Up for a game of 8 ball? (Billiard Hatching)

[Tashe]

‘Cause darling
I'd catch a grenade for you
Throw my hand on the blade for you
I'd jump in front of a train for you

It was late in the morning when Millieth began to stir, hearing something that could not quite be heard. Lifting her head from beside her bonded, she swept her gaze out to the shiny eggs around them. Yawning she brought her nose to the closest egg, letting it hover there for a few seconds. It is time. The Queen snorted and repositioned her head so that she now lorded over the clutch before her, it was then that she started off a chain reaction. As soon as she began thrumming, that hum was picked up by Azaran and Zander, who then betweened to different points in the Weyr and spread the news to everything that would understand. The Eggs where hatching! "Well, are you going to let them know? Or will I have to send Dash around telling people?" Millieth looked down at her Human and her Human's hatchling, giving them both a very unhappy look before reaching out with her mind. For those young ones who don't know what the noise means, my eggs are hatching. Futh, have yours bring the Candidates, orderly as usual if you can manage.

Tilting her head so she could watch the entrance to the sands and her Human nearly at the same time, Millieth yawned as Her's sat happily against her foreleg. She was saying something to the little one, but she couldn't hear. It was probably something about being excited or whatever, because Kai was now old enough to remember hatchings. Kaegan had told her though that if the hatching turned out bad, that she'd have Kai taken away so as not to upset him. Which, by the way, was the only reason she'd let that wherhandler sit at the very corner of the farthest corner of her stone couch, because her Rider couldn't very well leave in the middle of a hatching. Speaking of, she turned her gaze on the Wherhandler with narrowed eyes to which the smart boy raised his hands to show that he wasn't getting any closer than he was allowed. Millieth huffed. Good. Back to the eggs went her attention, she needed to make sure that the ignorant little candidates didn't get too close to the eggs.

=============

The Billiard Clutch!

Behind the Back Egg: - Hatched Bronze Kallandrith - Impressed to C'loy
Trick Shot Egg: - Hatched Browns Oth and Uth- Impressed to Au'st and S'rring
Masse Egg: - Hatched Blue Perienmoth- Impressed to Osnat
Overhand Egg: - Hatched Blue Detrith- Impressed to T'vis
One Stroke Egg: - Hatched Blue Venideth- Impressed to Lilu
Corner Shot Egg: - Hatched Green Gweneveth- Impressed to Vellani
Arc Egg: - Hatched Green Yeomenth- Impressed to Kyr'n

You know I'd do anything for you
I would go through all this pain
Take a bullet straight through my brain
Yes, I would die for you, baby

==========
img.photobucket.com/albums/v402/caranmir/Gweneveth.gif [/img]

img.photobucket.com/albums/v402/caranmir/oth.gif [/img]

========

IMPORTANT: In your first post, you MUST tell me if you don't want your character to be mauled and if you don't mind, how much you're willing to let them be mauled! Otherwise YOU ARE FREE GAME and if I choose to maul your character I will do it as I see fit.

This is your only warning.

[Rowana]

Kyrstin yawned, frowning as the strange voice entered his mind. He'd learned about this by now, it meant the queen's eggs were hatching. It was kind of hard to miss. Did she have to pick now though? He was still getting used to the new infirmary schedule and had just gotten off a long night shift. Maybe if he went to sleep they wouldn't realize he hadn't come until it was too late. Still, he didn't have a good place to hide while he slept, so he supposed he would just half to go. It was why they'd dragged him down South in the first place, even if he'd nearly forgotten in all the chaos of late. Truth be told, being a rider didn't interest him nearly so much as being useful. The fact that the Southern Weyrs were finding themselves so short on good healers (in his opinion) was probably the only reason he hadn't asked to be taken back to the Hall.

Blinking away tiredness, Kyrstin pulled on the white robe he was told to wear. It was a ghastly color, who's idea was that anyway? The clothing was too short for him and his legs could still be seen for a good foot above his sandals, what a pain. Following M'kai and the other candidates, he took his place with them on the Sands as they arrived. He spared a glance for Millieth and the eggs and even allowed himself to be mildly impressed. He'd only started learning a little of dragon healing and hadn't yet been near a dragon so large. She was even pretty, he supposed, by dragon standards. At least she'd laid only seven eggs, he thought, hiding another yawn. Maybe this wouldn't take long and he could go back to bed.

((You may maul and scar him, but no maiming please!)

[Ruby]

Well well, Millieth's hatching was convenient for once. M'kai had just finished up lecture for one half of the candidates - he'd split the class in two now that they had so many candidates, although he taught both classes, he didn't trust that Greenrider that had come with the Wastelanders - and the other half would be headed back from morning chores. All of the Candidates would be congregating in the barracks right about now, enjoying their few free minutes before lunch. "Thank you, Faranth," M'kai whispered under his breath as he packed the last stylus away and slung his back over hsis shoulder. Futh? Call 'em, please. For once we don't need to scramble out of bed.

Candidates? The Queen has asked Mine to bring you to the hatching sands in an orderly manner. If you are not in the barracks, you may meet us on the sands, but please do not enter until Mine gives you permission - the Queen is lovely, but she gets mad when she has babies to protect, and we don't want any of you eaten. Mine is in the common room, for those that are in the barracks.[/i]

M'kai was indeed. He'd already dismissed a half-angry half-distressed Elisabeta, and had gotten the rough side of her tongue for it. Honestly, M'kai thought he was doing something nice, letting her watch the hatching without having to worry about Canidates, but the Assistant Candidatemaster did not seem to agree. Whatever. He waited in the common room long enough for the majority of the candidates to assemble, then waved a hand over his head, moving the enormous herd out. When was the last time they had so many candidates? If nothing else, the Wasteland searchriders knew what they were doing. "C'mon, guys, follow me. No need to rush, we'll be there in plenty of time. Everyone have their robes on? Oh, and leave your pets here, please, Millieth does not appreciate them."

Within moments, they arrived at the hatching grounds - some smart person had considered the fact that without Candidates on the sands, hatchings were pretty boring, and had located the Barracks near the Candidate's entrance. "Ok, everyone, single-file line please. Walk slow, be careful of wayward hatchlings, don't touch eggs or dragonets unless you're SURE you've impressed. There's healers on the sands, so if you get injured just stay where you are. And please, for the love of faranth, don't screech or anything, Millieth is a fairly tolerant queen but she won't like that. Remember to announce your name and your dragon's if you impress, remember to greet the Queen in a respectful manner... and good luck! If you Impress, the Weyrlingmasters'll take over, if not, it's back to me. As we all know, I want as little work as possible, so go impress some dragons!" That last bit was a joke, meant to lighten the mood; as the candidates laughed as little or as much as they were prepared to, M'kai opened the door to the hatching sands, and ushered the first candidate through.

--

It was a red-eyed, puffy-faced, delighted Phaiden that all but dragged her yawning new-found father to the stands. Whatever had gone on - was going on - between Saphor and Piden, Phaiden didn't know or care. She wanted a dragon, or a Wher but it was dragons that were hatching now, and her mommy got to be on the Hatching Sands with the Candidates and Phaiden did not. Generally, when she got to tantrum-phase, she got whatever she wanted, but her mother had been surprisingly firm this time, and Phaiden had eventually cried herself out on her bemused, tired, irritated father's lap - Saphor had had to leave her with someone when Millieth's call came and Piden was the only person that came to mind (not to mention that Piden suspected waking him up in the middle of the morning was an added bonus). Phaiden recovered quickly, though, demanded one of Piden's white shirts to wear as Candidate robes, and then pulled him right to the front and center of the Stands, as close to the Sands as she could get. Dragonets knew that white meant Candidates, right? So maybe if Piden held her up they could see her anyway. It was worth a shot.

Piden was doing his level best to hold on to his daughter and go back to sleep at the same time.

--

Erno was just finishing up the mountain of vegetables he'd been set to cut and peel when Millieth, then Futh's calls entered his mind. Shaking himself - it was still odd hearing dragons inside your head, even with the near-constant salamandyr cacophony. There was just something different about Dragon voices. All of a sudden, Erno realized he had a million things to do and no time to do it in. Attempting to peel vegetables at high speed, he quickly sliced a bit of skin off one finger, yelping. One of the kitchen women laughed and swatted him lightly on the leg with a spoon. "Get outa here, boy! You're a candidate, aren't you? The veggies can wait."

That was enough for Erno. Sticking the sluggishly bleeding finger in his mouth, the boy dashed off towards the candidate barracks, smiling hugely around the finger. Today was hatching day, and he'd practically only been at the weyr a week! He'd seen Merridan, but hadn't really had time to talk to her beyond a quick hello, but maybe, after the hatching, they'd have more time to talk. He'd heard his sister had been promoted to Weyrlingmaster, so if Erno got a dragon, Merridan would be teaching him again! Like when they were kids.

If he got a dragon.

Pulling his robes on over his head, Erno had a sudden flash of worry. With this many candidates, it was more than likely that he WOULDN'T get a dragon, and when he haded for the common room and saw all those candidates gathering, that feeling only intensified. At least his finger had stopped bleeding, he figured, looking around for Tavis and Buram. It would be nice to have a friend at his side when he stepped out on to the hatching sands.

And before Erno knew it, they were at the sands. He tried to focus on what the Candidatemaster was saying, but couldn't quite manage it - there was too much going on, too many people around, too many emotions flooding the big group of Candidates. Not to mention that humming, which seemed to drown everything. All of a sudden, though, the group was moving, falling in to a single-file line. Enro went right along with the flow, being swept out on to the sands. Once the line stopped moving, he bowed to Millieth - the best bow he knew, the kind accorded to a Lord Holder at a formal event - then looked back up, mouth gaping open, generally unable to take in much more. His first hatching.

--

((Caden's up on the Queen's couch with Kae, shadowing her; Ten is in the stands. T'mund, Beta, T'ri, Serissa and Hinsero don't plan to attend (Hinsero is sleeping), but poke me if you want one of them to show and I will see what I can do))

((Any injuries are fine as long as Erno comes out of them still able to impress))

[Sebz]

Casiloy had made a recent habit of running to check on the eggs every time he passed anywhere close to the sands. He knew it was pointless, and had been told numerous times from other candidates that the large queen would start humming when the time came, but the blonde boy ignored them and insisted on checking anyway. To be completely honest, he went to the sands so often not just to check on the eggs themselves, but the large queen that watched over them.

With the new clutch laid, Casiloy's half forgotten desire to ride a gold dragon had reappeared, to sit astried a dragon so shiny and sparkly would fulfill every urge he got to go discover something that glistened in the sunlight. Gold dragons were simply the prettiest on Pern. So what if they only impressed females. Casiloy was no female by anymeans, but it was about time for a break in tradition. At least Casiloy felt it was time.

The brown mandyr that attached itself to the boy was missing, staying as far from the clutch as possible, so the candidate didn't have to go through the nusciance of shooing it away as he scrambled down towards the clutch of seven with mounting excitement, ready to partake in the proceedings. He gave a bow to Millieth and waved cheerfully to Kaegan, his spirits high before turning to the clutch, taking a few steps forward before halting, hovering around an imaginary perimeter that he decided the Gold dragon would not like him, or any other candidate for that matter, crossing.

~

Casandra was waiting. She was always waiting, waiting for the thrum from the clutch mother that would inform the weyr of the cracking eggs. She was surprisingly calm when the anticipated hum came, glad that her vigilance which had lasted days was finally over, getting off her cot and retrieving her candidate robes. Slipping them on, she frowned in distaste at the fabric, doing her best to ajust it so it fell more loosely around her body.

Casandra didn't show outward excitement at the impeding hatching, her face was a mask of neutrality. Yes, there was a chance she would impress today, but there were only seven eggs, so the odds were against her. Furthermore, there was no garentee that there would be a Gold in this particular clutch. Casandra snorted- let the other girls impress the silly greens and fighting blues, she could wait, she had years to wait.

Casandra ignored the blonde bimbo of a candidate who was grinning widely at her, giving her a wave before turning back to the eggs. How had he, oh what was his name, Cas is something or other. She did however give a terse and curt nod to both the weyrwoman and the queen dragon before picking a spot on the sands to stake out and watch the eggs crack.

(You can maul Casiloy, just nothing to severe! Casandra on the other hand, have at her.)

[Aftershock]

Lilu squealed excitedly as she heard the hum, happy, but also a bit nervous. Heading to her footlocker and slipping quickly into her white robes, she didn't even mind the fact that they were shapeless and not very complimentary to her figure... she was going to a hatching! She slipped on one of her few pairs of sandals to protect her feet from the rough sand, and then joined the other Candidates as they filed after M'kai, smiling at how much nicer the new Candidatemaster was than that harpy Elisabeta.

Tselitel winged after Lilu, her neon green hide reflecting the few beams of sunlight filtering in through the tunnels like a flying chunk of radioactive material, but before Lilu even had to shoo her away, she felt the emanations from Millieth and decided that even she wasn't stupid enough to get anywhere near a clutching gold dragon, and flew up the tiers to find an alcove to sun in.

As Lilu and the rest of the Candidates filed out towards the Sands, she couldn't help but glance around in an attempt to see if Kaius was there. She'd heard that after Elisabeta was downgraded, he might have had the chance to regain his Candidacy, and she hoped to see him here and verify what she'd heard.

---

Cainith looked up from his work on a chair leg he was carving as a replacement for one he had accidentally caused to break when he heard the familiar hum. He knew that normally he would have just ignored it and gone back to his work, since he was well aged out of dragon Impression... but he had reasons to attend the hatching this time. Standing up and brushing the wood shavings off his trousers, he slipped past the other collecting Candidates and made his way to the hatching sands Stands, taking advantage of the Candidate Barracks proximity to the Sands to get a position near the front.

Settling onto a seat, he looked out over the Sands, seeing the huge queen looking over her eggs. This was Millieth, the same one who clutched the eggs that had mutations... the ones who were culled by the Wastelanders. So, the possibility of more was there, and Cainith was ready in case something tried to happen again... especially if they tried to touch anything that Impressed to Ivy. If things went down wrong, Rollhead might see a truly wrathful Goddess indeed.

---

Samael heard the humming through the air, and cocked his head, as did Heimdall. Freyr, however, knew exactly what it meant, and sent an impression to His to let him know that the gold queen Millieth's clutch was hatching. Smiling wide, Samael turned away from the dining hall where he was heading for lunch and let Heimdall slowly lead him in the direction of the hatching sands, with Freyr leading his bonded and his bondbrother by flying ahead of the two, looping about to let the still limping Heimdall keep up and chirruping to let Samael know as well.

As they finally reached the Stands, Freyr led the two into an out-of-the-way spot, and Samael felt around until he found his seat and lowered himself down, with Heimdall lying carefully at his feet. Freyr, looking out at Millieth, sent a warm pulse of greeting to the beautiful gold, and sent an image of the scene to Samael, who (having finally gotten used to the images from Freyr) smiled in wonder at the massive queen and her beautiful eggs. Turning to Freyr, he said, "Freyr, let me know if Vellani shows up so I can wave to her." Freyr chirped in agreement, before settling on Samael's shoulder proudly, wings folded and back straight, displaying his red chest marking proudly.

((Lilu can be mauled, but please no scarring or maiming.))

[Ivy]

Ivy ~

Though they were in the barracks, Eros knew. He knew right away and he began to hum - a sound which Ivy was all too familiar with. The eggs were hatching. Blue eyes widened and she felt butterflies in her stomach as if this was her first hatching all over again. Sitting in the common room she didn't want to just bolt, and when M'kai spoke up she didn't have to. They were excused to grab their robes and she was among the first ones up and back to her bunk. She'd had her robe laid out and ready for days now, and finally it was time. Tugging it on over her other clothes she smoothed the white fabric out.

Now as a Candidate she'd learned to have a love/hate relationship with these robes. They were so plain, so boxy, so... just not her. She enjoyed what they signified but hated them otherwise and thus she'd taken it upon herself to do a few alterations to them. She doubted anyone would mind all too much. She'd managed to hem it to fit against her body better. It didn't just hang off of her lifelessly anymore - no, this thing would move with her every curve as it clung to them loosely. It wasn't much, but it helped her feel a bit better as she stepped back into the common room and found herself surrounded in a sea of white robes.

Eros had landed on her shoulder and she nuzzled the brightly hued Blue for a moment before nodding upwards. She couldn't bring him on the Sands, he'd have to watch from the stands. Maybe he could find Cainith and watch with him? Speaking of pets... Around her wrist is where her other Blue was clinging, Perses was crooning and doing his best to steal her attention back to himself - but that wasn't likely to happen right now. Lifting her hand up she gently unwrapped the salamandyr from her wrist and held him up to Eros. "You two will behave. Go find Cainith. Not a peep from either of you or I will smother you both in your sleep." She kept her voice a whisper, just meant for her pets. Would she really smother them? Probably not, but the tone in which she gave the threat kept both of them quiet and the small 'mandyr climbed up onto Eros' back and wrapped loosely around his neck. With him settled Eros took off and flew ahead of the group of Candidates and headed for the stands where he would find some place to watch from a distance. The last thing he wanted was to feel Millieth - or Ivy's - wrath.

Soon they were at the door, and Ivy hardly recalled the walk from the barracks to the hatching cavern. Her mind was so focused on what lie behind the doors - she didn't even hear M'kai speaking. Not that she needed to, she'd been a Candidate before. As the doors opened and they walked into the Sands her breath caught in her throat. She gave a polite curtsey to Millieth and breathed, "So beautiful." - not bothering to say if she meant the Gold or the clutch itself, either way they were both deserving of such a compliment. The line continued to move and Ivy found herself with the other girls, nearby Cassandra (she assumed, she didn't really look, just saw blonde hair), staring at the eggs. She knew she was among the oldest on the Sands, if not the oldest. She knew there were a LOT of Candidates - and only a handful of eggs. Somewhere in the back of her mind she felt she should just leave, just give up - but her feet were set in the Sands and she wasn't moving for anything. Not until it was over, not until she knew if she'd leave as a Weyrling or as a Candidate once more.

Serring ~

Much like the redheaded Candidate now standing in front of him in line as they headed for the Sands - Serring was no stranger to the sounds of a hatching. He'd felt it in his bones before the sound became audible from someone's firelizard. His body felt as though a shock of electricity had gone through him when the firelizard had the first few notes out and he looked to M'kai expectedly. Yes, they were going to the Sands - and Serring just knew this would be his time.

He hated that they had to go get robes on, but he did so without complaint. Tugging the soft white robe on he hurried past the others getting their robes from their bunks and made it back to the common room as quickly as his legs would allow. He was ready - he was beyond ready really.

He heard the girl ahead of him - girl, no really she was a woman and he knew her, Ivy - dismiss her pets with a soft threat and he grinned. That was one thing he loved about Atlas - the Bronze salamandyr didn't need to be in constant contact with him. In fact, he was sure the little monster was currently raiding someone's panty drawer right about now. And for once since he'd managed to Impress him, Serring was totally okay with that. In fact, he was counting on it to take a looong time. Hopefully as long as the hatching lasted. The grin faded as suddenly imagined standing there watching Millieth's clutch hatch and then his Bronze appearing with a ton of ladies undergarments with him, leaving a trail across the Sands. Oh shards... please don't let that happen.

Then they were moving and any thoughts he had about his Bronze were gone from his mind. They moved as a group towards the hatching cavern and he listened intently to M'kai - even though he'd heard this plenty of times before. The doors opened and a rush of hot, dry air hit him and all those around him - but he didn't even blink. His eyes were on the eggs now, there weren't many of them. Far more Candidates than eggs. Farnath give him luck - he'd need it.

A single file line of white robed Candidates slowly made its way into the Sands and as it came time for Serring to address Millieth he gave a flourished deep bow, "My Queen, your clutch is lovely, as are you." Then his turn was over and he moved to stand with the other male Candidates in line on the Sands - keeping a good distance between himself and the eggs, he was no fool.

Tavis ~

Not the sharpest tool in the box, Tavis had to be told what was going on. Sure he had heard the humming but the connection hadn't been made until a voice entered his mind. Oh shards, it was hatching today? He sighed and looked around the bathing room he'd been assigned to clean, despite having been there most the morning he hadn't made much headway. Oh well! No one could be mad at him, he was a Candidate and it was time for the hatching. So dropping the mop he'd been using he rushed out the door, happy for an excuse to be done, even if he wasn't too thrilled with where he was going.

Into the barracks and back to his bunk, bumping shoulders with some of the more excitable Candidates as they rushed passed. Really, it couldn't be that big of a deal for them, could it? Not like there wouldn't be another clutch. Then another. And another. They were just dragons. Eventually he was sure all of them would get one - all except for him.

Even as he pulled on his white robe - why white by the way? White was clean and pure, and as far as he saw it - dragonriders were anything but. Although his mind did flash to Anusha and she didn't seem that bad - if it weren't for her being a Greenrider he could see them being friends. And she was kind of cute, which didn't hurt.

Fitting his head through the hole of his robes he was reminded of something - or rather someone. She fussed against his cheek then hissed - Apima. She was not pleased with this at all. Where was Hers going and why was he changing? No. Me. You. Forever. Always.

Looking around he grimaced - even he knew if he took Apima on the Sands that she'd be toast. A tasty snack for the Queen, and while he hated to admit it, he'd kind of be upset if that happened. His eyes landed on Helios and he whistled, "Helios, take Apima AS FAR AWAY AS YOU CAN. Don't leave her there, but don't let her come back until I send for you. This is very important."

Apima immediately dug her small claws into Hers' cheek and clung tighter to his ear, but he pulled her off and tossed her in a sock. Tying the end off he handed it to the Brown and his firelizard happily took his bondsister and flew off, leaving his with a happy croon of encouragement - as if saying 'good luck'! Apima of course was hissing and flailing about in her fabric prison, screeching and screaming in Tavis' mind. But he had gotten used to it so he managed to ignore her.

Making it back into the common room right as they began filing out he found himself near the middle of the group. Catching Erno's eye he rolled his own and flashed him a bit of a smile. Just a small one though. And then they were walking. Walking. Moving. Walking. Stopping. M'kai was talking - at least it wasn't Elisabeta, even if he didn't really like the hippy Bluerider either - then the doors were opened... more walking. Bowing - which he did automatically without even mentally questioning why he should bow to the big beast - then more walking and standing. The Sands were bloody hot too, good thing he'd worn boots. Eyeing the eggs he almost appreciated them, but then he recalled he wasn't here to Impress. He was here to prove Elisabeta wrong (she'd searched him, after all), be left standing, then go back to his old life of... well nothing really - he hadn't really thought that part through.

((Ivy: can be slightly mauled, okay with some scar-leaving injuries as long as they don't mess with her face. Serring: free game as long as he stays mostly in one piece and handsome (chicks dig scars though right?). Tavis: I'm okay with him being hurt fairly severely. (He is NOT okay with it, but pffft, he's a spoil-sport. Ruliana and Roselle are here in the Stands, so feel free to interact with them if you'd like. ^^))

[Lotty]

"Leviiiiiii. I swear, gah... you're being the worst right now..." Osnat shook her head at the mandyr as it clung to the robes and made it's demands, I come. Need to select best slave thing. Screen for the best, but none will be. Yeesh, this creature and all of it's slave talk was really creeping the candidate out. After all, she had just been pulled out of over a turn of drudgery, the last thing she wanted to do was subject someone else to her pet's whims, no matter how trivial they might have been, "Yeah we need to talk about this slave thing... it's not the most uhm? Nicest thing?" She used the comment to distract the gold and pull her candidate garb out from under her. In the quickest move she could manage, she was throwing the thing on over her head.

Of course it did send Leviathan rolling across her cot. When momentum put the creature upright onto her feet again she immediately frilled angrily at her bonded - one side with it's red membrane to match her swirling eyes. With an audible huff the gold monster stuck back, scurrying up to the edge of the bed and all but screaming, LEVIATHAN YOU WILL TAKE QUEEN COMMANDS PLEBEIAN! SMITE YOU I WILL! Oh that was the last straw. Osnat thought she was a rather cool cat, but shards was her patience short when smashable bug things screamed nonsense at her. Without any word she snatched the salamandyr up in her hand and shoved it isn't a discreet pocket that had been sew into the robes... by the previous owner of course. What? Did Osnat look like she knew how to sew?

"There you happy?" She growled at Levi before attempting to smooth down the lump the pet made along an otherwise streamline appearance. Pleased, she tried to meld into line with everyone else and made her way to the hatching sands. Of course her eyes were open for anybody she might know, but considering that list consisted of Lilu - who she didn't have a whole lot to say to - and August - who was MIA at the moment - she found herself primarily alone amongst a crowd populated by the many unfamiliar faces that constituted the candidate barracks. In the end, it didn't really matter that much though, for now, as she stepped onto the scorching hot sands, her eyes widened to take in the sight of a dragon lording over her clutch. Instead of bowing or even politely nodding the tomboy blurted out, "This shit is bananas!" A shocked look from the candidate next to her inspired the follow up, "Well it is.... it's not like bananas are an insult or anything. They're good bananas!"

I best be BEST banana, Leviathan hissed from within the robes. Osnat awkwardly slapped a hand over that odd speaking abscess poking out of her side with an audible clap, "Shuddup dimglow, you want to get eaten?"

[As per this meter, you may moderately pwn Osnat]

[Zephyr]

Olivia was eating a snack before lunch, Pippin sprawled out at her feet. Oddly enough, the girl was usually one of the first ones awake in the morning. Technically, her dog wasn’t allowed to sleep in the barracks with her, but she still let him sleep in her bed every night. Usually, Liv wasn’t one to break the rules, but the dog had been her best friend for as long as she could remember. There was no way she was going to make him sleep outside unless she was told, specifically and personally not to. At the moment, the fluffy dog was on his side, eyes closed and limbs twitching lightly in his sleep. Liv was about to shove another mouthful of oatmeal into her mouth when Pippin suddenly surged to his feet, barking loudly. Startled, Liv dropped her spoon of gooeyness on her lap. Shouting, she leaped to her feet, frowning at the dog.

“ Pippin, what was that fo…” Suddenly, she felt the humming. It started in her feet and spread through her core. The girl froze solid, eyes opening. Without another word, she darted out of the dining hall, the dog at her heels. Flying into the candidate barracks, she yelled out to anyone still in there. “ The eggs are hatching!” and she proceeded to dig through her pile of clothes, ripping her robe out from the pile. It was wrinkled, but the girl pulled it on anyway, running to the hatching grounds. Pippin was still behind her when she finally slowed to a stop, joining the line of candidates. The girl was breathing heavily, but she was able to retain enough foresight to glance down at her dog, shaking her head. “ Stay Pippy. Please?” She pleaded with the dog before stepping out onto the sands behind the person in front of her. The heat sank through her boots and made her feet uncomfortable, but resolutely, she made her way to stand near the other candidates, still breathing hard from her sprint across the weyr. Eyes shifted to Millieth, and the twelve year old bowed briefly before glancing to the eggs. There were only seven, and a lot of candidates…but maybe, just maybe.

Pippin listened to Olivia, mostly. Lowering his nose, he padded onto the stands, but found an out of the way place near the meat tables to sprawl out on the warm sand. Flopping onto his belly, the dog dpread his feet out all around him and grinned in only a way a dog could, whining in delight and rolling onto his back, watching the proceedings near the eggs upside down.

---

Humming! I hear it! Eggies hatch, mine! King ran over, crawling up Kai’s leg to his head, leaning down over the tall boy’s eyes. Kaius was in the middle of his chores when King did this. “ Really? Now?” Yupyupyup! We go see? Narrowing his eyes a little, Kaius picked the squirming ‘mandyr off his head and put him on his bed. “ I will go.” He said, emphasizing the first word. “ You will stay here so Millieth doesn’t eat you.” The salamandyr pouted lightly, ruffling his wings. Why she eat me? King doesn’t taste good. Kaius shook his head, pulling his robe down and pulling it over his head. It wasn’t quite long enough, but it got the job done.

By this point, the humming was reverberating through his body, and King grumbled lightly and curled up near Kaius’ pillow, watching his human with unhappy eyes while the boy was getting ready. Kaius could feel how upset his pet was, but he didn’t have enough time to apologize, M’kai was leading them out and towards the sands. Kai followed Vellani out onto the sands, taking M’kai’s words to heart. After all, he was a MUCH better candidate master than Elisabeta had been. Especially since the man had reinstated him as a candidate. Once more, he gazed upon Millieth and her eggs, hoping that this hatching would not be a repeat of last time.

Eyes scanned the sands until he saw Lilu. The tall boy grinned broadly at her and waved a little, mouthing “good luck” to her before turning to look at the eggs once more, still feeling King’s disappointment and trying to block it out for the most part. He did not need this right now.

---

Vellani had been laying on her bed in an exaggerated show of exhaustion. “ Soooo many chores! I think I might die.” She said gazing at the girl who was sitting near her. The other girl rolled her eyes, but Vellani snorted, resuming her moaning when Sammy, who had been curled up on her chest suddenly took to air in an instant, winking into between. Ani was used to the flit disappearing whenever he felt like it, usually it was to go find a nice patch of lovely mud. She was soon to find out though, that he hadn’t gone to find mud this time when the ground started to rumble ominously. Suddenly, thoughts of Sel popped to mind and the blonde girl leaped to her feet, eyes wide. “ Earthquake, earthquake! Get under something!”

When M’kai entered the barracks, Vellani was hiding under a table. As the humming intensified, a scarlet flush came to her face and she crawled out, meekly walking over to pull on her robes. Other girls were looking at her funnily, and when she walked to the common room to father around M’kai, she was quiet for once, eyes lowered in her embarrassment. It hadn’t been her fault! She just got through almost being crushed by an earthquake. Geez! Quietly, she followed the red haired candidate master, walking just in front of Kaius.

As she walked on the sands, she lined up with the rest of the candidates, bowing to Millieth, as if bowing to the queen would expel her shame.

Yeah right. But she was used to it by now.

She glanced into the stands, seeing Samael there. She grinned to Freyr and waved to the little firelizard. Hopefully she’d have a friend for Sammy too. Speaking of, where was the little blue monster at?

---

After leaving her daughter with Piden, which she still didn’t think was a good idea, but she had to leave her daughter with someone, and her father seemed the most logical choice. Saphor was still convinced that Piden didn’t want anything to do with Phai, but at least he was trying. She’d give him that. Plus, the look that must have been on his face when she woke him up made her smile all the way to donning her robe and joining the rest of the candidates. She brought up the rear, quietly listening to M’kai’s words. She was probably one of the most mature of the candidates and she stood listening to him, finally walking out onto the sands when he led the way.

As she walked behind someone she didn’t know, she scanned the stands for Phaiden and Piden, waving at her little girl when she saw her. She knew it was killing Phai to see her mother in the sands when she was still too young, but her time would come soon, even if Saphor would be loath to let her go. Eventually, she would come to stand before the eggs, and she would dip her head to the massive queen. She regarded the gold with a mother’s eyes, and didn’t get any closer to the eggs, because she knew that if she thought someone was going to cause harm to her baby, she would rip them apart. Slowly.

---

Buram, like the rest of the candidates having just got off chores, was milling about in the common room when Millieth’s voice sounded in his head. The boy was starstruck for a moment. He had never heard the sound of a dragon’s voice in his head. It was a foreign and alien feeling. Even so, he was always ready to do what needed to be done, and donning his robes quickly, he joined M’kai and the rest of the candidates in the common room, quietly waiting until the candidatemaster led them towards the hatching grounds.

Life in a weyr was something completely new to the boy. He had actually never been to a weyr before he moved to Selenitas…or Burimyu. He wasn’t sure exactly what it was called; he had heard people call it both. The dragons were disconcerting. This was to be especially evident when he finally walked onto the sands. His eyes went immediately to the gold dragon, and he felt his heart drop into his chest. Meekly, he followed the rest of the candidates, head slightly lowered as to not look the dragon in the eyes. If they were anything like canines, they could smell his fear.

Silently, he stopped with the rest of the candidates, bowing slightly before gulping. He didn’t bother to look around…afraid that he was making a fool of himself.

---

Unforunately for Gus, he had fallen asleep after chores for a “nap”, and slept through everything. Even the persistent humming of Millieth. He just slept too deeply to notice it…or the sound of the dragons’ voices in his head. He still wasn’t used to dragons communicating with him, but even if he had been used to it, he still probably wouldn’t wake up. If he could sleep through an earthquake, he could also sleep through a hatching. It would take a miracle to get the kid out of bed now.

Or a sister.

(( Feel free to maul, just no losing of parts or death please. <3 Also, Leilani and L'am are in the stands and K'ian is standing near the door if anyone wants to interact with them ))

[Requiem]

Pardon, a smidge to the left, if you please. Thank you muchly. The mahogany brown slid between other dragon bodies with ease, dropping down from the perches above into the empty air above the Sands itself. MotherMine, I come bearing presents, he greeted his golden dam with a croon, the small brown backwinging to hover for a moment or two while the candidates filed in so neatly on the other side of the Sands. When he was certain he had enough room (and Millieth had moved over just a touch) Behruth settled neatly onto the couch, brushing the gold almost playfully with one of his partially shredded wings before folding them neatly in to his sides and crouching to unload his passengers.

It was a delegation of brownriders that dismounted, and it said much that M'ta was very comfortable with letting these two help him down. Almost immediately he took to half-leaning on Merridan's shoulder, even as he nodded politely to the Weyrwoman. Not terribly pleased with how his brown was immediately cuddling up to Millieth, but what could he do? Behruth refused to dislike his dam. Perhaps that was as it should be anyway. Between Merridan, a cane, and the splints even the third of their party couldn't complain that M'ta was overdoing it. For once.

"So where did you want us then, E'rro?" he questioned of his former wingsecond and good friend. Not that he waited for the answer, instead moving forward with or without Merridan to get off this couch and away from shinies. He didn't truck with shinies. "I'd like to get a good look at all these new potential victims before they become my hell for the next turn and a half." The comment was surprisingly cheerful.

[Rei]

Sydney had dropped everything she was doing at the first sign of humming. Eyes wide the dark haired girl sprinted through the weyrbowl at top speed towards the candidate barracks. This would be the first time she had stood herself but she had watched August stand last time. With her heart in her throat might she add. She just hoped that this time things would go better. Surely the Burimyu riders wouldn’t let any harm come to the babies? Right? The candidate could only trust that she was right as she pulled her robes down over her head. Smoothing them down and trying to quell the butterflies in her stomach Sydney joined the line with the rest of the candidates.

Dark green eyes scanned the line for sign of August and her heart almost skipped a beat when she realized he wasn’t there. Oh no! What if he was tied up in chores? Or had fallen in the lake? Or? The woman wrinkled her nose. Or he was probably sleeping. Slipping out of the line she slipped back into the barracks and quickly made her way to the male dorms. As some of the late comers slipped past her Sydney cast her eyes about for a sign of her brother. There! Sleeping. In his bunk. Shards and Shells. Without further ado the candidate grabbed a glass of water from one of the small bedside tables and tossed it in her brother’s face, following it with a sharp slap. “Gus! First an earthquake and now the hatching. Do I have to get you tested for narcolepsy?”

As she spoke she grabbed his shirt tugging it off of him and shoving his robe over his head even as he sputtered something back. “I can’t baby sit you forever Gus.” Not even waiting for her older brother to get his arms situated the candidate grabbed him by the front of the robes and hauled him stumbling out of the barracks and into the line. Only then did she loosen her grip, but she didn’t released him. Not even when they got onto the hot sands. Standing there shifting from foot to foot uncomfortably Sydney glanced at the clutch and then raised her chin and tossed her dark hair back. She was not afraid.

(Feel free to maul? Just no loss of eyes nor limbs please :3)

~~~~

Er’ani was there for one sole purpose. Okay maybe two. One to watch and see if Vellani impressed. She was adorable and besides he found himself thinking of her randomly from time to time. Obviously he needed to get to know her better. Leaning over the railing to the sands he caught sight of her and cupped his mouth with his hands before screaming across the sands. “Go Vellani!” Offering her a smile and a wink he flopped back in his chair and put his feet up on the railing as his dark eyes then went to the clutch.

The second reason he was here. To make sure nothing happened to those babies. A glance was give to his albino dragon above. Perched on one of the ledges ringing the stands Lketh was perched like a pale wraith, his eyes whirling in placid shades as he too took up the hatching hum. Spreading near translucent wings a croon was offered down to his mother. They watched.

~~~~

The greenrider was in a far better mood the she pretended to be in really but that didn’t stop her from glaring at S’rei’s back as she ascended into the stands behind him. Obviously plotting revenge for something or another. Her eyes left her weyrmate to flick up to Onyth as the darkly colored green nearly vibrated with the hatching hum, her head swiveling back and forth as she regarded the queen below. Felt like only yesterday that she had looked into that rainbow gaze herself and heard those first confident and fiercely possessive words. My silly sibling thought she could covet you. He thinks he owns you but he may no longer have you. No one can. You are mine. Now feed your Onyth my Elysia.

Eyes locked with her dragon for a brief moment Onyth gazing back at her bonded with unflinching intensity as she pressed loving adoration back onto the woman. I was right was I not? A brief genuine smile flicked across the greenrider’s expression. Always darling. Pausing in her climb Elysia gave one final look at the admittedly small clutch Millieth had laid before commenting in an offhand manner to S’rei. “Here is hoping none of them hatch with three heads and tentacles.”

~~~~

Fey is there obsessively watching the eggs and cuddling with Pettahth. She also throws Millie many <3’s~ If anyone wants to interact with her feel free. I got lazy.

[Tashe]

Never know how much I love you,
never know how much I care
When you put your arms around me,
I get a fever that's so hard to bear
You give me fever - when you kiss me,
fever when you hold me tight
Fever - in the the morning,
fever all through the night.

Millieth watched quietly as the Candidates started filing in, not really caring about the people who began populating the stands, /they/ weren't the ones impressing her babies after all. Or, at least, weren't likely to. Her babies had impressed from the stands before which Millieth had always thought a strange thing, though she never pressed the matter, as long as her babies found their one and only however they did it was alright with her. Sweeping her gaze across the sands she neatly zeroed in on a Canine near the feeding tables. To the Candidates she said, Whomever that dog belongs to, remove him from the sands, else I deign to have a snack before my children hatch. And, as if to press her seriousness, she opened her jaws just wide enough to snake her tongue over her maw. To tell the truth, it was more for the canine's safety than that of the hatchlings. She didn't want her babies to get it in their heads that dogs were either good to eat or good chew toys.

There was one candidate that drew her attention though, the one that blurted out weirdly. Millieth gave the girl a clearly befuddled look before lowering her head slightly, there was not much that slipped past her when it came to hatchings. Wrapping her mind around that of the creature in the girl's pocket, Millieth determined it was a Salamandyr almost immediately, allowing an open channel to pass between them. Little Gold. Although you are big, my babies are bigger. I ask that you go wait on the railing. If you had babies, would you like another Gold in the middle of your clutch? For now, she was asking kindly. If the Salamandyr Queen did not leave, she would have Osnat eject the Salamandyr from the sands, or leave them entirely. As was said, Millieth was lenient but there were lines people did not cross.

Nudging Her's and her's pet (aka Caden) so that she could move over to let Behruth land, Millieth settled in her new spot as the Brown landed. I would have preferred meat, but I suppose they will do. She made a chomping gesture at the three Brownriders while Kaegan waved in greeting at them. Of course, Millieth was obviously kidding. She wouldn't eat a human on the basis that they probably tasted nasty and therefore had no desire to. Plus, she liked Behruth and his Human. The other two she didn't know as well but Ismaroth's was a healer so... eh. A brief thought was spared for Lketh and Feyrianth and then, immediately her attention was stolen away by a sudden popping noise...

----

The One Stroke Egg had just about shattered in a hundred directions, spraying egg shards at the Candidates who were too close for their own good. Slowly the little dragon uncurled itself, long gooey wings extending upward before a head rose to match them. Sneezing, the One Stroke Blue got to his feet with a wobble, hesitating for a moment before attempting to walk. He nearly tripped a couple of times, though the Blue managed to catch himself before hitting the sands face first. Ugh, too much work. Flopping down the One Stroke Blue yawned and proceeded to clean some of the goo off of his wings.

Meanwhile the Cornershot Egg split cleanly in twain, the sides falling away to reveal a soft Green colored tail. Twitching the tail bounced around before a set of feet and wings joined the flailing until the little female righted itself in the remains of her egg. Chirping her head popped up, she swung one way and then the other, taking in everything around her. Oh! What is all this? What were they? She looked out toward the humans before focusing on getting up. Wobbling she chirped again, taking unsteady steps past her Bluebrother and... faceplanted straight into the sand. The One Stroke Blue had tripped her with his tail, but was now looking at her as if he was surprised she had fallen. He tripped her again when the Cornershot Green tried to get up.

And in the distance, the Masse Egg was shaking rapidly, covered in a plethora of cracks.

=====
=====

He'd forgotten how weird it was to ride on another Dragon, having gotten used to only perching on Ismaroth's back for at least a Turn. Behruth's movements were by far different than his own Brown's, but not enough to worry him about falling off. He'd been around the infirmary when a very fast and annoying Blue firelizard swooped into the hall, excited all of the dragoniods and then left. E'rro knew better than to bring his own pets to the hatching, but he knew Ismaroth would come independently of him and settle into the Dragon coves above the hatching grounds. In fact, he managed to get a glimpse of his Dragon as they dismounted Behruth, the sandy male occupied the other space beside Pettahth.

He nodded to the Weyrwoman as she waved but looked to M'ta as he spoke, catching up with the other Brownrider in a matter of a few strides. "Well we'll covering this side." He pointed to the area with the meat tables. "Hopefully we won't be needed but you never know." The Councilman had heard stories of what had happened to Millieth's last clutch, it was perhaps one of the reasons he had volunteered to be one of the attending healers. "Or you will become the bane of their existence. Though what I've heard of your teaching through my brother..." He grinned at his small friend as they walked, "Either way, from down here you should be able to inspect the Candidates to your hearts content."

--

Sun lights up the daytime,
moon lights up the night
I light up when you call my name,
and you know I'm gonna treat you right
You give me fever - when you kiss me,
fever when you hold me tight
Fever - in the the morning,
fever all through the night.

[Avu]

Castidenloth, Kyrahth said, her voice even and remote, and probably entirely expected—the green had gotten better about bespeaking Castidenloth when A’emi asked it of her, and even if she didn’t like him yet she didn’t not either. A’emi wishes to inquire if Yours is attending the Hatching. He is currently planning to bother Futh’s but if he should be kicked out he would like somebody to complain at. Brutally honest, as ever. The green dragon swept, rider-less, to coil upon one of the perches overlooking the Sands; she immediately flicked back her wings, blinking intently over the Hatching just as the first of the eggs shattered, dropping a blue onto the Sands. You will want to hurry, darling, she commented to A’emi privately, You’re late.

I am not, A’emi replied instantly, which was pretty much a lie, pushing his way through the crush of people with one hand curled over the small warm lump in his pocket that was Titania—a task made difficult by the fact that he was actually not on his way to the main Stands but rather to the Candidate entrance. I mean, I am, but whatever—it’s a small clutch anyway, isn’t it, it should be over soon?

Are you alive, or not? Titania inquired softly, the Salamandyr’s claws hooking over the front of his breast pocket. She tilted her head, her eyes flushing brightly orange. I remember these are the pearls that were his eyes, the Salamandyr added, and A’emi spared a moment to be pleasantly surprised before he slipped through the last stray people and dropped back to fall in at the end of the line of Candidates, stopping once he drew even with M’kai. He was pretty sure the Candidatemaster didn’t automatically get to go on the Sands, so it wasn’t like his presence meant M’kai was being deprived of anything.

“Hey,” he said, slanting a bright smile at M’kai before he peered across the Hatching Sands, “Is it exciting seeing your babies parade across the Sands to meet their destinies?”

Titania, curious, slipped out from between A’emi’s fingers effortlessly, flared her wings, and threw herself into the air to glide to M’kai’s shoulder, absolutely shameless: She had already discovered that Kami was not only the farthest thing from a threat possible but also was a very good mode of transportation, albeit one with only one destination. Let us go then, you and I, when the evening is spread out against the sky—through certain half-deserted streets, the muttering retreats of restless nights…surely there is a better view somewhere else? she coaxed, winding her tail around M’kai’s neck for balance.

A’emi snorted, rolling his eyes at Titania—Darkling was conspicuously absent; the green had very little interest in the Hatching itself and considerably more in the Feast to follow; she was presumably in the kitchens begging for scraps—and flopping back to lean against a wall gracelessly. “She liiikes you.”

[Zephyr]

When Millieth spoke, Olivia's eyes opened wide. No, no, no, no. The word chanted itself in her mind, over and over again while her head slowly turned to look, afraid that she would see Pippin had followed her in. The girl's gaze landed on the dog and her face blushed bright red. For a millisecond, she thought about ignoring the dog, but she really, really didn't want him to get eaten, so, sucking up her pried, she narrowed her eyes and shouted at him, as loud as was needed to make him leave. " Pippin. Get out of her, now! Bad dog, GO!" She yelled. The canine rolled over onto his stomach and he gazed happily at his mistress. Olivia's hands shook. She didn't want to go get him and take him out, because she'd miss the hatching.

Luckily, K'ian was standing by the entrance and looked over to the dog. Then he looked to Olivia and saw her conflicted expression. Shrugging, he jogged over and picked the dog up, easily lifting the overgrown puppy in his arms and depositing the canine outside. Patting its flank, he tried to get it to run away. " Hey, shoo. Your master will come get you when she's done. Go." The confused dog looked towards the hatching grounds, then darted off. K'ian returned to his spot leaning against the door and locked gazes with the girl. Olivia was conflicted between thanking the man and hating him because of what he was. Unsure of what to do, she turned around quickly, burning eyes pointed towards the ground, trying to hide her shame. " Sorry queen Millieth..." The girl muttered, though loud enough for the gold to hear. She didn't want to look up, didn't want to see the others looking at her, judging her.

It wasn't her fault!

Her reverie was interrupted by a loud popping sound. Despite her earlier thoughts, Liv's head jerked up and watched as the first egg shattered. There sat a blue hatchling. It walked a couple steps before stopping and flopping down in the sands, cleaning the goop off its wings. It was so cute! Live nearly squealed out loud, but she was still burning from embarrassment and decided to keep her mouth decidedly shut. Right after, a green peeked out of an egg and waddled forward, only to be tripped by the blue...twice. Liv's eyes opened wide and then narrowed as the blue seemed to be getting some pleasure out of teasing his sibling. What a jerk! She then looked at the little green, willing her to rise.

" Come on..." She encouraged her to get to her feet under her breath, not loudly enough for anyone to hear.

---

The rest of the candidates that were going to be in this post were all doing the same thing. Basically. Kaius glanced up when the first egg started to shake, ignoring Millieth's words, to which a girl on his right responded. Who looked way too young to be standing in the first place. His eyes stayed locked on the shell of the egg until it splintered, shattering completely. The dragon that came out was a dark blue color, a very handsome dragon. Then, the smallest egg cracked cleanly in two, revealing a little green. That was when the boy's eyes lit up. He glanced to Lilu, then back to the green. If only it would go to her, he would be happy for his friend, extremely happy.

He tried to will the hatchling to waddle over to Lilu, eyes pleading...even as the blue dragon tripped her...not once, but twice. He guessed dragons could be assholes too, couldn't they? He glanced to the blue once more before resuming his frantic willing the green to go to Lilu.

---

Vellani was busy watching the eggs, unsure of what she was supposed to be doing, exactly. She had attended one hatching, but she hadn't been sure of what to do then either, and many babies died that day. Speaking of, she heard someone call her name. Head jerked over and hazel eyes opened wide as she saw it had been Er'ani! Suddenly, the girl's legs felt like jelly and she had to keep herself from falling face first into the sand. Face blushed a brilliant shade of crimson as she grinned broadly at him, waving at the albino rider somewhat timidly before returning her gaze to the clutch. Her face still burned, but she stood a little taller in the sand, knowing that she had someone who cared if she impressed or not.

Eyes locked onto the eggs, even not daring to cast her gaze around when Millieth spoke again. The gold's words were not to her, so they were not important. She watched the eggs shake with hungry eyes. One of them shattered unceremoniously, revealing a very wet, very blue little hatchling. She stared at it, knowing that girls sometimes impressed blues. She wanted it to come to her, but maybe, in the back of her mind, she was happier when the green hatched. Her thoughts flitted back to Er'ani for a split second, but that was all he got as her thoughts were completely enraptured by the two hatchings. So what if the blue tripped his sister? He was just having a little fun, and sibling rivalry was normal.

Coming from the girl who had no siblings.

---

Buram glanced to Olivia as she yelled at her dog. He immedietly felt bad for the little girl and was tempted to go comfort her, but he didn't feel comfortable leaving his spot. Eyes searching, he found the only person he knew here. He was tempted to go stand by Erno, but again, decided against moving. Especially when the first egg shattered, sending sharp egg shards all over. He saw one boy get hit, but saw the wound was superficial. Biting his lip, he watched in slight fear as a dark blue hatchling pulled itself out off the sands and walked forward before sitting down and licking itself.

Soon after this, a little green pulled herself out of her egg and tried to walk, but the blue tripped her! Buram's eyes opened wider (if that were possible), and he stared, mouth agape. That wasn't very nice! He watched the blue, hoping beyond hope it wouldn't come over to him and trip him and maul him to death.

That would ruin his day.

---

When Millieth spoke of the canine, Saphor's head shot over, finding the dog quickly. She narrowed her eyes at the girl who yelled at it. She should have known better than to bring pets to a hatching! Hadn't M'kai told them to leave their pets behind? Even canines. And as she remembered, this girl had been to another hatching before this one. She definitely should have known better. Wanting to berate the little girl whom she decided was too young to stand, she turned her gaze to the eggs instead, watching the blue and green dragons hatch. Eyes narrowed further when the blue tripped his sister! She glanced to Millieth, wondering if the gold was going to do anything about her unruly offspring, but the gold seemed intent on letting them be. They would impress soon, hopefully before the blue could do any real damage to his sister.

---

Gus, on the other hand had muttered something unintelligible when Sydney splashed water in his face and allowed his sister to dress him (much to his chagrin), and tow him to the hatching sands. He stood there for a minute, not really paying attention to Millieth's words, but he would soon be aware of the eggs when one shattered, flinging shards of shell at him. He got cut on his face shallowly, but his robe protected the rest of him. Eyes wide now (which was an expression August never had), he stared at the blue...but just stared, with his mouth half open, hand on his cut. He glanced over to Sydney, hoping she hadn't got cut. " You okay?" She asked her, actual concern in his voice.

[Ivy]

~Ivy~

The heat from the Sands was hot - obviously. While it would have burned her feet any other time (she wasn't much for remembering sensible footwear on hatching day, apparently), today it proved to be more of an annoyance than a pain. As she stood there waiting for the other Candidates to get their arses in gear and line up properly she saw some of the eggs begin to twitch. Shake. Move.

She nearly jumped when one of the eggs let out an audible POP! and began to hatch. Well, hatch wasn't accurate, as the One Stroke Egg nearly exploded. Some of the shards landed a roughly a foot ahead of her on the sands and she rolled her eyes at the unlucky few who were close enough to get hit. No doubt the shards would scratch up any skin that was somewhat visible and leave them with goo on their feet. Gross. She watched the One Stroke Blue appreciatively, admiring his form - he was a handsome little Blue and healthy too. A healthy dragon was a good sign for the rest of the clutch, wasn't it?

Oh and she'd get to find out, as the Cornershot Egg hatched just a few moments after the Blue sat down to clean himself. Eagerly Ivy watched as the Cornershot Green righted herself and set towards the Candidates - only to be tripped by the mean little Blue. Hmph. Wasn't very nice of him at all, was it?

Somewhere in the stands, Eros and Perses watched on. Eros had perched near Cainith and crooned to him softly - his Ivy-slave would do well, wouldn't she? She could get a dragon to help hunt for him, that would be lovely, wouldn't it? Perses stayed quiet, though he glared at the 'ugleh giant man' and let Ivy know his displeasure.

~Serring~

Serring's green eyes caressed each egg - and he was probably one of the first to notice their movements, minute as some of them were. Then the cracking across the outside of the shells - oh this would be a quick paced hatching it seemed, and he appreciated that. Quick to send seven new Weyrlings into their new life, and quick to leave the rest of the lot disappointed. He hoped he wouldn't be one of the later.

An interested look went to the Queen and the Brown near her now, along with the riders showing up - but then his attention was ripped away and back on the eggs as the One Stroke Egg broke into a million little pieces and left in its place the One Stroke Blue. He was gorgeous, in Serring's mind. Handsome, full, complete, healthy - no mutations that Serring could see immediately. And mutations were something he'd come to expect from Millieth's clutches. Interesting that this one would appear normal then, wasn't it?

Before he could spend much time dwelling on that thought though, the Cornershot Egg had split in half an opened to reveal a cute little Green. The Cornershot Green was a curious sight, pleasant to look at and she seemed interested in the Candidates, until she fell. He had to stifle a soft chuckle - she was alright, had to be or Millieth would be up in arms over her fall. He watched the two hatchlings for a moment before he shifted his attention to the rapidly shaking Masse Egg - wondering what it held inside.

~Tavis~

Apima was still going off in his head - even the distance between them didn't make her voice any softer. He had kind of hoped it would. All the while Helios was trying to counteract her harsh words and illwill towards Tavis by sending His reassuring waves of optimism. Yes His would Impress, how could he not? He should ignore little Greensister, she didn't know what she was saying. She would be happy later.

So distracted by his mindmates was he that Tavis didn't even notice the eggs moving. He didn't realize they were about to hatch, or that he was a bit too close to the One Stroke Egg - until it exploded and he felt shards of the egg hit his bare legs (he'd worn shorts under his robes and the robes were a bit too short for him as it were), leaving thin lines of bloodied scratches in their wake. Oh and then there was the goo from the egg as well. Wasn't that just lovely?

He eyed the One Stroke Blue with mild disgust. Look at the thing, it was covered in goo and just a lazy little thing. Then another egg hatched. the Cornershot Egg. Wasn't too impressed with the green that came from it either. Just another lazy little dragon, she couldn't even walk right could she? Hopefully this would be done with soon, he was getting tired of standing there.

[Rowana]

Kyrstin noted the excitement on most of the other faces. Well good for them, he thought. No matter what the Searchrider had said, he didn't think any dragon would bother picking him and frankly he didn't care. Being a rider was fine and important, but he had other things to worry about. It was a job better suited for others, even if they could be quite reckless.

He did watch the hatchings with interest though. They were very awkward. No wonder they took so much care during their early months of life. Well that was something he certainly didn't have time for. Kyrstin nodded politely to the queen, but started to inch back so that the other candidate boys could stand in front of him. He was tall enough to see over them anyway, and then he wouldn't be in the way of the young dragons.

~

Merridan had agreed easily to M'ta's request. She didn't mind helping a friend and if they were going to work together with the weyrlings, it would be nice to get to know them. She didn't know hardly any of the candidates, except the one or two who had been to Jingth's last clutch.

Most of all, she wanted to see her brother on the sands. Her first reaction to her brother's Search had been a mix of joy and fear. She knew first hand that dragonriding was not a very safe profession, not that one could be sure of anything. Her nerves were somewhat relieved since the Southern Weyrs were no longer at war, but there was still the North and Thread to fight. Still, she could never deny her younger brother, especially when he looked so excited to be here. She hoped he would Impress well, though she couldn't guess what color might like him.

Mer helped M'ta down and off the couch as much as he needed. The cane and caste were a help too, so she didn't have to do all the work. It pained her to see her friend in such a state, but he would mend, she was sure of it. Besides, he still had his sense of humor. "Already plotting what you'll do to them?" she asked with a grin. "I hope they're still in one piece come graduation!"

((T'ke, Farryl, and G'tor are around too. Feel free to chat with them and I might have time to add them later. ^_^))