Touching of the Blooming Flora Clutch

[marissa]

Raen waited with the rest of the candidates, waited as Aslath sniffed her fellows, and then waited as the gold came closer and closer to her. However, she was not inspected, not given the permission to go near the queen’s immaculate clutch. So, she continued to wait, wondering if Aslath had skipped over her on purpose, and did not think her worthy, or something else. What else it could be, of course, Raen had no idea. But hey – she wouldn’t, couldn’t complain. There had not yet been ample time to be allowed to touch the eggs, for there were still people such as herself, waiting to have the permission to go forth.

Her eyes failed to leave the golden queen’s form, even when she went into a rage at another candidate who had failed to show the proper respect. Still, she waited. What else could she do? And, in that time, Raen thought, wondered, and marveled her time spent at the Weyr, and how it could very well change in the very, very, very near future.

Yes… Of course. Leave it to Shirk to ruin a moment of thought with her favorite word… in her sleep. Cousin. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Raen rolled her eyes, trying to tell her ‘mandyr to shush when the green was in the Barracks asleep. And, even if it was possible, she wouldn’t be able to, anyways. After all: the little creature never listened, whether or not she was asleep or not. Sharding thing.

Focusing her eyes back on Aslath, she remembered her thoughts before they were interrupted by her bonded. Should she go, leave the Hatching Grounds before the gold or Shmee saw her.

No. Never. Her place was here, in the Weyr, and there was no way anyone would take that away from her. She could wait until the golden mother approved her, and then she could go and touch her eggs.

[rynnti]

Moritz returned to his cot, lazily stretching himself out. Everything has changed since his move to the Weyr. For once, he wasn't being judged because of his small stature or young age. No one seemed to mind that he was a full Turn or two younger than many of the other candidates, and his lack of height was almost never brought up. Always trying to prove himself, he had been picking up as many extra chores as he could, especially if they meant hard labor. He had to make sure that the other candidates realized that despite his age and size, he was going to be an even harder worker than anyone else. He simply didn't want to be overlooked. Occasionally he was almost missed while doing his chores because the taller candidates would completely shield his body from view. At least Moritz had been accepted as an equal at the Weyr. He wasn't being forced to prove himself to the others at the Weyr, he was doing it mostly out of habit at this point. He had been worrying about how his stature would affect him at the Hatching. What if the dragonets felt, because of his size, that he wasn't strong enough to be a dragonrider? What if someone stood in front of him and blocked him from the view of the dragonets? What if... His thoughts were cut short as Tanith informed him to go to the Hatching Sands for the Touching. This was it. Moritz could prove himself to the dragonets while they were still inside their eggs! They would get to know his touch before they could see him! Moritz threw on some of his nicer clothes and moved as quickly as he could to the sands.

When he got there, he was disappointed to find himself towards the end of the line. He listened carefully to Aliscia, making careful note of everything she said. All he had to do was bow to Aslath and Shmee, and ask the queen’s permission to touch her eggs. It didn’t sound that complicated. In fact, it sounded like simple manners. Why would you even think about going near any mother’s children without asking her permission? Turned out some boys weren’t taught the same manners he was. The boy named Malkier was stupid enough to not ask permission. Honestly, he didn’t blame the magnificent golden dragon for reacting so violently. Any animal would react that way to its offspring being approached without permission. Shards, even some of the women his mother helped birth acted that way. He just kind of wished he had been in front of Malkier in the line. He was bad enough making impressions with his size, now he had an infuriated mother judging him.

As the line slowly began to move forward, Moritz found himself looking at the dragon face to face. Well, she certainly was much bigger in person. And more intimidating. And angrier looking. Now he could see how Malkier could have forgotten his manners. It was hard enough staring down an angry human mother, but a dragon? Before he, too, got in trouble, Moritz bowed deeply. As he stood up, he did the proper thing and asked for his permission. “May I please have your permission to touch your eggs?” He asked as politely as he could possibly manage, pushing his curly dirty blonde hair behind his ears so the dragon could see all of his face.