Hatching of the Chinese Zodiac Clutch

[kysseh]

The Snake Green was agitated. Where was Hers?! She knew the mind she wanted, but it was not making itself immediately obvious, which was annoying, at best. Still, she had the time to wait, if she needed to. That thought made her snort, and she rolled over to sprawl out on her stomach, her dark head turned back toward Hepaticath for a moment. Was Hers out there? Surely wise Hepaticath-Mother would know, yes?

The gold gave only a croon of reassurance to the little green before a cracking sound distracted her, and three dragons made their entrance all at once. At the sight of both the Rooster and Cat Eggs in ruins, Hepaticath was humming loudly and noticeably more anxious, her gaze flicking back and forth between the two dragons that were now facing off on the Sands... and the two little greens that had yet to choose.

While her dark clutchsister, the Snake Green, was still unmoved, the Horse Green was speedily making for the girls. She looked neither left nor right and simply moved toward Hers... though Hepaticath crooned in concern upon seeing that the Horse Green wasn't moving quite right. Instead of hopping like a normal dragon, the beautiful green was trying to walk on all four like a runner. She was succeeding only in looking silly and worrying her clutchmother, but it still took her very, very little time to fling herself at Mina's feet.

MinaMine, MinaMine, we must do something! They are fighting, and your Kunth is scared! the little green stated in a panic, curling herself anxiously around the girl's legs. MinaMine!

The green was right to be scared, for while her green clutchsister was staying disdainfully out of the way of the brawl, the Cat Gold and Rooster Bronze were having an all-out hissing contest in the middle of the Sands. Undignified and childish, it was, but both were furious with each other for stealing the spotlight. And, of course, neither was willing to back down. The beautiful pale honey-gold of the Cat Gold's hide was marred only by a smatter of coppery spots around her backside, a reverse of her brother's coppery-red hide and honey-gold stripes along his back. The two were evenly matched in size and practically head to head, clumsily stumbling over the sands and hissing furiously, as if that would decide who was on top. Clearly, both were better. Clearly, only one could win.

In the end, the Rooster Bronze became fed up and turned from his clutchsister to go in search of His, and the Cat Gold took advantage of his distraction by chomping down on the end of her brother's tail. As her brother screamed in pain and fury and raced toward the candidates, the gold sat her dainty rump down on the sands and let out a demanding squawk. Well. Hers was going to come and find her now, wasn't she? Hmph. Taking forever, she was.

The Rooster Bronze hit the remaining male candidates at full speed, all hatchling clumsiness included. Claws went into legs and ripped robes as he bowled them over, either in search of His or just to get away from the ridiculously mean creature that had just made him drip ichor from his gorgeous hide. How dare she. He ran over Ramen, slammed into Lokath, and then proceeded to roughly claw at another hapless male nearby. Obviously, he had no idea what he sought, for he charged right through the bunch and then stood staring up at the Stands. Hmm. Dead end. Oops. He had run right by His.

The bronze suddenly became all dignity and posture and strutted right back amongst the males, not bothered by the fact that he went face-first into the sands twice before he got back to his chosen, headbutting the young man insistently in the legs. Stop lounging like an idiot, R'menMine. Your Weith is hungry, and that shiny stupid thing out there needs to be dealt with. Did you see how she treated me? I hurt. Fix it.

The Cat Gold hissed at her brother, flaring out her still-wet wings in an obvious gesture of aggression. Apparently, the two were not going to happily get along, a fact which both amused and aggravated the queen who hovered above the eggs that still had yet to hatch.

[kat]

Maya was more than a little surprised when the bronze and gold dragons hatched at the same time. There was a green, too, but the poor thing got lost in the fray that ensued next, and she was quite sure she'd have to concentrate on fixing some people up, rather than what was going on. People came first, and Impression could come later! She stayed clear of the boys, rushing forwards as the bronze Impressed. She weakly smiled at Ramen, saying a quiet and quick "congratulations," to him, but more concerned with the sight in front of her eyes.

"Who is hurt?" she asked, at once forgetting the hatching in favor of the boys. There looked to be torn robes but it had happened so fast that she wasn't sure how much skin had been torn. She looked quickly from boy to boy, only faintly registering that there was an absolutely stunning gold on the sands right at that moment. Well, she wasn't going to stop that gold from Impressing by helping out here. She could see it out of the corner of her eyes, though. It was lovely, as all golds were. The color of honey, and lovely. Still, it had been a frightening sight to behold, when it and that bronze had been hissing and spitting at one another like they'd been. She kept her primary focus on the male candidates, however. This came first.

~~~~~~

Tahlor saw the eggs hatch. He had literally all of a few seconds to register that one was a fine bronze, before that bronze came charging his way. "Aww, shardit! Everyone get outta' the way!" he called, literally leaping to the side and then doing a few rolls in the sand, cursing all the while. "Hot, hot, hawt!" He stood up and took a couple of steps backwards, very glad he'd gotten out of the way in time. A few of those candidates hadn't been so luck. "Well, ah'll be darned..." he was in time to see the bronze Impress, and to his friend Ramen, no less!

"Congrats' to yeh', an' get that bronzer in control!" he shouted, a huge grin on his face as he shook his head, hair falling into one eye. He felt it was relatively safe to take a step closer, and looked at the mayhem that might have included him. Candidates had literally been bowled over, and robes shredded--how much of that was skin? He gave a little shudder at the thought, and then dusted the sand off of his robes, sneezing thrice before looking over at the gold and green. "Well, so we did get one," he murmured, more to himself than anyone, crossing his arms over his chest, waiting to see if anyone had been hurt badly. If they had, he supposed he'd do what he could to help out. He had some experience with general first aid. All caravaners in his caravan had. He might as well put that to good use.

[lokath]

Lokath was, of course, run into again, and this time the larger Rooster Bronze did manage to topple him over. Luckily enough, he was not clawed, unlike the boy he caught a glimpse of from his horizontal position. Lokath grunted and pulled himself up, this time clapping for the boy who Impressed the Rooster Bronze. Shards of Faranth's Egg! He'd wanted that one, especially after it had proved Bronze! Of course, he was outwardly happy for the boy, clapping and even patting him on the shoulder. "Good job!"

Without waiting for a reply, he turned back to watch the Sands. A Green as well as a Gold were still Unimpressed, but Lokath instead looked to the unhatched eggs. Golds wre for women, and as for the green, well, he was not a man's man. He focused mainly on the Ram, Tiger, Dog, and Dragon Eggs, watching them closely for any sign of movement, his eyes lingering on one no longer than a few seconds.

[Avu]

Corinth was silent verbally for a moment, the bronze thoughtfully crooning low in his throat. He felt bad for a lot of people, from that attempt on the Rooster Egg – not least of whom was Hepaticath, of course, but Ciceroth and Salenth and Calistoth and Idith, as well, and – a very unpatriotic thought, which T’rid had severely reprimanded him for, though that had not kept him from thinking it – the enemy. Yes, he felt bad for Vikoranth, Tsarith, Esaorith, Theirs, and the other two Riders that had accompanied them. Their home Weyr had not been stated, but His suspected High Reaches of going to such desperation and Corinth agreed. It could not be said that T’rid was stupid – he just didn’t go to the effort of being intelligent, most of the time. But – that they’d had to act on such a wild, desperate, completely suicidal mission like that…spoke volumes. First, it meant that they never trusted Selenitas to help them by simply asking. It meant that their Weyr was dying, and that was one less Weyr to protect Pern should Thread fall, one less Weyr that stood between Selenitas and the War, and it meant – if it was, like T’rid suspected, High Reaches, that some of Selenitas’s old Candidates and Weyrlings would die along with the Weyr, since likely they would not be accepted back into Selenitas after their Weyr had committed such an unforgivable act.

Then he spoke, softly; had it been a vocal comment, it would have been inaudible; even as a mental statement, it was the barest touch: Costly to both sides, yes. Mine…believes that it was the High Reaches Weyr that did it. Does Yours have an opinion…? Most people thought it was either Fort or High Reaches, but Fort…well, Fort did not seem to be the type to do something so easily foiled. They would have had…much more backup, wouldn’t have they…? But they hadn’t. Their pale hides suggested them to be of Fort, but High Reaches was an offshoot from Fort, which explained that. And then, his eyes were glued abruptly to the Rooster Bronze and Cat Gold. And it was for nothing, too, he said softly, tail flicking in agitation. They would have gotten a bronze. A bronze would have done nothing. They had gone for the wrong egg. But nonetheless, his head lowered, a low humming greeting emerging from his throat by instinct, gaze drifting over gold and bronze and to the two greens, one of whom sat unmoving, the other of which Impressed an extremely-young-looking Candidate.

“From the way Hepaticath’s acting now, I doubt that she, for one, will ever let such an opportunity arise again,” T’rid observed dryly, eyeing the queen. Of all the Hatchings he’d seen, the protectiveness of the queens, this one had to be the worse – one he’d never, ever want to be Candidate at, truth be told. Fortunately, Corinth had come early, but – if he hadn’t, T’rid would be firmly seated in the Stands. “And…well, I’m hoping Kaegan isn’t stupid, or Millieth, since they kind of are Senior Weyrwomen…” They’d see; and anyway, Corinth would remember. The bronze’s memory was astoundingly good when it came to things he wanted to remember, and this was…not something that he would be forgetting anytime soon. The memories the bronze did possess were usually happy, but there were distressing ones, too. The theft, the Siege, Aslath’s death, and the sight of flames burning, licking, against Infirmary and Wherhandlers’ Barracks, were the ones that came to mind first, but they were mixed with memories of Blossom Hold with Ebolath, Flights – namely, the ones he’d won; Reysalth’s, Aslath’s, and Ebolath’s – and whenever their bantering had proved particularly memorable.

“ – look, there’s your irony,” he added, leaning forward and grinning despite himself, as the Rooster Egg Shelled not a gold, but a bronze, and the Cat Egg shattered to deposit a gold on the Sands. Well. Wrong egg, they would’ve taken. Corinth was upset by that thought, but he wasn’t. Bronzes were disposable, when it came down to it. Queens were not. His gaze flickered over the female Candidates curiously; which of them would be a future Weyrwoman? Usually when a gold was Hatched, he looked to see which one he might end up lusting after courtesy of Corinth, but – now that wasn’t a problem. Stupid was still a problem; he might be examining the new green weyrlings instead of gold, when it came down to that, but – Stupid could be stopped. The gold’s attack on her brother’s tail made T’rid cock his head curiously, eyeing her with undeniable amusement, before he clicked his tongue – and the corresponding charge, the blood shed on the Sands, drew no flinch from the bronzerider; his only response was a murmur so soft as to be almost inaudible: “They’d better get a Healer down there…”

He is a very strange hatchling, Corinth observed. He just – didn’t he just – run over his Own? I would not have run you over before Impressing you. Perhaps I should have, though…
Ha, ha. Funny. Are you going to call a Healer?
No, Corinth replied simply. There are always Healers waiting on the Stands. It is not my place to call.
Hmm. Then what’s that Candidate doing?
Search me.
Stupid Candidates…
Mm.

[Ruby]

Mikail shifted back onto his left foot, relieving the heat on his right this time. The hatching sands were sharding hot, no matter where they were located. It was oddly familiar, standing next to Rusa, but different- Crys was still not there, on his other side, facing down the Queen with (undoubtedly) several knives hidden about his person. Mikail felt half empty without his twin there, and kept glancing at the entrance, waiting for the other redhead to join him... but there was no sign of Crys, still, something even Rusa seemed to have noticed. Mik opened his mouth to answer, but cut himself off as another boy came over. He wasn't about to explain to this new boy that he hadn't seen his twin brother in a few days, especially as he suspected that Crystoph might have gone back North. He just shrugged, not even sure if Rusa saw. It was the last of his worries at the moment.

At the top of his list was that the clutch had begun hatching. Nothing new, blah blah, he'd done this before, but it WAS his first hatching at Selenitas. A few dragons cracked shell and Impressed, one candidate got knocked on his backside... all of this was unimportant to Mik, as no Dragon had even come near him yet. He was used to this- waiting as people impressed all around him, until it seemed that he, Crystoph, and a handful of others (his mind now placed Rusa's face on one of those others, although he never would have noticed at the time), were the only ones left. They would go back to the Barracks, alone again, as their friends fed their new mindmates and became Riders.

Mikail was so lost in this fantasy that he didn't notice the first dragon that had ever really seemed to consider him. Not that the Blue on his face in the sand really seemed to be taking the time to consider... and then something seemed to slam into Mikail's mind, forcing his eyes open and his jaw to the floor. Was that... HIS dragon, calling him? DIRTY! It is so dirty, M'kaiMine. Clean your Futh. I do not want to be dirty! M'kaiMine? Dropping to sit on the sand in disbelief (helped along by Futh's forefeet hooked behind his knees), M'kai started wiping the sand off Futh's face with both hands, nearly poking his sturdy little creature in the eye. Futh squirmed away, settling down to lick the eggshells off his back now that his face was clean.

M'kai hadn't noticed anyone else's Impressions, he was too busy staring at Futh and marveling. Impression truly was a wonder, an undescribable experiance, the completion of a mind. But for M'kai, it was something else, too. All worry about Crystoph was soothed and comforted, clearly without Futh even trying. Obviously, there was still space for his brother in M'kai's heart and mind, and it hadn't lessened in the least, but it was all... better. Having Futh made everything right, and the fact that M'kai had impressed without his twin wasn't a problem. Futh would love Crystoph whenever the man reappeared- M'kai knew that, and Futh snorted in agreement.

Futh politely gave his rider a moment to handle his thoughts, understanding M'kai's worry about losing his twin to a dragon, and silently reasuring him. However, This only lasted for a minute before Futh butted in, Hatching is hard work, M'kaiMine. M'kai- that name still felt funny, even though Mikail had fantasized about it his whole life- leaped to his feet, helping his awkward new lifemate off the sands. In a daze, he offered their names to the person who seemed to be guarding the food, "M'kai and Futh," before snagging a bowl and going off to sit vaguely near Rusa- R'share? How would he shorten THAT?- the only one in the slowly growing room of new Weyrlings that he recognized.

"Hey, congratulations!" he said, offering Futh meat without really paying attention. "He's beautiful!" And of course, the dragon was, but obviously not as beautiful and powerful as Futh, at least in M'kai's eyes. "What are you going by, now? I guess... I guess I'm M'kai." Stunned again, it took M'kai a minute to process the fact that Futh was making unpleasant choking noises off to his right. "Futh! Cough that up, you have to chew it!" Futh complied, backing up with a snarl at the half-chewed meat. It's so dirty, M'kaiMine! Did it get on my feet? the Blue demanded, trying to scrape his feet clean on the floor. "No, no, you're fine, love," M'kai replied, removing the offending meat from Futh's sight. It took the blue a couple of times to get chewing right, but soon he did, and began emptying the bowl. Can I have some of Ahth's? he asked guilelessly, but Piden countered, Are you still hungry? Anyway, you have your own and Futh withdrew his request. Sitting against the wall, still half-stunned, M'kai put a hand on his deliberately chewing Blue's back, laid his head back against the wall, and watched the door for other Impressees in total disbelief.

[glamourie]

The babies are coming! R’wignmine, Meiramine, the babies are coming! Wake up, wake up, so we can goooo. I want to see the babies!

That was most assuredly a rude awakening. Not that R’wign ever experienced any other kind; he was a light sleeper, topped only by Ka’rys, as far as he knew, and M’ta. Any noise usually woke him up (which was partially why he was lacking sleep so badly; his fire lizards did not often keep quiet for long enough for him to rest) and he didn’t fall asleep with any ease. Nightmares plagued his dreams, too. That made it worse. He’d all but given up on trying to sleep for more than a handful of hours at a time. But still. Checkoth bursting into his mind with some incoherent babble about babies was not the best way to wake up. Voices were the worst thing to rouse him, usually because he couldn’t tune them out. He groaned and rolled over onto his stomach, gripping his pillow, which he planted carefully over his head. Sleep. Sleep. Sleeeeeep. Wait, had the wherrybrained brown just said babies were coming? He had.

Half-panicked, R’wign leapt up into a sitting position and jerked himself around toward Meira in a moment of panic. She was way, way too early to be in labor- it was too soon- Oh. Oh.

The steady buzzing of fire lizards brushed aside his worries. It wasn’t Meira giving birth. Ellie helpfully flashed an image of the full clutch on the Sands to him (where she got it was anybody’s guess, since R’wign had all but forbade the fire lizard to go near Hepaticath’s clutch) and glided over to rub her entire body against his jaw line in an undeniable show of love. Yes, love. That was the only description for it. He lifted one hand to rub down Ellie’s back and the gold thrummed rhythmically. His movements dislodged Empress, who purred lovingly at him and hopped off the couch. The Siamese glanced back at him before slinking off; she’d gotten somewhat better about her constant chasing of R’wign, due to his increase in affection toward her. He’d finally come around. Finally. Besides, the little flitteries always wanted the attention of her humanslave. They didn’t seem to recognize that he loved them. She could do without, so long as he didn’t totally ignore her. R’wign watched her, and then rubbed the corners of his eyes. How long as he been asleep…? Not long enough. Pah.

R’wignmine, Hepaticath asked for the flitters not to come. Checkoth’s words were nervous and for good reason: he knew Elegance. She’d be very unhappy about not being able to see the babies and congratulate Hepaticath on her first clutch. It was just how Ellie was. R’wign would be able to keep her from coming onto the Sands, but she’d sulk, and Checkoth did not like seeing the Elliegold unhappy. Neither did R’wignHis, though. You will have to make the Elliegold stay. She’ll be unhappy. She’s been fussing all evening about wanting to see the babies, too. She keeps showing me that image of them… Squirming, the brown nosed at the stone beneath his claws, and cast a weary glance at R’wign. He hoped that His didn’t hold a grudge against Hepaticath for it. He didn’t, though it was upsetting that the Elliegold would not be able to come… He knew how much she liked babies of all kinds, but especially the winged variety.

Checkoth’s words made R’wign groan. The brown rider rolled over onto his side, and then swung his legs over the side of the couch. He brushed his hands through his hair and then stood up, cautiously. His back cracked several times, with an audible series of clicks that could have been disorienting. His hand went up to his hair, and he brushed his hands down over the black sleep pants he wore. Without even so much as pulling on a shirt, he ambled over toward Checkoth. His mind pushed against all eight of his fire lizards with the firm instruction: stay. He didn’t feel like listening to Savitri fuss if he brought his mindmates, it was too sharding late/early for that. They could just go back to sleep.

The response he got was an instantaneous show of irritation. Ellie flared her wings. She didn’t scold, but the look she gave R’wign was enough: She was a very unhappy fire lizard. How dare she not be allowed to come? Huffing, she disappeared between, and R’wign watched her go with a frown. Whether it was being denied seeing the hatching, or not being allowed to attend with R’wign, though, was unclear. The gold usually did not leave R’wign’s presence. Ever since he lost his eye, she’d been very, very protective. She wasn’t the only one, but Ellie was the one who never left his side. Ever. The rest of his fire lizards gave him a look that actually made the brown rider feel guilty, before they followed their queen between. Collectively sulking, no doubt. His hand came up to his temple and he rubbed it firmly before moving off to mount Checkoth. Once on his dragon, he leaned forward and let his eyes fall closed, as though to seize a moment more of sleep. Just five more minutes…

…m’ready…

Oh. Poo. Blinking abruptly, R’wign looked at Meira and then helped her mount the dragon carefully. His arms wound around her, protectively. Once she was adjusted, Checkoth swept off the weyrledge and glided down to the hatching sands, his movements quick and graceful. He stopped near the dragon landing, where R’wign dismounted and helped Meira down, before moving to one of the front rows of the Stands. Once his two passengers were off, Checkoth took back to his wings and then perched up on the dragon ledges, offering a low, pleasant croon to Hepaticath; his compliments, no doubt. Just because Ellie was sulking didn’t mean that he was. He settled himself down and sprawled out amiably, his head resting on his claws so that he could watch the new hatchlings. The blue whirl in his eyes was clear indication of his joy; pretty, pretty babies. The best.

Leaning on Meira, R’wign crinkled his nose and glanced up at her. “Do you know what time it is?” he asked, though his gaze turned back to the eggs. They’d arrived just in time to see a brown hatch and --

-- and go to… a … a Merridan.

Any other questions he had were caught in his throat as he brought his hand up to his mouth. Mer. A brown rider? Female brown riders were very rare, but -- but it fit her, he supposed. He glanced to Checkoth, who crooned down approvingly, and he rubbed the bottom of his eye patch. His mind went straight to the first time he’d talked to Mer - she’d been trying to save Jabari and M’ta. Then she’d come to talk to him, so considerate. She’d make a fine brown rider, and he considered himself something of a specialist in the subject. She deserved it. The smile that went over his face was genuine, and he looked back at Meira before saying softly,

“Mer helped me stitch Jabari back up, after the Benden attack. She’s not a healer, but she was determined to help. She helped M’ta, too. I don’t know if you know her,” he said softly, “but she’s a great person. She deserves to Impress. I’m happy for her. I’ve never seen a brown pick a girl though, have you? I mean -- you mentioned you’re from Benden --” Obviously, the healer was starting to wake up, if his conversation skills were anything to judge by. Though his eye was still half closed and he did look like he was exhausted. But… well, he was waking up. Slowly. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. You know, hatchings look really different from the Stands…” He was so used to being the one on the Sands, being passed over, that he’d never thought about what it would be like in the Stands. It seemed to go by so quickly from that position… like the eggs were hatching so quickly. Too fast!

His name is Chaoth, Checkoth told Meira and R’wign helpfully. I remember her. She is the one who helped ShortyRuth’s. I like her. Privately, he inquired, I don’t remember being that small. Was I ever so small, R’wignmine?

Yes, and just as clumsy… but, between us, you’ve always been more handsome. But then I’m biased, aren’t I?

Outside the hatching sands, if anyone were to glance at the entrance, there was a very strange sight, indeed. Little Elegance was perching right at the edge of the Sands, not on them (she was obedient in that regard). Her wings were flared, and she crooned to each new baby without coming close enough to examine them. Her view was absolutely terrible, but she could still see them, without disobeying the big queen. She was determined to watch the new babies. She liked babies. And there were so many of them. Even another goldling! The thought made her trill and though she was sure she couldn’t hear, she fluted a pleasant compliment to Hepaticath anyway. So many pretty babies. What an impressive first clutch~

[subtlemystery]

The middle of the night was not a time that Kaerlin was going to be happy to get up. On the contrary, he pretty much rolled over and mumbled something about just a few more candlemarks. The scurrying of the other boys dragged him from that semi-wakefullness to gaze at them all blearily. It was the middle of the night and they were running around like... Something. Headless wherries. That would do. Yet, most of them didn't actually move that fast, so...

Finally, his sleepy brain connected with what had been said to jolt him from his sleep, and Kaerlin then rolled out of bed in the hurry to get moving. Hatching. Oh yes, he would be late to that, late to every lesson, and now; he was late to the hatching. It was funny how he'd never really been late before, the weyr had really done something to his punctuality. Maybe he wouldn't be too late, it was possible if he really ran and didn't knock himself out on the way, that he'd make. Late... But better late than never? Right? It took several more minutes of frantic searching to find his robe and yank it over his head - right way be flamed - he was going to at least show up at the hatching, that was a plus, right?

Unless one counted that at least half had hatched and Impressed, shard it. Well it was his own fault, Kaerlin supposed, he should have woken up earlier, woken up and moved quicker, despite the fact he was now trying to be invisible as he shifted towards the others. Why did they have to hatch at night? During the day, he'd have been ready, surely. So much had happened though, even the gold had hatched, and didn't they usually hang around for quite a bit?

~_~

That sound, she knew that sound. The endless hum of noise just on the edge of her hearing, not quite in her ears either... Wait, hum? Kalia's eyes opened just as the call was sounded out, though inwardly she groaned. Sleep, more sleep, she needed it. Yet, she'd been taught her whole life not to complain, which meant she had to move, now. Hatching was a big deal, it was to every candidate, it was the day whether you'd meet the dragon of your dreams, your mind mate, or you'd be left with the crushing dissapointment of walking off alone. You either became a weyrling, or remained a candidate.

"Robe. Right." Muttering this to herself as she pulled the robe over her head, Kalia didn't waste time brushing or fixing her hair, a quick finger-comb on the run would do if anything. It was more important to be there, even if she was late. How she'd managed to get behind the others was a mystery, but she had, and now, that meant she was late. It wasn't exactly hard to find the hatching grounds, nor was it hard to see how many dragons had hatched. She hadn't thought she was that late. There were already Impressees, and the gold was hatched, which egg had it come from? Had all that fighting been worth it? Well any dragon was worth it, but a bronze was less valuable to a weyr than a gold was; despite them all being valuable.

"Right. Paying attention now."

[Avu]

R’ahreMine, Ahth said suddenly, a decidedly petulant tone invading the blue’s voice as he turned his head to look over one oversized wing. Futh is coming near us. I don’t want him near us, he’ll eat all his food and all of mine. /Look/ at him. The dark blue hatchling didn’t growl, but his eyes swirled rapidly in shades of distaste before he deliberately turned to place Futh and His at his back where he couldn’t see them. Did they have to come over here?! At M’kai’s words, however, Ahth turned to snort at the other blueweyrling, eyes narrowing before he snapped up another piece of meat, eating faster than before, though still with the same accurate chewing. This was easy. Futh and His clearly do not recognize that they are unwanted, R’ahreMine. Remind me later, please, to do something about this. What else do I need to do again? Oh, yes, when my greensister Impresses I must speak to her. /She/ is much better than Futh…and That Creature, in the big egg, too…I do believe that’s all. R’ahre? R’ahreMine?

R’ahre’s gaze was focused on Ahth, but his attention was on M’kai, and he flicked a smile at the other Weyrling as he spoke. “Ahth, shush,” he whispered, softly, for the dragon only. “I promise I won’t let Futh steal your food, okay? But – M’kai’s my friend. Be nice.” The term ‘friend’ – was pushing it, but if that was what it took to convince Ahth not to ‘deal with’ Futh later, when his hunger was sated, R’ahre was okay with saying it. Not like M’kai would be able to hear him anyway, and Ahth fell silent after one last Very well. I will be ‘nice’ to him. For /now/. But when he steals my food – he’s choking. R’ahreMine, he’s /choking/. The tone in which this was said made it clear that Ahth found the idea of Futh choking to be not so much amusing nor distressing so much as annoying. This just proved that he was greedy, didn’t it? He’d bolt his food and then come and steal Ahth’s. Bad blue.

R’ahre twitched around to look at Futh in alarm. “Is he oka – okaaaay…” he interrupted himself as Futh spat out the piece of meat he’d just choked on, and Ahth huffed quietly, deliberately snapping up a piece of meat and eating it almost delicately. “Um. He is okay, isn’t he…? I’m – I’m – well, Ahth tells me I’m R’ahre now…” He’d always been called ‘Rusa’. By Emoyan, even, once (but then, he was sure that was more because the Candidatemaster was simply too lazy to spit out his full name; either that, or enraged, given that it had been when he’d tripped Emoyan and had made the man fall flat in the middle of a Salamandyr Hatching), but by everyone else, too. “And – yeah. Ahth,” he added explanatorily, one hand sliding down Ahth’s neck in what could only be described as blatant possessiveness. “And – oh, shells and shards, I just deserted Anz, didn’t I…?” Not that it really mattered, since he couldn’t have stayed on the Sands anyway, but – but –

He’d still left him. Randomly and without saying a single word, he’d left. Ouch. Well – oops. Anz wouldn’t mind, surely…? Ahth had effectively cancelled out all other thought in his mind. His dragon.

/My/ Rusa.
Er – R’ahreMine?
Just…ignore…Sylph…[/i]
Mine!
I will deal with her later, too. Worry not, MineR’ahre.
Oh, great…[/size]

[glamourie]

“What’s it like?”
“What?”
“Having a baby. You know. One that doesn’t scream and be annoying all the time.”

Keliris glanced, casually, at Kalerary. The two of them were in the hatching stands, but near the very back. The reason: Lir did not want to watch the baby dragons hatch at all. Given a choice, he’d have been on the total opposite side of the Weyr rather than at the Sands during the hatching. Coming onto the Sands had rendered him close to hysteria, and only Kahrelir’s hand in one of his and Kalerary’s in the other had kept him from breaking down in a very public display of weakness. The hatching sands were where Calistoth had -- Calistoth -- he’d been barely able to manage getting into the Stands at all. He’d also completely ignored Hepaticath’s request for pets not to be brought, as evidenced by Showoff curled up on his shoulder, practically purring in love at him. For all appearances, Keliris looked to be normal, though. Slightly more pale than he was a sevenday ago, but his look was very much the same. No one would know that he couldn’t bear to be away from Showoff for more than a few minutes at a time, that he constantly needed Showoff touching him to keep from screaming in frustration. No one needed to know about the fact that he’d almost thrown himself from his weyrledge, or that he felt empty inside, like he was going to wither away and blow apart on a gust of wind. No, they needn’t know that at all.

He wrapped his arms tighter around Kahrelir in his lap. Kalerary had come to find him. Why, he didn’t know, but the girl actually was the one to wake him up. She’d complained that her sisters, Keravi and Samera ,were crying, and that she couldn’t sleep and didn’t want to be around them. He’d told her she could sleep in his bed if she wanted (he certainly wasn’t; he’d outright refused to move out of his weyr and was sleeping on Calistoth’s couch. Unfortunately, right after he’d gotten comfortable, Hepaticath’s announcement burst through his mind and the nine turn old had positively begged him to come with her. Even Kahrelir looked excited. So he’d agreed, reluctantly, and the two children guided him down to the hatching sands, where he sat. The only condition was that he was not looking at the baby dragons. He couldn’t face another green. It hurt too much. Way, way too much.

Her question made him crinkle his nose slightly and he shrugged one shoulder in absentminded dismissal. “He’s no different from any other baby,” he said, glancing down at his son. Kahrelir was staring downward in rapt attention, and Keliris couldn’t help but glance down toward the Sands. A flash of gold caught his gaze and he snapped his eyes back up to Kalerary. “He says a lot without words. He’s excited right now, you can tell from how he’s bouncing… as for having a baby, it’s… very, very… Well, it requires a lot of discipline and responsibility. It’s hard to explain to someone so young, but… Kahrelir is my life. Just as I’m sure you are your father’s. It’s caring more about that child’s happiness and health than your own, being willing to sacrifice anything to see to it that they’re safe, and loving them every moment of every day, without fault, no matter how much they might misbehave, or how angry they might make you. It’s a promise from the second they’re born that you’ll always be there for them. It’s… it’s seeing everything wrong you’ve ever done in your life made right. Do you understand?”

“Not really. Maybe I will some day. So you love Kahrelir more than anything else?”

“I loved him enough to come to the hatching sands when this is the last place on Pern I’d ever want to be, didn’t I?” It was a good point, even Kalerary conceded it, and she nodded slowly. Showoff from his shoulder offered her a quiet twitter, but for once in his life he was being silent -- respectfully so. He’d gotten better about outbursts though. His couldn’t take it just yet. He sensed that, and was trying his best to be accommodating. “Do you plan to Stand for a clutch some day?”

Kalerary squinted, then shook her head. She leaned against Keliris, one arm looping protectively around his waist, and Showoff chirped approvingly at her. Kahrelir glanced her way and offered her a shy smile, while Keliris squirmed uncomfortably, and tensed. But he didn’t pull away. She was distracting him from what was happening around him, and the echo in his mind, the emptiness that came with Calistoth’s absence along with that icy voice that told him this wasn’t worth dying for. But she’d felt it was… hadn’t she…? That was why she’d -- No. No no no.

He was not going to let his mind go down that path…

[Rowana]

Merridan tried to watch the rest of the hatching, but she found herself far to occupied with making sure Chaoth ate enough. Shards but he could eat a lot! It seem as fast as she passed him meat, he was begging for more. She glanced up in between, smiling with each new impression. So D'nar had been right after all, there was a queen in the clutch. Mer knew queens were important, but she was much more concerned with her brown right now. She knew whoever impressed the queen would care for her.

Chaoth seemed to sense that someone was admiring him and looked up to croon at Checkoth. Another brown! He would have to meet him later, since he seemed to like His. Anyone who like His was good in this dragon's mind. Mer looked up to see what Chaoth and spotted R'wign in the crowd. She grinned at waved at him. Imagine her getting a brown just like him and M'ta! They were both right, Chaoth had been more than worth any wait.

"Now, Chaoth." Mer returned to a previous conversation as she fed him more meat. "Are you sure you won't call me Mer at least? Is so much shorter than the whole thing." Chaoth devoured the food. But Merridan is so pretty, Mine he insisted. I like it. Mer rolled her eyes, but smiled anyway. She supposed she would have to tolerate it from him at least. "Alright, boy, but only for you." Chaoth purred contentedly.

~

Ruskeath rumbled sadly. Mine agrees. No one else would be that desperate. Fort or Benden would have brought a larger force. It was just was well. Anymore dragons and more Selenitas defenders would have died. They had been lucky there had been few enough for those present to defend the clutch. Luckier still that only Calistoth had been lost, as tragic as it was. Ruskeath looked at the newly hatched gold and bronze with approval, though he growled when the gold snapped at his brother.

G'tor raised an eyebrow at the shiny pair on the sands. "Irony indeed. Those two aren't getting a long, are they?" He winced as blood spattered the sands. "I'm sure the Healer's have it under control. They're usually prepared for this." G'tor whistled softly. "Exciting so far, isn't it? Who do you think will get the gold? She'll be quite a handful, I reckon."

~

As if his words had jinxed it, T'ke looked back at the sands to see a bronze hatchling leave a trail of blood in his wake. Shard it! Luckily, he was far enough away not to faint, but that didn't stop him from feeling woozy. In fact he felt down right nausious. In fact... T'ke's eyes widen and he hastily turned away to throw up the remains of last night's dinner. His face was pale and he decided he had better not look at the sands again.

Are you all right, T'ke-mine? Garaeth poked his mind in concern. Just great T'ke replied darkly. I love loosing my lunch in public. You do? Alright then! T'ke rolled his eyes. He was going to have to teach his dragon about sarcasm someday. "Sorry," he told C'ryl, completely embarrassed. "I don't do well with blood."

[Avu]

The flight to the Hatching Sands helped her wake up slightly. Slightly. Cool wind blowing in her face had that effect. It wasn’t actually cold outside, but between the breeze, the darkness, and the speed at which they were going, as well as the fact that only minutes previously she’d been curled up in the warmth, Meira actually shivered, squirming backwards against R’wign – all the better for body warmth, yes? And – and – she only noticed it now that she’d actually opened her eyes completely – he’d come to the Hatching without a shirt? She expected some people would be showing up in robes, so…it wouldn’t look that out of place. Hopefully. Well – okay, it’d look odd, since Hatchings were supposed to be relatively formal. A few particularly determined Holders might be there, but fortunately for all the Riders and Weyrfolk who had decided to come shirtless or in whatever they were sleeping in, that’d be a scant few considering how difficult it was to drag oneself out of bed at whatever time of night or morning it happened to be, especially considering Holders would have to go between to come to the Weyr on time. Or had they come the previous day or something…?

She felt, Meira decided as they dismounted and she followed R’wign to seats near the front of the Stands, very much like she was sleepwalking. One hand rose to rub at her eyes, and then dropped to her mouth to hide the splitting yawn, the other hand touching the swelling of her abdomen automatically. Sitting down, however, meant that the heat of the Hatching Sands, very, very warm at this proximity, nearly sent her to sleep again. R’wign’s leaning against her, too, didn’t help; he gave her something to lean on as well, which only made it that much easier to go to sleep – blinking determinedly, Meira focused on what was going on in the Sands, brushing her hair out of her eyes absently. Two blues had just Impressed, and a brown had…completely ignored the boys and had gone to…a girl. She didn’t know the girl, and at any other time, Meira might have been curious or surprised of the brown’s Impression choice. For the moment, the most she could muster was hazy curiosity and confusion.

“Mm-mnn,” she replied eloquently (and belatedly) in a negative to the question on time. Had she ever honestly been awake all the time this late at night – or this early in the morning? The idea…was confusing. R’wign talking, however, made it that much easier to stay awake, even though she did drop her head to lean it against R’wign’s shoulder. So warm in the Hatching Stands; she’d be honestly surprised if some of the spectators didn’t fall asleep before the Hatching was over. “I don’t know her,” she added softly, probably just loudly enough for R’wign to hear and nobody else, before she lifted her head to glance at Merridan again curiously, gaze flickering towards the other hatchlings on the Sands for a moment before she admitted, “I’ve never seen a brown Impress to a female before, but I – I mean, Benden has – or had, I don’t know – female brownriders.” One of them had been in the Siege; she’d died, though. She added, her gaze on Mer as the girl waved up at R’wign, “I think she remembers you, too…”

Checkoth’s input drew a slight nod from Meira, and she leaned forward again. Chaoth. A nice name, she supposed, though…dragon names were unique enough that it made it hard not to like them, unless they were…utterly unpronounceable. But! She had to focus on the actual Hatching, hmm. Some people would fall asleep or zone out or something, but she wouldn’t be one of them. Hopefully. It was Savitri and Hepaticath’s Hatching, and she liked the goldrider – she’d do her best not to fall asleep, but – but did it have to be so warm, and – “Oh…” was all that was uttered, but pale eyes widened as her gaze snagged on the two fighting hatchlings on the Sands, Rooster Bronze and Cat Gold. She hadn’t been paying attention to which eggs they’d Hatched from, but…regardless of which egg, they were fighting. Or close to it, anyway; she supposed it was a good thing that the only blood that had been shed was from the Rooster Bronze’s tail, and had been far from serious. The Candidates? Not so lucky.

“I…um, there are Healers on shift nearby, right…?” And – did they have to Hatch now? Couldn’t they just for once have a nice Hatching at a nice time, like late evening or in the afternoon or something…? So tired.

[glamourie]

Rusa made an excellent meat shield, Anzalorin decided. He glanced at Mikail, not recognizing him, and then turned back to Rusa with a curt nod. He didn’t speak. He was being excessively careful not to, in fact. It was interesting, watching the hatching, but he’d heard about people getting mauled and well -- better not to be too close, though the idea of Rusa getting hurt didn’t sit well with him. He flashed the other boy as winning a smile as he could before looking up at the clutch. It looked as though the hatchlings were coming quickly enough, but he was suddenly jolted from his reverie as not one, but two blues approached. His eyebrows raised, but -- but neither of them came to him, which made his face twist into a confused expression. That look quickly was replaced by a happy expression and he actually bounced in his spot before blurting out, “Congratulations, Rusa~ You won’t have to deal with Emoyan anymore!” Lucky him! Not that Emoyan was that unpleasant anymore. He’d gotten a little better, but -- but nothing. He was sure that Rusa would be happy to be rid of the candidate master. He would have. The mere thought made him bring one hand up to his ear.

The new bluerider wandered off, and Anzalorin watched him go in interest, though a frown passed over his face; there went his bodyguard and the only person he felt comfortable talking to, since Zan wasn’t present (where was he?!). His distraction would cost him as he was quickly barreled over by a form he barely saw, actually going splat on the ground with a shiny tail passing him by. Sprawled half on the ground in confusion (Sprite’s alarm flared through him quickly enough that he kept himself from panicking), the candidate sat up and blinked. His gaze lingered on the Rooster Bronze curiously, but he didn’t say anything, instead mentally reassuring his half-terrified salamandyr. The sight of red blood dripping down his chest from his shoulders and throat made him wince and he slowly - surely - rose back to his feet. His mind didn’t even register the pain, though; he was too busy being half in shock.

“Umm. I’m bleeding all over the place,” Anz answered, as some girl asked if anyone was hurt. “Just -- you know -- as a note. Bleeding. It -- it kind of hurts.” And was getting readily worse. He could hear Sprite’s voice through his mind but it wasn’t words, just panic. Half-wobbling, the blond boy turned to look absently at Mayari before raising a hand so that she could note where he was. “If - if you’re not busy, I’d really, really -- like to stop bleeding now…” The blood was actually dripping prominently enough to make a few splatters on the Sand, though for all appearances, he didn’t seem eager to leave. Whether it was bravery or foolishness was anybody’s guess, but… he didn’t want to go. Maybe the bronze hadn’t meant to hurt him so bad…? Surely he didn’t… maybe… hopefully…

[glamourie]

Ggghghghhgghghghgh.


He felt like dung.

Really.

You complain far too much. More than I do, in fact, and you do not have burns all down your back.

Ciceroth, however, did. The entire line of his back ridges, from the base of his neck to the base of his tail, were covered in fresh, shiny fire burns that stood out prominently. The majority of his hide was shiny pale bronze, with red highlights and a glossy golden sheen that made him look like the sunrise. However, that path, which was normally a rich brassy hue with coppery undertones like rose gold, was decidedly more red, leaning closer to true scarlet than his normal color, and it lacked in the metallic glint. True, the burn markings were shiny, but not in the same way. It wasn’t an entirely unattractive mar, but it definitely stood out against his otherwise flawless hide. The spot hurt bad enough that Ciceroth was going easy on the flying, but nothing could have stopped him from perching on one of the ledges at the Hatching Grounds to watch his babies hatch. Of course, it was probably rude of him to go without making sure that Savitri and Ka’rys didn’t want a ride, but the burns were in such a position that carrying his rider was nearly impossible, let alone two. It hurt. So he’d gone on without them, fully intending to eat anyone who disrespected Hepaticath even slightly.

His tail twitched as he crooned lovingly to his mate, but did not move from his position. His gaze was on the eggs, and he watched as the first few began to hatch, his eyes whirling rapidly in affection. RysHis was only beginning to wake up. Pitiful. Why had he not roused immediately? Well, he supposed the hatchlings were at fault, but he couldn’t blame them. RysHis was very happy about the two babies. Both of them.

“Mfmfff…stupidshardingegotisticaldungheadofabronze…”

I love you too, Rysmine. Now get up. You see, you see? SavitriCath’s is ahead of you, and the KaleraryHatchling is here. You are late.

Blink. Blink.

Springing out of bed like he’d just had a red hot poker plunged into his backside, Ka’rys jumped around and flung Merce (his blue salamandyr) away from him as if the creature was poisonous. Merce squawked and let loose with a series of insults (punctuated by being completely unintelligible) as Ka’rys quickly pulled on a pair of pants. He grabbed two boots, not caring that one was brown and one was black, and pulled them on, before actually running out of the weyr that he shared with Savitri. He did not notice as Merce latched onto the bottom of his pants, fully intending to come for the ride. The entire path to the hatching grounds was a long one and he barreled downward like a small dark-haired storm, skidding to an abrupt halt at the entrance to the Hatching Stands. Ciceroth relayed news of the hatching to him, practically bursting with pride as he related that there was a gold and it wasn’t the egg the ‘monsters’ had tried to take at all. They’d died for nothing.

Still half-asleep, Ka’rys practically wobbled his way over to Savitri, and then, in a show of complete lack of grace, he plunked down right next to her and yawned. Hugely.

“My shoes don’t match and Ciceroth is mad at me. Gimme a baby…”

Baby baby. Sillymine is, pretty babies. I can have?

“Oh, shard it, Merce -- what are you doing here---!”

[ace]

Mina had been staring intently at the colorful eggs on the sands; not paying attention to the other hopeful's at all, so she was startled when a voice addressed her not to far from her right ear. Recognizing the voice, she turned on her heal and spun around to see the grinning face of Tahlor looking down at her. “Shard it Tahlor, you startled me,” Mina replied in teasing tone. As he continued, Mina couldn't help but grinning, “Me nervous? More like extremely excited! We might impress a life long partner today if we are lucky!”
Glancing at Ramen, Mina couldn't help but add slyly, “If you and Ramen both impress, I'm sure that this weyrling class will have lots of fun.”

Turning back to the clutch, Mina's mind began to race. One by one, the eggs would split open to reveal a tiny dragonet. They would stumble around the candidates, picking their partners for life. But to be chosen, the Mina couldn't even to comprehend the thought. “Look!” Mina squeaked in excitement as one of the eggs.

The eggs started cracking, revealing dragonets. Mina looked with awe at the tiny dragonets, they seemed so small and delicate. One by one as the hatched, all different colors and hues, and impressed quickly to their chosen. The girl folowed Tahlor as he made his way over toward his other friend, but at the same time he watched the eggs. She cheered with the crowd as her friends impressed. As greens appeared, Mina watched them hopefully, but her attention was diverted as the Gold and A Bronze started hissing at each other.


MinaMine, MinaMine, we must do something! They are fighting, and your Kunth is scared! MinaMine! That was about the only warning she got as something hit the back of her knee, causing her to topple over into the sands. “What in Faranth's N...” the girl found her self staring face to muzzle with a beautiful green hatchling. Not a hatchling, Mina realized as she looked into the dragonets eyes, her partner for life.

Mina was not usually a very emotional person, and she surprised herself as tears started running down her cheeks. Throwing herself at the hatchling's neck hugged the dragonet by it's neck. “Kunth, look they've stopped! There is no reason to be afraid Kunth!” The green dragonet shifted uneasily and turned around to make sure her rider had not fibbed. Are you sure MinaMine? If you are positive they stopped fighting, I would very much appreciate being fed!

Laughing, Mina led her dragonet off the sands, Kunth walking in her unusual gait. Reaching the side, Mina reached for a bowl of meat; Kunth eagerly crowding at her legs. Give me food MinaMine! The new greenweyrling rider smiled and offered a handful of cut up meat which the newly hatched dragonet eagerly devoured without chewing. “You must chew my love, or you might choke.” But look at the others MinaMine! They are all just swallowing! Automatically, Mina looked. Kunth took the opportunity to stick her muzzle into the bowl of meat, and quickly chow down on many of the meat cubes. “Hey!” Mina said indignantly, snatching the bowl back. You weren't feeding me and I was hungry! Kunth said indignantly as she swallowed the meat. Her eating slowed and she looked with worry at her chosen partner. You aren't angry with me MinaMine? Mina quickly reasured the dragonet and offered another handful of meat.

~~~

Kevin watched the hatching with interests; he couldn't help but gasp as the first dragonet was revealed. They were all so beautiful, and so.. small! Kevin watched the hatching with much interests, and his interests peaked as the Gold and Bronze had a face of in the middle of the sands. Did dragons always fight in hatchings? As the bronze impressed his attention returned to the Snake Green. Why didn't it go find it's mindpartner? And the Queen would soon have to pick her chosen rider.

[Sheari]

Ramen really had nothing better to do on the sands other than stand there, watch the eggs and move aside when he was in their way. So, to amend this, he began dancing. Yes, dancing. It started out as nothing more than swinging his hips in a circle and swinging his fists together in a circle before him. As the moves progressed he eventually took a couple small steps and moved his hands away from each other to do other moves.

All the time he was doing this the Rooster Egg and the Cat egg spilled forth two dragons that were now having a face off on the sands as if this battle had been going on for a while. There was much hissing, and without much thought on his part, Ramen spun around quickly. Upon returning to a forthright position he realized he needed to move, and fast. He stopped dancing and was ready to dive when...too late! The bronze hatchling barreled through the male candidates, toppling most of them over before the little bronze found the wall.

Ramen sat up slowly and looked as the Rooster bronze strutted back to the candidates as though nothing had ever happened. He was butted into his legs as a voice and a presence entered his mind, Stop lounging like an idiot, R'menMine. Your Weith is hungry, and that shiny stupid thing out there needs to be dealt with. Did you see how she treated me? I hurt. Fix it.[/i]

R'men just stared, he simply stared. Another indignant butt met his legs and another whine I /hurt/ R'menMine! I'm hungry! Fix Iiiiit![/i]
"Uhm, okay, Weith. Don't you worry, I'll fix it, but first we need to feed you."

Using Weith a little as a stabilizer, R'men stood up and the two walked away to give names and grab food.

~*~

It was Ramen! Anusha knew of no one else who would be crazy enough to dance on Hatching Sands. She wanted to call out to him, to let him know that she was here too, but she withheld the urge and would have been interrupted anyway. Two eggs hatched and as soon as they landed on the sands they began fighting. "Fighting like cats and dogs," she thought. It was sort of convenient and funny, her comment, since the gold hatchling was from the Cat Egg.

With a bit of longing, she watched the little queen and giggled a little as she bit the bronze's tail. She then sat down in a sort of huffy manner and flared her wings as the "loser" of that battle bowled over a good many males candidate before Impressing. The conversation that ensued would remain private between mindmates and the man stood and walked away with the little creature in tow.

With nothing better to do than add another name to her list (and put a star next to it) she turned her attention back to the "victorious" gold.

~*~

Pagoth did not comment to His about the fighting babies. For starters, he was too interested in who would win to care enough to comment.

C'ryl wouldn't have been listening anyway, as he was watching the battle as well. His interest was cut of but an abrupt 'sorry' and then a decidedly sour smell. He looked over after watching the aftermath of the gold biting the bronze to see that T'ke had thrown up and was claiming he didn't do well with blood.

The brownrider stifled the urge to laugh and simply allowed Child to do the comforting that he could not. "It's fine," he said, finding it weird. The green flitter simply crawled onto his back and nosed his neck. Was he alright?