Impressed!

Candidate Quarters - Fort Weyr(#106RA)
Two neat rows of cots parade down the walls of this long, narrow cavern. Regimental whitish in color, only the occasional hand-patched quilt donated by an Auntie or a forgotten personal item spruces up the cots, giving them a sort of homey look. Tapestries of the typical sort, displaying everything from clutches of eggs to Impressing candidates to weyrlings oiling their lifemates to dragons being scored in Threadfall, brighten and darken the room, hung over the walls to soften the cavern. A small press sits at the foot of each candidate cot, usually neat and tidy except when being used.
Contents:
Jekaan
Eliwys
Kimber
pocket
Wesley
Talya
Gally
Roster
Obvious exits:
Curtain Out

Bres glides in from the easternmost lower caverns. Ashilem ambles in from the easternmost lower caverns. Arnold ambles in from the easternmost lower caverns.

Tamwyn hmmms

Derien is resting, or at least trying, on his cot. He tosses and turns, sighing every once in a while.

Ashilem walks in, a rather large grin on her face and then looks about, giving a nod in Yilisa's direction, "How's everyone?" She asks amusement in her voice.

Eliwys is curled up on her cot, snoring. There! See! She can be quiet.

Yilisa walks in, and surveys the mass of Candidates in various poses of semiconsciousness. "Well, you guys had better get some sleep; the scuttlebutt is that the eggs should Hatch sometime tomorrow morning. Just remember that your robes are not pajamas." She turns to catch Ashilem's question, and grins. "I think some of them had too much klah," is all she says.

Sivilen lounges on his cot, on his belly, feet pointing towards the ceiling, chin on his hands. AT the voice, he turns his head to look and sigh.

Jekaan is sitting with his back against a wall, squatting on his heels. He appears to be fiendishly torturing a small twig, twisting it int grotesque shapes.

Ricdan simply snorts, "Too much klah? NEver. Tommorow morning though eh? Figures..."

Arnold walks in, a towel over his shoulder and his little basket of bathing items in his hand.

Tamwyn sleeps quietly in his cot.

Arnold shakes his head alightly, "I thought I heard someone say that a sevenday ago." Regarding eggs hatching of course.

Derien hrmphs a bit and he yawns as he rolls over. His robe is folded neatly on the chest at the foot of his cot, "Hard to sleep though, ya know?"

Eliwys doesn't seem to be having any trouble sleeping, she's happily curled up in her cot, robe near the bottom, ready to just pull over her head when the time comes.

Ashilem shakes her head, "Sleep, you'll need it. When those dragons actually /do/ start humming, you'll barely have time to breath."

Jekaan looks up for the 40th time from his position against the wall, glancing at his folded robe on his cot, cocking his head to listen for something, then shrugging and returning to the poor twig.

Yilisa grins, and nods at Ashilem. "And do have your robes laid out and ready for tomorrow, so you won't have to rummage for them."

Ricdan chuckles at sudden thought, "I guess taking some fellis to sleep is out of the question, 'cause we might have to wake up ten minutes from now huh?" That sentence was more of a statement than a question.

Arnold sits down on his cot and pulls back the covers, snuggling down into the crisp bedding with a peaceful yawn. "I've got m'robe in my press somewhere.

Derien nods a bit and he rests his head back on his arms, yawning a bit. His sandles are next to his robe and he checks to make sure they're still there before trying for what must be the hundreth time, in an attempt to sleep

Having been asleep all this while, Kimber pulls her covers down from over her head, mussed red braids peeking out from beneath them. "Can't you all keep it down a bit?" asks a grumpy, sleepy voice, blinking about the dimness with rubbed eyes.

Sivilen eyes his press, then sits up, opening it. There, on top, is his robe, so he nods, "All ready."

Ashilem grins, "All ready and looking forward to it?" She asks, hiding a chuckle, "Well, better get sleep while you can. If you do impress, you'll be up for quite a few nights."

Jekaan doesn't look particularly sleepy. Perhaps he sleeps in that squatting position.

Arnold sorts, eyes closed, "And if we don't we can enjoy some peace and quiet for a sevenday? I hear there's a fine party after all this."

Kimber burrows back down beneath her blankets again, drawing them up and folding them close to her head, hands clapped over her hears lightly to block out at least some of the chatter. With a sleepy groan, she attempts to find her slumber once again. Not likely, but she can try.

Yilisa chuckles. "Yes, after the Hatching you can stuff yourselves silly. The kitchen staff is planning on staying up all night, and they'd be miffed if nobody appreciated their hard work." She chuckles, memories of petulant cooks wafting their way through her brain.

Ashilem nods, "Yes, and there will be. Everyone that attended the hatching will be staying on afterward.. and those who don't impress will be more than welcome... and they'll be getting more sleep than those who do impress. Makes you wonder who's the lucky ones, eh?"

Ricdan sighs lightly and lays on his bed, clothes loosened, and stares at teh ceiling, he too, wondering who the lucky ones are, but knowing the answer to question aleady.

Derien snores just a tad bit, perhaps all the chatter is helping him sleep.

Jekaan looks up at that comment from Yilisa. "I could use a good stuffing", he comments quietly before returning to the twig, finally stuffing the maimed wood in a pocket and hooding his eyes in an idle stare at the floor.

Arnold murmurs sleepily, starting to drift all, "the last thing.." yawn, "we need are angry cookies. We might get slop for a sevenday or more afterwards."

Yilisa smiles slightly, watching several of the Candidates nodding off in spite of their nerves. "If any of you have any last-minute questions or concerns, feel free to ask us." She leans up against the wall, looking disturbingly wide-awake for such an unholy hour.

Ashilem snorts, "Stuffing? You don't really want to go saying that around weavers... they may take it the wrong way." then gives a nod at Yilisa's words, "Yes, Finnath won't let me go to bed so I'll be up for quite a while.."

Arnold snorts and rolls so his back is too Yilisa, "I'll ask tomorrow."

Jekaan looks up again at Yilisa and returns her slight smile with one of his own. "None that haven't been answered", he tells her politely.

Yilisa quirks one corner of her mouth upward ever-so-slightly, but says nothing, still lounging against the wall.

Ashilem has partially disconnected.

Sivilen shakes his head slowly, flopping back onto his cot to stare up at the ceiling.

Tamwyn snores quietly in his cot. He tosses and turns a bit, muttering something quietly and then goes back to snoring softly

Ricdan lays on his bed, with hands behind his head and his feet crossed, feigning sleep.

Derien is still sleeping restlessly on his cot, a faint frown crossing his face every once in a while.

Jekaan stands abruptly from his squat against the wall, but only to briefly stretch his legs before sliding back down to his former position. He hoods his eyes to stare at the floor again.

Arnold has finaly drifted off and begins snoring quite loudly.

Naveen sits on his cot, cross-legged, running his hands through his mess of hair, trying to tie it back more firmly.

Sivilen's eyes have closed, and he's at least breathing evenly. However, he swallows a little too often to be truly asleep.

Suddenly, without warning, the nighttime calm of the Weyr is shattered by a deeply resonant humming, sounding through the air and the very stone of the floor.

Ashilem jumps just seconds before the humming begins and looks about, "Well.. here we go..."

Yilisa pushes herself abruptly off the wall, emerald eyes going wide with surprise. "All right, Candidates," she snaps out, crisply, "into your robes! And quickly!"

Arnold doesn't move, he just continues to snore. He could likely sleep right through the mountains crumbling down around them.

Since Ricdan was feingning sleep, he gets up quickly and kicks off his clothes, shivering in the night air, and puts on his robe and sandals.

Eliwys is still snoring. Snoreeee!!! Sounds like a chair scraping across the ground.

Jekaan nearly falls over as he stands too soon, blood rushing from his head. He pauses for a moment and blinks to allow things to stabilize before he dives for his robe.

Yilisa grumbles. All right then, if that wasn't enough..."Out of bed NOW

Not excited. Not thrilled or stunned. Just, "Oh, bother," from Kimber's cot. She sort of falls out of her blankets and lands on the ground beside it. "Do they HAVE to do this now?" she asks plaintively, fishing around with blind weariness for her robe.

Talya jerks up at all the noise, quickly getting out of bed in a rush of energy.

Derien blinks and he sits up with a jerk, eyes wide as he dives to pull his robe on over his head, pant swiftly shucked once the robe is in place. He then pulls on his sandals and grabs his brush, "It's the middle of the night."

Naveen almost drops the white band of cloth he was tying around his hair, then finishes the knot and slowly stands, somewhat nervously, then gets his robe from the clothes press. Quietly he puts it on, tugging at it nervously, gulping. The sturdy sandals come next and there he stands, looking a bit lost.

Sivilen seems to have finally fallen asleep. It takes him a few moments to wake up. His sits up slowly, then pales as the events sink in. He looks around wildly.

Yilisa grumbles. All right then, if that wasn't enough..."Out of bed //NOW!!!!!///" For such a small woman, she certainly has a lot of //lungpower. The glowbaskets quiver a little from the force of that stentorian bellow.

Ashilem does her bit in rousting the sleeping candidates, "Come on.. those eggs won't wait for you to make yourselves pretty."

Tamwyn rolls over in his cot, not realizin what's going on. "oh goody." he says quietly. He continues dreaming. But once the candidate next to him gives him a shove and says "Get up! IT's time!" he is wide awake and rising from his cot he gasps at the cold of the night air. He picks up his robe off his press and strips down, putting it on. Then he stands just freezing next to his cot "Why at this bloody time of the night? Why now? It was too easy to do it during the daytime hours?" he grumps.

Jekaan mutters something about everything important happening in the middle of the night, then seems to draw calmness about his lean frame like a cloak and waits patiently.

Arnold blinks awake and slowly rolls towards the shouting and the sound, "what ma? I'll go milk the bovines but..." he blinks and sits up, "huh? What?"

Naveen winces a bit at the yell, standing slumped yet ready.

Derien shivvers hard as he pulls his hair back and then moves over to help Naveen, "It's bloody cold too."

Eliwys jumps out of her cot, "What? Who? When?" she says looking wildly around. "Oh Faranth's butt, it's too early!"

Over near her press, Liselle pulls her robe on over her head, wriggling out of her trousers at the same time. One of the first ones dressed, it seems, she tugs on sandals and then sits at her cot to wait for everyone else - patient but not terribly so.

Talya quickly gets ready, her excitment fueling her body to move, even in the middle of the night.

Yilisa stalks to the center of the barracks. "Into your robes, everyone, now! We haven't got much time!" She stands there, formidably, hands on hips, the toe of her riding boot tapping out an impatient staccato beat against the stone floor.

Ricdan gestures impatiently, "Come on Eli, Naveen can't do this for you. Let's go."

Sivilen shakes his head to clear it, then, more calmly goes to his press, shedding his sweater as he pulls the robe on over his head.

Ashilem shakes her head, waking a few others, "Don't question the choices of dragons, in the shell or out." She chuckles, resorting to pulling the blankets from a few.

Naveen smiles apologetically at Eliwys. "Need any help?" he says with a crooked smile, then puts his hands on his back.

Grumpy, Kimber ditches her normal clothes and pulls on the sleveless robe - mostly fitted and comfortable but belted nonetheless. "Faranth's butt! It's too early," she echoes, just for the sake of practicing the phrase. Sandals go next and then, all ready but still weary, she shuffles over toward Liselle - both girls waiting with eager expressions.

Eliwys sticks arms and head through the robe, thankfully it's not -too- complicated. Umm, "Who stole my sandals?" They're right under her cot, but she can't see them in her sleepy state.

Derien gets Naveen's hair pulled back and he stands next to him, shivvering again, "Sharding cold, glad though, keeps us from overheating out there. It's going to be real hot on the sands."

Arnold growns, eyes only slitted slightly. He grabs his robe, first pulling it over his night shirt. "OH shards..." He strips the robe off, then the rest of his clothes and then tries again, the correct way. This done, and sandals on his feet, he shuffles towards the others, and stands there with his eyes closed.

Naveen grins at Derien and runs a hand through his hair, then leans down and snatches Eliwys' sandals from under her cot. "There you go."

Yilisa watches Ashilem turf tired Candidates out onto their heads, and raps out some quick orders. "Okay, folks, when you get out there, make sure you bow to the sire and dam. And remember, stay out of the way of the Hatchlings!" The staccato beat of her toe-tapping is growing more complicated as her impatience grows.

With a twist of his body, Jekaan avoids several rushing Candidates and finds a place to stand out of the way and near the door.

Ashilem grins, "Most importantly.. if it's shiney and sharp it's a talon, stay clear of those." then winks and continues until the last grumbling candidate is rousted from bed and shrugging into his robe.

Talya moves to stand out of the way of other rushing candidates, waiting outwardly calmly for the hatching to proceed.

Derien bounces on his toes, hands tucked together as he waits, "Comeon, it's almost over." he says, though his silver eyes are a bit darker from nervousness.

Tamwyn moves quietly through the candidates, his thin soled sandals half hanging off his feet at this point. He's got them on the wrong feet and doesn't realize it. Oh well.

Yilisa is tapping out an incredibly complicated beat now. It's amazing that somehow she manages to do that and still stay upright. "Okay, folks, when you're dressed, line up against that wall," and one black-clad arm sweeps out to indicate the wall nearest the door. "You'll go out two at a time, and don't go out until I call your name."

Sivilen fumbles with the buckles on his sandals. Muttering barely audible oaths under his breath, he finally is able to get them on. He rubs both hands along his short hair and stands, looking around.

Naveen nudges Derien with his elbow. "Hey, shall we go together? Would you?" He shifts nervously again, but looks as ready as one can be.

Derien moves over to the aformentioned wall and he stands there figiting with the ends of his belt, "RIght, whenever you're ready."

Tamwyn yawns. He moves to stand next to Ricdan.

"Talons - hatchlings - bad," Kimber can be heard telling herself, finding a hand to hold in Liselle's. The other girl doesn't look the same kind of nervous - anxious, yes, but not quite as timid about the whole experience as Kimber appears to be. They both seem to be comforting each other, anyway, happily holding and swinging hands.

Ricdan looks around, and spots Tamwyn wandering around. He pulls him to the wall to line up, "Hey Tam, might want to get yoru sandals on the right feet." He points downward.

Derien nods as well to Naveen, "Sure Nav, I've donme this before, I'll keep you out of the way of any claws."

Eliwys slips on her sandals, doing them up a little too quickly and nearly falling over Symon in the process. "Come on Eli," he calls out, "or we'll be last!" "Wait, wait" Eli shouts out, "I need a bath! I'm digustingly dirty!"

Arnold snuffles to join Talya against the indicated wall, not saying anything just standing there, swaying slightly.

Talya smilse at Arnold but doesn't say anything either, waiting, some of her nervousness beginning to show.

Naveen comes to stand next to Derien. "Faranth, makes me feel better," he says to the fellow candidate, with an amused twinkle in his green eyes, that is quickly replaced by growing nervousness and anxiety.

Ashilem shakes her head, "No time, and that won't matter to those hatchlings." She reassures in Eliwys' direction, "Better you hurry with that robe and get lined up."

Yilisa grimaces. "You don't have time for a bath. Just get yourself in line. The dragon won't care if you're freshly bathed or not."

Jekaan sidles along to the wall to what looks like the end of the line. He folds his arms across his body and stands there, looking around.

Ashilem laughs, "Besides, after being on those sands for a few moments, a bath wouldn't really matter."

Eliwys looks half dressed, even if she is ready, and blinks at the riders, "But -I- care!" she whines, "All those people will be looking at me!" Vain? Eli? Nah!

Yilisa surveys the line of somewhat disheveled Candidates, and nods. "Right. Here we go, and remember, no going out until I call your name." She consults a scrap of hide in her hand, and looks back up. "Eliwys and Symon. Go on out."

Arnold yawns in reply to Talya's smile and closes his eyes again. He doesn't look all that excited at the moment, "I need a mug of klah."

Sivilen makes his way over to the line, finding himself near Jekaan.

Eliwys goes down a narrow passage to the hatching sands.

Yilisa consults her list again. "Kimber and Liselle."

Kimber goes down a narrow passage to the hatching sands.

Yilisa says "Ricdan and Tamwyn."

Tamwyn goes down a narrow passage to the hatching sands. Ricdan goes down a narrow passage to the hatching sands.

Yilisa says "Sivilen and Jekaan."

Jekaan twitches a smile at Sivilen. "Ready for this?"

You go down a narrow passage to the hatching sands. The sand immediately burns your feet as you step onto it.

Hatching Sands - Fort Weyr(#128RIJM)

The ground is heavily covered with hot mounds of sand, warmed by dormant volcanic activity. The cavern is large and circular with a rounded dome caused by a bubble in a long-ago flow of magma. Just inside the cavern, etched into the wall to the south, before the tiers of the upper deck that is supported by natural stone columns up off of the sand, is a curious design. The picture is a description of the Red Star along its unusual rotation. The tiers are benches just to the south that rise up into the cavern curving against the rock wall where an audience could relax. Higher in the cavern are natural cliffs; dimly visible in the vague illumination that reaches that far.

Type 'view eggs' to see a list of eggs. Contents: Ricdan Tamwyn Kimber Eliwys M'kal Jalis Nicole Rhiannoth Corner of Sands (cs) Obvious exits: Grounds Entrance

Jekaan emerges from a narrow passage and walks out onto the sands.

M'kal gives Nicole's shoulder another shake. "Wake up. The candidates are coming out and do you want them to see you so... out of it? C'mon, girl," he encourages her quietly, keeping his bulk between her and the entering candidates.

Ricdan bows deeply to Rhiannoth and her mate as her walks in, sweating, both from the heat and the nervousness.

Tamwyn wanders out with Ricdan. He bows stiffly to the Queen and Sire. He alsow bows to the Weyrwoman and Weyrleader. Then moves over to take his spot.

Talya emerges from a narrow passage and walks out onto the sands. Arnold emerges from a narrow passage and walks out onto the sands.

Talya's nervousness eases as she steps onto the sands and bows to Rhiannoth and Zhirith, trying to inconspicuously wave to their riders, too.

Derien emerges from a narrow passage and walks out onto the sands. Naveen emerges from a narrow passage and walks out onto the sands.

Holding tightly to each other's hands, Kimber and Liselle are rather comically nervous in their white robes and sandals. Bows are executed to the dragons, of course, accompanied by yawns from both of the girls. "Wish it didn't have to be so sharding early," comments Kimber, finding room to stand amid the loose semi-circle already forming.

Jekaan bows to Rhiannoth deeply, respectfully, another bow to the Sire, then lines up alongside of Sivilen.

Jalis rubs her eyes tiredly, then combs restive fingers through tumbled red-gold curls as she blearily, through squinting eyes, watches the candidates arrive. She inspects them all quietly, with a welcoming smile in the shadows of the cavern which is light by the dim lumminescence of many glow baskets.

Sivilen grins nervously, pausing to give a deep bow to dam and sire before moving to take a spot in the semi-circle next to Jekaan.

Yilisa emerges from a narrow passage and walks out onto the sands.

Naveen stumbles onto the sands, wincing at the sudden heat, not that it is unexpected, then quickly bows low to Dam and Sire, his hair almost trailing through the sand, before he comes to stand next to Derien again.

Arnold shuffles out with his eyes closed. Alright, so they're not 'closed' but they certainly look it. His bow is stilted and has to re-gain his balance so he doesn't do a face plant into the seering sands. "....klah....need klah." With the oh-so-polite bow behind him he stumbles after Talya to take a spot beside her.

Yilisa walks out into the welcome heat of the Sands, and offers a bow to Rhiannoth, retiring to her spot near the other riders, but slightly to the side.

Derien bows deeply to Rhiannoth and Zhirith, and then again to Nicole and C'val and the Weyrleaders before moving to stand with Naveen and the rest of the candidates. He shivvers hard as he starts to sweat, "It's like a totally different climate in here." He mutters to Naveen as he starts to shift from foot to foot from the heat.

Talya smile at Arnold as he joins her in the circle, starting to shift her feet on the hot sands.

Nicole steps off the cot, it being too warm for their to be any blankets so she's freed of having to bother them. Her arms stretch and then push against M'kal's chest. "Back, Back, Back," she urges him out of her personal space.

Pin Hole Camera Egg seems to want to greet the candidates, too, because it executes a little hop as the occupent inside vigorously wrestles with the problem of getting through the shell.

Ricdan tries breathing deeply to calm himself, and stays near Tamwyn. He lets out a small gasp at the eggs movement.

Rhiannoth turns her eyes on the candidates, her hum gaining an edge as the enter the sands. It softens slightly at the respectful bows, but not altogether much. She's still very wary.

Ashilem emerges from a narrow passage and walks out onto the sands.

Liselle's feet take to moving instantly and, tucking reddish hair behind her ears, she makes herself ready for the ordeal to come. "Keep your feet moving," she advises Kimber, hooking arms with the younger girl, dark eyes fixed to the eggs.

Naveen fans some fresh air to himself and nods to Derien. "Sharding hot, and this in the middle of the night. Hey..." He points to the hopping egg. "It's really starting now," he murmurs.

M'kal backs away from Nicole and moves over to stand next to Jalis. He acknowledges the bows with a quick nod and smile, then points out the hopping egg to Jalis.

Dusty Relic Egg twitches violently, rolling over to knock against one of its neighbors.

Ashilem wanders out, her thick sandals gaurding her feet from the bulk of the heat of the sands. Yilisa is spotted and she hurries over to stand with her, looking at the eggs around her and then up to Finnath, "Brings back memories.."

Derien nods and bites his lip a bit as he reaches out and wraps a large hand around one of Naveen's, "Yeah, it's gonna really seem like forever as they start to hatch." he says softly, feet shuffling quickly as the heat penetrates his sandals.

Magnified Snowflake Egg rocks back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, the patterns on its shell refracting the few gathered glows around it. It shakes, it spins. It's almost hypnotic.

Eliwys is busily inspecting her nails, turning this way and that in order to try and attempt to identify the gross stuff underneath. She snorts. No luck here, and wiggles herself closer to Symon. Hand reaches out, "Are you warm yet?" she asks the other candidate, to which she gets a definite negative. He's freezing too. Hand reaches up, running down her arm in an attempt to quell the gooseflesh.

Yilisa chuckles at Ashilem's comment, her gaze wandering up in Maeveth's direction. "That it does."

Sivilen eyes the moving egg, murmering, "We got out here just in time, it looks like. He lifts his hand to scrub his short hair, then drops it back down to his side.

Rhiannoth rumbles deeply towards the group of candidates complaining at the hour her eggs have chosen to hatch. There is something wrong, her eyes whirl, at the hour? Nighttime, after all, is the best time.

Tamwyn looks about, his eyes scanning over the eggs. He stops and looks at the Pinhole egg. An eyebrow raises up. Did that egg just move? He watches it closely for some other sign of movement. He shifts from foot to foot. "Oh the sands are bloody hot this time of the morning. Why couldn't we have just stayed in our cots. Why now? It was so nice there." His head turns as the magnified snowflake egg catches the corner of his vision. He watches it, eyes going wide.

Talya continues to shift her feet, at this point only a little bit, and moves her eyes across the different moving eggs.

Biological Experimentation Egg rolls nearer to Rhiannoth as the hatchling inside protests at its confinement.

Naveen watches Derien curiously and mimics his shuffling, clinging to his hand. "Well, you must know," he says, looking from one shifting egg to the other, raising his head at Rhiannoth's rumbling, looking nervously over at Nicole, before he contemplates eggs again.

Jekaan eyes the moving egg for a moment, brown eyes abandoning his contemplative look. He moves his hair once to allow fresh air at the back of his neck, shuffles his feet slightly, and skims a quick look around the Sands before returning his gaze to the moving eggs.

Ricdan also continues to shift his feet, more than Talya, he turns to Tamwyn, "Never question a dragon's timing Tam." He points at the queen.

Jalis eyes Eliwys with something akin to dazed fascination as she watches the candidate inspect her body for imperfections. She covers the smile on her face with one hand though her eyes crinkle with amusement.

Derien chews on his lip even more as the eggs shift and spin, eyes moving from bouncing egg to other bouncing, spinning eggs in the eternal candidate dance to watch for emerging, moving hatchlings.

Nicole is now free to see the candidates. Her head nods in return to their gestures. Then she rubs at her eyes in an rather undignified manner. Stepmother would not be please. As that very thought occurs to her, a sharp woman's voice breaks from the galleries. "NICOLE! Stand up straight for heaven's sake girl!" *wince* Speak of the stepmother, and there she is on cue. Of /course/ her family would have been brought her. Blue eyes turn to M'kal. This is your fault, isn't it?

Sodium Chunk Egg rocks and rolls back in forth as it undergoes the fury of a contained dragonette. It emits a soft banging noise as a limb stubbornly beats against the shell and searches for a weak spot.

Yilisa chuckles in spite of herself as Nicole's dignity has a hole shot through it. A clean white rag is produced from inside her jacket, and used to mop lightly at her face; the sturdy boots on her feet keep her from engaging in the same dance as the white-clad Candidates.

Derien blinks a bit and he looks at Naveen as he shuffles his feet, "It's sharding cold, but my feet are burning up." he says as a bead of sweat trickles along his nose.

Moldy Bread Egg seems intent on bashing itself apart as it knocks against neighboring eggs, and the cracking and shattering sounds are audible to anyone with a sharp ear.

Eliwys is perfection personified, or so she thinks. Of course, what anyone else thinks is irrelevant. Glance goes around the dark as she huddles close to Symon and the other candidates. It's cold, though, hey, her feet are starting to remember they're attached to the other end of her body, and twitch they do. A glance down at the sands, uh-oh, hopeful expression is replaced by sensibility, dragons are coming, and dragons have those sharp claw thingys. Nervously she glances around, hissing to Symon, "Did you see anything yet?"

Bunsen Burner Egg doesn't quiver, so much as it seems to flicker. The shades of blue seem to blur further into one another, coming alive through the motion which gently rocks the egg.

Naveen shakes his head and wipes his forehead with the back of his free hand. "No no, not cold, I'm burning up, really." He looks rather flushed, as excitement make the blood rush through his veins.

Tamwyn doesn't really hear the cracking and shattering over the humming of the dragons. He looks up and around at them for a moment. Then towards the galleries and finally back at the other candidates. He shifts again, hands wiping on his robe. He looks at the eggs.

Ricdan stops dancing and takes more deep breaths, remembering everything he has been told about this moment. He looks at the eggs rocking back and forth, and tries to contemplate what it would be like stuck inside of one.

Jekaan glances around him again, this time darting looks at what looks like potential escape routes from rampaging dragonets. Again the foot shuffle as he tries to keep his feet cool.

M'kal nonchalantly offers Jalis the shelter of his arm around her shoulders as he watches the eggs perform their actions, a bemused smile on his face.

Derien lifts his head even more, eyes turning to try and find what he just heard, "Was that an egg cracking?" he mutters to Naveen as he lifts his feet quickly off the sands, one by one. His free hand comes up to wipe off the sweat on his face as he tries to look everywhere at once.

Ashilem jumps as she watches the eggs and then grins at the assembled candidates. Finnath is given a questioning look as he peers down from his ledge, humming loudly, and then her eyes go back to the ovoids, "Nice to see it from this side..."

Magnified Snowflake Egg rocks harder now, cracks appearing all along the length and width of the egg, shattering the reflective properties. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth it rocks, like a child's outdoor toy. After a time, it seems to slow, gaining a sense of presence, of tension.

Liselle does indeed look! She looks right at the rocking eggs, craning her neck to see passed one of the more broad-shouldered candidates who somehow wound up right in front of the girls. Frowning a little, she takes her right and steps forward to fill the semi-circle properly, nudging the fellow aside as she watches. "Seen ay dragons yet?"

Jalis looks up at M'kal a little startled and then smiles, leaning into M'kal's warm embrace with a tired sigh.

Artificial Eruption Egg twitches violently and rolls a few feet toward the Liselle and Kimber duo.

Rhiannoth 's attention is drawn to the starkly white egg, and the humming turns to a croon.

With a final heave, the remains of the Magnified Snowflake Egg break apart into a cascade of shimmering egg fragments. A Lustrous Sunlit Bronze remains, crouched into a little ball, staring about in amazement.

Eliwys squints across the sands, glowlight just isn't doing anything for her visualization skills and oh, there he is! She waggles a hand at Naveen, her hero, and then a nudge brings her back to reality, and oh darnit, those feet are starting to heat up. An idea flickers across her face, and a foot is lifted from the sands, placed against the bare skin of her calf. Ooh, warmth! It's going to be interesting how long she'll manage to stay on one leg though.

Talya smiles. "A bronze? Wonderful?" She looks at her fellow candidates, wondering who this one is for.

Ricdan watches the scene intently, studying everything the candidates do. And what the dragonette does.

A huge yawn splits Arnold's face as the first dragon breaks shell, "Mmmm..." he says intelligently, slitted eyes sort of taking in the activity of the dimmly lit cavern. At least the extream heat seem to be awaking him somewhat. After a moment he holds out a big hand to Talya.

"A bronze!" M'kal calls out triumphantly, beaming at Nicole and C'val, and then down at Jalis. "A bronze, that's a wonderful omen!"

Naveen jumps, maybe from the heat of the sand, maybe from the shock of the cracking egg. "Wow! Look at this bronze there!" He warily moves back as if nervous to be run over any moment, though he beams.

A loud whisper from Jekaan directed towards Sivilen at the appearance of the bronze. "I think it's good luck, right?"

Yilisa smiles indulgently as the first egg dissolves to reveal a bronze. A bronze hatching first is always a good omen. She mops her face a bit more, watching the light of the numerous glowbaskets play off the little one's hide.

Jalis nods her head, looking quite relieved. "Yes, it is, isn't it? That hasn't happened in quite a while." She says with a pleased smile crossing her lips. "He's gorgeous too."

Derien gaps faintly as he eyes the bronze that just hatched, pausing in his shuffle for only a moment before he starts to shift once again with a hiss, "Wonderful, absolutely wonderful."

Sivilen points involuntarily at the bronze hatchling, calling, "Look! Look!" He quickly snatches his hand back to his side, but he still bounces excitedly, grinning fit to split his face. Ne nods vigorously to Jekaan.

Talya smiles and gives Arnold her hand. She whispers "good luck" to him before looking back at the recently hatched dragonet and the rocking eggs.

Nicole starts to cross her arms, and then remebers the presence of her stepmother in the galleries. They move down to her sides and smooth at her dress. Her head, however, turns towards M'kal. "Not superstitious about such things, are you?

Tamwyn's eyes dance as the bronze hatches from the egg. He pokes Ricdan in the side. "look!"

Bunsen Burner Egg wobbles harder, as if caught in the onslaught of a massive breeze. The tremors increase in velocity, and the shell flickers in the fashion one might expect from blustery wind attacking a lone candle.

Moldy Bread Egg knocks against one of its neighbors and breaks apart, revealing Dainty Ladylike Peridot Green Hatchling. She wanders the Sands, her questioning croon changing to a triumphant bugle as she stops before Talin. "Nalaith," murmurs T'lin, and then more loudly, "Her name is Nalaith!"

Hopping in time to her words, Kimber sort of sings, "Bronze, bronze, bronze. That's always a good thing!" Then, still holding to Liselle as they can both be certain that fellow's not for them, she watches the newly Hatched with infinite awe. "Talons - hatchlings - bad," she reminds half-absently.

Ricdan nods curtly, and grins. "Yeah," is all he can manage to say, so overwhlemed by the experience.

Eliwys doesn't spot the hatching, she's too busy trying to watch everything else. The bronze is given a curious flicker of, well, relief?! She's a girl, so she's safe here. Eyes wander over the other eggs, making sure none of them have mutated into a dragon and running for her. Oh wait, Symon's here, protector! She takes a step backwards, ready to dodge, ready to run, at the first sight of trouble. Noone mentioned she had to be brave!

Arnold's big paw envelops Talya's small one and he leans towards her, swaying slightly, "Thanks. Good luck to you too!" Another yawn escapes and he curls his toes in his sandals, trying to take up a little more.

Liselle grins sideways at her partner, hooking arms with the boy beside her to show no hard feelings are evident. "Hatchlings are good. Talons - well. Those are bad," she concurs, one arm crossed with Kimber's and the other with the boy's.

Derien watches the bunsen burner egg and then the bronze hatchling with wide eyes, though he does smile as he hears T'lin call out the name of a green, "Nav, Talin impressed." he says in a deep voice as he continues to shuffle and dance.

Talya smiles and nods at Arnold. Her shifting steps become more pronounced as the heat from the sands make it necessary to pick them up often. Her eyes shift back to the sands before them.

M'kal oh-mys as Talin, now T'lin, impresses the green. "Pretty little thing, she is, too."

Nicole chuckles in soft sympathy to Eliwys' expression. The sands /were/ a tramautic experience. Especially since Rhiannoth didn't decide to crack shell until about the last possible minute.

The brilliant blue of the Bunsen Burner Egg seems to sputter as bits of shell flake off in rapid succession. Finally, one massive shrug collapses the entire flame with a stupendous blow.

Solemn Sunlit Bronze seems to unfold himself from the ball that contained him within his egg. Wings unfurl, shaking off the remnants of the eggshell, allowing them to dry in the air. The bronze dragonet, distracted, looks towards one of his own wings as it shakes. How interesting. The liquid seems to be drying away, and it seems to do so faster when those things shake. So he shakes them. The wings, that is. To get them to dry. Oh yes. Very good, that. In any case, there seem so many things that draw attention here. But where to start? Where to start, indeed? At the beginning, perhaps? Yes, that seems sensible. So he starts at the beginning, nosing down towards one of the shattered remains of his egg. It's as good a place as any.

Jekaan lets out his breath in a whoosh as he suddenly realizes he'd been holding it ever since the first appearance of the bronze. "Hope he's not rowdy", he says inanely, smiles over as T'lin Impresses, then blinks as two Hatch at once.

Naveen gulps and nods. "T'lin. Wow. And a nice name of his green, Derien." He steps back and forth, constantly, then yelps again. "Another lovely green there. Impressive shade." He looks back to the bronze who's exploring his egg shells.

Derien blinks at the green that hatches from the other rocking egg within his view and he ahhhs softly, feet still lifting swiftly from the sands, "Hot, so hot and so cold." he says to Naveen as he looks down briefly before looking to se where the bronze and green are.

"Green." Arnold announces with little preamble and leans to one side so he can lift up one foot and shake it awkwardly. "Sand in my sharding shoes." He grunts unhappily and scrubs a fist over one eye. Wake up, wake up.

Ricdan stands there with a grin on his face while he watches the bronze dry off. He says sideways to Tamwyn, "I'm not sure if I expected this."

Talya wows as she looks at the new green hatchling, her eyes traveling down her beautiful body.

To the side of the clutch a small egg shatters and Bouncy Questioning Glade Green springs away. Rather indecisive, she sniffs at each candidate she passes, sometimes even circling around them. Each step a bound she finally stops at the feet of THE candidate. The young healer girl, Hanna, squeals, throwing her arms about the questioning green. "Yes, Yes and No," she giggles, "Oh Dubiath!"

Homemade Bubbles Egg slowly begins to show some movement as the egg tilts forward and back, its hard sides pushing against the softer sand with growing intensity. It almost seems to float there like a soap bubble, so fragile in appearance that it seems it might break at any moment.

Storm Cloud Jade Hatchling promptly sits on her rump, letting her wings flicker lightly to dry in the warm heat of the sands. She's not really interesting in the candidates, so much as in just being comfortable herself. Not even a gentle croon from Rhiannoth seems to stir her attention. Instead, she's concentrating upon the warm and maybe stretching out a bit since she's not longer confined in such a tight space.

In the same vein as her earlier dance, Kimber continues this time with, "Green, green, green." Fortunately, the half-giddy action keeps her feet moving on the scalding Sands. "Oh! Another green. For Hanna!" Waving to the newly-made pair, she keeps up her scorched dance.

Sivilen casts a quick glance at his companion, Jekaan, asking, "Rowdy?" As is usual for him, this evening, his eyes remain in one place only so long, as he attempts to see everything.

Naveen peers at the green and misses Hanna Impressing. "Hey, Der, look, she's a lazy dainty little thing, isn't she?" He grins, then wipes his face again.

Liselle, prompted by her boisterous partner, looks off toward where Hanna and Dubiath have just found each other. "Oh, lucky Hanna," she comments happily, still keeping her link with Kimber and their adopted third partner.

Rhiannoth is concerned with the absorbtion of the small green on the sands. She barks at it, drawing the attention of the hatchlings which have already cracked shell for a moment. She croons to them for a moment, then focuses on the reluctant one.

Arnold peers into the darkness, "that's a lot of dragon to come out of those little eggs. How do they pack them in so tight?" He breaks off at the outcry and nods his head towards the newly impressed.

Derien chuckles and he nods a bit as he peers back at the green again, then turns his head to look at Naveen, "Aye, she's gonna make soemoen an interesting lifemate."]

The Dyed Tuber Egg bulges then breaks, spilling out a small but rather Bold Royal Blue. He inspects the line of candidates, then prances to his one, head held high. Zader, now Z'der, forgets any discomfort as he gazes deeply into the blue's eyes and joyfully calls out "Nyeth!".

Talya hmms and thinks over what Arnold has said. "I don't know, maybe we'll have a chance to ask them?"

Symon nudges Eliwys, "Pay attention, Eli!" Eliwys snorts. "I -am-!" but looks around. Did she miss something, someone, somedragon? Her feet shuffle on the sands, lift one, check one, down one, lift one. Hey, there's a rhythm here, somewhere, not that she's a harper. Tugging her robe down, she looks around and squeals. "There's a green, Symon, a green! Help!" and hides.

Tamwyn nods. "Yeah, I know the feeling. There is just so much going on at one time. I mean look at that. The bronze and now a green. ANd that egg over there moving!" he actually smiles a little but it lasts just a fleeting moment. He grows serious again and watches the green just sit there. An eyebrow raises up.

Naveen gives Derien a sidelong grin. "Maybe she might make your life interesting?"

"Yeah", comes the measured response to Sivilen, the description and the timing of it probably only making sense to Jekaan. "Big and strong", he amplifies, in his laconic fashion, before sidling to one side to avoid a small green rushing along.

Storm Cloud Jade Hatchling turns tiny orbs upwards to stare at the massive gold. Up. Up. UP. UUUP. Prudently deciding its best not to fight quite yet, seeing as she seems to be greatly mismatched, she rises to her feet and begins to move across the sands at a leisurely pace. She may have to go. But she doesn't have to go /quickly/, now does she. Everything here will take place on /her/ schedule.

Nicole moves along the outer ring of the eggs, watching the Jade hatchling in particular. Stopping next to M'kal and Jalis, she comments, "That one's going to be a handful, I bet."

Ricdan stands there, not saying much of anything, but watches the jade hatchingling, making a comparison in his mind between her and Eli.

Derien peers over at Naveen again and he chuckles, "Or maybe yours Naveen?" he says as he keeps shifting his feet, trying to keep his shivvers down and not let sweat fall into his eyes. "I can't believe I'm still cold, with as hot as it is out here."

M'kal laughs as he watches the jade hatchling and comments quietly to Jalis, "Yilisa's going to have her hands full with that one..." His eyes seek out the bronze again as he squeezes Jalis's shoulder gently. "And yes, I do believe in omens, Nicole," he calls over to be, belatedly.

Homemade Bubbles Egg quivers in such a way that it seems to vibrate to the point of breaking though it does not sunder in any part as of yet. With the way the shell moves, the impact from within must be a furious thing.

Solemn Sunlit Bronze gets his snout under one of the larger shards, seeming intent on seeing, smelling, touching what's on the opposite side. Of course, considering that his wings are flapping to the point of abstraction, this is probably not a good thing. Balance, you know. Well, apparently, it's not something he knows just yet, since the inspection of the egg seems to tip the dragonet forward. No real danger, though, since that furious flapping keeps him from falling all the way over. Still, he learns his first lesson: concentrate on the stuff that isn't on the ground right now. His focus shifts, landing on something rather large, rather golden in color. A croon is elicited from him as he greets the Queen. But it's only a moment. Hey. There's other things out there the same color as his egg! Why is that? Shouldn't his egg be unique? Well, maybe he should go ask! A few well-placed steps carry the bronze towards the white-shifted candidates. Wait? What was he looking for again?

Arnold nods faintly to Talya and close shis eyes for a moment before squinting out at the sands, "she's not really in any hurry. Maybe no one is out here for her."

Talya smiles. "I think she's just being careful. She'll choose, on her own time."

Naveen wrinkles his nose as he watches the green move at her own pace. "Nah, I don't know. Though tending after her might not be much different from doing Eli's chores, eh?" He winks then notices the moving bronze. "He's moving," he hisses.

Derien grins as he sees the bronze moving, "He's a curious one, isn't he?" He says as he shifts his gaze to check on the green and the rocking egg. "She's moving to Naveen!"

Kimber and Liselle and the boy are a rather happy little trio on their safe side of the Sands, though the fellow they've adopted does seem to be itching to find that bronze. "He'll come to you," says Liselle, leaving Kimber only to giggle as bright eyes look after the dark little green.

Jekaan smiles at the little bronze as the dragonet eyes the Queen, then, even though he's already paid his respects to the huge gold, inclines his head slightly again. Back go his brown eyes to the bronze, watching the young one make his way across the burning sands.

Yilisa glances sideways at the Weyrleaders, one elegant blonde eyebrow arching upward. "I heard that, M'kal," she says, eyes twinkling.

Naveen stares wide-eyed at the green, then quickly shakes his head. "No no, she's not, stop teasing me," he calls to Derien, then quickly shuts up and shuffles his feet again, having forgotten the hot sands for a moment.

Tamwyn looks over at the giggling girl that is standing next to him. He scrunches up his face for a moment and then looks about. He watches the progression of the bronze and the green. "I see she has decided to move." he remarks to Ricdan. "that is a good thing. I wonder if they feel the heat like we do. Ugh!" he snorts as he continues shifting feet, no foot remaining down for more than a minute or two.

Storm Cloud Jade Hatchling walks along a line of candidates, eyeing them critically. Her hair's not curly enough. Hers is far too curly. A sneeze snaps her muzzle sharply down, caused by the overabundance of perfume on one of the candidates. Again, the head turns towards her dam. Is this all you've given me to work with, her plantive croons seems to ask. I expect better, she snorts.

Derien nods his head, "Yes she is, she's just going slow." he says as his feet start to lift all the more quickly as the heat seems to penetrate his sandals more and more quickly with each passing moment.

Arnold offers a small nod and scratches at the back of his sweaty neck. "Guess it's good to be picky." Allowing this he lids his eyes for a moment, not as though he can drift off in the sharding /hot/ sand.

Ricdan wipes his brow with his forearm, and keeps his feet moving. He nods to Tamwyn, "I don't think so, because that green is sure taking her time."

Sivilen's eyes stop to watch the bronze for a few moments, before shifting to watch another candidate, then towards the queen and then to the inspecting green hatchling. Again, he lifts a hand to rub it along the side of his head, even as he picks a foot off the ground to cool the sole.

Naveen snorts and urgently says "She's much more interested in girls, see? And maybe she's coming to you, you're here as well, you know," he says quite seriously to Derien.

Homemade Bubbles Egg abruptly explodes with a 'pop' of shattering shards that skew every which way like droplets of moisture to disappear into the sand. Remaining in some confusion in the center of what used to be an egg, a small dragon rests.

Talya smiles. "Another bronze!" She squeezes Arnold's hand.

Eliwys hands go over hair. Her hair is just fine without any dragon whuffling it, thankyouverymuch! No dragon goo wanted. Another step behind Symon, though his hand is still held in hers, puts him very much in line of any dragons who come either of their way, and that's just fine considering the horrified look on Eli's face as she considers the drying remains of the egg fluid.

Storm Cloud Jade Hatchling heads to a gaggle of girls, pausing for them to spread apart. She promptly ignores every single one of the unworthy and moves through the pack. Completely unacceptable. Who brought such cretins here anyway? She'll definately have to do something about this when she gets bigger.

Ricdan pokes Tamwyn in the side, "Look at that guy, I wonder where the browns are..."

Derien blinks as another bronze hatches and he tugs sharply on Naveen's hand, "Another Bronze!" he says in a loud stage whisper, feet shifting all the more quickly, "Two bronzes!"

Tamwyn looks up and over as an egg hatches nearby. He smiles as another bronze is deposited upon the sands. "Ah, the Weyr is very lucky indeed. Two bronzes so far."

Pin Hole Camera Egg shatters as Aggressively Independent Klah Brown Hatchling delivers a final kick. That dealt with, he scans the sands arrogantly, then selects one white-robed lad. Vandikas, now V'ndis, stares into the brown's eyes and proudly tells all listening, "His name is Hilwanith!"

Solemn Sunlit Bronze takes several measured steps to the first of the Candidates, and there he stops. Of course, this is Eliwys, so it shouldn't be any surprise that it isn't long before he starts moving again. Another few steps take him towards a pair of candidates from Tillek, whom the dragonet peers at for several long moments. No. Not this one. It's not this one that he wants. Or that one. But, then again, really, what is 'want'? Contemplating this, the dragonet takes a few more steps towards the pair. No. 'Want' isn't the proper word. But then, what is? Need, maybe. The dragonet moves on to another pair of boys, slow but sure. There he stops, wings stilling for a long moment.

Arnold gets a hopeful look on his sleepy features, "With two bronzes on the sands..." he doesn't finish the statement, but from his slowly awakening stance it could be 'maybe I have a chance for one' seems to be what he might have said. "Hey, there's a brown."

Jalis continues to lean into M'kal, looking solemn, if tired and excited at the same time. She elbows the Weyrleader sharply and says in a loud whisper, "M'kal! A second bronze!"

Rhiannoth thrums towards the newest bronze to grace the heated sands. Then, her head swivels to eye Zhirith. Who said browns aren't worthy, anyway. This one seems to have done rather well.

Naveen winces a bit as Derien tugs at his hand. "I can see him quite fine. Oh, look at that brown! Hilwanith." He whistles under his breath, then gulps as that first bronze seems to come closer.

Those slow and steady steps have ended, finally, with the Solemn Sunlit Bronze poised before one particular candidate. His gentle creeling fades into amazed croons of devotion, as he starts intently into Tamwyn's eyes.

Nicole, thinking the same thing as Rhiannoth, sniffs lightly (and in a ladylike fashion, you may note) to M'kal. "Well, It seems Rhiannoth choose rather well, don't you think?" At least she refrained from phyiscally digging her finger into his side.

With two bronzes on the Sands, Liselle's and Kimber's third wheel just can't stand there with the girls anymore. He breaks away somewhat, stepping forward from their arms and puffing out a chest - notice me, notice me! It just leaves the girls grinning and giggling at him as their eyes follow after hatchlings.

T'myn watches the Solemn Sunlight bronze move about. He watches as the bronze is right near them. He nods. "It is me. Hello Inuth." he says as he meets the Bronze's gaze. "His name is Inuth!" he calls out!

Ricdan tries intently to keep himself from cheering for Tamwyn, watching intently at the new pair, wonderign what will happen next.

Derien nods and his eyes get wide as he sees the first bronze look at Tamwyn, "Tamwyn got the sunny bronze!" he says loudly, his shuffling pausing for a moment as he grins, "Inuth?" he says before he yelps and starts to shuffle again.

M'kal yelps quietly as he's elbowed. "Yes, yes, I see... And there's a brown... Oh, look! Look! The first bronze chose!" M'kal's youth shows through as he exhuberantly jumps up and down a few times. He completely ignores Nicole's cattiness and merely says, "Rhiannoth and Zhirith did well, Nicole."

Noble Brilliant Bronze Hatchling slowly lifts his head and starts shaking himself in a furious manner, much like a canine would when wet. His wings flop on either side, extending wide and scattering a fine mist of egg fluid all over every close thing. He grunts a soft, wuffly like sound and starts looking around him in a very curious and interested manner.

Yilisa smiles, and walks over, leaving little heel prints in the Sands in her wake. "Congratulations, T'myn, Inuth. If you'd follow me, please?"

"Two bronzes", Jekaan murmurs, unconsciously puffing out his chest a little, preening without knowing it as he watches the two. "Ah", he smiles as the first bronze Impresses T'myn. "Well deserved", he calls out to the new bronzerider.

Talya smiles at Tamwyn as her fellow candidate impresses. "Congratulations T'myn! And Inuth!"

Naveen smiles at Tamwyn. No, T'myn. And Inuth. He cheers for his fellow candidate before his eyes go back to the other dragons on the sands. Green. Bronze. He almost crushes Derien's hand with his firm grip.

Sivilen stops to clap his hands together. He gets as far as two claps before he pulls his hands back against his sides, saying unnecessarily, "That was Tamwyn!

Several assistant Weyrlingmasters wade into the fray, after the first frenzy of Impressions tapers off a bit, to lead the newly-paired off out of the way.

Eliwys doesn't see the impression, but a look goes towards the new weyrling as it's clear he's being directed away by the Weyrlingmaster. She shudders, and then focusses back on the hatching, and those dragons, and those talons -- eek! Just look at what that one did with that lump of sand! Squished into oblivion!

Arnold's lanky shoulders slump forward but he drawls out congratulatory, "way to go Tawyn." Well, might as well get comfortable again, as comfortable as he can in these sharding hot sands.

Nicole claps her hands together. "Impression!" she cheers with excitment. "Welcome Inuth! And congratulations, to you, T'myn."

T'myn moves off with Inuth towards Yilisa.

Some shadowed egg bursts forth in an impressive array of shards, sticking to the damp hide of a reticent brown. He sneaks from the remnants of his egg, wobbling limbs bringing him to nudge against the legs of sweet Amelia, who drops to her knees to proclaim, "Chalorth! Of course I love you."

T'myn leaves the main part of the sands.

Butting her head demandingly against Symon's frame, the Storm Cloud Jade Hatchling threatens to knock Symon from his feet before she determines his attention is completely hers. And she never intends to give it back.

Threatening Thunderhead Egg shivers ominously, a ripple of movement rolling across its surface, and causing the kitelike image to toss and turn.

Inuth leaves the main part of the sands. Yilisa leaves the main part of the sands.

Arnold whistles softly, "Shards..that was...fast." He squints, maybe he didn't see that right.

Derien turns his head a bit to try and locate where the green and other unpaired bronze his, his chest heaving a bit with nervous energy. The cold is forgotten, as is the heat, but for his shuffling feet as he tries to see what the hatchlings are doing, "Oh Look, she wants Symon!"

Ricdan lets his head swivel this way and that, trying to watch everything at once, but missing a lot of things too.

Yilisa comes back out onto the main part of the sands from the weyrling alcove area.

S'mon reaches out a hand, and gently caresses the headknobs of the green in front of him, lost in wonder for an eternity and more. "Luciath" he whispers, a smile spreading across his face, and then louder, for all to hear, "Her name is Luciath!"

Naveen flashes a grin. "Should I be happy for Symon, or commiserate him?" His eyes move back to the bronze on the sands, warily.

Ashilem walks over to Symon and grins, "Congratulations you two, follow me and we'll get her something to eat."

"Guess it wasn't his after all," comments Kimber, grinning as the boy steps back after the first bronze Impresses. "Symon?" she adds, perching on her toes to glance toward that boy and the green who seems so interested in him. "Starting to pick up speed, huh?" she asks of Liselle, grinning.

Rhiannoth snuffs softly, now that the jade hatchling has found a pair. And what a pair. But there are other hatchlings upon the sands and her attentions return to these, leaving the green to Yilisa and Maeveth. And S'mon, of course.

Talya waits for Symon to speak before smiling and congratulating him. "Congratulations S'mon and Luciath!"

Dusty Relic Egg shakes once, cracks racing along the outer shell. A tailtip emerges, quickly followed by the rest of the Valiant Dusty Sage Green. With little ado, she marches straight to her chosen: Laayne. "Oh, Dysitith, of course we'll get you some food... what do you mean, you don't want a bath?"

"Remember that one, M'kal. Luciath. I'm sure it will explain a lot of things we'll hear later on," Nicole notes sardonically.

Jekaan eyes the green and her chosen one, smiles and calls out his congratulations to S'mon, then turns his attention back to the Hatchings still staggering about on the Sands, obviously wondering if one will choose him.

Noble Brilliant Bronze Hatchling slowly stalks out, like seeking prey, his body close to the sand, tail whiping behind him as he stealthily sneaks up on the candidates. His neck lifts slightly, head swiveling around before he continues his creeping motion across the sand, belly sliding close to the ground. And if those candidates stay still, he might surprise them, though obviously he's unaware that their attention is on him.

Eliwys squeals! Dropping Symon, no, S'mon's hand, and running to hide behind a close candidate. Traitor! How could he leave her! She frowns, though it's closer to a scowl, and wrinkles her nose, taking a good look at her hand. Oh good, no dragon goo there, she escaped. Eyes go back to the eggs, the hatchlings and the other candidates. Can't see her, neener! But she can see them, and watch she does. Perhaps she'll be missed.

Ashilem leaves the main part of the sands.

Sivilen, in his efforts to watch everything, misses the green's Impression to Symon. However, the shouts of congratulations draw his eyes to the pair, and he adds his own before turning to watch the other bronze.

Threatening Thunderhead Egg begins to shake more insistently, and cracks begin to cut lightning-bolt-shaped paths through the roiling grey of the shell's surface. Sounds can be heard from within the confines of the egg, as its occupant tries its best to free itself.

Ricdan cheers on S'mon as he did with T'myn, but continues to try to watch verythign at once.

Derien chuckles softly and he taps Naveen on the shoulder, pointiong to the bronze, "Hey, look at him. I bet he'll be a fantstic hunter when he's older." he says as he continues to shuffle his feet.

Ashilem ambles in from the entrance to the hatching grounds.

Arnold ahs and rocks back on his heels, "Good going S'mon. I think. Although..." he doesn't finish the thought. Likely best that way anyway. He resumes his sleep-standing on the sands, yawning.

Naveen grins widely at the sneaky bronze. Okay, so he's not really sneaky, but he might be once grown up and not as ignorant to people's presence. "He's quite something, isn't he, Der?" He belatedly cheers for S'mon, but then is all eyes for the bronze again.

Tonal Leaf Prints Egg shivers and shakes as the hatchling within joins in on the hatching action. *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* Hey, someone let me outta here?

Cracks appear in remarkably regular shapes across the surface of the Threatening Thunderhead Egg. One diamond-shaped piece unexpectedly comes flying off the egg, revealing a surprisingly red underside. It flies for a second before taking a nosedive and being torn asunder by a branch like limb protruding from the shell, just as the rest of the egg dissolves to reveal its occupant.

Derien nods and he chuckles as his eyes drift towards the rocking eggs and then back towards the sneaking bronze, "Yeah."

Talya smiles at the brown. "He's so handsome!"

Jekaan unexpectedly ahhs at the brown, cocking his head once at the Hatchling's coloring.

Arnold nods to Talya, "maybe that one is for you. Look, he's looking at you." So maybe the dragon isn't, he's just trying to be helpful.

Talya smiles as she goes back to watching the brown, hope showing on her features as she continues to shift her feet on the hot sands.

Naveen chuckles at Derien. "Hey, is it really a brown?" Oddly enough the exciting atmosphere of the hatching seems to make him relax.

Noble Brilliant Bronze Hatchling tilts his head, as if having heard something and glances over where the brown just hatched from his egg. As if bored with whatever it was he was persuing, he rises up, pushing himself into wobbly stability on his hind legs and looks around with an air of nonchalance. He starts gazing around, as if he'd lost touch with whatever it was he thought he'd found. Ah wait! There it is! Eagerly he starts trundling toward his new goal, a young male candidate wearing a brand new white robe that fits him perfectly.

Ricdan isn't mincing his steps as fast as Derien, but he again wipes his brow and continues watching, not saying anything at all, just looking around and cheering for his friends when they impress.

Sugar-Sweet Brown Hatchling tumbles out of the egg, landing on his back in a puff of sand, and laying there for a second. Oh, good grief. He flaps his wings experimentally in the sand, once, twice, before figuring out that he is upside down and shouldn't be this way. After several attempts to right himself, he finally gets his wings tucked back and rolls over, ending up the right way. He looks up at the big...big...very big gold, and emits a soft creel, before turning around twice.

There is a strange hush that comes over the sands as the Brilliant, Noble Bronze hatchling gazes eagerly into Naveen's face. Not long after that momentous event, the small bronze head nudges up under one of Naveen's hands in an obvious appeal for attention and a caress.

Rhiannoth croons softly to the sugary brown, offering him rare special encouragement.

Sweetsand Racing Egg rocks and rolls vigorously, knocking against its neighbor.

Derien blinks as he sees the bronze paus in front of Naveen and he untangles his hand from his, "Congrats Naveen." he says as he steps back from his sands partner, feet moving swiftly as his hands link together behind his back.

Kimber, still hopping, watches the bronzes, the browns - all of them at once, but none of them at all. Too much to see, too few eyes to see it with, she and Liselle divide the task, each looking one way and reporting the happenings back - "Oh, he Impressed, I think!" - "And this one just Hatched!" - "Which one?" - "Naveen!"

Eliwys blinks, uh-oh, there's another moving shape in the darkness, and it's vaguely dragon-shaped and definitely not wobbling as an egg would. She glares over someone's shoulder, trying desperately to make sure it keeps in sight, but doesn't see her. I mean, just imagine what that goo would do for her robes!

Arnold nods slowly, "yup, that one's for you Talya." He's already decided. There's a moment of stillness between shaking sand from his feet and then he nods, "Looks like the bronze found a mate."

Sivilen inhales sharply as the brown hatches, whispering as he exhales again, "Ooh. Look at the brown." Then he turns to look at the bronze, cheering congratulations.

N'veen blinks, lets go of Derien's hand and then quickly kneels. "But of course I can see you, Jocoth! Always! Forever, me and you. And yes, there will be food!" Tears trickle over his face as he hugs the sneaky bronze.

Jekaan cheers as N'veen Impresses the bronze, then watches a brown as that young one trundles over the Sands in his direction.

Ricdan calls out a cheer for N'veen, "Way to go!" Another candidate down, their group is getting smaller by the minute.

Talya smiles at Arnold. "You don't know that." But the hope in her eyes shows that she's wishing it were true. She smiles at N'veen. "Congrats to you and Jocoth!"

Sweetsand Racing Egg starts to rock and roll. It manages to launch itself out of its nest, coming to a halt a few feet away from where it started. A determined rapping sound comes from within and then the egg breaks into a few large pieces, releaving the hatchling within.

Yilisa grins, and returns from aiding another new pair in time to catch N'veen's Impression. "Congratulations, N'veen, and welcome, Jocoth," she smiles. "If you'll follow me, we can get some food for him."

Bemused Seasonal Green Hatchling An explosion of color shining with glorious spring, summer and autumn hues form the palette from which she was painted. The bright, lush green of newly sprouted leaves dominates her frame while tendrils of soft, yellowish peridot flow down her supple neck and over her back and tail, outlining a sleek and muscled body as finely drawn as delicately fronded ferns. Dark, glossy emerald overwhelms her wings and muzzle, the crisp shade of well-watered plants at the height of summer. Autumn yellow, a shade much like dried grass, spreads across the bottom of her wings and belly, paling darker color to later make her invisible against the sky. Pride is imbued in every set of bone and muscle, stiffening her spine and tilting her snout slightly upwards, giving her an almost sassy appearance.

N'veen nods eagerly to the Weyrlingmaster. "Oh yes, please, he's very hungry!" His own stomach growls loudly.

Eliwys glances around. Why are all of these people calling out her hero's name? She looks, looks, and then -- horror! Ohmy! "Oh no!" she mutters, "they got him too!"

N'veen leaves the main part of the sands.

Jocoth leaves the main part of the sands.

Derien smiles a bit as he sees the green hatch, hands wrapped tightly together behind his back as he shuffles from foot to foot. His dark hair clings to his skin and back, a bit bedraggled from what he was when he first got on the sands. He sighs a bit and continues to do the candidate shuffle as he looks to see where the brown and the green choose to go.

Bemused Seasonal Green Hatchling creels indignantly as she scrambles out of the remains of her shell. This is no way to treat a lady! She huffs and looks up at Rhiannoth. Way up. She gives the gold an inquisitive look, as if to say, Uh, mom? What do I do now?

Arnold nods, as though knowingly and smirks over at Eliwys' distress. "That's what hatchlings do afterall."

Sugar-Sweet Brown Hatchling figures out after a few rotations that the odd brown thing he has been following is in fact his own tail, and is attached to his rump. Straightening his neck, he looks out and sees a mass of pale objects, some oddly clumped together. What are those? They look interesting. He totters off toward them, outsized wingsails outstretched for balance. One of those outsized wings accidentally brushes against one of the white things as he passes, leaving a trail of egg goop on a young woman's robe.

Kimber blinks at something or another and repeats quizzacly, "Naveen Hatched?" She turns just in time to see the newly Impressed leaving with his bronze, and then realization dawns. "Oh. Nevermind." Anyway. On with reporting back to Liselle: "It's a green over here!""

Rhiannoth looks way dooooooown at the bright green. Her eyes close tightly a moment, and then she snuffs sharply. Flashing open, the orbs whirl and look upon the candidates. That's what you do. You go look at them.

Yilisa leaves the main part of the sands.

Yilisa comes back out onto the main part of the sands from the weyrling alcove area.

Artificial Eruption Egg bursts apart in an explosion of color. Majestic Jade Green Hatchling daintily steps away from the shards and regally looks around. With the same cautious steps she makes her way slowly to Aliana, whose usual timidness disappears as impression is made. A rare smile appears as she calls out, "Her name is Valequeneth!"

Eliwys stands still, almost too frightened to move as that brown comes WAY too close to her, and then, oh gosh, she's going to faint -- it TOUCHED her!!! Hands brush down at the goo, which of course spreads it further and all over her hands, "Faranth's butt, butt, butt, it got me!" she squeals, dancing around like a something had just stung her.

Derien chuckle a bit at the brown and he shakes his head slightly as he shuffles continously, sand dropping out of his sandals with every swift step, "Shards, hot then cold, my bum's freezing."

Jekaan finds himself more interested in the interaction between golden mother and green daughter than anything else for a moment, the heat seeping through his sandals finally pulling him back to the business at hand. He cheers as a green Impresses, then watches the brown stagger about.

Arnold watches Eliwys frantic sand-dance, ignoring the hatchings and the eggs just to stare at her.

Ricdan watches the green /touch/ Eli and he can't help but chuckles at her reaction. "It isn't going to hurt you Eli! It didn't even touch your fingernails," he calls out, teasingly.

Sugar-Sweet Brown Hatchling almost loses his balance and falls over, as one of the white things very near him goes into a crazed screeching and dancing. Somewhat startled, he shies away from the spasmatic dancer, and gets himself all turned about. After a moment of intense concentration on the subject of which way is up, he gets himself organized, and finds himself facing something very interesting indeed. He totters his way over toward a pair of Candidates, one boy, one girl, and looks them over intently.

Liselle, likewise keeping tabs on the goings on, reports back over her shoulder, "A brown on this side. She's not coming this way, is she?" The question comes out a little nervously as the girl no doubt recalls the warnings about mumblings.

Bemused Seasonal Green Hatchling turns to look out at the assembled masses and discovers they're all looking at -her-. Oh my. The green creels questioningly and slowly moves forward to look at the people looking at her. She seems to get the sense of things, looking more intently at the candidates as her eyes take on hunger whirlings.

Sodium Chunk Egg explodes as Energetic Excitable Cinnamon Brown Hatchling emerges. Not stopping to contemplate before hurrying across the sands, he jumps as a hatchling passes close by him but he continues his way towards Yulan, now forever Y'lan. The small boy is almost knocked over by the exuberance of his lifemate but laughingly responds, "Yes, I am your Y'lan and you are my Dilarth."

Sivilen can't help but start laughing at Eliwys' reaction, doubling over until he can control his nervous giggling. After a moment, he straightens, wiping his eyes and peering around to see what he missed.

Talya squeezes Arnold's hand and smiles reassuringly at him.

Eliwys shakes off her hand, but the gooey, sticky stuff sticks to her nails and hands, except for the bit that flies off and, whoops, did that fly into someone's eye? Shame! "It could KILL me! Dragonchow! I remember!" She looks frantically around, taking several steps backwards, "The Weyrleader told me, honestly! Very sharp claw thingys!" He forgot the goo though.

Arnold seems to think the hand squeeze is a need for reasurance and squeezes Talya's hand right back, "It'll be ok. Did you see her dancing around?" He jerks his chin over to Eliwys, amused and grinning like a fool. I think that was the best part of the hatching so far."

The Sugar-Sweet Brown Hatchling looks at Arnold, tipping his head from one side to the other, before walking up to him and tapping him gently on the knee until he is certain all of his attention

M'kal rolls his eyes and just shakes his head as he overhears Eliwys's comments. He whispers down at Jalis, "I told her nothing of the kind."

Derien chuckles a bit more as he watches the brown turn around, "Wonder who he's going to choose." he says for a moment, and then he grins as he sees the brown choose Arnold, "Congrats Arnold."

Jalis raises fine eyebrows at M'kal and says "Indeed?" In a bemused kind of way. She stares out over the sands and considers thoughtfully.

Talya releases Arnold's hand and stands there with mouth open, waiting to hear her friend speak.

Bemused Seasonal Green Hatchling looks distressed as she stands before a knot of female candidates, looking back and forth between the trio's faces. She closes her eyes and seems to be using some other sense as she homes in on -her- partner.

A'nol's mouth drops open, the laughter fading and it looks like someone struck him in the back of the head with a board. He blinks and takes a stumbling step forward, towards the whirling eyes of the brown before him, hand slipping from Talya's. "Charlith?" He sounds confused for a moment until it registers, "He says his name is Charlith! I can hear him!" Wonderful!

Jekaan heys and adds his voice to the cheers as the little brown chooses. "Nice going, A'nol", he says, shuffling his sandals once, then watching the green zero in on some young female Candidates.

Ashilem spots the new pair and walks over, "Congratulations. If you'll follow me we'll get Charlith something to eat."

Derien watches the green look for her lifemate and then he looks back over the sands to see if there are anymore hatchlings left that haven't picked their lifemates yet.

Ashilem leaves the main part of the sands.

Yilisa smiles as yet another pairing gets made.

Bemused Seasonal Green Hatchling finally stops in front of a candidate, head tilted to one side as she listens to her heart. Decision reached, she opens her eyes to reveal whirling colors of love and adoration as she stares deeply into the eyes of Liselle.

Ricdan murmurs something along the line of cangradulations to A'nol, and he moves over to close the gaps forming amoung the candidates.

A'nol nods, ond hand on the sticky brown hide as he follows. "This way? Ok."

Talya smiles at A'nol, happy for her friend. "Congratulations!" She looks at the brown so very close. "Congratulations to you too."

Jalis smiles broadly and says "Oh look M'kal!" She says with great warmth, "A'nol Impressed. I do hope that improves his disposition." She rubs her hands together eagerly.

A'nol leaves the main part of the sands.

Kimber, all but gawking, says, "That brown picked Arnold?! He said he didn't even - oh, Liselle!" She steps back at once, dazed by both of the Impressions as they happen all but back to back. Shocked at Arnold's Impression and left alone by Liselle's, she just blinks about her. Whoa.

Charlith leaves the main part of the sands.

Ashilem comes back out onto the main part of the sands from the weyrling alcove area.

Derien watches the green impress to Liselle and he sighs a little before looking over the sands again, feet still shuffling quickly.

Talya blinks and looks around, a little lost. Where does she go now?

Eliwys blinks. Another name? She tilts her head to one side, for the moment listening for more, but not hearing anything clearly. Hands hold the robe away from her skin, there's no way she wants this soaking through! Eww! Dragon goo everywhere! The slimey pre-natal stuff clings terribly, and her face is one of extreme distaste. "Dragonchow, dragonchow" she mumbles to herself, watching any remaining moving objects in the dim grounds of the hatching cavern.

Shocking Result Egg shakes violently, rattled by a force that threatens to move even things which are outside its shell. The motion is nearly chaotic, as glints of glowlight flicker across its shell in the not quite morning light.

Luciath shakes violently, rattled by a force that threatens to move even things which are outside its shell. The motion is nearly chaotic, as glints of glowlight flicker across its shell in the not quite morning light.

Ricdan wonders over near Talya, looking for someone to stand next to, all the while continuing that hatchign sands dance.

Yilisa leaves the main part of the sands.

Tonal Leaf Prints Egg breaks into a dozens of scattered pieces like a pile of leaves jumped into by an errant child to leave behind the form of a hatchling.

Yilisa comes back out onto the main part of the sands from the weyrling alcove area.

Sivilen calls congratulations to the people he has seen Impress, eyes moving along the semi-circle of candidates. Those near him could hear his quiet counting. After a moment, he stops and shakes his head as he loses his count.

Jekaan calls out his congratulations to Liselle now, as she Impresses a green. He looks around at the shell fragments, littering the Sands. "Wonder if that's what the unsuccessful Candies get to do", he mutters to Sivilen, hooking his thumb at the bits of colorful shells scattered all over.

Off goes Liselle, one hand trailing happily along the muzzle of her lifemate even as the nudge finds purpose. Looking after them, Kimber has the definite look of one who suddenly realizes she's all alone. "Uhm, now who's going to keep an eye out for me?" she mumbles to herself, an absent backward step as another blue breaks free rather clse by.

Talya looks up to the galleries for a moment before noticing Ricdan and smiling at him, glad for someone to be near at a time like this.

Derien nods a bit as he sees the blue hatch from the leafy egg and he continues to shift his feet across the sands, head tilted to the side to observe the remaining eggs and the blue.

Luciath leaves the main part of the sands.

Sivilen eyes the shards, then looks over at Jekaan, grimacing, "I'd hope not! Bad enough to walk away alone, worse to have to clean up after what we didn't get." He shakes his head and looks back to point out the shivering of one of the eggs.

Luciath comes back out onto the main part of the sands from the weyrling alcove area.

Serenely Calm Sky Blue Hatchling shakes himself off, craning his head around to admire his tail and wings. That taken care of, he assesses the chaos of the sands. Instead of plowing through the center, he edges around to one side, cataloguing everything and apparently trying to make sense of all this.

Luciath leaves the main part of the sands.

Dalinar isn't really watching as the Greeny Growth egg splits apart and a Sturdy Seasoned Skybroom Brown tromps out. The brown sniffs the air haughtily then notices the one candidate not looking his way. The lad gets a nudge for his lack of attention and a lifemate to boot. Di'nar blinks in surprise, reaching out to the brown. "Timbyrth? Timberyth!"

Cracks appear in counterpoint to the natural hairline design along the Shocking Result Egg, chaotic destruction seeming to hint at a larger mathematical pattern which continually replaces itself. As if artistic need has frozen the progression in time, the fracturing ceases for the time it takes to go between. Then in a sudden crash, the shell explodes apart in one grand cascade.

Talya smiles at the newly hatched blue, before looking around at the quickly diminishing numbers of candidates. Her mouth opens again as she looks at the newly hatched dragonet. "Another bronze?"

Jekaan shrugs at the other. "Wouldn't surprise me, though", he tells Sivilen with an air of resignation, then watches another egg Hatch into a bronze and blinks. "Three bronzes?", he asks of no one in particular.

Derien watches the blue and the last bronze hatch from their shells, his feet shifting and twitching constantly as he tries to keep the burning pain to a minimum. "Shards, too hot."

Yilisa motions one of her assistant weyrlingmaster corps to assist some of the newly-Hatched. A sturdy young rider scurries to aid the young brown and his rider.

Ricdan grins, "The more the merrier," he says, forgetting to do the dance for now.

Jalis gasps out softly, her hand clenching at M'kal's arm as she says in a low, astonished voice, "Zhirith has sired a -third- bronze?" She exclaims, "How unusual." Then, spying the blue, she smiles and says, "Oh M'kal, look at that little blue over there, he's absolutely breath taking."

Talya smiles at Ricdan and nods.

Sivilen bounces on his toes to peer at the newest bronze, letting out a quiet, "Oooh." He asks, without looking to Jekaan, "Is that unusual? I wouldn't know."

Serenely Calm Sky Blue Hatchling continues edging around the sands until he's behind the bulk of the candidates. Muuuuch better. They're distracted and he can study them from behind without being rushed. Each candidate, male and female, is studied in turn, the dragon showing unusual patience for a hatchling, and a hungry one at that.

Burning Passions Bronze Hatchling flaps his wings with snap of authority. His attempt to dry them having the force of a pitcher, or maybe a grand batter. Thankfully, nothing has been thrown at this hatchling and so nothing flies gallery-wards in return. He rises to his feet, and stretches out his muscles carefully, with an athlete's precision.

Eliwys distracted momentarily from her horrified contemplation of egg goo, even though it is drying in the extreme heat of the sands, she takes a moment to check none are coming even remotely close to her. Maybe the squeals of terror worked. Mouth opens, and then a nudge from a boy to her left makes her close it quickly, his hands already over his ears.

M'kal does look impressed, although uncomfortable, as Jalis exclaims over the third bronze. "Zhirith is... a good sire, it seems."

Jekaan smiles back at Sivilen, caught up in the excitement of the moment. "Don't know. Ain't seen more'n one bronze at a time before gettin' here", he replies, brown eyes intent now on the newly Hatched bronze.

Jalis eyes M'kal wickedly and says "More bronzes to vie for Ceristh's favor in the distant future." She teases him with an impish expression.

Derien watches the blue move, a faint grin crossing his face, supplanting the grimace for the time being as his feet shift and shuffle across the sands and his hands remain locked btogetehr behind his back.

Colors of Light Egg has been still up till now, but finall chooses this moment to give the slightest of motions. A small quiver is seen as the egg rock ever so slightly, then gives a great heave and lands upon its side.

-That- comment certainly doesn't sit well with M'kal and he half-glares at her before he murmurs laughingly, "It doesn't matter to me who Ceristh favors, as long as -you- still... like me."

Nicole eyes M'kal with a icy stare.

Serenely Calm Sky Blue Hatchling ends his wandering as he comes to a stop in front of Derien. The dragon gives a little nod then peers deeply into the candidate's silver eyes, adoration showing in his own whirling eyes.

Jalis just shakes her head in bemusement and nudges M'kal and says with a grunt, "You tend to grow on one M'kal," Then in a whisper, "Like mold." Her voice is obviously jesting in tone.

Burning Passions Bronze Hatchling moves from his discarded egg shell, leaving the mess quite behind him for now. Staying low the ground, he stalks through the group of candidates as if trying to hunt them down. Pausing at the heels of on inattentant, he noses the ankles lightly and receives a staccato squeal in reply as the candidate jumps away. Sulking at the rejection, he moves on.

D'rien blinks a bit and he reaches out a hand to run his fingers along the blue's muzzle, "Well Hi there Falnerith, I'm sure we can get you something to eat right away." he says in a hakey, soft voice as a ingle tear runs down his left cheek.

Jekaan cheers the new greenrider as D'rien Impresses, moves out of the way of a blue as the little Hatchling is obviously intent on someone behind him, and eyes the next bronze as he noses a Candidate.

Ricdan cheers on Derien as the hatchling makes his choice. He turns towards teh bronze now, his gaze finally fixed on one place. "One more gone Talya," he says to teh side.

Talya watches the handsome bronze for a few moments, before turning towards D'rien and smiling. "Congratulations!"

Talya nodes at Ricdan. "But there's still that bronze out there."

Ashilem makes her way ot to D'rien and motions for him to follow, "Congtatulations D'rien, and welcome Falnerith. If the two of you will follow me, we'll get him something to eat."

Ashilem leaves the main part of the sands.

D'rien leaves the main part of the sands.

M'kal smiles down at Jalis and then raises his gaze to peer over at Nicole, his expression turning quizzical. He's distracted by the action on the sands and calls out his own congratulations.

Amid the clutch a Stony Sharp-Cut Emerald Green emerges from the crumpled remains of her shell. The hard work over, she seems to know just whom she wants and marches her way to the older lad from the minecraft. St'ren smiles down to the green. "My Orath!"

Burning Passions Bronze Hatchling turns away from the group of candidates, having discovered a rather shiny stone upon the ground. He lowers his muzzle and begins to edge it through the stands, trying to make a design upon the malleable canvas as it were. Candidates and hunger have been forgotten, as he pursues a new interest of the moment.

Ashilem comes back out onto the main part of the sands from the weyrling alcove area.

Sivilen laughs softly at the candidate's reaction to the bronze, "Poor little guy." His brief attention shifts to see D'rien and he calls congratulations to him, then looks to see the green Impress, and he shouts another congratulations that way.

One of the eggs buried and guarded by Rhiannoth finally hatches, sending Anxious Mortified Tarragon Green muzzle-first into the sands. She slowly gets to her feet, loudly creeling her embarrassment and hunger, and heads off towards the first person she sees. "Mirjath... of course I wasn't watching that," L'all says stoutly. "Let's go get you fed, beautiful."

Ricdan grins at the little bronzes antics, unaware of other impressions going on around him.

Falnerith leaves the main part of the sands.

Burning Passions Bronze Hatchling sneezes as he inhales a bit of sand. Those great wings flap sharply and then close to his back. His head lifts, and he looks about to determine whether anyone noticed the embarrassing incident. Then, a voice sounds from somewhere nearby and he goes in search of the enchanting sound, rock and sand forgotten.

Colors of Light Egg shakes again, rolling over the sands and almost into a small crowd of candidates before it stops, hindered by a small mound of sand. A few cracks form along the curve of the shell, revealing a hint of talon.

After much effort, Colors of Light shatters in an impressive display of shards, revealing a tiny dragonet dusted with shell that sticks to his moist body.

Dreamy Sunchaser Varigated Brown Hatchling

Faint tinges of glowing yellow-greens dance across shimmering golden brown hide with scintillating flashes while dark umber shades hover over head knobs and trail down neck ridges that seem just a bit too large and rounded near his wedge shaped head. A ruddy shade of chestnut touches his sides and underside along with goldenrod speckles that reflect the light quite easily but are quickly covered up again as wings are folded. Wings tinged with burnt gold seem ungainly, their highlights faintly glowing with a bright flash of auburn darkened at ribbing to a nut brown haze. Faded cedar slides down his tail brightened with a rich and vivid aurora of olive green that gradually lessens to the tip. His stance portrays innocent friendliness and hint at his playful nature.

Talya smiles at the brown. "How handsome he is!" She turns and smiles at Ricdan before looking back.

Ricdan nods in agreement, "Yes, he is. Wonder who'll get him," he says looking around to see the remaining candidates.

Dreamy Sunchaser Varigated Brown Hatchling sits in the remains of his shell as if not quite knowing what to make of all this

Dreamy Sunchaser Varigated Brown Hatchling sits in the remains of his shell as if not quite knowing what to make of all this; where did all that light and noise come from anyway? The sand is nosed and sniffed before he unrolls himself and flops out to peer at the white clad things around him.

Eliwys brushes at the dried egg goo, and did, for a moment, seem to consider stripping off her candidate robe in favor of getting rid of it! Second thoughts though, thankfully, keep it on her, much to the safety of all folk present. A look goes towards Derien, or whatever he is now, and she nudges a candidate, "Guess he was right to quit his craft" she mumbles, and then, oh gosh, what's that? Eyes go wide. A thread? Loose on her robe? Tug, tug! The cotton starts to unravel, but even though she's distracted, her eyes still watch for movements, even though she's mainly here all alone, the other candidates across the former circle from her.

Jalis watches Eliwys again, as this young girl seems to be fascinating. She starts giggling, hand hiding the worst of her giggles from hearing. Her body shakes with the surpressed laughter however.

Burning Passions Bronze Hatchling passes candidate after candidate, pausing to listen to each male voice and then dismissing it as not quite right. One harper in particular gains his attention, but its still not of the quality he heard earlier. And so he moves on, finally only one boy is left. And his back is turned to the bronze, having turned away watched another of his friends leave the sands with a different dragon.

A mental presence insinuates itself into your thoughts. First, chords of music so low as to be imperceptible slowly grow in volume, and then there's an aura of mint scented candles, although your nose detects nothing of the sort. The mental symphony grows more intense, as the Burning Passions Bronze Hatchling stares into your eyes, then culminates in a triumphant crescendo as << You have found me >> floats through your head in an amused tenor, then he moderates his strength and projects more quietly, << S'vilen, My name is Perymith. >>

Jekaan cocks his head at the new brown Hatchling. "Hey, look at that one", he comments to a Candidate on the other side of him, rising up on his toes to see the little brown sitting in the remains of his shell better.

All alone and trying to see WAY too many things at once, it's a wonder Kimber hasn't tripped over herself yet. Her eyes get distracted first by thist thing and then by another, her head swinging in each direction to follow the passage of a dragon or a rocking egg. At least she remembers to keep moving her feet!

Dreamy Sunchaser Varigated Brown Hatchling picks himself up and shuffles along, nosing at a few of the white blobs as he makes his rounds. Egg goo is dripped over robes and sandalled feet before a mound of sand ends his movement and sends him in a tumble straight for a group of squealing girls.

S'vilen lifts one foot to scratch the back of his other calf with his toes. His foot returns to the sands as he turns quickly, eyes widening, "Perymith!" His eyes glisten as he gazes nearly dumbstruck at Perymith.

Jekaan blinks as the bronze heads for him, draws himself up, then smiles even as he deflates a little as the Hatchling stops in front of Sivilen. "Glad you got him, Sivilen...er, S'vilen", he grins at the new bronzerider, sighs a little, then watches the other Hatchlings stagger about on the burning sands.

Talya smiles at S'vilen. "Congratulations to you both!"

Jealously Demanding Dark Brown comes into view from one of the guarded, unseen, eggs. The hatchling stalks the edges of the Hatching Sands, finally pouncing an unsuspecting Bitran boy. "Aggh... Darath, of course I was paying attention to you!" H'iek says. "I wasn't watching that blue at all!"

Ricdan congradulates S'vilen and turns back to the brown.

Biological Experimentation Egg shatters as Petite Cerulean Blue squeezes through and moves through the sands. He makes his way towards Martok, a tall lad towering over the other candidates. Large and small meet as lifemates and when M'tok speaks again its filled with love. "I will always be yours Serooth."

Nicole shakes off her melancoly and watches as more of the eggs crack and hatchlings emerge. There's practically nothing left upon the sands. In a very short time this will all be over. Scanning the candidates, she notices Talya still stands among those remaining. The goldrider clasps her hands behind her back and winds her fingers together nervously. Her friend just /has/ to impress.

Yilisa smiles, and watches her assistants as they help stumbling Impressees and Hatchlings off the sands towards the large vats of meat and oil laying ready.

Dreamy Sunchaser Varigated Brown Hatchling lifts himself and gives a huff in the direction of the snivelling girls before wandering over to eye a few more interesting prospects. His head is tilted slightly as he inspects one particularly interesting one, her cropped hair a complimentary shade of his own and croons softly.

Sand flies everywhere as Indignant Excitable Crystal Blue Hatchling scrambles out of his buried shell and then toddles across the sand, stopping in front of Yaleny. Eyes meet, Impression occurs, and Ya'ny cries out, "His name is Zandrath!"

Yilisa walks over to the newly Impressed bronzerider. "Congratulations, S'vilen, and hello, Perymith. If you'll follow me, we'll get this fellow fed."

Talya smiles at Ricdan. "Good luck" she whispers before turning back to smile at the brown.

M'kal watches the last of the eggs shatter and impression occur. A quick scan of the sands and he nods to Jalis. "Almost over... Just the brown left."

Dreamy Sunchaser Varigated Brown Hatchling stops in front of Talya and looks deeply into her eyes for a long moment, then ducks his muzzle to nestle against her waist in a loving gesture.

On the Sands> Jalis seems tense as she waits for the very last hatchling to Impress, or what looks like the last uncaimed one. And when it does, she breathes a sigh of relief and smiles, tension flooding from her body. She nearly sags against M'kal with the giddiness of emotion that overcomes. "I think thats it M'kal?" She starts glancing at the candidates still remaining on the sands.

On the Sands> Nicole lets her breath escape in rapid sigh. Talya pulled it off at the last moment. "Thank Faranth," she whispers in a soft, grateful tone.

Yilisa arrives from the hatching sands.

On the Sands> Talya looks towards the stands, toward the one person up there who really matters, and shouts "His name is Wysoth!"

On the Sands> Brown eyes slowly scan the Sands as more and more Candidates Impress. To each he calls his congratulations, his face showing just a trace of disappointment each time he is passed by.

On the Sands> Ashilem walks over to Talya and gives her a grin, "Congratulations Talya and welcome Wysoth. If you will follow me, we'll get him some food."

On the Sands> Ricdan grins back Talya, "Congradulations, you and Wysoth."

Wysoth arrives from the hatching sands. Ashilem arrives from the hatching sands.

On the Sands> Talya smiles and nods, walking with Wysoth beside her. "Don't worry, we'll get you something to eat."

Talya arrives from the hatching sands.

On the Sands> "Over?" says Kimber, looking about her once again. Still alone. No dragon. No Liselle. No one but the lingering candidates and a few shards here and there. "Well, that's that, then," she says, some slight measure of disappointment evident. "We can get some sleep now?" she says abruptly, plaintive eyes turned toward the Weyrleaders.

Yilisa heads off onto the main part of the sands.

On the Sands> Eliwys oohs, jumping up and down on the sands. Oh, bad idea, hot sands, hot feet, pressure! Eeek! She shrieks, just a little, coming to a halt. She escaped!! Yay!! Eyes go around the brightening sands, "What next?" she asks quietly. "Sleep?" Oh yeah, there's a plan!

On the Sands> Yilisa ambles in from the entrance to the hatching grounds.

Yilisa arrives from the hatching sands.

D'rien chuckles and he shakes his head, "The meat Won't run away Fal, I promise."

Wysoth heads off onto the main part of the sands.

Talya watches Wysoth wander off.

On the Sands> M'kal clears his throat as the last of the weyrlings shuffle off to the corner of the sands. He steps forward and calls out, "Remaining Candidates, please gather around?"

Perymith arrives from the hatching sands.

A'nol looks pleased to see Talya come in. "Oh hi."

On the Sands> Still with mincing steps and now with renewed weariness plain, Kimber dutifully collects herself to attend the Weyrleader's bidding. She yawns, though, which is no slight to him at all - it's just still miserably early.

On the Sands> Jekaan looks around him, shrugs broad, bony shoulders once at the scene, then plods over in the direction of the Weyrleader, stopping close to M'kal.

Falnerith slows his eating. After he's consumed a few double handfuls worth of meat, he stops. Apparently hunger has been subdued, for the moment anyway.

Talya beams at A'nol. "Hi." She hurriedly makes her way to some food and starts carefully feeding her lifemate, being careful to tell the brown to chew.

On the Sands> Eliwys follows Kimber. Shuffle, shuffle.

On the Sands> Ricdan walks over towards M'kal.

D'rien chuckles and cleans off his hand and then scritches the blue along his muzzle, "Anything else you want Fal?"

D'rien ahhhs a bit and he looks around, "He's itchy, what do I do?"

Talya heads off onto the main part of the sands. Ashilem heads off onto the main part of the sands. D'rien heads off onto the main part of the sands.

On the Sands> M'kal clears his throat again and says, "I'm sorry that your lifemate did not show this day. It sounds like a cliche, but it's true: There will be other clutches, here and elsewhere. Each and every one of you is welcome to make your homes here, even if you chose not to Stand again. Your things have been moved into the resident dorms, and you're free from chores for the next few days."

Charlith heads off onto the main part of the sands.

A'nol watches Charlith wander off. Yilisa heads off onto the main part of the sands. A'nol heads off onto the main part of the sands. T'myn heads off onto the main part of the sands. N'veen heads off onto the main part of the sands. A'nol arrives from the hatching sands. A'nol heads off onto the main part of the sands. Falnerith heads off onto the main part of the sands. You head back onto the main part of the sands.

Weyrling Barracks - Fort Weyr(#160RAI)

The barracks are a series of two large, interconnected caverns that sprawl through the western mountainside. These caverns are both rectangular, and each about one-third the size of the Hatching Cavern, together making them just smaller. A path winds through the grotto, stone hollows for weyrling couches bordering the floor on each side. At either end is an open area, with a large portal leading out into the bowl and bringing in light during the day and air, in addition to the high windows etched into the walls near the ceiling. The area to the north is largest, and there is the storage room as well as the curtain that covers the small tunnel leading to the Weyrlingmaster's office. Large vats line the curve of the wall between curtain and storage, containing oil, food, and water.
Contents:
Falnerith
A'nol
N'veen
T'myn
Yilisa
D'rien
Ashilem
Kaluath(#2054Jq)
Obvious exits:
Bowl

A'nol watches Charlith return to his side.

A'nol smiles and flops down onto his couch, so much for being sleepy earlier.

D'rien oils Falnerth as the blue rumbles happily

M'kal leans against the wall near the entrance and offers up, "Anyone have questions that need answering? If your mates want to sleep, let them. Anyone who's hungry, there should be food arriving for you in a few minutes."

A'nol pats at his stomach lightly, checking Charlith to make sure he's ok and looking pleased that he's nice and content. "I'm starving."

S'vilen is working oil into a drowsy bronze, the lad's face split by an affectionate grin. He glances up and nods, "I am, too."

The hide covering the door twitches slightly as one of the weyrlingmasters enters carrying a tray of assorted rolls. "It'll take you awhile to get things sorted out mentally," Rita notes. "Don't be surprised if you're hungry when your mate is hungry, sleepy when she or he is sleepy."

A'nol eases off the couch, "I know I was itchy as all be when he was. Why is that? Strangest feeling I ever did have."

M'kal says "Because you're linked mentally, now. What he feels, you'll feel, A'nol."

D'rien watches Falnerith wander off. D'rien watches Falnerith return to his side.

D'rien chuckles a bit and he hmmms, "I'm starving."

S'vilen nods slowly, eyeing the food, even as Perymith's head dips lower. S'vilen keeps working that oil into the hide.

A'nol takes two large rolls from the tray and backs up to make room for the other weyrlings, "so that's what it is. I would have never thought." He shakes his head slowly back and forth in bewilderment,

Jalis walks into the barracks, skirt sweeping against the ground. She smiles really big to see all twenty three weyrlings busy with thier dragons.

A'nol stuffs his mouth with the roll, chewing eagerly. Jalis gets a crumb-speckled smile. "Howdy."

Jalis smiles and says "A'nol, everyone." She grins gleefully. "Let me just say how happy I am to see you all here."

A'nol asks in a drawl, "Are ya really?"

D'rien is busy munching on his meal as he sits right next to Falnerith. He suddenly frowns and he drops his food to the side as the blue gives a frightened sound. His hands rest and stroke along his lifemate's head until the blue goes back into a peaceful sleep.

Perymith's head has finally come to rest and he's breathing deeply and evenly. S'vilen stops his oiling and gives Jalis a nod and a wide grin as he walks towards that food.

D'rien sighs softly and he relaxes and goes back to eating his food, though his eyes seem to be glued to the sleeping blue, "He was having a nightmare."

M'kal hms softly at D'rien. "That's a new one on me. Jalis," he asks as he turns to the Weyrwoman, "Have you heard of dragons having nightmares before?"

D'rien shrugs his shoulders a bit and he actually hums softly as the blue's wings twitch. The sound is a bit offkey at first, but it soon clears and gets on key, though Derien, well it's D'rien now, flushes a bit at the slightly sour first notes.

Jalis shakes her head "No, but it doesn't mean it can't happen." She says with a chuckle. Maybe he just was dreaming that he was still hungry. It can't be anything too bothersome."

D'rien hmmms a bit and he clears his throat a bit, Ma'am, how Would I go about learning to be a dragonhealer?" Yep, D'rien is definitly remembering a recent conversation that he had not too long ago with M'kal.

M'kal moves along the couches, answering questions here and there. "No, you'll be mucking dragon dung for months, until they're angle to control where they mess," he tells T'lin, a sympathetic look crossing his face.

S'vilen commandeers several rolls and quickly returns to his lifemate's side, resting a hand lightly on Perymith's foot, the other rolls being placed in his lap.

Jalis eyes D'rien and grins, "Don't worry about that right now D'rien, you've plenty of time after training, to work on that skill."

Nuadath comes back out onto the main part of the sands from the weyrling alcove area.

D'rien nods a bit but he chews on his lip, "I just don't want to forget, I've always been interested, but now I have even more reason to be interested." he says as his cheeks flush again, "My Da was in the gallieries today." he says with a bright grin.

Jalis nods, "We definitely won't let you forget D'rien. I'm sure Yilisa will be of great service as she is proficient at healing, whereas you're profecient with animals."

M'kal nods to Derien. "He has every right to be proud of you," he says with a smile. "I'm certainly proud of Liselle. I just can't picture my little sister as a rider... but I'm sure I'll adjust in time."

D'rien nod, "Well what I don't know I can learn." he says in a determined voice. He then grins at the couple, "Wait til it's your daughter out there."

That thought makes M'kal's eyes gleam speculatively. "She'll be a gold." Of course M'kal would think that.

D'rien laughs a bit, though he keeps it soft as he scritches Fal's ridges.

Jalis just rolls her eyes and says "I hope Sylural wants to be a weaver." She says just as forcefully. "I think she would make a great weaver."

M'kal crinkles his nose in amusement, then surveys the room again with a satisfied nod. "I think you're in good hands, here... Enjoy your day, weyrlings," he announces.

A'nol blinks and looks to D'rien, "hm? Oh...shards. Thanks. Congrats to you too D'rien. Sorry, I'm.....how are you?"

D'rien chuckles a bit, "I'm... stunned." he says as he runs a light finger along Falnerith's neck

A'nol murmurs, "Stunned is a good word for it. A'yup. I've got this funny feeling my family's not going to be so all fired pleased as I am though."

D'rien nods a bit and he grins a tad as he peers over at N'veen, "How are you doing?"

"I'm..." N'veen pauses, trying to figure this one out, and looks back at Jocoth with a silly grin on his face. "...speechless."

A'nol waves to N'veen, "Congrats as well." He wipes a big hand over his tunic front.

N'veen forcibly drags his attention back to reality and grins slowly at A'nol. "And same to you."

D'rien nods a bit as he starts tu hum again as Fal tosses restlessly, "Hush Fal, it'll be alright, you're safe with me, always."

Jalis stands again, looking weary as she comes over to N'veen. "Awake now?" She says with a smile.

A'nol looks more focused now that his lifemate has drifted to sleep. "He's worried? What's wrong?"

N'veen moves so his arm rests over Jocoth's neck and smiles blearily up at Jalis. "I think so. I'm not dreaming, then?"

A'nol glances over at Jalis with a small nod reaches over to pat the slumbering brown to remind himself it's all real.

Jalis shakes her head and says "No, Jocoth is quite real I think." She smiles and leans over to touch the bronze's flank. "And quite plump from all you've filled him with."

N'veen's grin turns almost sheepish, and a faint blush colors his cheeks. "He was hungry," the boy explains, momentarily forgetting that Jalis has been through this herself. Then, he asks, "Will it always make *my* stomach rumble when *he's* hungry?"

Jalis chuckles softly and nods "Oh indeed, indeed it shall, but you'll get used to it so that it's just one more emotion amongst others that you deal with every day."

D'rien chuckles a tad bit as he rests next to his blue, "Why is Fal having nightmares though? He's safe, he keeps dreaming about an endlesly dark place, that has nothing and he needs to find something. I get the impression that it's what he felt while he was in his egg."

N'veen absently puts his free hand over his stomach and tries not to groan. "That'll take some getting used to."

A'nol looks at his sleeping lifemate and then turns back to D'rien with a slow shrug, "I guess you'd have those thoughts too..if you were in an egg that long and waiting for your lifemate. Right? Maybe he's been worried you wouldn't be there. Or something."

Jalis nods and says "Why don't you get something to eat. I am betting half of those pains are your own."

A'nol shrugs slowly, "I dunno. He doesn't know that I guess. Poor lil' thing."

N'veen does look interested at the prospect of food, but also gives the distinct impression that he's just not ready to move quite yet. "I will..in a minute."

A'nol looks over at N'veen and leans up against the small, slumbering form of Charlith. "What a day. I don't think I'll ever be the same from now on. Frightening."

N'veen runs his fingers softly over Jocoth's eyeridges, a small smile tugging his mouth upward. "I don't think we ever *can* be anymore. Not after this."

D'rien shakes his head a bit and a few tears gleam in his eyes, "Never, we'll always have someone that loves us

A'nol nods slowly, looking troubled.

D'rien hmmms a bit, "What's wrong A'nol?"

A'nol looks over at D'rien, "I'm having that unnerving feeling of not knowing what's going to become of me. I had my whole life planned out afterall."

N'veen remarks quietly, "It only takes the smallest of moments to throw anyone's plan out the window."

D'rien ahhhs and he nods before reaching out to rest a hand on A'nol's shoulder, Does it really matter? You'll be a fantastic rider and you'll fly on your lifemate when he's old enough for it. You'll rejoice in his every triumph."

A'nol rubs the back of his hand over his chin, "It matters in that my plans have changed. I didn't say it was bad...it just...might take me some getting used to. A lot of getting used to!"