Hatching of the Blooming Flora Clutch

[lilliana]

The Buttercup Green made Ly smile, especially when she snorted and then made an apologetic noise. She watched as the little one left the semi-circle of girls, however, and then Impressed to Odian. Alright, it was slightly disappointing, she wasn’t going to lie. But there were still other eggs, still other dragonets. She still had time to Impress, as the Hatching wasn’t even half-over. Shifting happily, Lyelle watched and waited for the eggs to continue breaking, for the Hatching to go on. There had been three Impressions already - now it was time for everything to continue!!!

Ah, there we go. The Poison Ivy Egg was hatching, any person could tell. She backed up a bit as the egg shuddered, very aware of the powder that coated it and the effects of that powder. These thoughts made Lyelle wince, cradling her hand in the crook of her arm as she watched the egg continue to shake, and then finally break open, revealing a dark-hided green. The little one staggered up through the candidates to... her? She smiled for a moment, thinking that maybe, just maybe, she had found her lifemate - or, rather, her lifemate had found her - when the little dragonet swiped at her. Taken-aback, Lyelle staggered, catching herself and losing her focus as she felt sharp, sharp pain. Her robes were sliced in a few places, and blood was beginning to seep through her robes and shirt. Clutching right above her left hip, Lyelle stumbled again, before sitting heavily on the Sands.

Hm. It seemed as if the Poison Ivy Green was not meant to be her lifemate.

Lyelle barely looked up at the hatching of the Thistle Bronze and the Venus Fly Trap Green. She barely registered when the latter rushed up to her, screeching and finally nuzzling Hers. However, as soon as the green spoke in her mind, and the candidate (now weyrling) felt the solidification of their bond, Lyelle smiled as wide as she had ever had. This, this was perfection. This was every facet of perfection, she realized, as she looked into the worried, faceted eyes of Hers.

Lyelle! I'm here, do not worry! That stupid green clearly doesn't see what she's missing. She's so mean and cruel to dare hurt my precious Lyelle! I am your Pipsissoth! ((Mussie, you clearly must hate me. Now I've gotta come up with some creative nickname. xPP))

Smiling up at the worried green, Lyelle did nothing but shake her head as she scratched her lifemate's eyeridges. "Pipsissoth..." This was all she could say. For this was her dragonet, her green, her Pipsissoth. This was amazing, clearly amazing, and nothing could ruin it. Yes, maybe being injured wasn't letting her enjoy and value this moment to its fullest, but with so much love and happiness rushing into her mind, Lyelle was slowly being able to push the clouds of pain out of her mind. She could focus on the Impression, the wonderful Impression, and everything would be perfectly fine. It was already perfectly fine.

What could she do, though? What? She was injured, her side aching, and she was losing blood. It wasn't fatal, Lyelle didn't think, but with the way Pipsissoth was carrying on, she was slowly dying. "Pipsissoth... I'll be alright. Don't worry, dearest, I'll be fine. Don't worry." Standing shakily, she guided her little green over towards the Stands, looking around for a healer of any kind, along with some food for her dearest green. You're not okay, though, Mine-own! Sairmonath is an evil green, and she hurt you! You can't leave me, love! You can't! As Ly tried to calm her little green, while simultaneously trying to quench the pain, as well as look for a healer to see what she needed to do, the green weyrling let the smallest of smiles appear on her mouth. And yet, she was angry, for this was the happiest moment of her life, and should not be marred by not being allowed to fully enjoy it.

I’m sorry, love, so sorry… and I know you’re hurt… but I’m hungry. Biting her lip, Lyelle forgot her quest for a healer for a moment, making her way towards the tables at the back and doing her best to ignore the blood on her robes that was slowly beginning to drip, the sharp ache beneath said robes, and focusing on her love’s hunger. It was even more amazing, although it made Ly feel horrible, when Pipsissoth nuzzled her again, and said It is alright, though, Mine. I can wait. You need some help, so you won’t leave me. The green shot a dirty look towards her clutchsister, Sairmonath, as she, too, began swiveling her head in hopes that a healer would be jumping up and down in the Stands, waving their arms.

Yeah. Sure. That’ll happen.

[irbre]

Phelain was one of those people who inevitably enjoyed sleeping in, curled deep beneath a mass of furs in what she considered a nest and indeed looked like one. Violet ink began to stain the horizon, spreading like a blot until thin fingers of golden light joined in, gilding the world. Even Phelain would have found the beauty moving, had she not been fast asleep. Even that, though was about to change as the ripples of color on the horizon were joined by something much different. The Weyr began to hum, slowly but surely, the sound rising into a deep, vibrating crescendo that Phelain could feel, quivering her heart, stealing her breath away. It was not that that woke her, though. It was the calm call of the Queen whose Clutch lay on the Sands, slowly rocking in their beds of sand.

Candidates, it is time to wake up. My clutch is Hatching,[/color]

While Phelain was indeed a deep sleeper, some things moved her into action very quickly, and this was one such thing. The moment the words touched her slumbering mind, she was instantly awake, quickly connecting the words to actions. Without a noise she was up, furs flying around her in a brief flurry as they fell to the ground, scattering across the floor. She moved swiftly towards where her plain Candidates' robe lay, pulling on the unadorned shift without hesitation, completely oblivious to the fact that she was, well, unclothed underneath. This moment was not a time for worrying about such trivialities, even though Phelain rarely concerned herself with wearing more than the most basic of clothing. It made everything easier, after all.

She did pause, though, to consider her appearance, looking at her messed hair and puffy eyes with disgust, nose wrinkling. No, no, that would not do at all. This could possibly be the moment that changed her life; she had to look her best. Shrugging lightly to herself, Phelain trounced over to the bowl of stagnant water, splashing a bit on her face to both wake herself up more and reduce the puffiness in her eyes. She gave herself another critical look and began to tame her hair, working her fingers quickly through the knotted mess before finally giving up and pulling the normally silken locks back, twining them in a tight bun on the top of her head. She glanced at her impressive collection of jewelry, but only for a moment. Now was not the time for that either.

Taking a quick breath Phelain moved towards the doorway, making sure to keep her strides even and measured. Grace and composure were what she should enter with today, she knew, and intended to keep it that way. Some Candidates were rushing towards the Hatching, their panic and worry plain on their faces. Phelain sought to compose hers, carefully masking it with a look of peace and patience. No worry today, at least not on her face. Inside her body seemed to be rebelling against her, stomach heaving, heart pounding heavily in her chest, breath coming in short gasps. She concentrated on each step, lingering on the passing moments and attempting not to think of what was ahead.

Suddenly, there it was, looming ahead of her, a wave of heat hitting her head on. The Sands seemed to lurch sickeningly before her, but only for a moment as she stumbled forward and caught herself gracefully, walk once resuming it's lithesome pace. She passed before Aslath, bending low at the hips in a quick bow to the dragon before straightening to continue towards the line of waiting Candidates. She noted that the Hatching had already started, marked by the sudden presence of dragons on the Sands.

The ButterCup and Forget-Me-Not Eggs lay in ruins on the sand, shells displaced, the sand distilled around them. A blue and a brown were close to their apparent Chosen, watching them with the bright eyes Phelain envied so. Even as she watched, the Buttercup Green, who had hatched before she had arrived, moved towards her bonded, a boy Phelain didn't recognize. The normal Phelain flickered through her blank mask for a moment, nose wrinkling in distaste at the fact that the greenrider was a boy. That would mean that he liked men, of course. Maybe women, but definitely men. She turned her attention abruptly back to the Sands, watching as more eggs stirred.

The strangely itchy Poison Ivy Egg was the next to burst, spilling a dark green onto the Sands. This one, unlike the others, did not find Hers right away and instead lashed out at a girl in defiance, her small claws still capable of lethality. Moments later, another egg, the Venus Fly Trap Egg, hatched in seeming unison with the Thistle Bronze, bringing forth a green that immediately went to the aid of the attacked girl. Phelain watched for a moment longer, curious despite herself, before more movement in the Clutch brought her attention back to the present.

This time it was the Sunflower Egg that was moving, the glorious golden shell shaking. Eyes began to shift towards it, especially those of the hopeful females, Phelain included. She watched intently, transfixed, before the Birch Egg began to follow suit, mimicking the movements. Two shining, metallic shells, rock back and forth, intent on bringing life into the world. Phelain's gaze was torn between the two, strangely, hand curling into a tight fist to curb her impatience. She knew for sure what the golden egg would hatch, but the other? She hardly knew that, of course, and twisted the fabric of her robe in her palm, winding it into a tight spiral, then unwinding it, repeating the action countless times. Was her dragon her, after all? If she even had one? She didn't know, that was for sure, even though she desperately hoped so.[/size]

[Kisha-Ra]

Odian’s heart nearly stopped entirely when the brown dragonet sniffed him, and didn’t know whether he as relived or disappointed when the brown passed by. Then, just as he was recovering the brown came to sniff him again. Odian smiled at the little brown, he was amusing, even though Odian knew he wasn’t right for this dragon, if he was the dragon would have known right away, wouldn’t he?

He had to smile at the green as well, he didn’t think many green hatchlings would come up with a mini bugle in response to a gold, even if the gold were her clutchmother. Asa the green darted off to the girls Odian looked around, the brown had Impressed, and the blue and there were quite a few eggs cracking.

Odian turned his eyes to the poison ivy egg, but before he could see what colour dragon emerged he was tackled and pushed to the ground by a dragonet, he had just recongised her as the first green to hatch when she spoke. Oh, O'dan! You're not a girl, silly! Feed your Emerith?[/color]

O’dan looked up into beautiful rainbow eyes but they couldn’t hold him long. He squirmed against the sand. ‘Emerith? Two things. First I’m burning here, and second, it’s hard to feed anyone when I’m pinned to the ground, which, I may have mentioned, is quite hot.’ Once freed from the sand he shook off his robe and led his dragon from the sands.


((I’ll post for the others when I get in tonight. Boo work!))

[marissa]

{Alright. Yeah. The beach. This is working out /great/. -works on post frantically during the night. Sorry that it’s short, I’m half-asleep. D:}

The eggs were rocking, not frantically, as if they were in a hurry, but gently. It seemed as if they knew that it was time, but they wished to stay in this silent peace for a while longer, just a while. Raen figured that the dragonets would be feeling the pangs of hunger, and that's what would drive them from their eggs. Patience would be the only thing that would keep her from going up and waving meat strips in their face, like you might do at a f'lizard or 'mandyr hatching, and this candidate planned to excerisize it. Yes, she was definitely excited and enthusiastic, but she could calm herself. Shifting from foot to foot in a way to contain herself, Raen waited, waited, waited for the eggs to start shaking more with more enthusiasm, so she might follow and release some of this pent up tension and excitement.

The Forget-Me-Not Egg was the first to show true signs of getting its occupant out. The cracks rolled down the purple-violet shell, and the breath caught in Raen's throat as it fell in the sands, revealing the blue dragonet within. Eyes could not linger on the little male-dragon, however. The Buttercup Egg soon released the Buttercup Green. Th elittle one was silly, but endearing, and the young woman's eyes strayed to the Forget-Me-Not Blue as he headed towards the boys. One was picked out of the crowd, one that Raen didn't recognize. But hey, she didn't even live with the candidates, nor did she have to do candidate chores. It would be the rare candidate that she recognized, let alone knew by name.

Now the Tulip Egg was cracking, much more calmly than the past few egg hatchings. A brown made its way onto the Sands, hurrying out of its useless shell to make its way to his mindmate. However, the Poison Ivy Egg apparently wanted to compete, and the little egg wriggled and shuddered, its inhabitant eager to escape the itchy shell. Still, the shell proved tuff, or maybe the little one inside decided that it wouldn't bother with competition, for the Tulip Brown also treked towards the boys, quickly choosing his Mine without much fuss. It didn't seem to be a very eventful hatching so far, but Raen knew it would start getting very interesting very soon. She always heard rumors about that, after all.

As the clutchmother trumpeted, Raen rocked back on a foot, surprise making her breath catch. However, after this little episode, it only made the candidate's smile apparent to all on her face. And why shouldn't she be smiling? So far it was a nice, healthy, wonderful clutch.

Oh, there we go. The little green, under Raen's not-so-watchful eye, Impressed to one of the boys. It seemed like most favored the males today, but she didn't mind too much. Patience, patience, patience. It was simple what she needed to use, and this candidate would wait her turn. Even as the Poison Ivy Egg slowly continued to crack, while the determined little dragonet within it hammered at the shell from the inside, Raen kept watch on the egg. There was nothing else to watch, after all. And finally, the efforts paid off, for the little green inside of the egg escaped and began to travel around the sands happily.

Well, maybe not so happily, Raen observed as one of the few girls she had met, Lyelle, was mauled. Not too badly, it seemed, but one could never know until a healer got a hold of you. Thankfully, in Raen's mind, the Venus Fly Trap Green rushed up to her, seemingly in worry. From the look of elation-mixed-pain on the fallen girl's face, it was an impression. At least the mauling wasn't too deep (from what she could see), two greens had impressed, and the Thistle Bronze was still wandering around the sands, seemingly at ease.

Raen, like any sensible girl, always had the corner of her eye focused on the Sunflower Egg. The golden inhabitant seemed to be completing the 'regal breaking' of her shell, and anyone could admit that after the frantic struggles of all the blues and greens, and even the brown, the gold seemed to be doing pretty well. The Birch Egg, however, might just get out first. It looked like yet another one of those 'competitions': which dragonet would escape its encasement first?

{Eww... -heavysigh-}

[Administrator]

For a moment, Shmee truly had thought that S'rei had left her to just talk with Laurie the whole time. Unhappy, her head hung, looking down at Shei as she heard the murmurings of the pair over where they stood. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but she was trying to block out their words, too. It probably had nothing to do with her. That's what made her unhappy-- how they could just easily go on with life and ignore her, when she had been ready to die to be with S'rei again. Absently lifting her eyes back up to the hatching clutch, some of her dark hair fell into her face. Yet she made no move to try and tuck it behind her ears. Her world, she concluded, had been ripped to shreds all over again. It hurt. S'rei didn't care for her anymore, Laurie hated her, Miguel had been snatched from her, she had a babe of her own, and she was alone. Her whole life had been turned upside down, and she hated it.

A little hand on her arm brought her into the present. Looking down, she smiled weakly at Miguel. Why was he here? Wary, she looked at S'rei as he sat beside her. She shouldn't be with Miguel, should she? Laurie would get mad at her... "Where's Ma, Miguel?" she asked softly, not moving so as not to disturb Shei. The babe's eyes were open, flickering over to her father with innocent curiosity. Shmee sighed, closing her eyes for a moment. She was still sleepy. For a brief moment, she wanted to lay her head on S'rei's shoulder, but she resisted the temptation. She didn't think S'rei would be too accepting of it, so she kept her head hanging over Shei.

But his words caught her by surprise. Swallowing, she looked over to S'rei through her hair. She didn't push it back because, as with Miguel, she didn't like to disturb Shei. Looking away from his gaze shamefully after a bewildered moment, she shook her head slowly. "I had wanted you here," she stated simply, softly. But now that he was here, she wasn't sure if she wanted him here anymore, she thought sadly. She didn't even know why he came to sit with her, since he had been so preoccupied before without even giving her a greeting. Shards, if she had just put them in an awkward position by asking him to join her, she would just hide up in a hole for the rest of her life.

"I..." she began in response to Laurie, but the words were having trouble forming. "I... can't be mad with her, I don't think. We scared her son, so she had a right to think of me as a bad mother... I mean, fostermother, or, well, in a bad... time... with her son watching..." she stuttered, trying to keep it focused on the problem from that day only. She didn't want to bring up what a blow it was to her confidence with Shei. After that, she felt as though Laurie had basically told her flat-out that she was a bad mother and didn't deserve Shei. She stroked the babe's arm slowly, but Shei had let go, instead wriggling about, her eyes locked with her father's. Milk dribbled down the side of her mouth as she reached an arm up at an angle to her tiny body, trying to signal that she wanted to see S'rei. Shmee blinked in surprise at Shei's action-- whenever she ate, she finished. But not now. Frowning, she decided to try again later, and looked over to S'rei. "Would you like to hold her?" she asked softly. Maybe that would calm the babe down a bit, considering S'rei was what seemed to have distracted her.

Once again, she found herself resisting the urge to rest against S'rei as she readjusted her clothing. But she couldn't, nor wouldn't. He wasn't the same person he was, she thought sadly. Despite their brief reconnection during the Touching, she felt that the old S'rei would've tried to come back into her life. Yet he hadn't done that, and it saddened her. Inviting him here was useless. She held Shei to him, looking at him dismally. This was the only reason he had come here, she thought. He came for his daughter, not for her.

Aslath grumbled at Salenth. She hated how he was being so calm with her. She couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not. He probably was. He had been insufferable lately. She couldn't tell why he was irritated though. It was all his fault he wasn't here for the Flight. He should never have left her when Hers had disappeared in the first place. She had agreed at the time because she thought it was safe, and that it would bring Hers back. But it had done neither. He ended up being lost for months in a "before Pern." Then he was mad at her! She couldn't suppress her instincts to Fly!

--

The bronze meandered through the boys, obviously having trouble choosing. First, he sniffed Malkier, trying to get a feel for the boy. Moving then for Lienos, he sniffed again, moving on. This was a rather slow process for the bronze who insisted on sniffing every boy before deciding who it was that he wanted. Maybe he was just being extra careful that his decision was the perfect one. Walking past them all for one last time, he stopped in front of Redaro, peering at him curiously. The bronze snorted. Hmm... Yes, I do think that this one will do. I think R'aro is good for me. I am Idith,[/color] he stated proudly, crooning.

The Sunflower Egg gained more cracks along the golden shell, and was starting to lose support of itself. The egg was getting simply too weak. Yet as the egg began to fall in on itself, a screech of triumph was heard, echoing through the Hatching Grounds, yet coming from the direction of the queen egg. The Birch Egg crowed in triumph as the queen egg was still struggling to escape. But the Birch Green had no problem with escaping her shell! Stepping out of the shards, she hissed at the big egg.

Meanwhile, completely oblivious to the one-sided rivalry by the queen egg, the Iris Egg was rocking as hard as it could. Yet a purple-blue head pushed through the shell, trumpeting happily. Excitedly climbing out of his shell, he made a straight-line dash for Keandren... However, he came to a screeching halt, but was having trouble slowing himself down. He was only a baby, having trouble with his legs. So he slipped, landing on Keandren claw-first. It pinned him to the ground, and the blue keened unhappily at its mistake. How embarrassing! Pulling himself up from the boy, he turned-- and walked straight to Malkier. Oooh, M'kiermine, I didn't realize you were the one until I already passed you! I'm sorry! Will you ever forgive your Tepidoth?[/color]

Finally, the golden egg crumpled under the stress that all the crack gave it, and the Birch Green's hiss of displeasure heralded the birth of the queen. Aslath bugled in pride as a clumsy, large creature shook off her shards. Blinking her large eyes, the brightly golden queen surveyed her surroundings for the first time, fascinated by the sight. Her hide was bright, and orange latticework seemed almost to be painted across her body, making her look even brighter than she was. Calmly, she looked over to the girls. Her Minething was there somewhere, watching her. Did she know yet, that her bonded had just hatched?

The Honeysuckle Egg was the next to start itself Hatching. It was rocking back and forth first, but it was quite evident that lines of cracks were beginning to mar the shell. This egg would not last long, either.

[Administrator]

His frown was just as mild as her words, but it leant a certain gravity to his face, an age that was neither youthful nor old but somehow indicated both and neither at once. Had? That-that hurt a little. What had changed her mind? Self-conscious, the man’s hand rested heavier on Miguel’s shoulder, S’rei using his nephew as an excuse not to look at Shmee. The boy had lifted a hand to point to Laurie’s retreating back, but his attention was captured by the ‘flutters.’

The bronzerider shook his head silently, though he still didn’t meet her eyes. “Laurie was angry, Shmee. It was a reaction. She leaves her son with us now, doesn’t she? No.” His grays drifted over, seeking her eyes, but she wasn’t looking at him. S’rei wasn’t really surprised. “If anything, she’s upset with me. Lauranna hasn’t uttered a single word of criticism toward you since she came that morning.” He paused, then, allowing his nephew to slip from him and take a few tentative steps forward. The man tried to think of a way to phrase this delicately. “She misses her son, though, and now, with F’rah in her life…and with Shei in our-“ Tripping over the word, he tried again. “-yours, Laurie has decided to take Miguel back into her weyr to live with her.”

Staring at the small hand waving in his direction, he blinked, as surprised as Shmee. S’rei had been around little Shei and her mother as often as feasibility and common sense allowed. Still, he hadn’t thought to be wanted by an infant so young. Reaching out a hand to touch his daughter’s, his fingers curled around her small palm. At the Weyrwoman’s quiet question, S’rei’s eyes met Shmee’s. It was a small shock after the way she’d avoided his gaze since he’d arrived. The frown returned. What was with her, anyway? They were at a Hatching, she was surrounded by her family, and yet she spoke as if the world were coming apart at the seams, and her eyes evinced nothing but sorrow. “Yes,” he replied, though his puzzlement still dominated his features.

Was he responsible for this peculiar attitude? S’rei didn’t know what she wanted from him. There seemed to be no right answer. After all, it had been Shmee who’d found him a weyr far from the one she’d occupied since Aslath first clutched. He’d been good, too, taking the rejection in stride. It was easier with a sister, a nephew, and a daughter – all of whom seemed to love him despite the mistake that had cost him turns and them months. Hard to know how to act around Shmee. Harder still when some of the bruises still lingered along her neck, reminding him of his shame. He was not an animal, but that night, he might as well have been. Taken the rejection in stride? No, it still ate at him, but he accepted it as Shmee being far more forgiving than he deserved.

The man accepted the daughter she handed over to him, his left arm supporting the whole of the weight of the small child with ease. S’rei kissed Shei lightly upon the forehead, causing the babe to giggle quietly, her tiny hands capturing his face beneath splayed fingers. He was reluctant to draw his head away from her touch. Shei didn’t seem bothered by it, though, instead snuggling into the warmth of his chest with a contented sigh. Her eyelids began to drift downward. Precious child. The symbol of the love he had once shared with the unresponsive woman at his side. It was a love that had died, or so it would seem. The man looked to her, this woman that had once been his, and found that the loss bled deeply. Had he known…he might never have come back. It hurt too much, even with Shei to help assuage his pain.

Something drew his hand forward, the one not occupied with Shei. It hovered for a moment. A hesitation, a moment of uncertainty. But what was the worst that could happen? She’d already essentially kicked him out of her weyr. His hand closed the remaining distance. Brushing away the sheet of hair that protected her from his gaze, his hand lingered at her cheek. For a long moment, words didn’t come. He could hear the excited buzz of the Hatching, of the spectators. Could hear Miguel’s quickened breaths. The words that did come were unplanned, unlooked for, yet he could not regret them.

“Am I so distasteful to you now?” he questioned, the feeling in the words belied by a tone deceptively soft. “Am I so distasteful that you won’t touch me?” The hand at her cheek moved lower, his thumb lingering at the corner of her mouth. His words seemed on the edge of breaking, though they somehow held up. “That you won’t smile for me, even during a hatching where everyone is supposed to be joyful? Am I so distasteful, Shmee?” And his gaze dropped from her eyes to her mouth. He leaned in. S’rei wanted this woman, had wanted her for so long. But in the end he did not take the kiss. He sighed, a hairsbreadth away from her lips, and kissed her forehead lightly.

When he pulled back, the bronzerider settled in to watch the dragons below, though he seemed to be staring at nothing. S’rei blinked rapidly. He’d already revealed enough of himself that the thought of evincing further weakness did not appeal to him. “I’m sorry,” he managed, a touch of anger tracing the words at the necessity for such an apology. Why should he have to apologize for kissing the mother of his Shei? His world had changed. Completely.

((post from req so that I can post guiltlessly later xD))

[midnight]

((Reserved for Aminadra's impression post. I can't post until tonight, and I don't want eight million other things to happen in between her Impression and my reaction to it. xD))

[flupine]

Keandren watched excitedly, his heart pounding, palms sweating kind of excitement. As the Bronze made his way over to sniff him, he tensed, waiting in anticipation, but as the Bronze turned to move on Keandren's heart dropped, just a little bit. He had been so ready All for nothing though. Keandren watched enviously as the Bronze found His. Keandren wanted this to be his time. Leaning forward, Keandren drug his hazel eyes away from the newly Impressed boy and dragon, back to the clutch. There were more eggs left to Hatch, surely one of them would want him. He was small, but he was all heart. Waiting seemed to spread out and slow time, make things stretch out, things that only took mere seconds to act out. The time between the Bronze Impression and the nest Hatched egg seemed like this. The whole Weyr seemed to breathing together, each candidate holding their breathe waiting. There were a few interruptions in this moment of breathless unity. Such as the Weyrwoman. Looking up to her place, Keandren watched as the former Weyrleader sat beside her.

Never before had Keandren showed any interest in Weyr gossip but looking up at Shmee, her head hung down with the present and former Weyrleaders sitting near her, something seemed strange, odd enough to catch the attention of Keandren. He stared up intently for long moments, the wheels moving in his head. Would the return of the former Weyrleader only breed new problems? No one could forget the Benden attack... what would happen now? Flicking his eyes between the three, he slowly brought his eyes back to the Hatching as hopeful gasps warned of another Hatched Egg. Whatever would happen, he would follow Shmee, he would be of use.

But even as this thought died off, Keandren's eyes rounded as the zeroed in on an approaching Hatchling. This could be it!He could Impress right here, right now! Keandren was aware that several eyes landed on him in anticipation of an Impression, he knew it would come, the blue was headed right toward him! Keandren's small body looked ridiculous as it strained forward in want, yet even as the blue screcched to a halt, and kept tumbling forward to land on him, Keandren realized that this Hatchling was not for him. And there was no where to go to escape the oncoming Dragon in time. The impact hit Keandren's body hard, jarring him to the ground, forcing the breathe from his lungs. For such a small body, Keandren looked much like a crumpled rag as the Blue pinned him to the burning Sands with his very new and very sharp newborn claws. Unable to do much more that blink, Keandren felt pain snake through him. His own body was not much bigger that newly hatched dragons, and he did not have claws. As the Blue clambered off his prone body to make his way toward His, Keandren soaked in the moment, waiting for something to happen. Something or someone to snap and shout "Fooled You!"

But the pain was very real. The claws of the blue had sunk into his chest a little, and the movements of the floundering blue and only dragged them farther down his chest, drawing out deep marks across his fragile body. Another set of claws had managed to firmly insert themselves into his arm, puncturing the muscle in at least three places. Keandren could feel his blood run in rivulets down his limbs, turning his once White robe into a grotesquely pretty shade of pink and finally end pooled around his body, quickly coagulating on the hot Sands. As Keandren laid there in shock, the quick burst of white-hot pain began to numb, he twisted to see who the Blue had Impressed, Malkier. Smiling to himself inside, Keadren began to try to sit up in a hopeless cause, his lungs started to burn as the desperately inflated rapidly, trying to bring in more air. Keandren Needed to finish watching the Hatching. Laboring for breathe, his pained little body kept feebly attempting to get up, straining the wounds more, making blood spurt out with each erratic movement. He need help. He needed to stay here. "I gotta stay here... Shards it hurts," was all Keandren allowed himself to moan as he struggled.

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Celeyn watched the hatching with interest, attempting the look of a casual observer, but who could be casual about a hatching? Even Celeyn could not pull the look of entirely, there was simply to much emotion involved with a Hatching. So far Celeyn had managed to avoid even looking in Shmee's direction, including avoiding directly looking at Aslath. As senior Queen, she ruled but Celeyn could not help but avoid her. She would not start trouble, not here, not now; even though she rejected Weyr life, it was simply too far ingrained in her to go against. Never anger the Clutch mother. Never the Senior Queen. Shifting her eyes in different directions, Celeyn took the pause between the Bronze and the next Hatched egg to look over the crowd. An amused smile crept across her face, unwillingly lightening her look, making her appear much prettier. She had once been like these girls. She remembered the excitement, the anticipation, the mixture of arrogance and doubt but with Celeyn there had always been more arrogance than doubt. It was so different this time, she was not that giggling girl and she no longer counted on Impressing. Raising her eyes the the Clutch she tightened her lips as the Sunflower Egg began to crack. The Queen Egg.

"Celeyn!!!" Seresta pulled hard on her arm, excitement pulling the other girl's body taut, tightening her grip unnecessarily on Celeyn's arm. "Celeyn!!!!" Celeyn looked up at Seresta, grinning. "It's your time Seresta" Gently prying her arm from the girl's grip, she rubbed her arm, soothing the finger marks Seresta had left. The Queen egg was hatching. Celeyn still had not Impressed but that was no matter, surely after Seresta impressed, a green would make it's way to Celeyn. "It's cracking." Now both girls clung to each other's arms, not even paying attention to each other as they both focused on the egg. But then the euphoria of impending Impression wore off as the newly hatched Queen made it's way to the wrong girl. "Celeyn? Celeyn, where is she going? I am over here. Celeyn?!!" Even as Seresta started forward, toward the Hatchling, Celeyn caught her arm. "Seresta...wait.... Surely she is just showing off." But even as this was said, Celeyn felt a tingling in her mind. The Queen Hatchling was not just showing off. Smiling in an -almost- dreamy sort of way, she remembered thinking that for sure she would Impress a Green at the time. The idea of Impressing a Blue had not occurred to her at all. But then neither had not Impressing. She had even heard that on the rarest of occasions, browns had impressed girls. The very though would not have been feasible to her not to long ago, she had prided herself on being a proper member of Selenitas Weyr, there was tradition. Tradition said she would Impress a Green. And Seresta would Impress the Queen. Sometimes old habits died hard.

Shocked gasps, and a few wild calls pulled Celeyn out of her world of memories. It seemed she was packed with memories today, old ones that she had not thought about in turns. kept intruding where they were not wanted. Baring her teeth at the thought of herself being vulnerable even to Selenitas after all this time, Celeyn watched already upset as the Blue plowed into the small boy. Though her eyes watched, her mind took a few seconds to comprehend what it was seeing as it was still mentally berating herself opening herself to this kind of hurt. Yet something clicked in her mind. Why was such a small kid Standing, was he even old enough? But it only took Celeyn a moment to fully understand what had happened. The boy, so small and fragile was laying hurt upon the Sands. Celeyn took a step forward before she caught herself. it was not her place to step in, there were trained healers for this kind of job. Though Celeyn had not heard of her mother since she had arrived, neither had she attempted to find any information either. If she was still here and alive, surely she would be here, ready for action? Moving back, Celeyn looked around for Healers, there were sure to be some waiting for accidents to happen, maulings were fairly frequent occurrences at Hatchings. But in this situation; the boy was so small and he was not getting up. Moving along with several others, she left in a different direction than the boy. She could at least assist a Healer, she had done that often enough with her mother.

[lilliana]

Raen watched avidly, although there wasn't much action on the Sands after all the dragonets but the bronze had found their lifemates, and with much hope, it wouldn't cause much trouble with his own impression. Thankfully, although he inspected every male, this bronze didn't seem too prone to violence, and finally found his Own. That was lucky, at least for the boy that impressed. Maybe not for those that got their hopes up as the creature sniffed them, though. Oh, well. At least no one had been hurt, for she had heard that a bronze could do a lot of damage, probably more than a green.

Her gaze drifting back towards the Sunflower Egg as it gained more cracks, and there was nothing better to watch, Raen's face slowly gained a smile when the Birch Egg did, indeed, succeed to spill its inhabitant first onto the hot Sands. The Birch Green hissed at her rival after broadcasting her happiness, probably very proud of herself for being able to beat her golden sister. She also seemed to have beaten the Iris Blue, although that creature escaped his own shell swiftly after his clutch-sister, and was now making a bee-line for his chosen candidate.

Feeling a surge of happiness, maybe with some jealousy that she would never admit, at the bonding, Raen -- oh wait. Maybe not. It seemed that the blue actually didn't want to bond with the youth, as he clawed Keandren accidentally. Watching as the little one let go of the candidate, and made his way towards another boy instead, leaving the candidate who he had first-thought was His on the Sands, possibly dazed and confused. Raen winced. That wasn't necessarily the best way to find your lifemate, but hey, she wasn't one to judge. It just was a little painful to watch, to say the least.

The Birch Green had yet to impress, Raen noted, as she hissed at her golden sister, who had finally escaped from her egg. It was definitely a lovely figure that emerged, graceful, bright, and beautitful that looked over to the girls. She smiled, although her eyes failed to linger on either the green or the gold. There was another egg that was hatching, after all -- the Honeysuckle Egg. The hatching was bound to be over soon, and Raen was starting to fear that she wouldn't impress. There would be more hatchings, for sure, but still.. Sighing, she watched the eggs, out of the corner of her eye keeping track of the Birch Green and the little gold.

{Sorry this is under Lills, we've gotta run and I wanted this out before Musetta posted again.}

[ryanne]

Liassa watched the bronze as it began to make its decision. She looked at all the boys he was considering, wondering which would join the rank of the bronzeriders in a few turns. They were all strong, good candidates, as far as she can tell. They would all feel so happy to Impress the dignified bronze. She almost giggled at the thought of considering a clumsy dragon hatchling as dignified, but after seeing the first blue and then this little bronze, she knew that they could hold themselves in a way that would tell how they would be for the rest of their lives. This bronze would be regal and strong and any boy would be lucky to have him. The pair would go far, she was sure.

Right before the bronze Chose, a sweep of nausea came over her. It took all of her willpower to keep the look of disgust off her face and her posture straight and strong. Fighting, she shoved the feelings down, refusing to deal with them right now. She was sick, but it was not going to affect the hatching; she couldn't let it affect the hatching. Instead, she would just forget about it and Stand. That was all that was allowed right now. Just strength and indifference to the problems of her body.

She applauded distractedly as the bronze Impressed, unsurprised at his choice. R'aro had struck her as a bronzerider when she'd run into him at lessons. Her eyes turned back to the Sunflower Egg and the Birch Egg. Both dragons were fighting to get out of their shells and it was anyone's guess who'd hatch first. She wasn't sure what the Birch Egg would hatch, but the Sunflower Egg was definitely going to hold the gold. Silently, she watched, nerves beginning to get to her. They were halfway through the hatching; her chances were dwindling.

And the Birch Green made her way out into the world first. Liassa grinned as the green hissed at the golden egg. Apparently she was a competitive little one and was more than happy that she was the first to grace Pern. She was a sturdy green and sure to be fiesty. Liassa turned a hopeful eye to her, wondering if she would make her way over in her direction or find her mindmate among the men. But before she could ponder it for too long, another hatching distracted her.

The blue managed to make his way out during a hectic time on the Sands. He seemed to know exactly who was His, automatically bowling over Keandren. Or not. Liassa winced as the claws bit into the other candidate. Even worse, the blue wasn't even going to bond with the hurt candidate. Instead, the blue made his way over to Malkier, no M'kier. She clapped hesitantly, unsure if it was still proper after the mauling of the other candidate. She looked around, wondering if another dragon would hatch and Impress to the bleeding youth just like it had worked for Lyelle. There were none appearing though.

The gasps around her drew her eyes from Keandren. Apparently the queen had hatched. She was beautiful. Large and patterned, she seemed to command even though she had just hatched. She was serene and so sure of herself, Liassa couldn't help but admire her. She seemed to know that all eyes were rightfully on her. The Birch Green seemed highly displeased with this development, but she had yet to Impress. There, two beautiful females still on the Sands. Maybe, just maybe, one would want her. Liassa knew that it was a longshot to even think of Impressing a queen, but she could hope. Hope that one of the females would find her worthy.

[kysseh]

Savitri watched in amusement as the bronze took his sweet time in choosing, snorting softly as he finally decided on a boy to pick. Interesting, it was, that some of the dragons knew exactly who it was they wanted while others took awhile to make their decision. The differences in coloration and temperament in the hatchlings was fascinating, and she raised an eyebrow at the sight and sound of the Sunflower and Birch Eggs struggling to break. The green emerged first, and it seemed to be as quarrelsome as Tanith already. The thought amused the young woman, and she watched the green hiss in a futile fashion at the queen egg, shaking her head slightly. Not going to do much good... she thought privately.

The hatching of a lovely purple-blue dragonet made her glance away from the rocking queen egg and its angry clutchsister, watching as the blue made in a straight line for one of the candidates. She briefly thought that Impression had been made until the blue made an abrupt attempt at stopping and literally mowed the candidate down. As the hatchling moved off to another candidate, she could see that the boy was bloodied up and attempting to sit, though he did not seem to be succeeding. Healer and mothering instinct overrode the burning desire to Impress, and she hesitated only a half-second before moving across the sands toward the downed boy.

She reached the stricken child--and he was small! Was he even old enough to Stand for this clutch?!--and dropped to her knees beside him, hearing him mutter something having to stay. Savitri snorted audibly. "Sure, and let yourself bleed to death. I think a dragon prefers a living person. There are other clutches," she told him firmly, taking off the useless, wide piece of cloth that made the purely decorative sash for the robe. It was not much, but it would do, and she bunched it up and pressed it against some of the more heavily-bleeding cuts on his chest. "Get your sash off. I'll wrap your arm in that, if you want to stay that badly," she added, her tone a little gentler out of sympathy.

She registered that Aslath had bugled but paid it little mind for a moment until she saw a glitter in the corner of her eye, turning slightly to see the little queen on the sands. Her eyes widened. Shards but these things hatched big! As much as she wanted to devote her full attention to that, she could not let him die on the sands like this, not while she could at least try to help. Giving the two female dragonets a final quick glance, she returned her attention to the boy, confident that she could at least try to be of assistance. She would never forgive herself if he had died there on the sands while she picked petty dreams over fulfilling her duties.

[Administrator]

Shmee fell silent. It was true that Laurie left Miguel with them now... but still, Laurie had taken him away in anger, for scaring Miguel. Did she not think that would hurt Shmee in some way? "Then why did she tell us not to come near him again?" she demanded bitterly. Nodding dismissively at why Laurie had taken him back, she couldn't help but feel so frustrated with S'rei. Did he not understand how bad it made her feel, how Laurie suddenly taking Miguel in that way suggested Shmee was a bad mother? Laurie seemed to just brush it away and act like it could be all normal, but it was humiliating and shameful for Shmee. Then, like a splash of cold water, she caught the slip of S'rei's words. 'Our' before he replaced it with 'yours.' Did he think of them as together in his mind? She regarded him carefully, letting her eyes meet his as she tried to get an answer.

But she couldn't tell, so her face retreated back to her empty lap. She wanted a sign to know how he felt about her, to give her closure. If he truly despised her, she wanted him to tell her so she could stop being so awkward with him. It would be so easy to hate him if she knew that's how he felt about her. She chewed her lip unhappily as she saw him with Shei out of the corner of her eye. He was openly loving with the babe. She ached, wanting him to love her in that way, only now, she simply felt like a tool. She was just the vessel that his real love, the babe, had come through. Was she so easily discarded?

Then one hand moved, but it didn't go to Shei as she predicted. Feeling some of the hair move from her face, her eyes quickly shot around, finding S'rei's. Her heart pounded nervously as his hand remained on her cheek. His touch was so warm. She found her face leaning into his hand, and she closed her eyes as she let herself be drawn into it. But she did not stay in that peace for long, for he began to speak, forcing her eyes open again. She could feel his fingers moving down her cheek, and oddly, her eyes began to well up a little. Looking down again to try and hide it, the familiar burning at the back of her eyes grew swiftly. She gulped as his face, his lips, hovered before hers.

"You were never distasteful," she murmured, unable to stop tears that dripped from her eyes as he moved from her lips to her forehead. Hastily wiping them away with her hand, she tentatively moved closer to him. "I want to touch you, I want to smile for you... But I thought you were done with me!" she sniffed, wiping her eyes again. "You had avoided me at first, you hardly ever looked for me, and I couldn't just ask you to live with me again... You seemed just fine with living on your own!"

Unable to help herself anymore, she rested her head on his shoulder, shuddering soundlessly with gentle sobs. "You were never distasteful to me," she told him, her voice completely broken with sobs. At the same time, his warmth was so comforting. She had missed the soothing warmth. Her sobs, because of this, never grew to the point that they were at during the incident in the weyr. Not caring anymore if he pushed her away or not, she closed her eyes and she whispered, "I missed you so much."

--

The Honeysuckle Egg wriggled in its spot almost happily, bobbing to and fro as the cracks grew. Then, in a massive explosion, a brown foreleg pushed its way out through the shell. The rest of the body followed suit, crushing the hard shell that was encasing it. He looked a bit large, wandering up to the boys with his massive, bulking body. He was quite clumsy, tripping a few times on his way over to the male candidates, but he was determined. His bonded would be here today! Walking first to Jarathon, he sniffed, but felt nothing. Frustrated with this failed first attempt, he rose to his back legs, seizing the boy by the shoulders. Growling, he dug his claws deep through the white robe and the skin, and blood welled up. Then, surprisingly, the brown shook Jarathon, as if seeing if that would do any good. But when the brown realized that there was no way to force this dragon to be his, he snorted, casting the boy down before whirling to the one beside him. The brown crooned at the black-haired boy. Gl'myr, I am your Silvytreth![/color]

The Birch Green, seeing the queen begin to step forward, warbled dangerously. She was going to choose first! Running as fast as her little awkward legs would carry her, she sprinted towards the candidates. That queen would not Impress before her! Bugling triumphantly to the crowd, the green made a show of bending over Jarathon adoringly and possessively. She would take care of him better than a queen would take care of her clutch! Hissing at the queen as if daring her to try and take the boy, she nuzzled Jarathon's shoulders, accidentally getting blood on her emerald green skin. You are my J'on! I hope you don't bleed to death. That would be bad, because you belong to a queen. I am your Rinagth. And that stupid gold is not as good as she looks.[/color]

The queen rumbled with obvious amusement at her smaller clutchsister's antics. She strode regally and purposefully to the girls, looking down at them curiously. Who did she want...?

The Rose Egg, without warning, exploded with a pop! However, at this time, one might be worried that if they looked to see who she Impressed, they would miss the Impression of the queen. However, the green inside merely yawned, and flopped over on the sands sleepily. It seemed she was perfectly content to wait to choose Hers! She half-closed her eyes, watching boredly as the queen looked at her options.

The Daisy Egg was rocking quite dangerously, with cracks getting wider and wider. The hard shell had cracked away a little, revealing a bronze color behind the thin egg membrane. It squirmed within the shell, obviously working to get out. It never rested, continuously hammering at the shell from the inside. This shell would not win!

[Kisha-Ra]

Roshya watched the proceedings alertly, she found the hatchling dragons endearing even if they could be dangerous sometimes. She supposed since dragons protected everyone it was natural that people forget the beasts were born fully armed with four sets of talons and some quite formidable teeth. Roshya shrugged to herself, armed or not the hatchlings were still beautiful, at least in her eyes.

The first dragonets, green and blue she noted and wondered what that meant for a clutch, could not have been more different if they tried, right down to their Impressions with the blue heading straight for his bondmate and the green hanging back as a brown escaped his shell and Impressed. Roshya grinned when the hatchling green tried to answer her gold mother with a bugle of her own.

Poison ivy egg’s shaking made Roshya scratch the memory of an itch in her palm; she hoped the dragon inside wouldn’t itch like that when it hatched. The first green wandered among the girls but shot of and Impressed one of the boys, much to Roshya’s dismay. Also sparking Roshya’s dismay was the way the green that hatched from the poison ivy egg attacked a girl near her. It was quite amazing that the venus fly trap green then went right on to Impress the mauled girl and the poison ivy green Impressed with no further display.

The thistle bronze Roshya barely noticed, as the sunflower and birch eggs began to shake in earnest. A triumphant green emerged from the birch egg and hissed spitefully at the golden egg while a blue emerged from iris egg and ran across the sands to his chosen, however the poor hatchling couldn’t stop himself and inadvertently ran down another candidate.

Birch green hissed her dislike as the gold struggled free of her egg to Aslath’s proud call. The gold surveyed the girls and in turn Roshya examined the young queen, her hide was a fine bright shade, though whether that indicated anything of a dragon’s health Roshya didn’t know, but nothing of the new queen’s nature showed as yet.

Out of the corner of her eye Roshya noticed a brown hatch and head for the boys, the brown got her full attention when he reared and grabbed a candidate by the shoulders, giving him a good shake before Impressing to the next boy in line. Birch green left off hissing at her sister to run to the boy her brown brother had cast aside. The gold rumbled at her lowly sister and walked regally among the girls, Roshya held her breath, though in hope or fear was debatable.


Redaro watched the dragonets escape their shells and applauded for each Impression though he didn’t really know anyone well. The blue and brown that hatched chose quickly and the first green slowly but that made her choice no less valid, no less incredible than those of her brothers.

Two more greens came forth from their shells with a seeming rivalry and Impressed to girls and bronze wandered around, taking his time about choosing his. Though the queen egg was cracking Redaro paid more attention to the wandering bronze and the other eggs. Iris blue had just dashed off among the male candidates when the bronze stopped in front of Redaro again. Redaro looked down at the bronze, who seemed to measure him somehow. Hmm... Yes, I do think that this one will do. I think R'aro is good for me. I am Idith,[/color] this statement came from nowhere as the bronze crooned proudly. Redaro looked at the bronze again and was caught in those bright eyes. He was irrevocably R’aro and undeniably Idith’s now.

‘Are you hungry Idith? All the other hatchlings seem to be.’ R’aro asked his dragon. Yes, let us go and find some food now R’aro.[/color] Idith agreed and walked beside his chosen as they left the hatching grounds.


Jarathon watched the dragons avidly as if he might attract one with sheer fascinated interest. For a moment he thought the brown would Impress Odian but the hatchling moved on to another boy. The first green to hatch was a fine one in Jarathon’s opinion. She seemed to have some trouble finding her mindmate as she wandered among the girls as other eggs shook themselves to bits. Finally as another green struggled free of her shell the first ran into the crowd of boys and tackled Odian.

Jarathon grinned from ear to ear for his friend and waved madly once the green freed his friend from the ground. Odian didn’t notice him but Jarathon couldn’t be offended, it was only natural for the older lad to be fixated on his dragon, anyone would be.

While Jarathon waved two more greens had Impressed and a bronze had hatched and wandered the sands examining all the boys. Jarathon grinned some more but didn’t bother waving when the bronze picked his bunkmate.

Another green, this one fierce, emerged victorious from the birch egg and hissed at the cracking queen egg, while a second blue dashed off to find his rider. A second brown also made his way, more slowly to the boys and sniffed at Jarathon, the boy didn’t even realise his failure to be the One the brown sought had angered the hatchling until the dragon rose to his hind legs to take Jarathon’s shoulders in his foreclaws none too gently.

Jarathon clenched his teeth until he was sure his jaw was creaking. He wouldn’t yell or cry no matter what, he vowed to himself, that would be too humiliating, and humiliation lasted longer than pain. However Jarathon’s resolve was tested to the limit when the brown shook him and cast him aside. He lay stunned on the sand and looked up at the sky as if it were an entirely new species of insect.

All of a sudden a green head filled his vision and bent to nuzzle his shoulders. You are my J'on! I hope you don't bleed to death. That would be bad, because you belong to a queen. I am your Rinagth. And that stupid gold is not as good as she looks.[/color]

‘I won’t bleed to death Rinagth. I’m fine.’ J’on sat up and blinked dazedly, he didn’t bother contradicting his dragon that she wasn’t a queen. His arms hurt and her felt fresh blood running down them when he levered himself out of the sand but he stood and turned to Rinagth. ‘Shall we go? I know you need food and I had better see a healer about these.’ J’on raised a hand to the opposite shoulder and ran his fingers over the gouges the brown hatchling had left.

[marissa]

The Honeysuckle Egg finally cracked, opening to reveal a brown. The large, bulky creature stumbled over to one of the male candidates, and for a moment Raen thought that there would be a repeat of the actions of the Thistle Bronze: sniffing every possible male candidate to see who might be His-own. But no, it seemed that this wasn't the case, for the Honeysuckle Brown reared up like a runnerbeast, digging his talons into the candidate's shoulders before shaking him. Raen stepped back, surprised beyond belief that a dragonet could be so, so violent. The gathering had already seen the violent tendencies of a few of these little ones, but this was simply brutal! Still, she didn't frown. The brown impressed, and the boy would (hopefully) be alright. He had better be alright. There hadn't been a dragonet death, thank Faranth, so hopefully there wouldn't be a human death.

Next attention turned to the Birch Green as she warbled. This brought the smile back to Raen's face, for this was a creature with spirit. Bondage to her would be like bondage to a queen, and the little one made her happy way to the fallen boy. As she made a huge show of bonding to the hurt boy, the candidate shook her head at the foolish antics. It was cute, and would definitely help the boy and rise the spirits of the rest of the gathering, but it was certainly unneeded. Then again, the very mauling was unneeded. Continuing to shake her head, the girl's eyes roved over the Sands, moving from the impressed green and her Mine to the young Golden One once more.
It didn't stay there for long - it seemed that the Queen was going to take her time choosing Hers, and the Hatching would continue to go on. There were still eggs hatching, and they would continue to hatch until, well, the hatching was over. Shifting her gaze so that she was looking upon the Rose Egg, or the Rose Green. It didn't seem like the little one was very intent on choosing, however, and Raen didn't stay interested for very long. And although the Daisy Egg was threatening to hatch, her eyes roved back to the Gold. This would be the most important impression for anyone who didn't find their lifemates, and it would be better if she watched it rather than focus on large eggs whose inhabitants would fail to produce her own lovely dragonet.

Still, one could only wait for so long. Raen shifted, watching the queen inspect her girls, her choices. Yesyesyes... The girl jumped. Shells, of all times for Shirk to say a word, of course the 'mandyr would choose a Hatching, when she was hoping that a dragon would bond to her through words. Shifting, the candidate adjusted so that she would be able to comfortably watch the gold, and yet still be able to see the others yet to impress through the corner of her eyes. This was a big day for her, and she wanted to be able to see everything, even if it wasn't possible.

[ryanne]

Liassa's eyes were on the queen, but when another egg exploded, she moved her eyes over to the new brown. He was quite the large one and he looked rather dangerous in her eyes. Nothing about him seemed, well, malicious, but even the gentle-natured dragons could be rather violent at birth. And it seemed that that was true for this brown. Poor Jarathon didn't stand a chance; he was definitely going to bleeding quite hard once the brown was finished with him. Thankfully, the brown Impressed and moved away, leaving the bleeding boy. Liassa's heart went out to Jarathon, even though she barely knew the male. No one deserved to be mauled that violently. Still, she clapped for the brown's Impression. At least he had found His.

And then the green came up and Chose the bleeding candidate. Another good ending. That made Liassa feel much better. Maybe he and Lyelle could trade mauling stories during weyrling turns. That thought brought a small giggle from her lips as she clapped for the Impression. Maybe something good did come out of the mauling...okay...maybe he would have Impressed anyway, but it helped if she thought the other way.

Suddenly, she remembered the queen was still on the Sands. Quickly, she drew her eyes back to the gold, watching as the green hurried to beat her golden sister. Apparently it was a race for the Birch Green and the gold was happily losing. The queen obviously knew that there was no way that the green was taking Hers, so why would she try and race her to the candidates? Liassa admired the fact that the gold was so indifferent to the competitive green. She wasn't sure that she would be able to say the same thing if she was in the gold's place.

The green ran towards the boys and Liassa sighed. She had hoped that maybe the green would Choose her. It wasn't so much of a longshot. But now the only female left looking for a mindmate was the queen. She could be just as hopeful as the other girls, but her chances of Impressing the regal queen were significantly smaller. Still, she smiled to the gold, hoping that she would come her way. The gold apparently had the same thought in mind. She began to make her way towards the candidates, but then another hatching provided a little distraction.

Liassa chanced a look, moving her eyes to green for a moment, just in time to watch the green yawn and flop onto the Sands. It drew a small smile from her before she looked back to the queen. It probably wasn't right for her to hope that the gold would look her way as much as she was, but she couldn't help it. Any girl in her right mind would want a chance at being a Weyrwoman of Pern, at riding the dragon that led them all, it was a dream. But probably nothing more for her. She would still hope. So she continued to watch.