Hatching of the Sticky Sweets Wher Clutch

[kysseh]

A bit disappointed when the blue launched itself at another one of the candidates present, Swithin had to smile briefly at the noisy exchange between the queenwher and the little blue. It seemed as though the little one hadn't been enthused about choosing a person. Even by a cursory glance at the other occupants of the room couldn't turn up a reason why; the people all seemed acceptable to him. Then again, he was not possessing of teeth, claws, and wings, among other such powerful physical attributes, and their logic was likely much different than his.

He glanced back at the clutch to see another wher had already hatched and felt a pang of pity for the little green hiding amongst the furs. She didn't seem very brave, and for a moment, he briefly considered comforting her to tell her that they were not quite as frightening as they looked. Then he remembered the maulings at the dragon Hatching and stayed where he was, just giving the little thing a sympathetic look. She would figure things out... he hoped.

He glanced in the direction of the rocking queen egg but gave it very little thought, mostly because it was... well, golds were for girls. Even Oraru wouldn't Impress one of those, though the thought made the corners of his mouth twitch up in a smile. The other cracking egg had his attention for a few moments, and he stared, waiting to see what would hatch out of it. So much activity, he felt himself not possessing of enough eyes to watch it all at once.

[neeuqtar]

Varrana's hand flew to her mouth to stifle a gasp as the blue searched for his--and found him. They were oddly pretty creatures, very different from their draconic and fire-lizard cousins, with looser skin and different ways of moving. She wanted to offer congratulations to the two who had Impressed, but her eyes were drawn to the gold egg. What a joy for the old queen! A tear ran down her face, in strangled memory. If only... but she had lost the babe, and perhaps her ability to birth ever again, for it had torn itself forcibly from her womb. So now she could only enjoy it through other creatures, for what sane creature would choose to bond to her, as broken and shattered as her mind and heart were. But she could stand here, and watch, and feel for a moment the joy of another.

She crept closer to the old gold, feeling kinship with the dying wher. What a melancholy victory, to lay a golden egg with your dying breath... if only the death she had suffered had been her own, and not of her child! What was there left to live for, when the world was so very dark and drear?

[ravenmane]

*Chirp* **Chirp* *SCREECH!!*

A shocked Kalushka fell from her bed, blue eyes staring up at her green flit. “Shards, Jashta! What was that for?” The candidate heaved herself up and glanced at her warm furs mournfully. Before Kalu could make her bed, a frantic picture from Jashta stopped her. A vivid image of an old Queen Wher surrounded by rocking eggs popped into her mind. The Wher Hatching! With a grateful thought of love sent in Jashta’s direction, Kalushka ran out of the room. It seemed that the whole Weyr was out and about as the candidate tried desperately to get to Greenweyrling K’lir’s room as soon possible.

Little Jashta flew overhead, chirping directions to her running human. Although the Green greatly disliked the idea of anything but her taking up Kalushka’s time, the flit could understand the importance of this event. Instead of landing on her pet’s shoulder, the little creature lit upon a branch to wait for the ending of the Wher Hatching.

When Kalushka entered the room, her breath caught in her throat. An old Queen Wher lay resting upon K’lir’s bed, surveying the Hatching with the expression of a proud mother. Giving a quick bow to the Queen, Kalu stood off to the edge of the main group. Her blue eyes caught sight of two new Wherlings. The two both appeared extremely happy, and Kalushka glanced at the Wher eggs with longing. Would she Impress today or would the Whers reject her too?

[Administrator]

The old queen rumbled at the little green hiding in the furs. If she didn't hurry, all the best candidates would be taken! She made a move, as if to lug her ancient body off of the cot, but she flopped back down, too tired to move. It was odd. She hadn't been able to leave the cot in weeks, relying on the nice young lad who lived here (with his ugly green thing) to get her food. She wouldn't have much longer, no. If she did, she would probably wrestle that green dragon away and claim the nice boy for her own. She crooned to him as she thought of that. Meanwhile, the little green wherling peeped shyly at her mother, almost asking for encouragement to leave the furs. The queen looked back down, squawked firmly, then returned her multi-faceted eyes to the golden egg that rocked on the cot. Alone again, the green wher looked up at the crowd, trying to gather the nerve to leave. Oh, there were oh so many of them...

Then, two remarkable things happened. As everyone seemed to be staring at the queen egg, another flash of metallic hide startled them. As they all quickly looked down at the dark bronze hide that emerged from the finally-hatched Milk Chocolate Egg, the golden queen egg, too, chose to hatch. In that split second of distraction, the Toffee Egg seemed to explode away from the creature within, some of the shards flying to the floor. The old queen didn't know where to look first! A strong, muscley bronze son, and a lovely golden daughter! Crooning with affection and pride, she struggled to lift her neck and head up to give them her full attention. The bronze stepped from his shards with whirling red eyes, displeased his clutch-sister was stealing his attention. He needed attention just as much as she did!

The new queen, however, took no notice of her brother, and instead took the time to preen amidst the eggshells. She knew all the eyes of the room were on her, and she was loving it! Her hide was a dull gold, reflecting with the metallic coloring and egg fluid, making her almost glow in the dim light. Her round eyes were red with hunger, yet golden with pride for... herself? Yes! She was clearly the prettiest creature in this room, if not all of Pern!

Grumpy, the bronze stalked off right towards the boys, determined to get some attention himself. Hissing at everyone to try and do so, he saw it wasn't working so well as he had hoped. A couple eager boys looked down, but he knew their young eyes kept flickering to his irritating sister. Choosing the one closest to him-- Oraru--, he smacked his head against his leg. He growled. He, Orask, needed attention. And food.

The dying queen, noting eyes on her, turned over to Varrana. She crooned. The girl was a youngling, yet her thoughts were sad. Warbling softly, she flicked her tail lightly, beckoning her over. They could be together through the Hatching. It would be nice to not be so lonely, especially when it was time for her to go to the eternal between. The girl should be happy. This was a time of birth, not of sadness. Turning her golden head to the whers once more, she kept an eye not only on the new queen, but also on the green. Would she be all right, not having chosen as quickly as her siblings had done?

[neeuqtar]

The queen wher's gaze met hers, and Varrana felt an eerie prickle along her spine, as if she was being judged. She offered a tentative smile and moved closer, scratching the old queen on the eye ridges hesitantly. "You have triumphed," she murmured to the creature, keeping one hand scratching while she turned to look at the three whers in the weyr. The queen was a haughty beautiful thing, clearly in love with herself and not afraid to show it. Varrana's lips twisted wryly. Yes, she would always be right, that one, and probably very difficult to train.

Her brother bronze was also beautiful, but he was rash--and brash. He Bonded quickly, without much thought, and Varrana hoped it was a good pick. Even if whers didn't Bond for life--and the dying queen clearly was unBonded, though still tame--the choice was certain to last a long time, and hopefully until one or both died. A queen as old as this one, though, was sure to have seen several handlers in her day...

Varrana felt a flash of pity for the terrified green in the shards of her own shell. She was afraid of the unknown, of making her choice, and that was infinitely worse than making a snap decision as her brother had. "Shoo," she whispered at the green, making a motion with her hand that indicated the direction of the Candidates. "Trust me, it will be better."

[irbre]

Neirin's breath caught in her throat as she watched the pair of Hatching eggs intently. Although the Milk Chocolate Egg was attractive, but it was the Toffee Egg that held Neirin's attention so. Grey-green eyes glittering, she watched it intently, her fingers fidgeting with the blade of the knife at her side. She ran the pad of her fingers along the edge of the blade, so close she could feel the delicate edge of the blade. She had sharpened it herself to an almost minuscule point, having used it to clean fish for herself not too much earlier. She had always been carefully to keep it as sharp as possible and today was no different. It was sharper than normal, if anything, for she had wanted to be able to blood herself for her wher, if she bonded to one.

The Toffee and Milk Chocolate Eggs exploded simultaneously, exposing a beautiful golden wher and a bronze to the world. The bronze meant little to her, for she always associated such creatures with males, even though she knew that whers could Impress to any gender. The bronze stalked off grumpily while Neirin continued to watch the young Queen wher intently. She was beautiful, stunning. She seemed to absorb the light as she preened, obviously aware of the fact that she was the most stunning thing in the room. Her hide was warm and gleaming, no doubt still slightly damp to the touch, Neirin thought.

She shifted to her other foot, noting belatedly that the bronze had bonded to a male, just as she had suspected. Stranger though was the fact that one of the girls had gone over to the dying Queen, maybe to console her in her last moments. The thought panged Neirin and she turned her gaze back to the young Queeling, so full of life and pride, away from the old Queen whose life was slipping away like so many granules in an hourglass. The Toffee Gold was entrancing, grace in her simple movements, beauty in the soft outline of her body.

Neirin blinked, compassion for the radiant little Queen wher stirring her. She could hardly tug her gaze away to look at the other eggs and the remaining green before it snapped back on the golden wher, preening herself so proudly. Her lips quirked in a slight smile. This one was certainly full of herself, yes, that was obvious. She held herself with the power and glory of any Queen, rivaling that of Queen dragons, even. Nearly everyone's attention was on her, for she seemed to draw it, almost as if she was the center of the world. No doubt she believe so Neirin thought, hiding another smile.

[missa]

Which would hatch first? It was hard to tell, more than one had cracked, more than one was moving so perhaps they would hatch together? Or- No, maybe not. The Cotton Candy egg was the first to hatch and- awwh, look at the pretty little green! So adorable, and the sounds, those sweet little sounds of delight... She seemed excited, well that was good at least she wasn't afraid of the amount of people that had turned up.

Despite the early cracks on the Milk Chocolate Egg, it wasn't the brown egg, instead the mostly pink Bubblegum Egg was the one to steal attention with a crack loud enough to startle her. A blue, a not very happy blue. The expression about him as he sat amoungst his egg shells was amusing and endearing, it probably wouldn't do his mood any good if she laughed though, so she had to settle for an amused smile. Yes that would have to do.

The green Impressed rather quickly, though that was after accidently hitting the Candy Cane egg, which cracked further, and then split. A green, another adorable green, she seemed kind of shy and- Oh, now she was hiding. The poor thing, it had to be over whelming to look up and realise everyone was expecting something of you, just because the others hadn't shown any hesitation didn't mean that there wouldn't be one or two that were a little shy. There was nothing wrong with being shy either...

More eggs were cracking, was it just Kayla who felt things were moving too fast? That she barely had time to glance at the queen egg - which was cracking - before something else drew her attention away. In this case it was a bronze, a big, powerful bronze that seemed rather annoyed that the beautiful young gold that had hatched had stolen attention. Well, they both deserved it, both so charming, the bronze so confident, teh gold proud. Proud she should be too, no reason for her not to be, she was healthy, beautiful and after the bronze's Impression, most of the attention would be on her.

[kysseh]

Swithin's eyes went wide at the abrupt and nearly simultaneous hatching of both the queen... and the bronze. The little queen was beautiful, and he had to stare for a moment, but boys did not Impress queens. Girls did. Boys, however, did Impress bronzes, and his attention was claimed by the bronze. It was all for nothing, though, and he felt like he had been punched in the gut when the bronze went right to Oraru. Not one to begrudge his brother his good fortune, Swithin couldn't help but feel it was some form of punishment for being the former favored son. He did give his brother a genuine smile and nodded in the younger boy's direction, which was as much as he could honestly manage at the moment.

He turned away before he really began to felt sick, and he tried to focus on looking at the little queen. After a moment, even that couldn't distract him, and he looked with sympathy at the little green curled amongst the furs. That was tempting... to just go back to bed and curl up there. He couldn't bear to have Oraru rubbing it in his face, and he knew that that was inevitable. He didn't want it.... not at all.

As if sensing his distress, Dessa made herself known and alighted on his shoulder for a moment, nuzzling at his ear. He raised a hand to stroke her, but she winked between and reappeared with the other flits to resume her humming. Touched by the demanding little brat's concern, he smiled and returned to watching the Hatching, focused more on the two unhatched eggs and the timid green. Let the girls admire the queen; he preferred the others.

[Kisha-Ra]

Redaro smiled at the queen scolding her dark green daughter, personally he thought the hiding green was rather endearing, did she know that, was she really that shy or what she deliberately acting cute to get all eyes on her?

Sadly for the green milk chocolate egg finally shattered revealing a bronze and toffee egg’s young queen broke free at the same time, two metallic hides to steal her thunder. The young queen seemed quite a beauty; unfortunately she knew it already and sat preening in the shards of her egg, commanding attention. Redaro wondered which of the girls she’d bond to.

The bronze, too, demanded attention, though perhaps hissing at everyone wasn’t the best way to get it. Still the bronze chose his rather quickly, while his golden sister showed off. Redaro gave the unhatched eggs a look, the bronze had bonded and the queen wasn’t for him, or any boy.

Now only two eggs were unhatched, and neither was moving, Redaro watched them intently for any sign of a crack or wobble. They had to hatch, if not for the crowd of boys and girls around them then for their mother. Another sad smile, that old queen must be so proud of her children

[Administrator]

The old queen crooned to Varrana, nuzzling against her hand in a way to perhaps reassure her. She was a sweet lass. Once again regretful that she was too old to decide on a new bonded, she remembered her old one fondly. She had been a kind woman, leading her fellow wherhandlers with a firm and just fist. Unfortunately, that cave-in had robbed her. The old queen had been put off duty that day, for she was starting to get clutch-heavy, yet her handler had gone on anyway. And look where it all ended up! She crooned to Varrana again, as if trying to tell her that one day, she would also triumph. Yes, there was always tragedy, but she would pull through it. Good things still came to be. Look at her clutch! They were absolutely perfect! Growling lightly at the young queen to urge her own, she also did the same thing to the green. What was it with those two just not wanting to bond? Her strong bronze had done so, as did the others.

Looking warily at her queen sister, the green took a tentative step out of the furs, looking nervously from person to person. They were all so frightening, and she was half-tempted to just run back into the safe furs. Finding her person couldn't possibly be worth it! Just as she prepared to turn, however, the lure of the perfect mind wafted through her. She paused. It would be awfully nice to find them... Looking back shyly, she looked through the crowd nervously. Now where were they... Locking eyes with Kayla, she quickly bolted toward her, wanting to be rid of the scary people as fast as she could. This was the one she wanted! Ducking her head between Kayla's legs, she crooned lovingly, trying to pass on the hint to Kayla that her little Kask was hungry and didn't want to be around all of these big people!

The Jawbreaker Egg wobbled fiercely, rolling around with sheer determination to escape the confines of its fragile prison. Long cracks spread along the shell, and with each shake, the grew wider and wider. A muted trumpet was heard from inside, the wher obviously trying to make sure people knew not to leave, because he was almost out! A flash of brown hide through the cracks showed everyone his color as he wrestled in the shell, trying to entice people to want him. Why wouldn't they want him? He was quite the handsome little boy. If, of course, they could see it through the shell...

The queen, giving a dramatic yawn, flopped off the cot ungracefully. Looking around at all the people, she made a show of pondering one, striding back and forth in front of them. She knew they wanted her. Of course, who wouldn't? But some of the girls here were looking terribly excited for her! She crooned at them. Yet who would be worthy of her? She loved the silence that seemed to dawn on the room in her presence. They were in awe of her! However, her dam chirped warningly. She needed to get choosing! Grumbling at having her strutting time cut short, she focused back on the people, thinking more seriously about who she would want to bond with. She would only have the perfect person....

And there she was! The little queen crooned, stepping proudly toward Neirin, butting her head authoritatively. The first rule: She was boss. That meant Neirin would have to do everything she said. What she wanted now... was blood. Then good. Neisk chirped firmly.

[midnight]

Zyoshvor definitely felt for the shy green who didn't want to leave her eggshells. It must be frightening to be safe in your egg and then suddenly find yourself among all of these new people. Kind of like how had been safe in his Hold, and now here he was, in the great big Weyr. The question was, what would come of it for him? This was his big moment, and now that half of the eggs had hatched, he was wondering if he would Impress.

A small smile flickered across his face as the green wherling ran to her chosen bonded. Then he turned his eyes to the proud Gold wherling. She seemed confident and Queenly already, and she had just hatched. She finally chose a girl, imperiously demanding blood. Zy ran his fingers over his own belt knife thoughtfully. Would he get to use it today? Questions just kept rushing through his head.

The second-to-last egg was already hatching, showing patches of brown hide. He was the first brown of the clutch, and now all of the colors had appeared. Now, what would the last egg be? He was guessing another Green, probably. They seemed to be common, even among whers.

[kysseh]

Swithin breathed a small sigh of relief on behalf of the little green as she finally chose her person. She had looked incredibly terrified of the people gathered, and knowing that his own size frightened people at times, he couldn't much blame her. The young queen had chosen too: a girl, unsurprisingly. It wasn't a girl that he knew, but she didn't seem to be one of those giggling idiots he had escaped from before, which delighted him to no end.

After a quick glance at his younger brother, he turned toward the remaining two eggs of the clutch, trying to not be too hopeful. The one that was struggling to get out... that was a brown, it seemed, unless his eyes were failing him. He allowed himself a bit of a smile at the sound that came from the egg. As if we didn't know he was there. He's the only movement at the moment... the teen thought, glancing over at the other egg that didn't seem to be so much as twitching yet. That was odd. Was there something wrong with it? He frowned faintly. All the other eggs had hatched and chosen or were in the process, but that one hadn't moved. Unable to decide which to focus his attention on more, he simply glanced back and forth between the unmoving egg and the the brown that was struggling to get out, shifting his weight from foot to foot.

[irbre]

Neirin allowed her gaze to drift away from the delicate golden wher for only a moment, watching as the green finally made her way out of the bundle of furs. She looked around the room fearfully before bolting towards another girl Neirin failed to recognize, apparently someone who would accept her despite her shyness. Neirin brusquely turned her gaze back to the golden hatchling, who was apparently getting bored of languishing around on the bed. The little wher rolled off with a distinctive lack of grace, though managed to land on her feet, at least. Neirin had been watching her so intently she almost failed to notice the Jawbreaker Egg cracking, though the brief flash of brown hide deterred her from watching any further. Why should she watch a brown when there was this beautiful, if not vain, golden wher tumbling about?

The Queen wher was still moving around, stretching her small, gleaming wings and showing off in general. She was the center of attention, there was no doubt about that. Her glittering hide soaked in the dull light of the glows and refracted it, making her seem more radiant than anything Neirin had ever seen. She was aware of it, of course, for she held herself with complete and utter confidence, moving easily before the Candidates. It was completely silent as well, as if everyone was waiting with bated breath for the queen to choose, though some still watched the hatching egg. Neirin's heart increased in pace as the small golden creature came closer, watching the glorious creature's head swing back and forth.

There was the slightest of pauses and then the golden wher was before her, butting her knobbly head against Neirin, her red eyes shot through with sparks of gold. She was obviously the dominant one of the pair she seemed to state, straightening proudly as she stared demandingly at her new handler. Neirin crouched down immediately, her mind swirling with a vortex of thoughts that she didn't bother to sort through. First things first. She slid the blade easily across her palm, opening a deep cut as she extended her hand to her new Neisk. The blood pooled lethargically in her upturned palm, cupped within a natural basin, which seemed to please the confident gold wher. Neisk dipped her head forward, steadily lapping up the warm blood, her eyes sparkling brightly, though they demanded something more sustaining than blood now.

Neirin straightened carefully, her gaze fixed unblinkingly on Neisk. In the wher-sense, she was beautiful. Her hide was not so bright, instead an antiqued gold that held its own light. Her wings were sturdy and capable, not at all flimsy and tiny as one would expect from most whers. Yes, Neisk was a beauty. Neirin could feel the gnawing hunger almost it seemed and Neisk moved closer, giving her another authoritative butt with her head, demanding food. Neirin reached down to run her other hand across the warm golden eyeridges, realization dawning slowly. She had Bonded, and to a glorious Queen wher, no less. A delicate smile tugged at her features and she glanced up for a moment, basking in the light of the Queen wher. Yes, she was a wherling now. That meant something completely different from before. She wouldn't have to work away in the kitchens, gutting fish and punching dough. She would live in the night with Neisk, together.

Neirin glanced at the remaining egg, a distinctive pride rippling beneath her posture. Neisk chirped at her side, standing tall and straight, her large eyes shifting between a myriad of colors to rest on calmer shades, soft blues and greens, though Neirin could still feel the driving hunger. No doubt she would be hungry, for she had just Hatched from an egg, having gone without proper food at that. Neisk began to preen herself disinterestedly, attempting to revert some of the attention back to her. Neirin ran a hand along the short, arching neck, assuaging her somewhat. "We'll get your food soon, glorious Neisk," she murmured softly. Every movement felt so dream-like, every second passing so different. Had she really Bonded to this beautiful golden wher? Neisk gave a short chirp and looked up, almost as if daring Neirin to think that again. Neirin turned part of her mind back to the matter at present, wondering if they would be allowed to leave or if they should stay for a bit longer.

[randi]

He had been watching the Toffee Egg with such attention, that the sound of another shell breaking with the golden egg made him almost jump. Oraru's eyes were drawn first to the new queen. She seemed to love the attention, adoring that all eyes were on her. Her commanding appearance drew his eyes, but Oraru turned to glance at the second hatchling. A large bronze stood there, just as commanding as the queen, and yet, probably ignored by the masses. His entrance had been upstaged by his sister, and, to a certain point, it amused him.

As the bronze searched through the candidates, Oraru felt that he should, in respect, show attention to both the queen and bronze, though he was certain that he would be passed up by both. The queen would Impress to a girl, and the bronze to a boy who was probably his complete opposite. He took a moment to glance over at Swithin. Yes, Swithin would be a likely candidate. He had always been a little bossy and more power to him. His dad would be so happy.

His attention turned back to the gold wher, but was shortly distracted when he felt something hit his leg. Maybe the shy green had- wait, what? Before too long, he felt the name pressing into his mind and shock clouded his mind. Him? He had Impressed the bronze. For a moment, he looked to see if Swithin was seeing this, not out of triumph, but to ensure he wasn't delusional. A smile and a nod was all he was able to see before Orask demanded his attention.

Oraru knelt down to the bronze, knowing what he had to do. He hated the idea of hurting himself, but he had known, coming into this. Biting his tongue, he cut his hand, blooding Orask. Before too long, he was done, and nipping irratably at Oraru's hand. He was hungry. However, the boy didn't move. He would wait for Swithin. A brief moment of triumph flitted through him. But that didn't matter. He wanted Swithin to join him as a wherling and would wait to see whether he ventured off into this new future on his own or with his brother, much to Orask's unhappiness.

[missa]

Kayla wasn't sure who moved first, teh gold or green, nor did she particularly care after the small green ran to her. Her. Shocked more than anything as she reached down a hand to stroke the soft hide of Kask's neck, the green gave a short, sweet chirp, resting her nose in Kayla's palm for a moment. She did want to leave, wouldn't Hers take her away now, so very hungry.

Blinking slowly, Kayla couldn't help it, she smiled, resting her hand against Kask's back for a moment before eying her palm. She had to cut it, yes, for Kask. She might not want to, but she'd known this would come about, yes, she'd known. Biting her lip as she made the cut, she winced as she held it out to Kask. It was fine, nothing major. No big deal, when Kask chirped and butted her hand gently with a meek look about, Kayla grinned, looking up to watch the last few Impress. The gold chose, but in her eyes there was no comparison, Kask's dark hide was so much prettier.

So many big people still, she wanted to leave. Crooning lovingly as she rested her head against Kayla, Kask refused to look anywhere but Hers. Pressing into the hand that striked along her eyeridges.
"Kask..." Her name, yes, hers. Chirping in response to the sound of her name, Kask blinked slowly, eyes whirling steadily as Kayla scratched her eyeridges. Food. Hungry.
"Soon sweetie. Soon."

{Ded muse.>< }