, please."

Reluctantly, the blue did his best to address the weyr at large. It wasn't easy for him ... talking to anyone but L'nu was difficult, but everyone at once? He really wanted to keep the babies too, so he really didn't care if not everyone heard him, or if the message came across garbled.

Attention! Rose's eggs aren't hatching and they aren't headed for the river in a drawer. Mine wishes no-one will come and see. Paglieth announced reluctantly.

[Sheari]

The kitchen staff would not be happy with her when they discovered that she had once again stolen a bowl out of the dining hall. A couple meatrolls were in a pouch at her belt while she carried her bowl of fruit and grains. Most people preferred a warm breakfast, but this morning the sweet fruit had drawn her out. She'd been craving it lately and the drudges were more wanton to fix warm meals in the cold second month of the year. In her mind, Anusha could almost envision the poor girl fuming if she'd seen the bowl vanish out the door. The greenrider would have to make a point of returning it back to the kitchens rather than her weyr. Akos would have to suffer and not steal her socks to curl up in the bowl with.

The white Salamandyr was presently nibbling on a piece of fruit that His had given him. More rather he was less nibbling than he was licking off the honey on it. The 'mandyr's snout had taken on a golden sheen. He was polite, but a bit messy when he ate, save for cooked or dried meat. He'd probably get a piece of the meatrolls he knew hung just below him in a pouch. His would be very much less than pleased if he tried to weasel into the pouch, the temptation as oh so very great. He settled to be patient.

Akos stopped mid-lick, words were in his mind and he couldn't make them out very well. He nudged the woman who's shoulder he rode in question, leaving a tiny sticky spot on her neck. Minth, do you know who it is...and what he's saying? Ah, so she' heard it too! Akos went back to licking the honey. I believe it is Paglieth, and I think His's gold pet's eggs are hatching.[/i] But...he had said... Minth did not answer. True, the blue confused her as well but she was content to accept that he just didn't make sense. They are at the river I believe, if you desire one.[/color] The green sounded almost hopeful. Akos will want to see them so I will humor him for now. Not like I have anything else to do.

[Zephyr]

Lanimine?, the greenweyrling heard Katearath's voice in her head. She was busy working on something, most of her attention on that. She didn't hear the hesitation in her dragon's voice. Not until Kate spoke again. There might be firelizard eggs hatching right now.. With that, Leilani perked up, eyes narrowing a little. Might? She heard Kate's mental snort. Paglieth wasn't terribly clear. Might want to go check it out just in case. If they're there, they're going to be at the river. With that, Lani felt herself cut off. She knew Kate wasn't thrilled with her desire to have a pet. It wasn't that Katearath wasn't good enough for her...she just wanted a pet.

Quickly, she put her things away, leaving her weyr quickly. The girl thought about asking which way to go, but didn't want to upset Kate any more than she already had. So, it was with this mindset that Leilani nearly got to the river when she realized with a start that she had forgotten to bring food for the hatchings. " Where is my head?" She scolded herself quietly, whipping around to walk to the kitchen. As she entered it, the smell of food overwhelmed her as she realized that she hadn't eaten yet this morning. Luckily, she was able to get a few bits of raw herdbeast and some meatrolls and she turned and walked quickly back the way she had come. The raw stuff were for the hatchings, and the the meat rolls were for her. She was in the process of stuffing her face when she found L'nu and the drawer. The girl stopped and stared, unceremoniously stuffing meatrolls into her mouth.

______

While Leilani was already up and about, L'am, on the other hand, was sleeping soundly, half sticking out from beneath his bed furs. He was snoring lightly, hair messed up on the side of his head when he was suddenly woke up by the roar of a very angry Jeth. L'am nearly fell from his bed when he leaped up, eyes wide. " Jeth! What the hell?" The blue was currently perched on his ledge, head straight up, eyes whirling with red and oranges. At first, the man thought something serious was going on and he leaped out of bed, quickly trying to get his things together as fast as he could. " What's wrong Jeth?" He said breathlessly, almost falling over trying to put his trousers on.

The dragon's response made his draw drop. Paglieth woke me up. Insert a mental facepalm on L'am's part, and he walked over to his dragon, eyebrow lifted. " What?" he repeated, as if he didn't hear what Jeth said. Said blue snarled, hide rippling in irritation. Tail thrashed back and forth and he turned to face L'am, head lowering dangerously. He was mumbling about some firelizards and the river. I want to go bite him. L'am sighed, walking back to his bed. There was no use being too angry at Jeth, he knew how the blue was. Sitting down on his bed, he attempted to compose himself, thinking that Jeth was joking. Suddenly, the dragon shoved him from behind, almost knocking him onto the floor. He should have known better. Jeth never joked. The man pushed the dragon away, eyes narrowed. " You are not going to go bite Paglieth. That's final."

With a final irritated growl, Jeth turned and took off, without even saying anymore to his rider. L'am stood up, watching him go and sighed heavily. He didn't think that Jeth would go find Paglieth and punish him for waking him up, be he had to make sure. Before he made his way to the river, he grabbed some meat for breakfast and walked quickly towards the river, eyes glazing the sky for Jeth. If Jeth found Paglieth, it wouldn't be good. Before long, he came upon L'nu and Leilani and stopped dead. L'nu's dragon wasn't here, but Jeth was, sitting on one of the cliff tops in the distance. L'am narrowed his eyes. Stay.

_____

Ani had already been up, creeping through Selintas. Ever since X'vier's request, she had tried to stay away from him. She had agreed to help him, but that didn't mean that she didn't feel awkward in his presence. In time, she would go find him and see when they were going to start practicing, but for now, she was busy...well, she was busy trying to avoid chores. One of Vellani's favorite past times. She was considering going to get breakfast when she heard the blue's proclamation. The candidate jumped, nearly falling over. Though Passion spoke to her quite often, she wasn't used to mindvoices, at least not yet. Getting her composure together, she decided to go see what all the ruckus was about.

Ani knew a couple people who had flits, though she hadn't any personal experience with any of them herself. Hiding in the bushes, the girl crept towards the river, hearing some voices up ahead. Silently, she watched what was happening, not bothering to come out. After a second, she realized she hadn't brought any meat, but it didn't matter. She wasn't actually expecting to impress a firelizard or anything, she just wanted to watch. That mandyr hatching was...interesting, and she was due for a little entertainment.

She just hoped she didn't get attacked again.

[Ivy]

Attention! Rose's eggs aren't hatching and they aren't headed for the river in a drawer. Mine wishes no-one will come and see.

Ivy's head snapped to look around - she was sitting by the river's edge. However she didn't see anyone out with a drawer. She'd assumed the announcement had been the opposite of what was announced. That eggs were hatching - she'd heard about Rose's clutch and knew they were bound to hatch sometime soonish. So where were they? Rose... Rose... Which one did she look to? Ivy tried to remember but she couldn't for the life of her. Standing up she swatted the sand off her legs and headed towards the main areas of the weyr - maybe if she found someone they could tell her. Chance would have it she ran into just who she was going to ask about - Rose's bonded, L'nu. And... he was not dressed. Oh, this was turning into a niiiiiiiiiiice morning. A bit foolish though, even here in the South it got a bit chilly in the beginning months of the year. Her eyes lingered on the rider for a few moments before shifting to his charge, a drawer full of sand and eggs. Oh! Yay! More firelizards! Eros wouldn't be happy, but he was sleeping in her Weyr so she didn't care much what her snotty Blue thought. Though she didn't have any food on her for the hatchlings...
----------------------

Attention! Rose's eggs aren't hatching and they aren't headed for the river in a drawer. Mine wishes no-one will come and see.

Tavis' eyes opened. He'd been sleeping in. He was so warm and comfortable in his bed, what was this nonsense about a clutch NOT hatching? Shards, he was hoping to get more sleep. He'd heard the Candidatemaster was going to busy else where so she wouldn't be here to wake him with a ridiculously long run around all of Pern before lessons. He closed his eyes once more, but then his curiousity got the best of him (yes, surprise surprise, he could feel more than just anger and angst!) and he opened them once more. Sitting up he sighed and forced himself out of bed. Grabbing a shirt he pulled it on before stepping into some pants, one leg at a time. Next he tugged his boots on and laced them up. A quick stop in the kitchens and he had a handfull of meatrolls and was on his way to the river. The message hadn't made much sense, but he figured since the river had been mentioned specifically he would check there first. This better not turn out to be absolutely nothing - he'd have to strangle someone if he was out of bed for no reason. Ah, but along the way he ran into a small group of people, all of them looking at a shirtless man with a drawer... and in the drawer there were eggs. Huzzah, his morning wasn't going to be wasted. Though now that he thought about it... he didn't really want a firelizard. Especially if they were as annoying as Apima - the Green in question was hanging off his ear, still napping.

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

Attention! Rose's eggs aren't hatching and they aren't headed for the river in a drawer. Mine wishes no-one will come and see.

Swithin groaned and stopped in his tracks. He'd been heading back to his apartment to sleep - morning meant it was time to sleep for the Bluehandler. Unfortunately this was interrupted by a dragon's announcement - he assumed it was a dragon. Could have been a 'mandyr he supposed. Did he even want to look into it to see what was going on? The message hadn't made much sense. None actually. But if it was a 'mandyr, he had heard they didn't always make sense. Deciding to risk it and lose out on a little bit more sleep he spoke to his wraith-like Blue who was already in their apartment, Going to see what's going on by the river, if anything. Rest up. Swisk was fine with this of course, he wasn't overly possessive or endlessly jealous like some dragons and other whers were when it came to His. Besides, Swisk loved everyone - dragons, whers, firelizards, salamandyrs... Swisk was definitely all about being friendly to any and all he met. So Swithin saved the last bite of the big meatroll he'd been munching on - the last of his dinner - and turned to go back towards the river. Along the way he found L'nu... and everyone else who was there for the hatching. "Well, it seems there IS a hatching... So does that mean you DO or do not want people here?" He asked the Bluerider, not wanting to intrude if the other man really didn't want people around - though as the first half of the message had proved to be false, he felt the second part was as well.

[Tashe]

Azaran was on top of it. As soon as the humming had reached his ears the Bronze woke up all of His, excluding Kaegan who was already up and working, before darting out the Weyrledge entrance. He'd glided over to the ledge upon which Rose's Blue frequented and waited, hopping over to peer inside so that he could see when the human decided to move the eggs. There he sat until the Rider made a move, chirping he contacted his human, trying to see if she knew where the man was going. He was in luck, because Kaegan received the update only moments before via Millieth. Jumping back into the air Azaran spiraled downward, drifting slowly toward the closest entrance to the River from the canyon walls. And when L'nu made his appearance, the Bronze made a tight circle around the boy and the drawer chirping happily at Rose. Their babies were hatching!

---

"Azzie! Really?!" Scooting back her desk chair, the Weyrwoman sighed and headed over to get Kai. She couldn't really be angry at her Firelizard, since she was going to wake her son up in half a candle mark anyway, but he knew it wasn't okay to make a lot of noise in the morning. "Hi honey." Picking him up out of his bed, Kaegan gave the boy a kiss on the cheek before putting him down. "Momma, where Azz go?" "Ahh, did he wake you up?" The boy nodded and rubbed one of his eyes with a fist. "His babies are hatching so he left just a little while ago." Even just after waking up, the news of Firelizard babies caught the little boy's attention. "Hatching? Can we go? Please! I wanna see!" The Weyrwoman raised an eyebrow. "Don't you want breakfast first?"

Kai wiggled out of bed and nearly ran to the bathroom, waiting by the door for his mother. "No! I wanna see the babies!" During his entire morning process the boy could hardly sit still, he was really excited to see the babies. "Kai stop wiggling!" Kai immediately stopped moving, letting his mother put on his jacket and pull on his boots. He lept off the stool and took two steps before being swept off his feet and pulled into his mothers arms. "Dash! Come here!" They waited until the Brown Salamandyr was curled up comfortably in his Mother's collar, and when he was, they left for the river.

---

Ithanna panted as she crouched, hot air mixed with crisp air and made her breath nearly visible as puffs of white fog. At the moment, she was staring down a 2000 pound stallion who was absolutely refusing to be broken in. Covered in sand and just a little bloody, the Greenrider glanced at her spectators. The other stablehands had left their morning duties to watch their youngest member tackle the challenge, even the stablemaster in all his glory was out there chuckling every time she got thrown. This chestnut beauty belonged to a nobleman in Southern Hold who had sent it up to the Weyr for training as he took a vacation at Hyphen. Standing she walked toward the stallion again, moving quietly, not challenging the Runner in anyway. Two of the other stable hands had managed to catch the reins and were holding the beast for her. Yells of encouragement and support kept her moving forward. Grabbing the reins and pommel in one hand and the back of the saddle with the other, Ithanna eyed the Runner as it turned to look at her.

No sooner was she in the saddle when the Runner started bucking and rearing, doing just about anything to get her off of his back. Literally. Flinging out one of her arms she used it as a counter balance, fighting to keep herself in the saddle as long as humanly possible. She battled with the Runner for two minutes until a wrong shift in weight sent her flying. Rolling as she hit the ground, Ithanna had very little time to leap through the slats in the corral fence and avoid getting stomped on by flying hooves. Hands helped her up and patted her back and shoulders, a few pairs even helped remove sand from the back of her shirt.

"Little filly, givit a rest, eh? You've been at it a while now, you can 'ave a crack at 'im later intha evening."

"Uhhhch. Yeah... alright. " And as to make matters worse, Laverna appeared, sending her images of Enki staring at eggs. "You've got to be kidding me." The Green firelizard insisted that she was not, in fact, kidding her human. "Josiahan, will you put the beast away for me? I have go to save some Flitter eggs from a certain Blue Salamandyr." Trotting off toward where Laverna directed her, the Greenrider did her best to clean as much of the sand and the blood off of her as she could, short of taking a shower.

[archenstone]

Asharra was finding difficulty sleeping at night. specially since she was used to pulling a night shift. So when early morning hours found her awake and roaming the Weyr it was no surprise to her. Suddenly she heard one of the dragons say something about firelizards. Stupid little creatures. They always invaded the infirmary or chased her down halls or other raucous things. Still, it would be more entertaining to watch others be chosen as slaves to the wretched little things. She had been around enough to know if she had no food they weren't likely to come near.

So feeling rather safe in the knowledge that her pockets where empty she followed the half naked Rider with a shelf. Yep, it was the the start to another interesting day.

~~~~~~~~

M'ze was doing stretches when the call went out that Firelizards were not hatching. "So what are they doing? Spontaneously betweening into life?" The sarcasm went to deaf ears though as Tenloceth was asleep. He walked over to his door and looked out. Sure enough there was L'nu walking with what looked like a dresser drawer. M'ze followed, happy to find distraction apart from the norm.

[Aftershock]

Samael sat up from his bed, while Heimdall sat up from the floor beside Samael's bed, as Paglieth's announcement went through their heads. Not understanding the words, but noticing his master's excitement, Heimdall stood up and stretched his long back, yawning wide as Samael carefully got up from the bed, then shuffled over to his dresser. Double-checking to make sure the hatching bowl he'd made for L'nu was still where it was supposed to be, he dressed as quickly as he could, then took the bowl in his arms and began slowly heading to the river. The message was a bit reversed, but since all of it was reversed, he figured it was simply a translation problem and decided the river was the place to go.

Stopping by the kitchen, he had some drudges grab a few select pieces of meat for him and placed them carefully in their places in the bowl, and also had the head cook select a good herdbeast thighbone with the meat still on it for Heimdall's breakfast. Holding the large, almost platter-wide bowl flat and steady, he moved slowly towards the river, with Heimdall walking pressed directly against his leg, directing him as needed as he licked at the blood and meat from the herdbeast bone as he carried it in his wide mouth.

Finally reaching the river, he felt around with his booted toes until he found a good, large patch of sand, and carefully bent down to place the bowl on the ground. Heimdall took the cue to mean they'd arrived, and settled down beside the bowl to keep incautious feet away from it, gnawing on his bone contentedly. Samael was quite proud of his work, having used his memory and sensitive touch to make a large, basin-shaped bowl with smaller depressions circling the inside edge of it for the eggs to sit, which he bent down to fill with sand lightly for cushioning. Inside the bowl farther, next to each egg setting, was a smaller depression where he had placed the meat, so each hatchling would have food waiting for it in case it didn't head off to Impress immediately. The outside of the red clay bowl was decorated with a carved representation of a firelizard weaving among roses, the carving almost surrealist in appearance, having been done by a blind person with touch alone. Feeling across the egg settings, making sure each had enough sand, he stood up and brushed his hands against each other to knock any grains loose from his fingers, while calling out, "L'nu? I have a gift for you, sir, from the weyrfolk!"

[Rowana]

It had been a long, but peaceful night and Roivao was looking forward to a good day's sleep. Apparently the Weyr had other plans. Pausing as they neared the river, Roi winced as a dragon's confused message came into his head. Roisk growled before curling around his legs. "I'm fine," Roi breathed out slowly. Roisk did not agree. These silly dragons should know better than to talk in the minds of those who used to be bonded to their kin. Roi patted the wher with a smile. It wasn't Paglieth's fault. It was hard enough to call everyone without singling two or three people out. Roisk relaxed reluctantly, but he clearly still did not approve.

Tiida on the other hand, was getting ideas. She had been growing lonely with only Roi and the big wher for company. Puddleglum, her brownling, had been stolen by that nasty Three. Tiida's attempt to keep him hers had failed, so now she needed a new fire lizard to amuse her. Curling up to Roi's ear, she licked it gently. Roi want new friend? she purred suggestively. Roi rubbed her head with a finger. "Why would I?" he shrugged and smiled. "When I have you three?" Tiida frilled, trying not to be flattered. She needed her human slave to do what she wanted! Tiida loves new friends. Go see for Tiida? she tried again.

Roi sighed and Roisk gave a dismissively snort. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt," he agreed after a moments thought. If they didn't bring any food, odds were good none of the babies would come to them. Besides, he hadn't been to any hatchings since Roisk's and Tiida's nearly five turns ago. With a delighted Tiida on his shoulder, Roi easily found the growing crowd that had surrounded the eggs. Not really one for crowds, he lingered near the edge so Tiida could see, but hopefully not close enough to get any new pets.

~

Posk tugged on Porita's skirt again. "I'm coming," she said hurriedly. It was so hard to keep up with the over excited wher sometimes. A dragon's odd announcement about fire lizards had Posk skipping off to see them. He loved hatchings! It was such a joy to see what would come out! Bronze should be first, he informed Porita. It was the best luck. Neyki fluttered her wings as she clung to Porita's shoulder, whistling sadly. Hatchings were no fun for her. Everyone was always far too happy.

Porita, on the other hand, was almost as happy as her wher. Though she had been reluctant to come at first, the last hatching had been a lot of fun. Not to mention it had brought the beautiful Neyki to her. Though she didn't think she aught to have more than one of the fine creatures, she still wanted to see the little ones hatch just as much as Posk did. Out of breath, the young woman arrived at the spot, shrinking back to the edge of the crowd. So many people were here. She only knew a few of them, and only distantly. They were men, though, and probably wouldn't want her to bother them. She would just sit where she could see and leave when it was over.

~

Oh, T'keee! Garaeth sang in the man's ear. "MMmm...let me sleep." The blue snorted and tickled him with his tail. But T'ke-mine, the river looks so lovely in the morning. T'ke blinked at the dragon suspiciously. "So? Why do we care?" he asked grumpily. Garaeth tugged the blankets off. He wasn't lying, really. Paglieth had said that the eggs weren't hatching, hadn't he? Waking early is good for you! he pressured happily. T'ke groaned. He knew better than to argue when Garaeth got like this. "I beg to defer. Not getting enough sleep is bad for me."

Still, he got up and pulled on some clothes. If Garaeth wanted to go to the river at the crack of dawn, fine. He could take a nap when they got their. Shard emerged from his clothes drawer to run up to his shoulder. We go? she asked excitedly. See little ones? "See what?" T'ke's eyes narrowed. Oh she probably just wants some fish, Garaeth suggested thoughtfully. T'ke was pretty sure now, that he was being played, but two on one were not good odds. Haru was soon getting into to it too. It was time to go and see the eggs! 'He' wanted to laugh at the pathetic offspring. After all, if they weren't sired by 'him' they must be inferior.

Garaeth landed a good distance from the eggs, but T'ke could not miss the growing crowd. "Alright, Garaeth," he demanded. "What's this all about?" Nothing, Garaeth said innocently. Why? Do you not like babies? They are so sweet, do you not agree? "I knew it! This is some plot to get me another pet! Well you can forget it! Two is more than enough!" T'ke sat down stubbornly, even as Haru flew off to see closer. Shard cuddle close. She wanted to see, but it was too scary with all the males to go without her T'ke love.

Come now, T'ke, Garaeth crooned. You make Shard sad. Who said anything about more pets? We only wanted to see the babies. The dragon looked at him with such hopeful eyes that T'ke finally threw up his hands in defeat. "Fine. But if one comes my way, I'm running," he agree. If one comes your way, you may not want to, Garaeth chimed happily. T'ke stalked off to the group, Shard hiding in his hair, humming with delight.

[Rei]

Erilena had just gotten off her infirmary shift a few moments ago and was actually planning on heading home when a picture of a drawer full of eggs flashed into her mind along with a gentle persuasive push. Come lovely dancer of death. The new generation was just beginning and their lights shone with such brightness. It was drawing so very many. Did she not wish to witness and delight in the joy of new life? The healer shook her head lightly in amusement as she moved towards the dragon side of the infirmary instead of the halls towards home. Dmitri wouldn’t be home yet anyway. Her fiancé always had some type of paperwork to do for handlers. Reports, maps, something. A quick peak at the hatching wouldn’t hurt right? Then a trip to the kitchen so she could bring home ‘dinner’ and tempt him away from work before they went to bed. She wouldn’t stay long. Just long enough to see the first few break shell. That should please Grim.

And Feyrianth too apparently. The green had heard her clutchbrother Paglieth’s announcement and was practically bouncing as she approached her. Lenamine! There are little firelizards hatching by the river! The four winged dragon had long since gotten used to her brother’s peculiar way of speech. Erilena smiled softly at her bonded’s enthusiasm and stoked her muzzle briefly. “I know sweetheart we are going to go see them really quick. We won’t stay long though. Wouldn’t want Demi to worry.” He will not worry. Oh do hurry mine or they will all be hatched before we get there. The woman couldn’t help laughing at Feyrianth’s tone. “I doubt it Fey. They hatch fast yes. But not quite that fast.” With that she mounted her dragon and the green pranced to the infirmary ledge before leaping off it to glide to the river.

It wasn’t hard at all to find the hatching. The group it had drawn was actually really large. Feyrianth crooned a pleasant greeting to Garaeth as she back winged to land near him and crouched to let hers dismount. Her first mate the blue had been and one of her favorite dragons. Reaching out to nuzzle him she spoke in an excited tone. Are you and yours here to get a new friend Garaeth? Lenamine is here just to watch. Dipping her head she spoke in a mental whisper. But I would really like another little.

As Erilena approached the hatching a blackish blue firelizard looped around her, chattering his pleasure at her arrival, before moving to settle on the shoulder of one of the humans closer to the clutch. There the blue mantled his wings like a dark cloak and fixed whirling eyes on all the humans, watching them all carefully. They all better stay in line. If anyone pulled anything like Er’ani at the mandyr hatching they were liable to lose an eye. Picking up the hatching hum the dark flit settled in to wait for the new babies. Erilena paused at the outskirts of the group around the hatching and smiled at a few of the handlers that had shown up. She knew some of them rather well now, being as she was on the night shift as well as getting joined to one of their own.

[dragon]

Fruitie Tootie!

[/b][/SIZE][/color][/font]



Bird's Eye Egg
A bright pink shell with little streaks of dark red all over it, this egg seems to mime a falling collage of hot peppers. While one could argue that peppers are not a fruit, others would argue to the contrary! The colors of the shell are certainly hot even if the egg itself may not be quite so hot.



Cherry Egg
Yet another hot color, the Cherry Egg is more of the same bright red color if a touch darker. With a dark black streak headed down the side of it, it is quite easy to see why one might think of a scrumptious Cherry upon seeing its lovely shell! Gleaming in the middle of the clutch, this egg certainly seems smugly self satisfied.


Banana Egg
Simply yellow like any delicious nanner might be, it is graced (marred?) by a discolored streak down the side. As if the peel had split slightly and aged that way, not quite revealing the decadent white flesh beneath.


Avocado Egg
Streaky green and pale green, a darker splotch is smack on the side of the egg. Almost as if there used to be a floret there. Boldy defying the colors of the other eggs and clashing bravely with the reds on the other shells, this egg certainly wars for the eye!


The Dirty Blueberry Egg
Almost ashamed of its dusty, dirty colorations, this grey-blue egg really does not want any attention, plzthx.


The Pear and the Dirty Raisin Eggs
The Pear is a lovely shade of green, though if you look close enough it seems almost as if it has a shiteating grin looking right back at you. Maybe that is because it is trying to cover for another dirty looking egg, the Dirty Raisin slinking around behind it in ashamed streaky blue and grey shades.



Watermelon Egg
Swirling shades of green make this egg look just exactly like the mottled green and light green shades found on delicious watermelons. Rich green colors are a bolder statement than the greens of the Avocado egg could ever be.


Guava Egg
Streaky grey colors cover most of this shell, sporting only the occasional pale green splotch in places, almost like large, ragged, deranged polkadots.


The Clean Blueberry Egg
Standing in bright, colorful pride, the Clean Blueberry egg is everything that the Dirty Blueberry is not. Bright, shimmering, glossy rich blues swirl happily across the shell of this beautiful egg, standing proudly for all to admire.
[/center]

---

A more surprised expression could not have happened across L'nu's face at the sight of so many people gathering so quickly at the river that he hadn't even reached yet. Were they all insane? These were Rose's eggs. Maybe it was because they didn't really know Rose very well. In any event, he was glad that someone was willing to take the monsters-to-be off his hands. Then maybe he wouldn't be stuck with them!!

Rose crooned to Azaran, happy to see that he was back. Though she didn't budge from where she was sitting in the middle of her drawer-nest as L'nu continued to carry the whole thing toward the river ... and all those people.

And then someone yelled at him. Whoever it was, he didn't know. But in looking that direction to see who it was and what they wanted, L'nu did something completely natural for L'nu. He tripped. With a pained yelp and a startled cry, he sprawled out headlong, trying very hard to keep a hold of that drawer as he went crashing down. Rose let out a furious scream and took to the air with her fish, spinning about madly in useless frustration as her nest went crashing toward the ground in a spectacular spray of sand and underwear.

Eggs went in all directions, following the sand and clothing, spraying all over the sands of the river bank from the momentum of having been carried forward, and then the nest being yanked out from under them. Spinning end over end, they all plopped one after another onto the ground, every last one taking on a sickening crunch sound upon impact. Shells smashed and fractured, but remarkably all of them stayed more or less intact.

All but one.

The Cherry Egg hit the ground and smashed into a billion tiny freckles of shell, all exploding outwards from the previously solid egg shape it had held. In its place sprawled a shocked-looking baby flitter that was, if anything, stark black under the bright red flecks of shell stuck all over his muscular little body. For a moment the Cherry Brown stayed just like that, limbs stuck out to all directions as he blinked at the bright world that suddenly imposed itself upon his consciousness.

"Oh Faranth!!" L'nu exclaimed, first in shock at what he'd just done to Rose's nest, and then he squealed in terror as Rose came back around in a screaming fury, diving at his head and raking at his hair and arms with her talons as he balled up on the ground. HOW DARE HE?!!!

Rumbling in concern, upset and agitation, Paglieth emerged from his weyr and cruised down to the beach. Landing atop his, he snapped at Rose with his teeth. Love her, he did. But he loved His more. And... well ... yes, His was accident-prone. You can kill him! Paglieth protested.

While this was going on, another shattered egg popped open, as if on a delayed reaction. The Guava egg popped like an over filled balloon, and a little blue appeared in the middle of it. So pale as to be icy-white in coloration. Certainly a stark contrast to his dark, almost-black brother. With a sudden peep, the Guava Blue hopped straight away to his feet, beating his sticky wings quickly. Bouncing forward he bounced all over the Cherry Brown, earning a small snarl from the grumpy sibling. Peeping in reply, the Guava Blue scurried away very quickly, disappearing into the throng of people that stood there watching, picking up grit all over his hide as he went. Soon he looked just like the ground he was hurrying across, the egg goo on his hide not having a chance to dry off before he was getting it coated in everything.

[Rowana]

Roivao just didn't know what to make of the scene in front of him. He was alarmed at first, but when the eggs appeared to be unharmed, he resisted the urge to run forward. The queen certainly didn't seem to be a friendly sort, given what she was doing to the poor boy bonded to her. Tiida frilled with irritation. Foolish humans damaging the pretty eggs! Serves him right. Roisk shifted uncomfortably. He itched to help, but with his large form, he was more likely to squash them.

~

"Oh, no!" Porita wailed. Were the poor eggs alright? The queen looked so upset, but surly she shouldn't attack the man so fiercely! Posk held her back. No no, it would be fine! She would only get hurt too! See the little babies were coming and they were fine. Neyki purred mournfully and took to the air. This was more like it! All the distress and misery! It was too dangerous to get close to L'nu, so she settled for a tree perch nearby. Her sad voice trilled out a song that sounded very much like a funeral dirge.

~

Fair skies, dear Feyrianth, Garaeth crooned in greeting. He was always pleased to see her, even if she didn't always choose him in Flight. She was still a beautiful and lovely dragon to be near. I hope so, though mine says he will not. Garaeth chuckled, though his eyes turned to concern at the scene unfolding. This hatching was not going nearly so well as might be hoped.

T'ke was inching as far away from the crazed queen and her brood as he could get. While he was a little sorry that the eggs might be damaged, he was much more concerned with not being attacked himself. He just knew this had been a bad idea! It was only a matter of time before Rose turned her vengeance on the rest of them. Haru, meanwhile, was cackled with delight on 'his' perched. See the chaos below? This would never have happened if 'he'd' been sire! Maybe next time Rose would know better that to pick that weak Azaran.

[Kisha-Ra]

Mo’rya frowned at the annoucncement about firelizards hatching, obviously since it had to do with firelizards and hatching the bronzeweyrling was intensely interested, but aside from those two concepts the message lefty him kind of puzzled. most of the dragons that had chosen to speak to him had made perfect sense, just as Epifayrmuth did, but this message was rather beyond him. He gave his bronze a mental prod.

I think what Paglieth means is that Rose’s eggs are hatching, and that they are headed for the river, presumably being carried in a drawer. Paglieth doesn’t seem to help saying exactly what he doesn’t mean. You’d better hurry if you don’t want to miss it.[/color] The small bronze rose and looked back over his shoulder, only to find he was left with only Evil for company, Mo’rya had already left with Wit in tow, and Ghost was probably already halfway there. I could have given you a lift Mo’rya.[/color] The dragon ponited out.

Mo’rya ignored Epifayrmuth’s comment, really he was so used to rushing around on his own two feet that sometimes he thought he’d never get used to the idea Epifayrmuth could fly now, and by the time he’d realised what a jackass he’d been he was already most of the way out into the canyon, not many people could move faster than Mo’rya when a new pet might be involved, especially not since he had one of the best guides in the weyr when it came to hatchings; Ghost would never allow him to miss something so important.

Eventually Mo’rya came bounding upon the hatching, just in time to see someone he assumed was Paglieth’s rider go flying, along with a shower of sand, clothing, and eggs. Ghost echoed the other gold’s shriek, though her sound was compased entirely of startlement and concern for the babies that went dropping to the sand. As the stunned looking brown hatchling was bounced all over by his pale brother and snapped, Ghost twittered comfortingly to Rose as if that would abate the older gold’s ire. The babies were really fine, just look at them! Mo’rya and Wit watched without comment.


Yoalla blinked at the rather confused dragonspeech that just landed in her mind. As long as she lived she was sure she’d never get used to things like that. This dragon seemed a bit backward in his annoucement but since the only reason dragons made general adresses outside of dire emergancies seemed to be firelizard and salamandyr hatchings (presumably because their riders didn’t want to be saddled with a whole clutch worth of babies) the greenhandler just reversed everything the dragon had said, until it became sensible, and matched the urgent images of eggs that Lao and Denial were sending her. Silently the handler turned her gaze to her wher, it seemed she’d be going to see these eggs that weren’t hatching,Yosk replied in the same wordless manner that she knew, she’d like a nice pet if Yoalla had to bring one back, one more like Lao and less like the greens please.

Yoalla emerged blinking in the daylight, it wasn’t as if she never saw daylight but it did come as something of a shock after the comforting dimness of the wher quarters. Naturally every pet she had chose to follow, Lao because he liked hatchings, The Devil because she liked eggs, to eat that was, and Denial, well Yoalla wasn’t quite sure why Denial was coming along, maybe just to cause havoc. Whatever their reasons Yoalla was orbited by one bronze and ended up with a green on each shoulder, perched as far away from each other as they could get naturally.

As soon as she reached the river it was easy to spot the hatching eggs, unfortunately this was because they were in the process of falling to the ground, the single egg that broke caused The Devil no end of diappointment, there were firelizards inside them! Ick! How inedible. Bad eggs. Bad. Leave. The salamandyr exprssed her opinion with all the eloquence at her command.

Denial hopped into the air and gave a few flaps of her long wings until she was high enough to glide over the fallen eggs looking for all the world like a winged snake with all of her legs tucked tight to her body. All fine, mostly. The dull green reported before she took up a perch on her bonded’s boot to view the hatching. Could she have food now? Lao took the shoulder abandoned by Denial as his perch and pressed himself close to Yoalla’s neck, half burying his head in her loose hair. Oh hide the poor little greenling from the angry queens!

[Sheari]

Anusha approached the crowd of people gathered at the river. She suddenly felt silly having required assistance in deciphering Paglieth's words. Surely, she mused as her spoon scraped the bottom of her bowl, some had been just as confused as she. The greenrider spied Tavis and smiled at him, dropping her spoon in her bowl to wave. For someone who hated the weyr, he was now surrounded by people from it and the irony struck her as funny. Her spoon was never retrieved from the grains and fruit. She watched in slight horror as the eggs fell. Her gaze shifted from the candidate to the oblong shapes flying haphazardly from their drawer. The sound of cracking shells could be heard and she wouldn't be surprised if some of the babies within perished. The woman reached the crowd as Paglieth landed and she stood next to a yet unhatched egg, mindful of the screaming gold nearby.

Akos was very unhappy with the flying eggs. He dropped his forgotten piece of fruit and bounced on Anusha's shoulder, wings flared in agitation. No! No! NO! This was not how things were supposed to happen! The white Salamandyr broadcasted and emotion of distress and concern for the little ones, seen and unseen. He had a mind to help the queen fire lizard scold her failing human himself if he could muster up the courage to join the furious Rose. Subsequently he knew it was foolish and he was not courageous enough to kill himself for the sake of expressing to a human his folly at tripping with babies.

At the emergence of "survivors" Akos alighted from his perch. He opened his wings and glided first to the black-brown, hovering above him. Was he alright? Was he injured? The 'mandyr flashed emotions of comfort to him, and of pride for him being brave enough to not die. Almost in the same moment Akos turned his attention to the moving, dirty little blue. He was sent the same concerns, though he received an extra question; why was he so dirty? Babies were supposed to be clean and dry! Not wet and sandy! The white was confused at the blue's lack of cleanliness and appearing lack of care towards his soiled state. With his "work" complete, however, Akos shifted and returned to the shoulder of His; at least until there were more "survivors" that needed comfort.

[Ruby]

Hinsero was out working with Hinsesk, trying to get full strength back into the Brown's foreleg that had been damaged in the cave-in a few months ago. They were near back to full operating strength (although it had taken Hinsesk twice as long to recover as any other wher, given that he insisted on balancing recovery with either high-energy activity or sleep), but Hinsero figured it was a good idea to keep practicing whenever he didn't have Infirmary. He'd finished his shift at midnight, and he and Hinsesk had been out in the jungle ever since, walking and running and stretching. As light began to touch the sky, the pair headed back, Hinsero sweating through his light shirt and Hinsesk panting. All of a sudden, though, the brown stopped, his head cocked.

"What is it?" Hinsero asked, momentarily fearing that Hinsesk had decided he'd walked far enough tonight, and would now have to be carried or something. No eggs. Not hatching, not at the river. "What?" Hinsero repeated, but Hinsesk was already headed down the path that would take them to the shore. "But it'll be too bright for you soon..." He'd go in if he had to, Hinsesk assured his handler, but he had not attended the last hatching Hinsero had been to, so it was time to attend this one. Plus, Hinsero had a Salamandyr, so he needed a Firelizard as well. It only made sense. Heart, perhaps summoned by Hinsesk's mention, suddenly scurried up Hinsero's arm, sliding a gentle thought into his mind: Oh, no, it will be far too bright for Hinsesk, we must go back to the apartment immediately. We would not want him to hurt his eyes, would we?

Hinsero just shrugged at her. "If he says he'll be alright, I'll trust him." That seemed to irritate Heart for a moment, but only for a moment... and Hinsero wasn't paying a lot of attention anyway. "Porita!" he called, waving at the other Handler before scanning the crowd and spotting Ithanna. "Hey, Porita. C'mere, there's someone I want you to meet." Looping a friendly arm around her shoulders (so she wouldn't be able to escape), he steered her towards the Greenrider in question - only to gasp aloud as the eggs went flying. Luckily, however, the only eggs that had actually crunched revealed live, healthy flits, so he sighed in relief and continued his trek towards Ithanna. "Hey, Ithanna," he said, dropping his arm from around Porita to embrace Ithanna instead, "Meet Porita, a fellow Candidate and Handler friend of mine. Porita, Ithanna; she's a Greenrider, I know her from the Infirmary."

---

Eggs aren't hatching, what does that mean SerissaMine? Why would Paglieth tell us that? Now he's saying things... they don't make sense... the firelizard queen is so angry even I can hear her. Should we go? If I had a clutch you wouldn't drop it, would you? You'd be a much better rider than that Paglieth's, and my eggs would be bigger, and I'd have more of them...[/i] Serissa shook her head, finally just putting down the tray of sanitized instruments she was trying to sort. Ildyth, love, if you had eggs I would barely even be able to lift one of them. I don't think you have to worry about having bigger eggs than Rose. Of course she left off the part where Ildyth was a blue; no need to confuse him unnecessarily. What's this about a clutch being dropped?

Ildyth 'explained' once again, and by process of elimination Serissa sorted out what had happened. "Shards," she hissed, taking a quick glance around the infirmary. Dorava was here, and a few of the younger apprentice healers; they could handle the infirmary long enough for her to go check this out. "Looks like someone spilled a firelizard clutch," she said, grabbing a sip of Klah before heading out to the infirmary ledge where Ildyth was waiting for her. "I'll be back in a minute." Pack of emergency supplies, satchel, flight jacket. Mounting up, she held out an arm for Daniel to land on, and gave Ildyth the go ahead.

Moments later, the pair landed, Serissa swinging down to stride towards the gathering. Pushing through the crowd, she called out, "Healer, are any of the babies hurt? Or... well, is anyone hurt?" a sardonic touch to her voice as she caught sight of L'nu being effectively sat on by his dragon. The firelizards looked fine, L'nu perhaps not so much.

[Aftershock]

After Samael called out to L'nu, he heard the exclamation of surprise, then the crash of the drawer, and the varying cracks of the eggs striking the ground. Stunned open-mouthed, Samael stood shock-still, then fell to his knees before his bowl. He had brought the bowl to prevent a disaster, and instead he had perhaps caused one? Unable to see the surviving flits come out of two of the eggs, he just kneeled dejectedly in front of his bowl, his eyes moistening in horror of what he might have just caused. Heimdall nuzzled his master confusedly, not sure what was going on but knowing Samael was upset about something. "Eggs... in bowl... safe... no danger..." Samael droned, at this point nearly mentally catatonic in horror, wondering if he would soon be attacked by the others in the crowd for killing all the baby flits.