| Suyinth's Clutching (Part 2) Saturday, September 8, 2001 The World of Pern(tm) copyright (c) 1967 by Anne McCaffrey. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright. Log courtesy of Siani POV from the Galleries ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From the sands, There's a truly terrifying thought... P'tala and V'len spawn. Luckily the chances of that coupling is nearly nil, as she completely terrifies him and her attitude has been anything but welcoming. V'len nods in complete agreement with V'zan though. Good to see the man has come around. "Yes, I'd say... ah, but that one's got a streak of something dark in it.... not really Yevgeth's normal style." He ponders the egg with almost a tinge of fear, wiping a trickle of sweat from his brow. It's just the heat, really. Kelar walks in. Gabriela raises an eyebrow. "More of those hideous dresses? Because that doesn't look like a hideous dress." She smirks slightly, leaning forward once again, elbows on her knees. "Oh, of course! Surely there are some that cause so much trouble that they wouldn't mind offering them for experimentation." T'var laughs softly. Haggling for Weavers! "That sounds a bit steep. I could go for half that, but give exclusive commission to only a select few.. Say, a particularly talented senior journeyman?" Nudge nudge, wink wink, etc. The greenrider cants an overly lecherous grin at Anki before settling back a little and behaving in a manner more appropriate. From the sands, Siani chews on her bottom lip, turning to grab hold of V'len's arm and peering up at him with worried eyes, "That one seemed to really hurt her. She'll be okay, right?" She looks oddly vulnerable for a moment, not at all the organized senior Weyrwoman of the Weyr. Fingers tighten on the bronzerider's arm. It was his dragon that sired this clutch, so he should have some answers... Kalian comes into the galleries, and smiles at all his friends. "Hey, everyone!" He walks around, giving his customary hand-kiss to the ladies he knows, and smiles at Aouda, "Good day, Aou! How's Oberon?" He looks at the little thing, wondering what might have been, then snaps out of it, and smiles lovingly down at his little brown, Daru. "We both ended up with such beautiful little creatures, eh?" Kishairyn's features split into a broad, almost impish grin. "Now that," she says, "is an egg." One wonders, after that firm declaration, what exactly the others are. "Oh, no, not hideous," she says. "Just ... unusual. Delicate. Exacting work." All of which could refer to the egg. "Oh, good. I suppose I'll just have to ..." She sighs. "Shaffit. When am I going to find time to survey the brats?" Oh sure, burst her bubble. Thanks, M'dan. "Like da? But... but.. he comes in all /smelly/!" ICK! Clearly, Ashore has yet to think over all of the possibilities of any prospective career. "But, don't you get all messy and icky being a weaver, too?" Isn't there /anything/ that a girl can do on Pern that doesn't involve... ickiness? "'Sides, I heard the harper who does the lessons tellin' one of the boys that he shouldn't count on impressin', cause it might not happen. 'Sides, I hear that's all messy and icky, too." The latest egg is glanced at and given a shake of her head. "They need more pink eggs." As if they're made to order. Maeko prefers the light of flames to the darkness of the last, though she admits it holds a certain charm.. for those that like that sort of thing, of course. "It's nice.. but the other one's still better." Opinion, opinion. An eyebrow knots downwards, recalling Suyinth's struggle with the last, and noticing Siani's discomfort. Poking at Arianna with her elbow, she points- "That's the weyrwoman, right?" If she would know any more than Maeko does, anyway. M'dan shakes his head "Who do you think uses all that runner dung from the stables? The gardeners. It's a good fertilizer. And no, you don't get icky from working in the weaver hall. You get to sew, and make cloth, and spin thread. The worst that happens is you pick your finger with a needle sometimes." yeah, like bloody messy fingers from being bleary eyed in the middle of the night. Aouda smiles warmly. "Yes, indeed we have. I'm glad you could stay long enough to Impress." she replies. "It was definately a beautiful clutch overall." Yay, a conversation! The eggs were beautiful, but Aouda wanted to talk... Anki crosses her arms over her chest. "Are you impugning that our apprentices are not worth at least two..three times that, rider?" she asks in her very best selling-to-the-Holders voice. "I myself am worth at least a hundred marks," she points out stolidly. "Not that your commissions aren't always welcome, but really! You're being so cheap." A wink is given before she eyes the riders on the Sands, trying to decipher their speech from lips' movements. From the sands, V'len pats the weyrwoman's arm reassuringly, but his face is a bit of concern. "I'm sure she'll be fine, m'dear," he murmers, "it's the weyr, once that one hatches, that I'm worried about. I'm still not sure how something like that could have gotten mixed into a clutch of Yevgeth's." Must be the mother's side. Only explanation. Arianna glances at the women on the sands, and nods at Siani. "Yeah, she must be. She looks like she got a little upset there after the gold clutched that dark one." She motions to the Weyrwoman, then to the egg, then to the gold. "I'm sure I've seen her face on a few portraits, too." Which is perhaps possible. From the sands, V'len should consider him lucky that Siani is not a mindreader. Still, she remembers Noswaith's appearance and begins to debate the merits of yet another creepy dragon. Perhaps a pal for Nidheith as well. Oh dear. Ashore points and accusing finger at M'dan before stuffing her hand into a pocket. "But, Lyl said you used to get dye all over you 'cause you had to clean out the...v..v.." Oh, what /was/ that word!? "The vats alla time. I want somethin' that doesn't get you all messy... and I don't think there's anything that doesn't get you all messy." Now that M'dan has killed her ideals of a clean carreer in the gardens. Gabriela looks a bit surprised, chidingly. "Well of course it's an egg! What else would it be?" So Gaby has a horrid sense of humor... She can't help it. She shrugs, sighing softly. "You've 'lizards. Use them as spies... and to trap the weyrbrats." She turns her eyes back toward the sands, growing quiet as she watches the event. From the sands, Suyinth opts for a few minutes of rest, leaving the darker egg alone for now as it sits, almost sinister like, in its place within the circle. With slow, careful movements and precise measurements, Suyinth begins scooping out a wide hollow in the sands, crafting a solid foundation for the next of eggs. Space evenly away from the others, she appears to have a master blueprint for the clutch she is constructing. Satisfied with her efforts, she arranges herself inside hollow's center and brings forth yet another of her brood. From the sands, Pinnacled Spires Egg From the sands, Appearing to be cunningly carved out of chalk-white stone, this egg's oblong castle-like crenellated walls from so many softly painted pinnacles climb. It seems like a cutout clipped from paper -- darker rooftops and towers shown as shadows against the shell. Tiers of tough grey go straight to the top, against the radiant rising of guard-heights in graceful rows. Blackish battlements build, founded from the base; they are lined with loopholes covered and latched. The high-roofed hall is tucked among clustered tips, lightened in distance as if just slightly behind. A strange but welcoming house, crafted with many's skill. Kalian smiles at her, "Yes, it was. All four of the creatures were absolutely lovely. I like my little Daru, personally. He seems to have quite an aura about him. Your Oberon has /quite/ the demeanor, in my opinion." He scratches Daru's eyeridges, at which Luin scolds Kali for not giving him the attention he deserves. "Calm, you foul creature!" He smiles warmly at his first flit, his little blue, and scratches his eyeridges. Aouda sends Oberon winging off her shoulder. Maeko shrugs dismissively, eyes catching a fair-colored egg as it emerges next. "Hey, look at that one! It's kinda pretty.. not as much as the fire one, of course." So it's been stated, and re-stated- Arianna's probably tired of it by now, too. Maeko fidgits in her seat, feet moving uncomfortably as she adjusts her position; previous nervousness is returned, though the onset is not as harsh. M'dan chuckles "No matter what you do, you will always have to do chores Alexan, and some of them are not nice clean things. Herders have to clean up after the animals, and deal with birthings; smiths have to clean out the forges, and sweep the floors; weavers have the dye vats to contend with and harpers, well, harpers have other ... unpleasant things they have to do." Not to mention miners, and other sundry crafts. Kishairyn glances sidelong at the gold, attention more on Suyinth than anything. "Wonder if any queen ever forgot to lay an egg ..." It's more plausible than ... well, some things, isn't it? A furtive glance takes the egg into her perspective. "I wouldn't want to be on the inside of that, trying to get out," she murmurs, although looks may be deceiving. Oberon croons a greeting to his Brown brother as he swoops to a soft, calculated landing near Kalian. How are things, Daru? he seems to be asking with a curious stare. From the sands, Yevgeth nuzzles his lady once again, and then standing on his haunches, uses his wings as a gentle fan to stir the oppressive air on the sands. He might be beautiful and know it, but he also appreciates the loveliness of the queen labouring on the sands, birthing his children. Lowering back to all four paws, he croons softly, offering continuing encouragement. From the sands, Still more ripples flow through Suyinth's body as her inner burden grows more eager to be released. Hunching down close to those already laid, she lifts her muzzle upwards, rumbling in effort once again. Shaded by the circle of the eggs already hardening upon the sands, a gleam of greenery is suddenly seen. From the sands, Shadowed Thicket Egg From the sands, Kelley-green lace of ferns ensconces ovoid's brooding dome, sending fronds over faded red-amber hide. The tangled brush melds disconcertingly with the arched symmetry of branched horns, their dirty ivory clutching at a jeweled mantle. Black, dull metal does not shine, but, shadowlike, confronts the velvety brown figure from across shells deep curve. Scarlet splashed over rich cloth, rust-brown stains on fingered leaves, all lend a deeper menace to the two. Darkness accented and light subservient, it riddles at a tumultuous secret, a deadly choice, a monarch's shame. From the sands, P'tala rubs her hands together, then plants them firmly on hips, nodding in approval at the newest egg before settling her weight on her heels, leaning back and watching Siani carefully. "Don't worry, I'm sure Suyinth'll be fine. See... Oh, isn't that one pretty..." Arianna snorts. "The fire one's pretty, yeah. And that last one's almost /too/ pale." She nods knowingly. Or she think she does, anyway. "But that Belior one--" as she's taken to calling it "--it breathtaking." She starts to stand for a better view, but the woman behind her reminds her...well...that she's behind her. The girl sits her rump down again. "Just like a pile of fresh herbs, right?" she says to Maeko about the latest egg. Aouda nods slowly, smiling at the antics of Kalian's own Blue. "Yes, I believe all four of us were...are incredibly lucky. All of them seem to have a strange...feeling about them." Beh. If Aouda was any good at words, she'd have become a harper. Aouda picks up Oberon. "Not at all, my dear Weaver," T'var purrs soothingly. "I would gladly offer four times that rate for such well-trained, well-mannered younglings. And you yourself? Far, far more worth than a vat of marks, at the extreme least." The gleam in his dark gaze is directed sands-ward for a long moment, "And yet, it remains my fervent hope that such generosity, for which I have always held you in utmost esteem, might extend to the ...temporary loan of your dedicated workers. Surely a brief vacation, with no cost to your Craft, would do no harm, hmmmm? It is good to escape the rigors of work now and again..." Anki regards her nails teasingly. "I don't know, really," she announces slyly. "Kishairyn, d'you think we should allow him to borrow a few apprentices?" she asks, frowning down at the greenish egg now safely cradled on the Sands. "I don't know...that one's a bit too placid for me. Not enough...vavoom in it." Betcha didn't know that was something eggs possessed. Maeko's mouth forms an 'o' as she nods, then is quickly replaced with a grin. "Although that one's a fair match for it." Speaking of her favorite, of course. Could there be a rival? "Hey! It does look like herbs." She giggles and nods, seemingly more interested in watching than providing stimulating, or even intelligible, conversation. "Though the.. Belior one? Isn't bad either." Kishairyn blinks in surprise, another assessing look taking in the other eggs. "Isn't that the first truly green one?" she inquires, only now noticing the paucity amongst the others. Her lips purse, the messenger more relaxed that she has an idea how this is supposed to happen. Of course, this could be an exception and every other clutching might be a riot ... she makes a face at Anki's question. "Of course not," she says. "Take the journeymen and the masters. They're the ones sending all the messages. And receiving them." And she's ever so overworked. Aouda walks in. From the sands, V'zan adds his own encouragement. "Have no fear, Siani. Suyinth will be done before you know it, and then you can both rest and recuperate." Fynelox has become quiet again, perhaps the initial excitement wearing off enough that his natural silence comes to the fore again. He nods to inquiries in his direction, his eyes are lively though, peering between people to catch sight of those nearest. Arianna nods. She'll take 'isn't that bad' if Maeko allows that she considers the fire one second best. "Herbs. Yup yup. I wonder if a green will come from that one? And if so...what comes out of the red ones? Brown?" She frowns slightly in thought, her eyes still on the sands. "Or bronze?" From the sands, Suyinth adds another egg to the large circle, now numbering fourteen. A strange ovoid this one seems to be, unique among the others as it tumbles from queen's body and falls into the shade of greenery beside it. From the sands, Cracked Coconut Egg From the sands, Lines of brown and black swirl together in a tightly woven pattern, causing the surface of this egg to appear rough, almost furry. One ebon line, slightly thicker than the others, trails completely around the circumference, giving the impression that the shell has already cracked into two halves. At ovoid's largest end, three middling sized obsidian dots can be seen, laid out in an oddly fascinating triangular formation. If stared at long enough, these strange circles fashion the very image of a wizened man's visage, who seems to be staring right back. From the sands, V'len eyes Suyinth's belly. "How many more do you think are in there, Siani?" Whether this is a question of concern for the tiring dragon or one of masculine pride is hard to tell. "After all, I'd suspect, with Yevgeth as the sire, it would be a large clutch? Or maybe he's just going for supreme quality over quantity?" Fynelox wonders how many airborne swallows..er, firelizards? it would take to carry off that egg. ;) Ashore shakes her head. "Don't wanna be a smith." Shards no! They have to do the /real/ dirty work. Aside from Herders, Smiths are the messiest craft she's heard of. "Maybe I should just be a seamstress or something. At least /they/ don't end up all smelly and dirty." The latest egg is gestured to and a grin given. "That'n's all green." Ok, so it isn't much competition for the pink egg of earlier, but it /is/ pretty. Another egg emerges and a grin is given. "That'n looks.. strange." Southern continent or northern? Wolfetha yawns slightly. She, like Fynelox, has also become rather quiet. She scrambled through all her chores that morning so she could come. When she sees the next egg a little bit of the old excitement comes back and her strength is replenished slightly. "Isn't that one interesting." She says to Fyne. Maybe southern. But southern are non migratory. From the sands, Siani counts the eggs in view, considering past clutches in her mind. "Suyinth isn't a very large gold and she normally doesn't clutch more than twenty-five eggs. So perhaps maybe ten more or so? Perhaps fewer. I'm not quite sure," she replies to V'len. "Well, if the color of the shell has any indication of the inside, could be either." Maeko comments with a thoughtful air, toe scuffling at a minute depression in the floor. "Oh, hey! That one's nice, too. Interesting looking." Mind goes back to previous subject, after her bit of wandering. "But I don't think shell color has much to do with contents." Thanial too falls into the silence, watching the crowd and the eggs with equal amounts of interest. Each egg is noticed with appreciation, yet the variety of colors overwhelm him so that he can't assimilate them all and therefore admires each with detached wonder. M'dan nods "Ask your mother to teach you to sew, knit and crochet. You are old enough now to start. It would get you started and make it easier if you ever do decide to be a weaver." Not that he is biased, having been a journeyman weaver. "But then, some handsome young man may come along and steal you from under her nose." Now there is something to worry about for Ashore. From the sands, V'zan sighs again. "V'len, if you ever do have children, please warn me in advance so that I can relocate to another Weyr. You make Noswaith look modest." Arianna eyes the last hairy egg with some confusion. "Does it have...hair on it or...?" her face twists briefly as she tries to squint and catch a better view. "No--no it mustn't. That would be silly for an egg to have, anyway," she admits to herself, before nodding at Maeko's words--though not actually looking at the other healer apprentice. "I guess. But still, that last one would /certainly/ be a brown if it did go by shell." From the sands, And not to be outdone by its sibling, another egg, ripe for clutching, quickly falls to the hatching ground, right besides the odd egg of brown and black as Suyinth releases a heavy sigh. Fatigue is beginning to make its mark upon the gold dragon as she slowly aligns the eggs amongst the circle. From the sands, Apple of Hesperides Egg From the sands, The most natural and home-grown crimson bends and twists black into shadows, wrinkles appearing in the color, though the texture is smooth -- skin-smooth, shell-smooth. Rivulets of clear juice seemingly glaze over this ovoid and luxuriate in the expanse of the surface, enticingly liquid with promise of all things eternal, its own infernal decadence woven to look like sweet nectar. Summer's smell lingers around it; warm sun on the freshest, ripest berries delight the senses and further convince of the egg's overindulgence. Youth, beauty, love... All are written into its scarlet shell, ensured by its pleasant scent, guaranteed by its gift within. T'var grins anew, shooting a pleased glance at Kishairyn. Such a helpful appy. "She makes a good point. And it would be fascinating to no end to watch a Craftmaster fidget and squirm on the sands come Hatching Day." An amusing image, yet thankfully, not one that will ever become reality. "Emptying the Craft of leadership would make things far too easy on the apprentices, though. And then who would I get to make my beautiful clothes, hm?" From the sands, P'tala raises a brow a V'zan and offers her own piece. "Noswaith is such a sweetie, though. He'll be humble and cute and virtuous forever." Riiight. Okay, so she has personal biases. Hmph. Anki gives a light laugh. "Rest assured, oh beautiful one, I'll still make you your pretty clothes." Then again, the greenrider would look good in a hessian bag. "How about we just give you Kisha? She's nice, works hard, isn't too bad to look at and is quite intelligent," she zips off, listing the messenger's attributes. Everything but show her teeth, really. Eyeing the newest temptation on the sands, she sports a decidedly naughty grin. "Mmm. What an enticing shade of red." Fynelox hmms at the latest egg, managing to peer through the gaps of the elbows of whatever luckless and overly tall person is in front of him. "That one looks...almost tasty, like a big ol'fruit." he says with a smile. "Don't think this one'll end up on the dinner table though." "Oh, definitely. What about that one?" Maeko indicates the next to appear, deep red and black coloring its shell. "Can't really tell easily. Could be anything." She shifts again, bringing a foot up to prop her seat a bit higher- though it causes some grumbling behind her, she leans halfway to the side to peer farther out. Multitudes of color dazzle her eye, and she smiles to herself happily. From the sands, V'zan buffs his nails on his shirtsleeve. "Just like his lifemate. We are both incarnations of demure innocence. Truly." Sunlight's brazen hues flicker into existence as Siofra explodes from between. From the sands, V'len nods to Siani, patting her arm reassuringly. "Well then, it's not long, m'dear. She's doing splendidly." Wow. A compliment for another dragon? And to V'zan, he turns with a look of deep surprise. "I'm sure I'll raise a child to be nothing but an asset to the weyr. Of course!" Sweat is again wiped from his brow as he flutters his hands in front of his face in an attempt to cool himself down. Ashore gives M'dan an expression that just screams ICK! "I don' like boys. They do strange things and smell funny." Oops, she's sitting next to one of those smelly males.. better clarify. "Not that you do, though. You're not like those icky boys." Of course not, he's M'dan. "You smell like Arliseth's hide." Pure adoration can be found in her voice as she speaks of the brownrider's lifemate. "That egg's kinda purty." Kishairyn is just the messenger. "The apprentices would," she replies promptly. "Some of them are actually quite skilled, and you have to say something for their creative mistakes. Most of them are improvements, even." The others ... we don't talk about. She squawks at Anki's suggestion, opening her mouth and then shutting it again. "Hey!" is her terribly eloquent protest. Arianna shakes her head side to side. "You're right. That one's hard to tell. I'd say bronze, though. It looks...extravagant, or something," she decides, waving one hand vaguely and imitating Maeko's awfully good idea to put her feet up on the seat before her. Again, she is awarded a stare and grumble, but the girl doesn't seem to notice. Or doesn't care to. She's watching the eggs, thank you. From the sands, Ever growing is the Egg Circle that Suyinth is fashioning as she clutches not one, but two more eggs to lay them alongside their sisters and brothers. Yevgeth is spared a tender nudge as the queen leans against his bronze bulk, using him for support and strength. The bulge of her belly has slimmed considerably. Wolfetha laughs at Fyne's comment. "I wonder what dragon eggs taste like." She laughs again but is cut short by a yawn. Oh shards, why did she have to be up so late last night? She yawns again but is wary of closing her eyes, she doesn't want to miss anything. From the sands, P'tala rolls her eyes at V'zan, coughing on her laughter. "Uh-huh. Right. I'm sorry, but Noswaith has far more virtues than his rider does." She leans back and considers, tapping her cheek. "Though as looks go... I dunno. I'd have to ask Celaenoth about that one... Hmm." M'dan smiles sweetly "Really? And here I thought I was a smelly boy." He winks and looks out at the sands. "Another beautiful egg. Normally, people wager on what color dragonet will come from which egg. I don't as I always lose. And you are a bit young to be wagering anyway. Besides, you probably have not seen an eighth mark of your own with which you could wager." From the sands, Support and strength? Yevgeth is there for that. His head rubs gently against her bulk, massaging her tired muscles as he croons again softly. He knows it's her show - unlike his lifemate, it seems - and his concern is all for her. Attention is split between the eggs on the sands and the still-laboring queen. He knows where he's needed, and this is right where he wants to be. From the sands, V'zan snorts at Penta. "Noswaith? More virtues than me? You have a rather skewed sense of what is virtuous, don't you." Attention is once more diverted back towards the eggs. "And stop distracting me." With the keen eye of a trained expert, T'var examines Kishairyn most thoughtfully. "I'm not sure. How much does she eat?" He sounds almost serious about it. Hmm. "Does she know a sarong from a kilt, though, that's the important question. But..hmmm....I need a kilt." No, not a skirt. Just a very pretty, very effeminate plaid kilt. Ashore frowns deeply at the accusation of poverty. "I do so!" A chubby fist is shoved into her pocket once again and three round bits of wood are thrust forward in her open hand toward M'dan. "Got 'em for feedin' people's 'lizards in the dining hall while mamma was workin'." Grin. See? She's industrious.. so long as it doesn't involve dirt. "And I can so wager.. only don't tell da or mamma.." From the sands, P'tala rolls her eyes at V'zan and giggles. "I'm hardly a distraction, am I?" She's small. She's cute. She's... not distracting, nope. Maeko cranes her neck 'round to carefully count those eggs already appeared. "How many is that?" She asks of Arianna, leaning forward in her seat. "It's so hard to tell." That comment, more to herself than in addition to her previous question, is muttered quietly. Anki turns to peer at Kishairyn. "I don't know, I've never seen her eat all that much. Possibly she's very economic in that way." Sitting back, she nods slowly. "I can make a kilt, yes. Still the same waistsize of before?" As if his waist would dare offend him by growing. From the sands, V'zan responds out of the corner of his mouth, refusing to turn towards her again. "If I answer that, it'll only get me in trouble. So just hush and admire the eggs." Fynelox peers at Wolfetha for a moment before going, "Eeeeww! How can you even think of that?" He shudders and makes a face, tongue sticking out for a moment. "Eeew." Kishairyn wrinkles her nose at T'var. "I eat like a bird," she says with dignity, hands resting on her knees, "but I can't think what you'd want with a messenger when you have all these dragons ..." She glances sidelong at Anki, mouthing something that looks like, "what's a sarong?" though she'd never admit it. From the sands, P'tala regresses into something nice and quiet-like. M'dan looks down at the fistful "Oh, you are the hard working girl. Well, I wouldn't take your marks anyway. Beside which, I don't do well with gambling." He considers a moment before adding "And, since I have been at the weyr, I have not had the 'opportunity' to make marks, which I had while at the crafthall. Most of the clothing I make is for myself or Lyllya or someone who needs it more than I. And it is normally exchanged for other 'services'." Which will go unmentioned. Arianna shrugs and attempts her own count. "Sixteen? Or something near that," she finally decides with another added shrug. M'lan climbs up the stairs from the entrance. M'lan mutters under his breath as he strides into the galleries. "Typical. You had to want to go visit Xanadu, and she Clutches, and would you leave...no." He's speaking quietly to himself, muttering vociferously under his breath, and glances around briefly, lifting a hand to brush his fingers through his hair. After a moment, he strides towards one of the benches, and sits upon it. From the sands, V'len glances over towards P'tala. Distraction? Always. But amazingly, V'len actually keeps his mouth shut as well. "I'm admiring eggs," he states helpfully, as if his example is one to be followed. Wolfetha laughs so hard that tears come to her eyes. She can't believe Fyne took her seriously. Maybe she'll fix him eggs sometime and tell him they're dragon eggs. Now that would be funny. "I'm..just..joking." She manages to choke out before laughing again. Fyne is so gullible it's cute. Ashore is too young to ask what those services are.. even if she could think of the shady connotation of that sentence. "S'okay, we can still guess. I'll remember them. Da said I remember things even when I shouldn't." Beam. Ok, so it may not have been a compliment, but /she/ doesn't know that. "How many eggs are there?" From the sands, Back to the grind stone they say, and Suyinth, with a last thrumble to Yevgeth, goes back to that waiting spot in the sands...calling out for another egg to fill the emptiness. Gold is willing to oblige the yearning sands, depositing another into its warm grasp. And another.... And another.... Three eggs in quick rhythm, in close grouping. Together, in a triangle. From the sands, Child of Sadness Egg From the sands, Frothy whitecaps surge and foam across egg's lower hemisphere, casting forth tendrils of watery rage to ceaselessly batter against the granite-hued striations marking shell's desolately forlorn upper half. Caught twixt the two lies a shimmering swirl of flame-brushed coal only loosely cradled by a limpid swath of pale verdigris, a tragic spark of life bereft of maternal protection. Perilously trapped between sea and stone, this flickering ember must strive against cruel fate to stave off hope's extinguishment. From the sands, Love Potion Egg From the sands, Oblong egg glitters drinkable tangerine beneath luminous surface of glass-smooth alabaster. Magical motes of shimmering cyan sparkle like droplets of dew atop apex's narrow shape, cascading downward in a fragile flow of tiny lights. Tempting are shell's liquid hues, filled with the promise of eternal pledge within spellbinding hollow. But despite the lure of rare gift, there lurks too the eagerness to trap an unwitting pair in the flames of love's unsuspecting and perhaps fatal bands. From the sands, Burning Coals' Challenge Egg From the sands, Swirling mirages of heat, ever rising, scintillate across its surface, decorating the passionate orange-red with a layer of deceptive shimmer. Deep, deep, deep! Deep within the egg is a primitive glow, searing and burning so hot that temperature loses its meaning in the hell-like environ. But no evil resides here -- shell's surface allows no cooling black, only eternal crimson, scarlet, sun-bright and tear-jerking. At the end of the world, the end of the line, it is a symbol of purity and none shall defy its flame. Back to back eggs meld together in a swirl of colors and shapes as Nial stare dizzily from one to the other. Overstimulation has each color becoming more vibrate and distracting until they each stand alone before mingling together in their rightful forms. "I'm getting dizzy," he notifies no one in particular, the combination of heat and colors leaving the nanny slightly lightheaded. L'lia wanders up closer to the front of the galleries, can't be to much longer with how many eggs are already laid on the sand. Quite beautiful... But nothing compairs to the egg Kleith was hatched from... but that is a personal opinion. She manages to wander over to a little group of healers... Or at least next to them. Wonder if they know her friend. M'dan shakes his head "I keep losing track. I counted fifteen, before I lost track. I start counting, but keep double-counting ones I have already counted. Normally there would be twenty five or more. I suppose you could guess what color dragon is going to come from one egg, but we would have a hard time recalling which it was, since we are not here. And I have responsibilities in Xanadu Weyr, while you must stay with your mother and father in Xanadu Hold." M'lan's attention falls upon the laughing Wolfetha, and the young man beside her. He shakes his head to himself as he stretches, gaze flickering towards the sands, and murmurs to himself under his breath, "Lot of good ones, it appears. Suyinth did well, again..." He wrinkles his nose before turning to let his gaze wander again, nodding briefly towards M'dan with a grin, "Can be difficult sometimes." Fynelox's eyes are large, watching with rapt attention. That is till the guy in front shifts again and the boy sighs. Back up on his toes, he cranes his neck to see the trio laid. "Now that's neat." he says to the other herders, grinning appreciatively before selecting out another favorite, it seems he has many. "The last one there, so dark red, I like that one too." Arianna points finally at the Burning Coal's Egg "A gold would come from that one, it's so lovely!" But is it her favorite? A glance from the healer to the Belior moon like egg indicates that the choice of favorite was made a few eggs back. "That must have been tough for the queen. Three right in a row like that!" Maeko is absorbed in silence, oddly enough- she rouses herself long enough to nudge Arianna with a a giggle. "Hey! Look, another fiery one. They're both pretty." Well, we all know what Maeko likes, anyway. Her feet fall from the seat, and she settles comfortably. "At least by the color, it would!" Is her response, and she nods. "Or maybe a fiery-tempered bronze. Y'never know." Ashore shakes her head. "I can get here." Grin. Either by virtue of her cuteness or because some would rather give in than listen to her asking over and over. "'Sides, Lyl should be able to travel by then, and /she/ has all sorts of reasons for coming to the hatching.. whenever it happens." She doesn't know all of the particulars just yet. "I missed Arliseth's hatching." Pout. From the sands, Twenty eggs fill the hatching sands so far, curving in a generous circumference over expansive cavern's floor. From the looks of it, the circle is nearly complete, the queen's womb nearly depleted. Yet, another egg or two lurks within, still rippling against golden hide as it yearns to emerge into the light of glows' illumination. Once such ovoid finds freedom, as Suyinth tiredly rumbles, squatting in the sands. From the sands, Fractured Symmetries Egg From the sands, Delicate whorls of quicksilver wend their way upon the glimmering surface, etched into runes of honor and glory, as their lambent forms spread about the egg in pristine purity. Brushing over this glistening sphere, the interlocking lines form a bulwark, a shield of strength, a latticework of utter symmetry against all adversity. And yet...along one edge of the perfect shell...darkness awaits. Black-limned red, chaos and shadow amongst the order and purity can be seen -- a fatal flaw rests within the perfect reflections, fracturing the utter serenity with an inner turmoil, a hint of hidden passions that cannot be denied. Wolfetha has managed to calm down but is still going to feed Fyne "dragon eggs." "Yeah that one's pretty but I think I still like that first one." She thinks that it'll probably be a bronze, just something about it makes her think of great things. "Wow look, Fyne, another one." She tugs at his shirt excitedly. "I think I like that one the best." Arianna makes an 'o' with her mouth. "Maybe that's it! Personality and the egg color and type," she muses. "That egg there--" she points to Maeko's favorite on the sands "--would be a strong and fiery type. The Belior one would be soft and sweet." Yes, she's made up her mind. Thanial's wave of dizziness passes and a moment of clarity occurs as he spies the next egg. Admiration reflects from twin pools of blue as he lets his gaze trail along quicksilvered patterns. He, like others in the gallery, has multiple favorites. M'dan looks on the sands at the latest egg clutched and whistles softly "Now that's a beautiful egg. What say you Ashore?" He nods at her comment "I believe you are probably right about Lyllya being able to fly before they have their hatching here. It would be good to have her come up, but... I am not certain of the welcome another gold would get here. Not that there is a problem with it, but golds tend to be very territorial when clutching and when they have eggs on the sand." Kishairyn utters a small, discordant yelp, scrambling to her feet. "Shells, umm ... Anki ... whoever you are ... can't explain," she grandiosely appends her sentence, firing off a salute and then rushing with one brief, final glance at the eggs. "You will tell me what happens?" she calls back to the weaver, then is gone. From the sands, A nudge, a nuzzle, a pushing of a newly appearing egg into place. Twenty-two stands the count. Suyinth is visibly growing slower in her shuffling, her sighs of breath coming quicker from her between her parted muzzled. Surely a labor of love, but a hard labor none the less. Siani takes a step closer to her lifemate, fists clenched as she senses the nearing end, the closure of the circle. This last seems to be even more difficult that the dark egg from before and queen dragon stretches and strains, struggling to bring it forth. The largest among its cohorts. And... obviously to all... a gold egg at that. Fynelox would probably dump the plate of 'eggs' on Wolfetha's head if he were told that was what it was. She's seen him freak out before, it probably shouldn't surprise her then. He has to agree though, the latest one has a certain draw to it, the shimmering glory contrasted by shadow. "It's eyecatching." he says quietly, flashing a grin. "There seems to be a lot of eggs with a certain...chaotic edge. Or it could just be my imagination." From the sands, Flower Bride Egg From the sands, Strands of vibrant auburn caress egg's bountiful curves with tender reverence, brushing their soft tawny glow over aureate camber. Delicately woven garland of petal-shaped pearl crowns wide golden brow, lightly kissed by rose and frond. Nearly translucent aquamarine pools about voluminous base, begirding rich apricot with a soft circle of both light and hue. A whisper of sweet innocence breathes across shell's radiance, mingling with the unspoken promise of fierce passion yet to emerge. Maiden's hope shines fresh and new upon gilded surface; legendary betrayal is but a future memory. From the sands, V'len stands straighter as that last egg is released, his face a picture of appreciation. Shooting a thumbs up to his lifemate, as if he were the very designer, he turns anew to the rest in the group. "Quite a wonderful showing, no? I think we all can retire to our weyrs with a feeling of a job well done." Not that anyone's really been working but Suyinth. Anki snugs herself back into her seat with a contented wiggle, trying to get bones comfortable on the galleries' somewhat-hard surface. "Ah...of course!" she calls to the disappearing Kishairyn, "See you!" and an ooh of appreciation sounds. The attention of T'var is claimed for a few moments by the rapid delivery of ovoids, but it is not long at all before he returns to the amusing conversation with the weaver-types. "My waist is exactly the same as it was the last time," he haughtily declares, and ...well..when Kisha scurries off, he watches her leave. "Hmm. If she's squeamish about kilts, I don't know if she'll do at all, Anki." Junidas walks in. Maeko giggles again, nodding. "Soft and sweet- just what you'd want, hm?" But attention is drawn, and she squeals, poking at Arianna none-too-gently. "Sorry! But look- it's huge!" She grins and bobs her head appreciatively. "Wow. It's so pretty, too." From the sands, Siani eyes grow wide, her face a mask of true amazement and joy. It's over at last and the last of her lifemate's efforts has produced a gold egg for the Weyr, "Oh V'len! Yevgeth and Suyinth had created a gold egg, how wonderful. They're all wonderful. This will be a truly fine clutch, I can tell." Junidas reaches to her shoulder, delicately picks Fyreloque off his shoulder and tosses him into the air. Stella steps up on the railing to gain a few inches in height and waves her arms over her head to get the crowd's attention. "Excuse me, excuse me." Pausing a moment for the hush to die down, she continues. "As the Headwoman here at Fort Weyr, I'd like to pass along an announcement." Throat is cleared delicately. "We at Fort Weyr would like to thank you for coming out to cheer Suyinth on in another truly lovely clutch. And at this time, everyone is invited to share warm food and crisp wine in the main cavern. Come, share a toast with us as we congratulate Suyinth, Yevgoth, and their riders on a beautiful clutch!" Ashore is about to bob her head in agreement with M'dan when a look of surprise and a soft exclamation of 'Ooooh' interrupts the action. "Lookie! A gold egg." No, she's never seen one before. "It's really, really purty." Her gaze goes to M'dan. "Is that what Mizuth's egg looked like?" The child will never get over missing that hatching... until she's old enough to have forgotten. Wolfetha watches as yet another egg appears. "I don't know much about clutch size but I'd say this is a fairly large clutch." She looks at the newest egg for a moment. "Hey, I think that ones a gold!" She really is enjoying herself, all of the eggs are gorgeous. From the sands, The circle of twenty-three now lies complete, ready for the day to come with each spills its gift, its secret, its hopes, its dreams, even its nightmares across the sands. M'lan chuckles lightly; he stretches in place, and asks Fynelox, his gaze focusing upon him after a moment, "You all right?" His gaze flickers briefly towards Wolfetha then, as if considering the pair's interaction, then back to the sands again. He asks the young man, "What do you think of the last egg, before the gold?" He speaks confidently, then nods at Wolfetha, "Tis." L'lia turns a little to the healers, "Excuse me?" A hide clad arm moving to tap one of the two on the shoulder. "Your a healer right?" Then she notices the last egg emerge... A gold. "Wow quite impressive... This clutch is rather lovely..." The clutchdad is one of her clutch siblings... No wonder. From the sands, "A gold? Oh! A Gold! Why, of course a gold!" V�len�s face breaks out in a wide grin and the poor man looks like he wants to dance - or at least hug someone. "You know what this means? Yevgeth's ichor will flow down through the ages through a daughter!" Oh this is something to celebrate - and if that stuff in V'zan's flask tasted any good, he'd be reaching for it right now. From the sands, V'zan cheers and claps for Suyinth and Yevgeth. "A truly wondrous clutch, Siani, V'len. And a gold finale... Impressive ending, don't you think?" He claps V'len on the shoulder, urging the bronzerider closer to the Weyrwoman. "Now it's time for both of you to get a little food and drink, I do believe, as Suyinth snatches a bit of rest and pampers her brood." V'zan is doing his best fatherly impression. Arianna takes in a breath. "Gold? Is that what I just heard--what I'm seeing here?" She squeaks, shaking Maeko's arm, her question forgotten. "Did you see? See that one there?" She points with her other hand. Anki stands and stretches her bones with a happy grin. "She's not a weaver, T'var, but she has a fine sense of the aesthetics nonetheless. Still, I suppose anyone'll be scared at /your/ knees." Tilting her head slightly at the rumor, she smiles slightly. "Remind me to congratulate Siani when I see her again." Looking at the Apprentices around her, she laughs happily. "Well, what say you to a lot of free food and drink?" Free being the operative word here, of course. Fyreloque mounts the distance up to the viewing ledges. From the sands, Suyinth drapes herself around one arc of the circle, tail curling about the other as she finally relaxes. A soft, tired little rumble vibrates her throat as she looks up at Yevgeth before letting eyelids all close over whirling orbs. Yep, nap time is here. Fyreloque skitters cautiously down from the viewing ledges. Fynelox peers up, half turning with surprise on his face. "Wow, a gold egg. That's always a good sign for the Weyr, right?" he says rather bashfully, the high color on his cheeks indicating his tendency to be shy. "The last egg there? It's really nice. I mean they're all really nice, sir." he gulps up at M'lan. Fyreloque perches up on a small outhang and watches the humans and overlooks the clutching with delight. From the sands, Yevgeth is tired too - perhaps all that encouragement? He carefully arranges himself protectively next to the queen and in vigilant watch over their children. It's his duty, you see. He's not going to sleep and leave them unprotected. From the sands, Siani smiles at V'zan, deciding to give both him and V'len an affectionate hug, "Thanks. It was really something, wasn't it? And V'len, you should be most proud of Yevgeth. Indeed his line will be perpetuated through all his children. Now.. we have nothing to do but wait and see what the Searchriders bring us." Maeko jumps slightly as a tap catches her attention, and glances up to L'lia- though her attention seems to be drawn by the gold egg. She quick nods to Arianna, and giggles; "Yes! Wow. It's definitely a good clutch- at least as far as I can tell. All the eggs are so pretty!" But she glances again to L'lia, and blinks a couple times. "Well, apprentices, anyway." Answered shyly, she bobs her head in affirmation. Stella glances thankfully at Anki -- she can deal with the nastiest of holders, but apprentices are another story. "You can even socialize with the clutch sire's rider, and I'm sure he'd love to go on and on about the lovely Yevgeth, eh Anki?" A conspiratorial wink, wink, nudge, nudge, sort of deal. From the sands, Siani claps her hands together, "Now, about that food and drink. Shall we all go and celebrate?" Thanial rises in a smooth motion, the gold egg given a respectful glance before his gaze turns to the dark one that preceded her. Staring for a moment longer, he offers a bow to the new mother and father before heading down the stairs. Far be it for him to turn down a party... any sort of party. M'lan stifles a chuckle. He glances towards Fynelox, and grins, "That they are. But then, Sia and Suyinth always have good clutches..." Trailing off, he introduces himself to both Fynelox and Wolfetha, "Known as M'lan--" He pauses, and adds, "--believe I saw you both when I was down South looking at the runners." Thanial takes the stairs down towards the bowl exit. Arianna blinks at L'lia as she stands. "Healers, alright," she adds to Maeko's affirmative. "You sick?" Isn't her bedside manner wonderful? She tosses a strand of loose hair from her face, then nods to Maeko. "Think we can see about the food? Will /he/ let us?" She tosses her head in the journeyman's direction. Lil Bit slips in with fairy ease, appearing as if by magic from **BETWEEN**. From the sands, V'zan flashes Siani his infamous pearly-white smile. "I thought you'd never ask." He offers one arm to Siani and the other to V'len, to steady the steps of the proud couple. "Party time." Anki laughs at Stella. "Only if there's some Benden white for me in this equation!" she calls out as she begins to shepherd the apprentices to the main feeding pens. Taking one last look at the eggs, she follows them out. Anki takes the stairs down towards the bowl exit. Fyreloque disappears **BETWEEN** M'dan turns to Ashore "Hrm? Oh, yes, quite so. It isn't always so obvious though. We suspected, but were not certain about the egg which held Mizuth." He says it with little concern "It was awful to see so many eggs not hatch, and have others smashed during that storm." T'var rises gracefully and casts an unhurried look across the clutch. No less magnificent than he expected. But he will ooh and ahh in his own time. For now, munchies and wine beckon. T'var takes the stairs down towards the bowl exit. Wolfetha hmms and examines M'lan's face for a moment. "I thought you looked kind of familiar..." She shrugs. "Well I'm Wolfetha, and this is Fyne." She motions towards the boy. She offers a hand to M'lan to shake. "Well met, M'lan." Maeko gives glance to the mentioned journeyman, who seems to be ignoring them still, and heading down to the stairs himself. "Looks like he's heading for the food, anyway, so we don't have much of a choice. He'll find us before he leaves, though." L'lia has seen quite a few clutches now... They still excite her... "Ahh apprentices... Everyone starts somewhere. I was just wondering if you know Edlor?" He was herders hall healer for a good amount of time. Oh a journeyman is there too... But Leaving. Lil moves around to face the pair. "Oh and by the way I'm L M'dan stands up and reaches out for Ashore's hand "Well, I had best get you back to the hall, before you are sorely missed." L'lia adds on I'm L'lia rider of brown Kleith... An ex herder." From the sands, V'len is beaming. For once, the peacock of the weyr has a right to be proud. He's not about to pass this up! "Party time indeed, V'zan! And just wait until the candidates come in and see these eggs. Siani, I'm quite sure Suynith and Yevgeth will be a draconic pair that will become legendary! Ashore frowns. Never mention the death of babies, dragon or otherwise, around the queen of cute. The mention of going home, however, interrupts any morose musings from the young girl and a quick nod is given. "Are you and Da going to go fishing again?" Fynelox grins broadly as runners are mentioned. "I'm a runner rider! Well I haven't actually gotten to race yet, but I'm supposed to. Been training for that." he says, waxing upon his favorite topic. "Fynelox actually, but everyone does call me Fyne." Or master's pet. Not often to his face though. The diminutive boy echoes the other apprentice though, "Well met, M'lan. Are you still interested in runners?" One track mind that one. Arianna arches her brows. "Ex herder? We know a herder! Aouda! But I'm afraid I don't know Edlor..." she trails off and looks at Maeko. "You?" From the sands, Siani hurries off the burning sands towards the entrance's relief. From the sands, V'zan hurries off the burning sands towards the entrance's relief. From the sands, V'len hurries off the burning sands towards the entrance's relief. Accepting Wolfetha's grip, M'lan nods to her with a smile, "Likely," before he can't help but grin towards Fyne, "Might say that. I and Siani purchased a racer a few months back. Sprinter, he's kept at Herder, most of the time, so I stop in quite a bit..." He trails off, and notices the mass exodus, noting, "Hmmm, everyone's leaving. Perhaps we should follow?" He glances to both Herders, lips quirking into a grin, and asks Fyne, "Have any rides? Sia's going to ride, but we'll probably need another jockey as well." [Log Ends] Back to Fort Weyr Logs |