Where the Wild Things Are <<Hatching>>

[Lady Smara]

Sakorai’s choice of dress, for the first time since arriving at the Weyr, actually consisted of a skirt. A colorful ordeal that truly was a riot of blues, greens, yellows, reds and nearly everything in between. It was a light cloth, gently wrapped around her waist so it hung loosely at the bottom with no restriction of movement. Her top, however, was true to Sakorai’s common taste as it was a tight black band that supported her breasts but also showed all of her midsection from her bellybutton down to that colorful array. Sleeveless and comfortable in the Southern heat was a blessing for today she had more than enough work as she helped to direct the Lower Cavern Folk in preparing the Hatching Feast.

After all, if Issarith says today will be the day, then the feast will be made and the day will not end by Sakorai’s creed until those blasted eggs hatched! And of course the two shots of quikal already warming her blood might play a part of that statement made to the Headwoman, but either way what the Weyrwoman called for, the Weyrwoman got.

It was when the sun reached its highest point in the sky and Sakorai was honestly debating between another shot of quikal or a quick jump in the lake – clothes and all – to cool off that her gold reached out to her.

They come, Mine. And with that simple statement, the gold looked to her bronze mate and began the hum to welcome their children into the world – a hum she knew would be picked up by the rest of the Weyr in celebration of new life.

“Well then, I guess that second shot of quikal will have to wait.” Sakorai announced happily to the kitchen staff before whirling around so her skirt spun about her ankles before letting her feet swiftly carry her to the hatching sands, stopping at the entrance only long enough to don the heavy riding boots she had left at the door, before making her way to her Queen.

Overlooking the eggs as she passed, she could see that one more egg had been pushed off to the side so that both the Broken Marble egg and the Sphinx’s Lament egg were now away from the rest, discarded in a corner and motionless as the rest began to subtly move, the hatchlings inside trying to figure out how to get out.

[wolflover1458]

The hatching had been expected for a while now. It was just one of those things everyone seemed to have decided was “going to happen” at some point that she was never able to ascertain. The last time that had occurred, she had been filled with all sorts of excitement, and the readiness to fulfill her new post in the Weyr. She had failed quite miserably. It hadn’t really been her fault that stumbling hatchlings had to pick the wrong people, but it had still left her stuck here again, something she was definitely not pleased with.

She was probably the only Candidate not the least bit interested in just when Issarith’s clutch hatched. It hardly mattered when it did, since it wasn’t going to affect her in any way. Nothing was going to change afterwards, other than that she was going to have to have gotten up and attended it quite pointlessly. So even as the idea went around that the eggs might soon hatch, Therion found herself doing nothing but lying listlessly in her cot, staring dismally at the ceiling and avoiding getting work of any sort done. Not that there was ever much of a point to any work she did. They just made things up to keep her busy.

Therion was not listening to any noises in particular, as she had no good reason to anyways. That was why it was not until she could hear the distinct noises of Candidates hurrying to the Barracks that she picked up the noise of humming. Naturally. Well, at least that meant she could get this over with. She was going to have to get up at some point eventually anyways. Why not now?

She felt so tired and unmotivated that, for a moment, she seriously considered just not showing up. There was hardly any point, after all. She already knew that there was no dragon in this clutch that would choose her, nor did she want one to. Her eyes were on the Gold dragon, and without one to wait for, this entire thing was pointless. The others could run willy-nilly in desperate attempts to prepare themselves for Issarith’s children, but Therion was not the slightest bit interested. She had nothing to thank Issarith for, as the Gold hadn’t done anything to assist her own career. Aeriath had lain two gold eggs in a row. You’d think another Gold could manage it just once, but no.

Getting up, getting dressed, presenting herself to the young dragons, all were a waste of time. Without even rising she knew that it was the truth. If there was no Gold to choose her, then there was no dragon for her to Impress. Without that, there was hardly any point in going. She should almost be able to argue that to S’nuo and win. But she knew that she couldn’t. He would never listen. No one would listen.

She didn’t need to show up. Anyone who knew her knew that there was no need for her to even be at the Weyr for this hatching, but she also knew that if she didn’t attend now, S’nuo would make sure she was absent when she most wanted, no, most needed to be there. He would happily let her Gold be forced to choose the wrong person if she failed to attend this hatching. The people at the Weyr acted that cruelly quite happily. She’d been surprised at it when she first got here, but now she knew perfectly well that she must expect it. Why should they have to act any different? There were already secure in their positions, after all, while hers was yet to come. Well, it would one day, and when it did, she was going to see to it that they all paid for treating her as such.

But that moment had not come. It was not to occur today. Today was a day for Standing without reason, for simply waiting for the unexciting event to be over and then returning to her room, completely unimpressed with the conclusion to the hatching. She wouldn’t have cared if the whole clutch was duds and not a single one hatched. It didn’t affect her in the slightest. On the other hand, there was at least the opportunity for some of the more annoying girls to Impress to Greens. Then she wouldn’t have to deal with their own beliefs that they might Impress to a Gold dragon (something that would quite obviously never happen). That was, quite frankly, the only potential bright side to this coming hatching, and even that wasn’t enough to excite her.

Her desire to get up and move had not changed in the slightest, but she did feel a flash of anger just thinking of why she did need to get up. Best to simply hurry through it, get dressed and go stand on way-too-hot sands for a short time before coming back here and ignoring the festivities that would take place for the rest of the Weyr (as though this clutch was really going to be a reason to celebrate).

Most of the other Candidates were probably dressed and on their way down or, indeed, already there when Therion finally convinced herself to get up and garner the appropriate outfit for the occasion. On a normal occasion, she might have been fuming about the unfairity of having to attend at all, but she felt rather hollow at the moment, as though nothing really mattered (and at the moment, nothing really did).

She would go. She would stand with the others and watch ugly baby dragons struggle through the sands and bond with some young person, who would become someone eventually quite beneath her for the rest of their life. That was fine, though, if they were willing to accept that. She was certainly not. But she would go, and stand, and wait. Wait for the moment when her turn finally came. It was a moment a long time in coming, but it must come eventually, mustn’t it? She could still feel the tired complaints in her head as she walked slowly out the door. There was no need to bother. It didn’t matter in the least.

There was nothing for her here.

[Na Qaiah]

Shamara was just finishing her duty in the Dining Cavern. She had been helping the others prepare for the feast that was to happen after the hatching. Weyrwoman Sakorai said her Golden Issarith said the eggs would be hatching sometime today. She was glad for something to keep her hands and mind busy so she didn't dwell on if she would impress or if she would not. Everything smelled so good she was about drooling when she finally was told she could go. She had just put her apron away and grabbed one of the special sweet treats to get her by on when Sakorai came rushing past at the same time the Dragons started humming.

Shammy stuffed the remainder of the sweet treat in her mouth as she hurried toward the Candidate Barracks for her robe and shoes. She hurried as best as she could considering how many other people and Candidates were also hurrying along. Grinning as she entered the Barracks she hurried into the bathroom and quickly washed up. Once she did a quick job of it, she checked her hair to make sure i was braided up well and out of the way before she stripped off the clothes she wore for chores. Putting on her robe and tying the sash tight she was ready to go. A few others were done dressing too so she went with them to stand outside the hatching sands where S'nuo told them to meet him at. She didn't join the excited babbling that some of the girls were doing she stood and watched as some of the eggs looked to be wiggling a little. "Please Please Please let there be a dragon for me out there on the sands." Shamara whispered to herself as she waited for the go ahead to walk out on the sands.
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Tishu was in the middle of mucking out a runners stall when the Dragons started humming. She wasn't paying much attention until another Candidate stopped and called to her. "Tishu, the eggs are getting ready to hatch, hurry up or you will miss your chance!" Stunned, she stood there a moment before the words registered in her brain. The eggs? Oh the eggs are hatching! She hurried out of the stall and put the shovel away as she headed for the Candidate Barracks on the run.

She passed Shamara on her way in and smiled at the girl as she hurried for her bunk and her robe. Looking down at her hands she headed for the bathroom instead and washed her hands and face quickly before returning for her robe. She didn't change her boots she just put her robe on and tied her sash quickly as she headed out of the Barracks on he run. She noticed one girl still laying on her bunk as if she wasn't going to attend the hatching. Her harried mind told her the girl was Therion. Shrugging Tishu left her there and ran the rest of the way to the hatching sands and where the rest of the Candidates were waiting with S'nuo. She smiled at a few but was too nervous to talk. She was shaking so hard she could hardly stand still. The time had finally come to see if the dragon that searched her was right. Was she Dragonrider material? She crossed her fingers and waited for the signal to enter the sands.

[HG]

Mine, the eggs are ready. I’m going.

[/color] Zorometh commented as he lifted off from his ledge. He was going to be one of the first dragons there. The ledges on the inside of the Cavern for the Bronzes would be occupied by Tseravith, Neinoth, Achillith, Rath and Zeuth. He would be there before even some of them but he did not want to be there before the sire of the clutch. He made a point of being first there for his clutch and for his next he hoped it would be the same. Rhiannoth was getting egg heavy so it was good the Sands would be free soon. After the Hatching the Sands would be cleaned up and prepared for the other Gold to clutch. He was excited for this current clutch as much as his own. New dragons always made him happy. Zorometh landed on one of the open ledges and began the familiar humming sound that meant a Hatching had begun. When all the dragons hummed the Cavern seemed to thrum with the sound. Candidates would be on their way as would those who wanted to watch in the Stands.

D’seus was about to bite into a well-made sandwich when his dragon informed him what was happening. It was only a moment perhaps two after when the humming began. There was no time to waste. He, along with the rest of the people in the Weyrhall made for the exits and walked or ran depending on urgency towards the Stands. The Bronzerider found himself one among a crowd of people. Unlike his dragon he would not be one of the first to arrive. His excitement for this Hatching was more for the fact that Hinuk and Thoran were Standing for the first time than anything. He was hopeful that both boys would be safe and would impress a dragon. He’d rather they were safe in the end though and dragonless than injured severely or killed. That was the hardest thing about being a parent who cared, he found himself worrying over the boy’s well being.

He made his way close to where J’daem and Sakorai would be seated. A row behind them and a few seats down, he found a good place to sit. In the meantime, his eyes scanned the gathering crowd for Suynie. He saved the seat next to him for her. They had agreed to be publicly united even if they were in more of a working relationship at the moment. Not that there was no attraction on his part for the Goldrider. D’seus was keeping women in general at an arm’s length. Heartbreak left a person scarred, even if that person was a known womanizer in the past.

Chores seemed to last all morning and in fact they had. The young man was dismissed to find the sun growing close to its zenith. It was too hot in the sun for his taste so he decided to head back to the Candidate Barracks. “Finally time to get in a nap!” He said aloud while plopping onto his cot. Just as he began to drift off a strange sound and vibration woke him. The humming was not something he had learned to react to but he had eyes. The other boys around him were grabbing white robes and running like there was a fire under their asses. Putting two and two together, the young man grabbed his robe and headed to the Hatching Caverns. Unlike most the other boys, he was not going to risk hurting himself or getting lost because he was moving too quickly. He arrived at the Hatching Caverns for the second time since his short span at the Weyr. The Egg touching had been a completely different experience though. For one there were no spectators and for another the eggs were not moving

As his throat tightened upon walking onto the Sands, he tried to remember what the other kids and the Candidate master had said. No fear. Welcoming thoughts. Try not to get in the way. Dragonets are clumsy. He was going through so many facts at once that he finally just decided to not think about anything to do with dragonets. With the crowd growing louder, Rhodri began to feel more uneasy. A familiar face would be welcome just about now. He hoped Nayza had made it here alright. In the back he noted Therion had made an appearance though she might as well not have shown up. It was quite clear there was not a Gold on the Sands. The only other Candidate he had spent any amount of time with was Tschermak. Now he was a person even Rhodri would have a hard time locating in this crowd of white robes.

Searching for people seemed futile as he felt himself pushed closer to the clutch, the Candidates began to form a semi-circle, the largest semi-circle he had ever seen. Rhodri just stayed where he was, a little to the left of center, which kept him from being too close to the eggs. No telling what the dragonets would do when they came out of the shell. He noticed how some of the eggs were rocking harder than others. It was almost like some were more eager to arrive than others. He hoped they weren’t going to go on a rampage. Seeing dead young people was not going to sit well with him. From what he heard about Issarith he wouldn’t doubt it if these were particularly feisty dragonets.

The small young woman lightly walked onto the Sands. She had just come from helping out in the Creche. Laure was one of the quieter people at the Weyr. Not many knew much about her. She was brought to the Weyr under false pretenses. Since her brother arrived and impressed to a blue dragon, there had been a lot of distancing between herself and most of the Weyr. Being an ex-holdless meant a certain amount of distrust from weyrfolk. The tan skinned woman knew better than to take any of it personally. She had already stood for one clutch and had come out alive but not unscathed. As with most of the risks she had taken in her young life, it had led to something life threatening.

A normal person probably would have given up and chosen a less dangerous option for their life. Laure however was an optimist. She believed there would be a dragon for her no matter how many times she had to be left alone without one. Her idealistic view of the world at times made her seem a bit dreamy. She had no reason to believe the things she wanted in her life could not come true. After all, she had made it this far. She was living at the Weyr, supporting dragons and their riders. The only thing better than that would be to be a rider herself.

Despite or perhaps in spite of her past injuries, she was going to stand. She had a slight gimp in her walk but she could do everything anyone else could do. Laure had a good deal of scars as well but that wouldn’t hold her back either. So, like most of the other Candidates, the young woman put on her white robes and took one steady step on the Hatching Sands. She helped form the semi-circle and found herself close to the clutch on the right hand side. The excitement welling inside of her was apparent on her smiling face. Baby dragons! Squee!

MMMMHMMMMHMMM. He heard the familiar hum of the dragons. Where were his robes again? Gah. Why did this always happen to him?? He thought as he searched high and low for the elusive white robes. When he finally did find them he knew he was far behind the other Candidates. His white robes were wrinkled and about as unkempt as he was. Blonde hair went every which way as the clumsy boy bounced up and down to get his shoes on his feet He was halfway out of the Barracks when he tripped over his own feet running.

Well there was no time to lose. So he dusted himself off and went right back to running. Among many other Candidates to arrive with a red, flushed face and shortness of breath, he still had a prime location for the Hatching. He was going to get to stand in the middle. Surely that would be the best place for the dragonets to see him. Ledesein was unconcerned with finding anyone else. His sole purpose for being here was to Impress. Focusing on the shaking eggs, he tried to decide which egg would Hatch first. Looking this way and that, he really was at a loss as to what would happen next.

“You are wearing a dress.” Her mother insisted for the fifth, or was it sixth time. “Or you are not going at all.” Miss the Hatching?! She wouldn’t dare do that. There were bets to consider and the fact that some of her good friends were going to be Standing for the first time ever. Seirsha found herself regretting the fact that she had mentioned how much she was looking forward to the Hatching. Now her mother had the perfect leverage to get Seirsha to do what she wanted. When the humming started Seirsha walked over to the dress her mother had laid out for her. The Hatching Feast would require another dress, slightly nicer. Nose twitching in annoyance, she pulled the pale blue garment over her head and looked down at her feet. Her mother had provided shoes as well. Not her preferred, comfortable shoes. These had not been worn in enough to be comfortable but they weren’t as bad as the ones awaiting her later.

Her hair had been braided in two French braids, which framed her small oval face well. Jinx, who was pleased she was finished putting her outfit on, did a twirl in the air and ended up knocking into the mirror on the other end of the room. Seirsha’s eyes met the strange figure in the glass. That wasn’t her. She didn’t remember ever being that tall. Her face was losing some of its baby fat. She didn’t like it. Change was a horrible, dreadful thing and she didn’t want to think about it! Her mother who had made gentle comments to her had been trying to prepare her for the next couple of Turns. She was not going to be a little girl much longer.

Might as well enjoy it while she could. Jinx, having finally settled on her shoulder after a little dizzy spell, chirped. “Come on, we better get good seats.” Normally she would have worn her play clothes and gone down the secret passage but today was special and she needed to have a good seat. Being lean and agile certainly had its advantages. She slid past, under, between, around, darting this way and that until she was ahead of a good chunk of the people arriving at the Stands. She found herself a seat near the rail separating the Stands from the Sands. Trying to find Hinuk, Thoran and Tschermak would be difficult. All Candidates wore white and they were not all that tall compared to the older Candidates. She would hopefully know them when they Impressed. When because she wouldn’t want to jinx them. They were all going to impress and then she could help them with their dragons which would be great fun! When she could stand she would surely Impress a beautiful dragon her first time on the Sands. (Didn’t every Weyrbrat believe that?)

The red haired girl was in her brother’s weyr, getting ready for the Hatching as soon as the humming began. There was no reason to rush. The eggs would take some time before any of the dragonets actually broke out of them. The girl wore a burnt orange colored dress that would go well with her pale skin. Her brother made sure she had all the clothes she could want and what sister could ask for more. Other than some attention now and then. Since her brother had become Weyrleader and lover of Sakorai there was less time in his life for Kreallie. She tried not to act like it bothered her. After the death of her parents it had been a hard transition for both of them to know they were the only family the other had.

Kreallie was much younger than her brother and would not be able to Stand for another Turn. She hoped that she would make her brother proud when that day came. As for today she hoped Tseravith’s clutch proved what an amazing Bronze he was. Being from Haven did not mean he was a lesser dragon than those from Refuge. The gossip of the Lower Caverns shined a bad light on her brother and his Weyrwoman.

Sighing, she put her hair up and made sure she looked the part of the perfect little sister to the Weyrleader. She had been raised to be a demure young lady and she would do her best to live that in public. When she was on her own, which was much of the time, a completely different person was underneath. She was not demure and while it might be a good thing to be seen as a lady, she found it rather boring. Looking herself over in the mirror she smiled. Yes, she was going to be perfect for her brother today. When wasn’t she perfect in public? Other than that one altercation she had been the very picture of decorum and grace.

Her walk to the Hatching Caverns had her being squished between the more plump members of the weyr. Probably cooks and the like. They could help themselves out by eating less and walking around a bit more. The size of them wasn’t the problem so much as the smell. She didn’t like to be around people lesser than her. So she quickly made her way to sit on the side of her brother that was not occupied by Sakorai.

[/blockquote]

[Na Qaiah]

A'miri had just returned to the Weyr after making a sweep ride, humming dragons met them as they announced themselves to the Watchweyr. The eggs are hatching mineamiri we should hurry. Take me down then and go join the other bronzes, we'll take the straps off after the hatching. A'miri told his excited bronze.

The big bronze landed close to one of the entrances to the hatching grounds. Once A'miri had dismounted, Achilleth went to where he would get to watch with the other bronzes. Greeting a few he settled himself out of the way but he still had a view. He noted the eggs were rocking and added his voice to the welcoming humming around him. He loved hatchings and some day perhaps he would get the chance to see one of his clutches hatch on hot sands in a weyr.

A'miri found K'dan and T'mar sitting close together about the middle of the stands about four rows up, there were still a few empty places near them but it wouldn't take long before they were gone. Once he had settled into a seat he noticed a few more from his wing join those in the audience. This was going to be exciting, a foreign queen from another time he wondered if the dragonets were going to be as fiesty as their golden mother was.

As the candidates ventured out onto the sands it seemed to him that there was way to many for the eggs, but that was good too in a way, more variety to choose from. Besides, it wouldn't be long before another clutch would be resting on the sands. He wondered why two of the eggs were pushed aside away from all the others. He hoped they weren't duds, that would be too bad. Perhaps they held a surprise like the latch hatching, twins, he still had a hard time believing that one, but he saw it happen. He settled in to wait, it didn't seem like it was going to be very long now, some of the eggs were rocking harder.

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Shamara followed the other Candidates out onto the sands Stepping carefully as she went. She found herself fairly close to Issarith but it didn't appear to matter there didn't seem to be any gold eggs on the sands. She got her self in place and properly spaced from the Candidate next to her. All they could do was wait now anyway. She was too excited to be scared, Perhaps her dragonet was here waiting to hatch. She sure hoped so.
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Tishu was one of the last to enter the sands. She didn't plan it that way, it just happened. She found herself not far from Shamara, the girl she had med on her first day in the Dining Cavern talking to Kethemar or how ever you said his name. She looked over the Candidates, everyone seemed to be as nervous as she was. Some was fidgeting others were scanning the crowd of people that were quickly filling the stands. Some looked like they were going to get sick where they stood.

She was going over things in her head as she watched the eggs rocking more violently. Think warm welcoming thoughts, don't run, don't panic, injuries sometimes happened. Step out of the way of a stumbling dragonet if you can...if you impressed try to get off the sands with your dragonet quickly to make room for the others that were searching for a their person. All thoughts suddenly stopped as she thought she heard a shell crack. She wasn't sure if that was what she heard, but some of the others near her were looking around too as if they had heard the sound.

Soon, soon she would find out if she had become a dragon rider.

[freya]

Trelia was out at the floating as she gazed up at the clouds and relaxed as she closed her eyes. Her thoughts went to the eggs on the sands and how they'd be soon hatching. She'd been thinking of nothing else for weeks and had tried to relax in order to maintain her sanity. The young woman was shaken from her thoughts when she heard a voice and ended up splashing water all around her. "The eggs are hatching," shouted as young boy who was yelling across the lake and she immediately swam to shore. She started to run to candidate barracks where she grabbed a towel and her white robe. Her only thoughts we're to get to the hatching grounds where ran using the towel to dry off and then put on her robe. The towel was quickly discarded on the ground and she arrived to a large crowd already surrounding the eggs.

She started to braid her hair back to get it out of the way and the fact that it was damp made it easier to get back. Her hair was pulled out of her face and she was thankful that she'd grabbed her brown thick boots. It seemed a few of the people had forgotten to wear their boots and we're feeling the effects of the hot sands. Trelia's eyes dotted around taken in the view that no eggs had hatched yet and a few we're moving. Her breath evened out as her she started to relax a bit thankful that she hadn't missed anything.

The young woman looked around it seemed not all the candidates had arrived and was thankful that she wasn't the last one to have arrived. She dreaded the thought of missing her chance to impress a egg and hoped that it wouldn't be. Her eyes rested on a few of the eggs hoping that her life mate was in there and tried to think of serene welcoming thoughts. Trelia didn't want to scare off a potential life mate with haggard alarming thoughts.

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Quelas was laying in the candidate barracks when a few candidates came in running and shouting that the eggs we're hatching. He got up at a slower rate then the younger candidates because he'd been thought this a few times before. While he ran a comb through his hair and put on his black boots in order to prevent the hot sands from burning his feet. While he soon put on the new white robes and hoped that this would be the last time that he wore a robe. His feet started to lead him to the hatching grounds where his fate would be decided.

The young man's thoughts drifted to whether he'd be impressing this time and the thought of having to stand for yet another clutch. His eyes wandered over the group of candidates already surrounding the eggs and he moved towards the front of the crowd. He didn't want to be in the back and risk the dragnet not seeing him. Quelas had to wander if he hadn't been in the back at the other clutches would he'd impressed. His heart would be broken this time if he didn't impress.

He caught his breath and had to remember to breath as the eggs continued to move. The young man didn't care what color he got he just wanted to impress. His eyes looked longingly at the dragons that started to assemble from the metallic bronze dragons to the sea foam blue dragons.
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Sareen stood in her room as she looked in the looking glass at her white robe and then spun around in it. She'd been admiring the white robe and how it now the realization of becoming a dragon rider came upon her. The young woman could be riding a green dragon by this time next week and yet she was nervous about the whole possibility. When a few people came running in shouting that the eggs we're hatching and she got on her boots then started to walk with others to the hatching grounds.

When she arrived there we're a few other people and she remembered from her lessons to join the others in a circle around the eggs. She noticed how the boys we're gathered around the left and the girls we're around the far right of the developing circle. Her eyes noticed how a few of the eggs had started to shake and she held her breath. The young woman hoped to impress a egg and then she would make her family proud. If she didn't impress this time then she would have to wait for when Rhiannoth laid her eggs. Sareen had heard that this dragnets would be smaller because Issarith was from the olden days and was smaller then the present day queens.

Her hair was blown back by the wind and her forehead was sweating due to the head. She hoped that this clutch would go on hatch though had heard that it could take few days for the entire clutch to hatch. Sareen dreaded the thought of being out here in this heat for days and after this hoped to take a dip in the cool lake.

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Raelan was down in the lower caverns helping his mother Quina with the mid day meal and then it was all interrupted with a weyrbrat running in to announce the eggs we're hatching. He took off the apron as he ran a rag over the sweat of his forehead and then kissed his mother on the cheek. When she'd said good luck and then went to the candidate barracks where he put on fresh pair of black pants. A white shirt was put on then he grabbed his newest pair of white robes. He'd done this two times before and dreaded the thought of doing this again. "Please let me impress this time," said Raelan as he breathed hard for a moment. When he walked in a calm like manner down to the hatching and noticed a few other people had already gathered.

He took a spot next to the weyrbrates and then waited for the eggs to hatch. Raelan just wanted to impress a dragon and not be left standing again. His eyes we're hurting from the heat and the fact that he was tired from not sleeping. The nightmares that had plagued him the last few days we're horrible as they shadowed his deepest fear of not impressing. He would wake up in a cold sweat and then not be able to fall back asleep. A few of the riders have given him looks of sympathy the last turn and whispered that he didn't have what it took to impress. If he didn't impress the dragon then he would have to wait for gold Rhiannoth. Her eggs would be laid soon yet he didn't want to have to wait that long and his eyes lingered on the shaking eggs.

[Lady Smara]

Tschermak picked at his white robes nervously with his still-bandaged hands. S’nuo had confronted him after the egg touching, asking if it would not be a good idea after all for Tschermak to wait another turn until he could stand before the queen without quivering. After all, the last thing the blue rider wanted to see was the small boy mauled. As much as Malith said that he should stand, the blue rider also knew Malith had a place in his own heart for those smaller than normal due to his own size and he didn’t want to push Tschermak out there before he was ready.

Even so, Tschermak now followed his fellow candidates (namely Hinuk and Thoran) out onto the sands feeling strange in the boots and robe both a size too big. The tailoring lady had take’n in the hem, but was at a loss how to get the quite short enough without just making the robe specifically for the boy – altering it in a way that it could not be relengthen’d again for the next candidate.

He glanced at the queen once more, feeling the nerviousness swell up in his stomach before he wrapped his arms around it and hurried after the two members of the Brat Pack. It seemed to happen way too fast, reaching that growing semi circle around the rocking eggs, before he had to come out of his hiding spot behind the two boys to stand to their left, the girl behind him, Nazya taking up her spot on his left as well as the semicircle continued to grow on his other side.

The first egg to managed a spiderweb of cracks along its surface was the First Snow Egg. It rocked strongly, finally falling onto its side in the sands, but after several moments (and after all eyes were on it) it stopped moving and grew still once more. Sakorai in the stands frowned, her hand unwillingly catching J’ldaem’s hand as she glanced nerviously at her queen. The queen, however, did not yet seem worried which meant that the goldrider shouldn’t worry yet either – it was just natural for Sakorai considering their past. A new bronze was suppose to bring new health to their clutches…

It ended up being the Jungle Gym Egg that finally broke open first, spilling out a bright green to land heavily in the sands. The wet hide glistened with egg goo as it let out a warble, resting a moment before fighting to get her feet beneath her. It was with colorful eyes that the little green looked around the candidates before marching toward Therion. It was not the gold candidate that she impressed to though, but the girl next to her in blonde pigtails, a worker in the lower caverns who had a crooked nose and could stand to lose a few pounds.

Announcing her name as Green Yaguareth the (npc) candidate led her from the sands quickly as attention was drawn to two more hatchlings that broke free from their eggs. Both the Sun Kissed Prince Egg and the Tiny Wonder Egg now lay in pieces with a newly hatched Brown struggling with an egg shell stuck to his tail and a very dark blue that was quickly turning to a brown as it struggled to stand up in the sands, the tan sand sticking to its egg-wet hide.

While the little brown was the first to move, after crossing closer to the candidates, it stopped in front of them and laid down, tired from the fight to escape its egg and was passed by the Dark Blue as the blue knew exactly who he wanted.

R’lan, I’ve seen your dreams. May I be in them? I have dreamed of you too. he sent to Raelan, moving forward quickly enough to bump his head into the larger boy’s stomach as a way to stop. The warmth and feeling he sent up to the boy who had spent so often afraid of what would happen if he had not impressed. Everything was going to be okay now, because now he was not alone. I am Servath and you are mine, R’lan.

After watching the blue choose his rider from among the boy and with the little brown laying in the sands, Sakorai’s eyes turned toward two more eggs that were rocking fiercely. The Midnight’s Cry Egg had spilled forth a green – a green so dark that with its wet hide it could easily be mistaken for black. It too seemed to have trouble with an egg fragment stuck on her nose which brought the smile back to the Weyrwoman’s face and she knew by the way the Aslan’s Pride Egg was rocking it would be the next to hatch to spill forth a weyrling.

[HG]

How did anyone know where to look first? The young man thought to himself as he like so many others were drawn to the egg shaking the most vigorously. Rhodri did not know what to make of the egg now on its side. Was that supposed to happen? The inward gasp of so many onlookers had him thinking that it was abnormal for something like that to happen. The small egg seemed to stop moving then. Was the dragonet inside just tired or was there more to it? He knew that sometimes a dragonet might not make it. The idea of duds was not unusual in animals who laid eggs. He had heard of the very thing happening in chickens. His family was not wealthy enough to own anything so rare but in studying and listening to others, he had learned about them.

He stopped watching the egg in favor of the newest to hatch, a bright hued green. She steadied herself easily and being quick to know where she was headed probably helped. It seemed she had her heart set on one of the girl Candidates. Poor girl was rather unfortunate looking but maybe she would grow out of the nose and the chubbiness. Why did he care? He shrugged and went on to watch a brown and blue hatch at about the same moment. A tie in Hatching but not in finding a life-mate it would seem as the brown laid down in exhaustion. Was that normal?

The more he asked the question the more he began to realize nothing about this clutch was going to be normal. Quite fitting for his first time Standing. The blue despite his brother’s issue moving on was fast on his little wobbly legs. He ran to a boy who Rhodri recognized from lessons. Realan, now R’lan of blue whatever his name was. The dragonet was a beautiful color and quick to garner praise for it from onlookers as they made oos and awes. R’lan was a lucky young man to have impressed to such a strong blue. The bigger dragonet seemed to still be laying about when a green hatched. Or at least she seemed to be green, it was hard to tell in one with such a dark hide.

Despite being told to have welcoming thoughts, Rhodri was having more fun watching what was going on than actually trying to win over any of the dragons. It wasn’t that he didn’t care. It was that he was so overwhelmed that doing anything other than focusing on what the dragonets were doing was more than he was prepared to do right now. The crowd made him nervous, more so than the unsteady little dragons. Focusing on the Hatchlings made it easier to block everything else out. The little green with the shell still stuck to her muzzle caused him to smile. So far no one had been injured. Hatchings really weren’t all that bad, he thought and just as he thought this, the largest egg on the Sands began to show signs of breaking. Maybe he was getting ahead of himself.

Anticipation hung heavily in the air. The Stands even grew quiet for a moment when the first egg began to rock hard enough for a dragonet to break free. It was as if they were holding their breaths. Laure could not believe what happened at first, they egg had fallen to its side, the dragonet inside exhausted or worse. She bit her lip. Faranth don’t let the little one die. She had a soft heart for the weak. Even as the other eggs began to hatch she felt eyes having a hard time pulling away from the still egg. Like many others in the Cavern that day, she had never seen anything like that happen before. Issarith had a very stressful time since arriving at the Weyr and after travelling from who knew where she was likely to have a less healthy clutch than a Queen without the added stresses.

The weakness of some was off-set by the strength of others. One green found a girl for a life-mate quicker than you could say please. She had seen her around before in the Caverns working. She was a nice young woman, if not the prettiest of girls. There was more to beauty than one’s exterior. The green had seen the inside and that was what mattered most to a dragon. The young woman’s kind-heartedness was not just for the young dragons coming from their eggs but for all who stood there waiting for the right dragon to come along. Laure found it hard to dislike anyone or begrudge anyone their chance at happiness even if it meant she herself did not impress.

As more dragons hatched, she found herself wondering who would come out with a dragon. R’lan impressed a sweet and handsome blue. While the brown he hatched with seemed too tired to move any further and took a break, lying on the Sands. The next to Hatch was a dark green, almost the same color as Nemesyth and with a similar body shape. Nemesyth from what she knew of the green was a great flier when it came to fighting Thread so she should think this green would have great prowess in the air. While the green had not yet impressed and the brown still lay on the Sands resting up, the largest egg began to move with force. All eyes seemed to leave the green for the much bigger egg. Laure hoped the dragonet inside would be a Bronze.

The blonde young man found himself nervously peeling at his nails while watching as the first egg grew still on its side. He, like most people, was upset and sad for the little dragon inside. How was he to get out if he was that tired already? Faranth don’t let that be his life-mate! He couldn’t bear it if he Impressed to a dragon who died in its egg. Although that would be just his luck to Impress to a sick or dying dragon. He kicked the sand in front of him with his boot, before looking back at the rapidly hatching eggs.

The green who hatched was fast and he almost missed her walking off the Sands with a blonde haired girl from the Lower Caverns. He didn’t really remember names all that well. Maybe he would get to know her later when he impressed his dragon. Just as his thoughts turned back to the eggs two more hatched. A Brown! A Blue! Both were interesting colors. He was fairly certain he had never seen such a color on a brown before and blues were always so pretty to look on. The brown’s entrance into the world seemed to have worn him out enough that he needed to rest before choosing a life-mate. The blue was going to waste no such time. He found Realan quickly and easily among the Candidates and insisted he was the one for him. Good for R’lan! Thought Ledesein, slightly jealous of the other boy’s good luck.

It wouldn’t be much longer and his dragon would choose him! He knew it with all his heart. Even if his family had never impressed a dragon in the history of their existence, there was a first time for everything. This was only his second time Standing. He had plenty of time to find his if this Hatching didn’t work for him. There was no giving up on this dream. The clumsy and scatterbrained boy was glad he would not have to move much during the Hatching, he might give himself away and scare off a new partner. The dark green who hatched next was a pretty little thing but like most people his eyes were drawn to the largest of the eggs. He was about to break through his shell and show the Weyr his strength. Ledesein could not wait!

[freya]

Raelan was very quiet for a moment as he watched First Snow Egg shake and then it grew silent as it stopped. He was a little disappointed because he figured that it would have been the first egg to hatch. The Jungle Gym egg hatched to reveal a beautiful green dragon and he held his breath because he hoped that the dragon was for him. A green dragon would be a blessing as he just wanted a dragon and was disappointed that the dragon went towards a girl that he didn't know. She wasn't the prettiest green rider and yet they seemed to be happy with one another. When the Tiny Wonder and the Sun Kissed Eggs hatched to reveal to beautiful dragnets his heart skipped a beat. A beautiful blue dragnet seemed to go past the brown dragnet and head towards him.

He heard a voice in his head and the name Servath which caused him to go down on both knee. "Oh, beautiful Servath I've dreamed of you for a long time and thought this day would never come," said R'lan as he just hugged his new life mate. The young man never thought this day would come and it was not bad for a lowly drudge to have impressed a beautiful blue. His blue coloring was one that would make others take notice and he left with his new life mate to the buckets of meat on the side. When he got to the bucket he fed his blue who greedily ate the meat.

...............................................................................................

Trelia looked onwards as a green dragon was the first to come forward and go forth to a another young girl. Her heart skipped a beat as this was all too familiar as others we're chosen instead of her. The young woman watched as a brown and blue dragnets we're the next to hatch. She smiled at the brown dragon as it seemed to get tired from it's ordeal and would take it's time in choosing a candidate. Her eyes wandered to the blue dragon who choose one of the boys and smiled. He had been standing a long time and had finally succeeded in impressing a dragon. The smile on her face reminded her that no matter how long it took that she could wait.

She continued to watch the remaining eggs as there we're many left and had to bet that there was at least one bronze dragnet among them. Trelia wandered if there we're any gold dragons in this bunch and thought that with being three queens already the chances we're low. The queen might sense that the weyr didn't need anymore queens and sighed at the thought of waiting till the next clutch. Her eyes wandered over the rest of the candidates who we're no doubt thinking the same thing as more eggs continued to shake.

[♥Rizu-Chan♥]

Hinuk && Thoran
Weyrbrat Candidates

The excitement coursing through their body was of such magnitude that sometimes both boys wondered if their hearts would simply stop right there and then. While most of the Weyr had been alerted to the hatching by the Queen and her bronze mate the two Brat Pack leaders had a tiny bit of a head start – in tune with their larger counterparts Belior and Shrieker had begun to hum themselves as the boys had been finishing aiding out in the Lower Caverns as part of today’s chore assignment. It was a sound that sent both brat pack members in a frenzy as they escaped the lower caverns full force, managing to tumble some plates onto the floor in their haste as they scolding coming from Emera’s lips still rung in their ears as both weyrbrats made a mad dash for the candidate barracks.

The old hag could nag them at some other time.

With quickness not unknown to both lads they had soon changed their clothing, donning the robes that were a size too large for them both, hastily followed by the sturdy wherhide boots as they dashed in the general direction of the Hatching Cavern. Soon enough they had arrived, the blond turning to look back on a whim as he spotted the other young weyrbrat behind them. ”Come on Tscher’, get a move on!” It was D’seus’ spawn the one that had addressed the other lad, at one point grabbing him by the sleeve and tugging hard enough to bring him along with himself and Thoran as they steadily made their way into the forming semi circle in front of the eggs. Tschermak might not be a member of his pack, but he was a candidate just like him and Thoran; Hinuk just felt it wrong to simply ignore the boy.

At his right Thoran also stood, the dark skinned lad nervous though excited, a grin upon his face as he paced in his spot; almost seemingly unable to remain still. It was with a playful jab of his shoulder that Hinuk got his best friend to settle down his pace, the other lad returning the gesture before his eyes settled upon the eggs. Already a few were rocking... and soon enough the hatching got underway. Left and right eggs seemed to be cracking open and spilling their contents onto the sands, the boys unsure as to where to look first.

A green had hatched first, quickly impressing, before being followed by a brown and a blue. The lower rank had quickly impressed as well to an older boy not far from the weyrbrats, though Hinuk paid little attention to it. Faintly his brain registered another dark colored green hatching somewhere in the clutch tough for the most part his eyes were glued to the two remaining big eggs upon the center of the clutch. He had no want or care for the lower ranked dragons; the blond knew that only a bronze would ever be worthy of him.

His “brother” however seemed quite eager to follow each of the new dragonets as they stumbled around; admiring the brown as he laid down not far away from them before looking around behind Hinuk to speak to Tscermak. ”Tscher’ look, isn’t that one quite handsome?!” The rich and vibrant coppery shades of the brown glistened more than they really should, aided by the egg goo that still covered his hide, making the young brown quite the sight to behold indeed.

[♥Rizu-Chan♥]

Nayzarette
Northerner Candidate

It had been by pure luck that the girl had currently just finished bathing when the swarm of excited females rushed into the female side of the candidate barracks, the brunette making quick work to get out of their way as they all hastily headed for their white robes. Said garments had finally been delivered to them but a sevenday ago, Nayza taking a moment to arch an eyebrow at the girls’ hasty movements as they bumped into one another. At some corner of the place she was sure two girls had begun an argument of their own, though the whole thing was quickly dismissed with a shrug as the northerner turned to grab her own candidate robe and toss it over her frame. Boots were quick to follow in order to protect her feet, and after making sure she looked presentable Nayza had head off in the direction of the sands.

Being one of the first to leave the barracks also meant she was one of the first to arrive, though instead of entering the girl had waited around until the friendly face she was looking for finally appeared. ”Rhodri!” With a smile she had made her way in his direction, meeting the older male half way as they walked up to form part of the assigned semi circle before the eggs. For the most part the moment between them was passed in relative silence; the girl taking in the new sights as dragons flew into the cavern to deposit their riders before heading higher into the ledges prepared for them; their humming vibrating all throughout the closed space. It was quite the experience to be honest, and at one point the girl found the need to pinch herself just slightly to make sure this wasn’t all just a wonderful dream.

Finally the eggs started to shake, and in quick succession four dragonets had grazed the sands. The first, a very vibrant green, had quickly impressed to a blond girl; followed soon enough by the third hatching, a rather handsome blue that impressed to Raelan. For their part the pretty brown and dark green remained unbounded yet, the fact worrying the brunette just slightly. She was sure she had read somewhere that unbounded dragonets died... yet no one seemed to be quite nervous or whatnot so far. Perhaps they didn’t need to literally bond right away...?

[freya]

Quelas stood watching the start to hatch with first a beautiful green dragon that even give on look to the boys. She went straight to one of the girl candidates that he didn't even know and sighed. When a brown and blue dragnet hatched they both started looking for their life mates however the brown decided to just take it easy. The young man raised a eyebrow at the brown dragnet who seemed either to be very stubborn or was just too dazed from the entire experience. When the blue dragnet went to some one else the young man's heart continued to sink.

When he was looking at the remaining eggs a green came forth and he smiled. Quelas just wanted to impress a dragon it didn't make a difference on the color those his eyes looked longingly at the brown dragnet. He wanted one just like his father's dragon and he smiled at the little dragnet. If he didn't impress this time then he would have to wait for Gold Rhiannoth who would be laying her clutch soon. His feet moved over the sands as he just sort of switched weight from one foot to another. A nervous movement was taken over Quelas as he wandered if the dragnets could sense the fear in his heart. He tried to push the fear back and found that he had more desire to impress then the fear he once possessed.

[Na Qaiah]

Shamara was frozen in place. She watched as the greens and a blue impressed. The tiny brown that collapsed on the sands not far from her had her hands itching to help the poor thing. The other egg laying on its side screamed help to her too. She started to move then remembered she could risk bodily harm from the dragonet or its parents or both. So she stood rooted to the spot watching and waiting. The two eggs set apart kept catching her attention, she wondered why they were pushed aside and hoped the babies inside weren't dead.

Tishu watched the dragonets hatch and impress. What a site to see. When the one egg fell over she couldn't help the "awwww" that escaped her mouth. She didn't move but she wanted to help very badly. When the little brown dropped to the sands with its head in front of her it was all she could do to keep herself still. She was itching to help and knew she couldn't. Tishu hoped the little thing was just tired and not dying right in front of her. Her heart went out to the little thing. "Please get up, you can do it, come on baby, you can do it" she kept whispering over and over. Willing the poor little thing to get up and find its lifemate.

[hbk]

.:: Candidate Kethemar ::.

Kethemar found that the Hatching was unlike anything he had ever experienced before. Mostly the young fishercrafter found himself hanging in the back. These dragonets were... were not like he had imagined at all! He thought Impression was the wonderful event, at least everyone talked about it that way, but the creatures that were coming out of the eggs were... rather frightening in a way. Still, there was still that edge of hope inside of him that told him he wanted this to happen.

Deciding that he would just put other Candidates between him as a shield of protection, Kethemar peered over other boys' shoulders as he watched eggs hatch. A blue dragon found some kid named Raelan, he only knew because other Candidates around him muttered the name. Kethemar, being from the North, was still very new and didn't have a good hold on everyone's names, even after the icebreaker forced on them by the Candidatemaster.

Glancing sideways Kethemar noticed Shamara and edged closer to his fellow Candidate and friend, "Is it always like this?" He asked her, knowing that Shamara seemed to have a wealth of information regarding Candidacy and the Weyr.

[♥Rizu-Chan♥]

J’ldaem of Tseravith
Refuge Weyrleader && Pyralis Wingleader

Mine, it is time.

The Weyrleader had recently entered his office for the bazillion time that day, carrying a plate with a few fresh meatrolls and a mug of warm klah. He had just set the container down when Tseravith had beseeched him, the young man groaning inwardly as he scratched the back of his head in mild annoyance. {Are you positive Tseravith?} Of course it was an useless question to have, a mental snort being the bronze only reply back as the Weyr itself begun to hum with the ancient dragon song reserved for these occasions. With a snort of his own the Bronzerider hastily departed his office and left the door open in his path, heading to his Weyr to properly dress; the unlocked room providing the perfect opportunity for a small fair of young flitters – lead by the bronze Belior – to sneak inside and wreak a bit of havoc as they devoured the forgotten meal.

Just like the Brat Pack it seemed these clutchsiblings loved ganging up and going around the Weyr with their antics in order to find some amusement; probably a learned behavior from their young weyrbrats owners.

Soon enough the man had donned some proper clothing on his once bare chest, combing enough to look more than respectable, before making sure his little sister was also ready and well dressed; finding delight in watching her donned her newly acquired ensemble just for this activity. ”Come on little ember; you don’t want to miss Tser’s babies hatching now do you?” The warm pet name was his way of addressing Kreallie, the brunette man grabbing his sister in a warm hug as he kissed her forehead before leading her out and towards the Hatching Caverns.

Over by the warm and tan colored sands was the sire of this clutch, forsaking his spot up on the ledges with the other bronzes to instead keep company on his lovely Issarith. While at first only one egg had been deemed as a dud, and set aside, now another one gave the Broken Marble some company. While strong willed and determined, for Tseravith could never think of Issarith as weak, the young sire had noticed the faint depression that had taken hold of the pale gold for a couple of seconds as she had set aside the second egg – having become more in tune to her in the pasts months and sevendays he had spent guarding her and her clutch.

While at first he had barely been allowed in the sands slowly the bronze had proven his devotion to the pale queen; to the extent that the pale gold had been known to exit the sands now and again to feed as she left her mate guarding the clutch. It was something that made Tseravith’s chest swell with pride, but the bronze soon resumed his protective position not far from Issarith and her eggs as the Candidates started storming in.

{Just be sure to actually let them stand, Tser, your babies do need to impress after all.}
I am appalled, you think I would run off candidates and forsake my children’s future?
{I know you have a hair trigger, much like Issie, just a friendly reminder that they need to be there. You both already traumatized one of those weyrbrats last time during the Touching; just by looming over them.}
Do not worry, J’ldaemMine, so long as they behave they have nothing to fear of Issarith or I.
{Good... If you see any trying to be stupid make sure to spook them away enough. I would prefer to avoid as much unnecessary bloodshed as possible.}

While maulings could never be fully prevented J’ldaem had seen candidates do stupid things in the hatchings he had witnessed, and participated, back in Haven Weyr. Just the fact of two eggs lying aside, forgotten, would probably be enough to temp some idiotic movement from those younger ones – and perhaps those not used to the way dragons worked. While he hadn’t found any records for the past decade or so of turns with duds in their hatching scrolls Sakorai had assured him it was a normal thing for her pale Issarith – especially given all the various new conditions. He had taken the woman’s word for it in turn, and assured his own bronze that clutches would get even better with time. It was none of their fault, just the way nature worked.

Heavy boots soon made quick work of the distance, the man always making sure to wait long enough for his sister to not be left behind, before he had arrived to the stands reserved for him, Sakorai, and the other pair of Junior Weyrleaders. With a respectable nod of his head he saluted D’seus and Suynie; before his gaze moved over to the blond goldrider and ruler of Refuge. Stunning and desirable, as always, he noted with a sly smirk before sitting down besides her; a soft kiss pressed to her check in greetings to mask a murmured comment into her ear. After all he had a young Kreallie sitting next to him; some things just weren’t appropriate for the younger girl’s ears yet (probably never if J’ldaem could have any say over the matter).

The humming continued, growing in volume as the first of the eggs begun to shake in the sands; the First Snow egg almost positively looking like it’d be the first to burst. Instead it simply toppled over after some jerking, and remained still. Much like Sakorai his bronze mate also seemed to give the equivalent of a frown as his gaze remained upon it, though his humming never wavered or broke. These were his children, his and Issarith’s, they would be strong; they would be healthy. They would be the best dragonets to ever graze all of Pern’s hatching sands.

As Sakorai’s hand moved to catch his own, probably more out of reflex than perhaps a true want of her own, the bronzerider simply returned the gesture to try and give the woman some silent support. Just like Tseravith’s current role was to provide silent comfort to the pale gold as their clutch hatched so was it J’ldaem’s turn to silently support Sakorai herself; for even a seasoned gold as Issarith would probably still have some pains upon seeing some of those eggs simply not hatch.

Soon enough the Jungle Gym hatchling was the first to break shell, spilling a vibrant green that promptly impressed (Yaguareth she was called, or so Tseravith informed him). She was soon followed by two more hatchlings; the Sun Kissed Prince and Tiny Wonder eggs having exploded to released their captives. ”Ah, I knew it’d be a gorgeous brown.” His eyes light up in delight, the man pleased to see one of the Blueriders in his wing now owed him a few coins from their betting guessing about the eggs. The brown went on to lie there, seeming tired from his ordeal to hatch, while the dark blue was prompt to go pick a lifemate of his own in one of the semi-older male candidates. Not much after another green had hatched, her dark coloration reminding the man much of N’var’s Nemesyth.

”Four healthy hatchlings so far, and no blood on the sands yet. I say things are looking good, right Sakorai?”

The comment was meant to start some small talk, perhaps even a bit of banter, in an effort to relax the nerves of the woman (as well as himself) as the hatching proceeded. If J’ldaem was honest with himself the man really expected some candidate to had been cut down or something by now into the warm sands; given the dam and sire’s current mood these past sevendays along with their flight. He really had expected some more feistiness in this clutch; though so far all the hatchlings seemed to be well-mannered enough.