Final Egg-Touching ==================
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RL date - Saturday 15th April 2000
Pern date - Day 26, Month 3, Turn 31, of the Tenth Pass.
Location - Telgar Weyr Hatching Cavern
Copyright Info: The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.
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Galleries(#382RDJM$)
Stretching along the eastern wall of the hatching cavern, these tiers of seats have enough room for several hundred spectators for Clutchings and Hatchings. To one side, long shallow steps descend to the entrance. There is also a railing separating the lowest tier of seats from the Hatching Sands themselves. Other parts of the galleries are closed off from the sands by a wall to the north and south. From here you can reenter the bowl, or follow the pathway down to the Sands.
The afternoon is clear, and the sun shines with a few small clouds floating past. There seems to be a light breeze and the spring air feels a bit nippy.
Miteh returns to the Hatching Ground Galleries, slightly out of breath. "I... I've done a bit of the guest weyrs. But... I couldn't keep... my mind off the eggs.", he announces to Aisling, breathing more deeply than usual.
Corin enters the galleries from the bowl.
Corin has arrived.
Aisling laughs softly,'I have yet to start mine...I -still- can't believe I got assigned latrines yet again...I think its a sign..or something'
Miteh looks quizzically at Aisling. "A... sign of what?", he asks, still panting a little from his run over half the Bowl.
"I have yet to figure that one out." Ais notes after a brief pause.'
Corin looks over to the candidates, "What'cha talking about?" he asks.
Miteh notes, "I keep... getting dragonwashing." His breathing is beginning to return to normal.
Tirdan enters the galleries from the bowl.
Tirdan has arrived.
Kichevio enters the galleries from the bowl.
Kichevio has arrived.
Miteh replies to Corin, "It looks like chores now." Noticing Tirdan and Kichevio both arriving, he gives a wave to them both.
Kichevio waves to Miteh. "Are they going to let you lucky few touch them, then?"
Corin wrinkles his nose, "I hate chores, My Aunt dragged me off to wash tubers earlier,"
Tirdan grins as he trots up the steps. "You almost lost me there for a sec," he laughs to Kichevio. He turns and tosses a wave to Corin, Miteh and especially Aisling.
Kichevio looks almost sheepish. "Sorry. I guess I have a touch of spring fever." As if the flower in her hair hadn't signaled that already.
"Chores." Aisling offers to Corin.."And the meaning behind their assignment."
Miteh replies to Kichevio, "Are they?" He looks around quickly for any indication of this.
Tirdan grins and shakes his head, "Don't worry about it." He flops down in a seat and scoots over to let Kichevio sit down, too. He says, "Look at all of 'em. I wonder how long it is now."
Corin looks puzzled, "There's meaning behind chores? I thought it was just to keep people having no fun,
Saskia enters the galleries from the bowl.
Saskia has arrived.
Kichevio shrugs. "Well, you never know. And since there seems to be a gathering of Candidates here now, maybe Saskia will take pity on you and let you touch them..." She stops abruptly as the Weyrwoman in question walks in.
Aisling raises her finger to Corin, her eyes lighting in mischief. "Aye...but there is where you are mistaken...there is a deep and hidden meaning behind all that we don.'
Saskia waddles in, clutching her flight jacket tightly around her. "Hello candidates, and candidate friend. Ready for another egg touching?"
Miteh, in a confusion of exactly how to greet Saskia, ends up waving, bowing and saying, "'Afternoon." all at the same time.
Corin ohs, believing every word Aisling says, "What does it all mean then?"
Kichevio winks at Miteh. "Told you, didn't I?"
Tirdan looks up at Corin curiously and comments, "I thought chores /were/ fun." At Saskia's question, he sits up quickly and grins, "Am I? Do wherries smell like dirty socks?"
I'sai enters the galleries from the bowl.
I'sai has arrived.
Tirdan frowns, "Or was that dirty socks smelling like wherries." He shrugs.
I'sai comes in on a, "...Wherries?"
Miteh echoes I'sai's confusion. "What about wherries and socks? Was I not paying any attention?", he asks.
Kichevio hastily nods to Saskia. "Afternoon, Weyrwoman." I'sai gets the patented Wicked Grin. "Good afternoon, oh rider of the sire of the violet dragons that will be."
Saskia smiles to Miteh, "Saskia or weyrwoman will do. No need to bow. And no dirty socks, please."
Miteh nods at Kichevio, and replies with a smile, "You were!"
I'sai narrows pale eyes above a smile - "Yeah, yeah, Kitschy. - Not even dirty red socks."
From the hatching sands, Taralyth sniffs. Snorts.
Miteh realises he forgot to greet I'sai. He waves, and says, "Afternoon, I'sai."
Kichevio flicks a small piece of meatroll at I'sai. "Kitschy yourself. Violet is a perfectly lovely color."
Terryll enters the galleries from the bowl.
Terryll has arrived.
Miteh adds, "Or lost blue socks."
Corin waves to the two riders, "Who's having violet dragons?"
Aisling is diverted by the socks comment for a moment, pausing to look at her own to make sure she remembered to put on a clean pair. "That is what I am trying to figure out." She informs Corin quietly.
Tirdan looks at I'sai then Miteh, explaining, "I was trying to decide if wherries smelled like dir-" He pauses and nods,
"Sorry, Saskia. I won't talk about the socks anymore."
Kichevio laughs out loud. "Only the very lucky, Corin. It's all up to I'sai."
I'sai dances a step back - "Glad you like it. - You, Corin? Right after the stuffed whers in garlic sauce..."
Miteh still looks slightly bemused at Tirdan, but says, "Ookay."
Saskia shakes her head "No, violet dragons either. Perhaps violent if anyone does something stupid."
I'sai agrees, "But at least they're not flaming. Always watch out for firestone sacks and violence..."
I'sai says "And violets, even!"
Terryll steps in, listens for amoment, and looks like she's about to turn around and leave again. Wierd conversation she just walked into.
From the hatching sands, Rinath snorts right back at that Taralyth, then lifts her head to peer at the candidates above.
Corin rubs his stomach, "Now, I'm hungry. My Ma cooked something in garlic sauce when she was pregnant with me. I think it was sweetrolls, according to my sister anyway,"
Kichevio nods sobers. "Sacks and violets, the two greatest causes of Candidate delinquency."
Saskia chuckles. "I'm sure all of Telgar should be grateful that Rinath can't flame. On the other hand, she's going to create more like her."
I'sai coughs into his hand; steps back, and out of Terryll's way.
Aisling falls silent, her gaze moving to the gold in question,'But she can glare...and even worse, she can bite.'
From the hatching sands, Taralyth flexes his talons
From the hatching sands, Taralyth just so happens to flex his talons in the sand. She can do that too. ...And eyes his mate's hindquarters for good measure.
Miteh remember something from earlier. "And attempt to eat Taralyth!", he contributes.
Saskia nods "And also swoop down on unsuspecting candidates, but fortunately she was too busy guarding her eggs to do that this time."
Terryll looks at I'sai confusededly, and asks him quietly, "What did I just walk into?"
Kichevio gives Taralyth a long look. "I'sai, does your dragon get his kicks from striking fear into the hearts of his audience?"
From the hatching sands, Rinath wiggles her big behind tauntingly.
Tirdan peers at the dragons curiously and chuckles, "That's some dance Rinath's got."
"And sit on me," I'sai says plaintively. "When I was a poor innocent weyrling and... yes, she did that too, and - " he breaks off, turning to Terryll; "Joking, I think. The eggs're awfully hard, and on top of ... well. Just call it joking." No direct comment for Kichevio, just a smile.
Corin watches the wiggling gold, "Does she itch or something?" he asks.
Saskia grins at I'sai. "Hey, you were the one who made disparaging remarks about her, so Maylia made you clean her couch."
"If you are trying to scare us." Aisling accuses the riders before she pauses briefly, "Then its not working." Yeah, right...then perhaps she can explain why she moved behind Tirdan.
"If you are trying to scare us." Aisling accuses the riders before she pauses briefly, "Then its not working." Yeah, right...then perhaps she can explain why she moved behind Tirdan.
I'sai protests, wider-eyed, "I just said what you said. About the, er, the -swooping-."
Terryll quirks an eyebrow at I'sai, and nods carefully. Then steps back to try and find a shadow or something she can fade into and just listen.
Kichevio isn't scared. Not at all. Of course, _she_ isn't going to go down on those Sands where the big fanged dragons are. "They wouldn't hurt the Candidates, though, would they? After all, _someone_ has to be here to Impress the hatchlings. If she eats 'em all, there could be difficulties.""Not if she eats the hatchlings too, and they Impress each other in her belly," I'sai speculates.
From the hatching sands, Rinath dances like a bee. Maybe a queen bee. As she jiggles her body in some secret signal. Or perhaps she's trying to imitate a quivering herdbeast. In any case, she's still enormous and quite capable of squashing anyone who gets too close.
Kichevio gives _that_ comment all the attention it deserves.
Miteh doesn't seem too encouraged by I'sai's speculations. "Can I object?", he asks, with a slightly unbelieving smile.
Corin looks at I'sai with wide open eyes, "How would they be able to fly thread in Rinath's belly?"
Kichevio looks from Miteh to I'sai. "To I'sai's speculation, or to I'sai himself?"
Terryll hides her face in her hands, and mutters under her breath. Something about crazy riders and encouraging them is probably a bad idea.
I'sai informs, bright-eyed, light-eyed, "Why, they'd just *between* out when they're old enough."
Aisling peers at I'sai..."But if she eats us now..we could impress them as well." She pauses then adds...and then someone could open her stomach...and we would all fly out."
Miteh grins at Kichevio. "To his speculation... I think!", he laughs.
Blue has left.
Tirdan frowns as he tries to wrap his mind around it. He hums, "Well, how would they eat inside Rinath's belly?"
M'kon enters the galleries from the bowl.
M'kon has arrived.
I'sai supposes, "Other things she ate. So better hope they're tasty."
Saskia shakes her head "Maylia's fair. You learnt a lesson, I'm sure, Is. Though clearly it wasn't how to avoid Rinath. And that was an image I really could have done without. It was bad enough when she had 42 eggs in her belly."
Miteh thinks. "Well, by the time they could go *between*, wouldn't they cause... quite a bulge? Fourty-two fully-grown dragons?"
Kichevio shakes her head dubiously. "By the time they were all old enough to /between/, Rinath would bee too large to fit in here."
M'kon saunters in, despite the sounds of a very grumbling bronze that lands in the ledges above. Eyes seek a certain person amid the knot of candidates, as he heads up the steps.
Miteh appears to come up with yet another horrible question. "And what happens to the Candidates who don't Impress?"
Corin shrugs to Miteh, "Maybe they get digested,"
Tirdan knows the answer to Miteh's question. He beams proudly, "They can ride on one of the dragons that were impressed and between out when the fourty two are old enough."
Kichevio keeps one eye on the conversation, and the other on the new arrival. New male. bronzerider. Purrrrr.
I'sai admits, rolling his shoulders, "It'd take a -lot- of oil to keep things smooth, and we already used up half the Weyr's supply the last time..." He slants a smile Saskia's way, commenting not upon the weyrlingmaster - and then glances back, over his shoulder, and the smile becomes a grin.
Aisling follows I'sai's look and offers M'kon a quick wave before she seems to be gathering all the various details as they are spun.
Tirdan hums and leans back in his seat again, scrubbing at his chin, "Does that mean that Rinath would have to eat the oil too? Or just lots of fish"
Kichevio chokes slightly at the thought of a dragon with serious fish-breath.
M'kon ah-hahs, and catches sight of the one he was after, moving more quickly to join I'sai for a moment. Silent, but amused. Unlike his complaining lifemate in the ledges, who would be a good candidate for a Candidate eating machine from his looks.
Saskia smiles, "Hi Myk. 'Got away' again, eh?" then turns to the candidates, suddenly all business like. "Okay, those candidates who have already been on the sands may simply follow down after me. Those who haven't should form a single line and wait until I say you can come down. Rinath wants to inspect you. Oh, of course dragons don't eat people. And if you have any questions, please let me know."
Miteh looks un-nervingly up at Nioth on the ledges, then down to the Sands where Rinath and Taralyth are. Three dragons with Candidate-eating potential. He grins sheepishly at the dragons in general.
M'kon grins to Saskia, "For a bit anyway. We had to come back...I ran out of hides to recopy."
Terryll finds a seat to slide into, still listening, but keeping any and all comments to a quiet mutter. Then even her muttering stops as she looks up at Saskia's words.
M'kon chuckles, "And no one mind Nioth...he's cranky about being pulled away from his mate at Fort."
I'sai doesn't need to look at the ledges; "And then some. How - but it sounds like I'd better go down."
From the hatching sands, Rinath abruptly stills and moves closer to the sands edge. Her great bulk looms over the entrance to the galleries and she sniffs the air.
Miteh looks about. "Which line?", he asks I'sai.
Tirdan nods to Saskia and rises, brushing off his rear as he does. He leans idilly against the rail, looking down at the eggs, smiling and murmuring, "Wonder how long.."
Kichevio squeezes Tirdan's shoulder and settles down to watch the fun.
I'sai says "Hm? - Oh. At the, uh, head of the stairs? Next to whoever-else-hasn't. She'll want to inspect, you see. That is, Rinath will. You. And whoever else."
Miteh goes to stand at the head-of-the-stairs line. "Anyone else who hasn't?", he asks the Candidates in general.
Saskia waddles over to the stairs and leaning heavily on the railing makes a slow progress down.
Snarl is now listening.
"Hasn't?" Aisling asks cluelessly, 'Hasn't what?" She asks even as she heads towards the stairs.
Terryll rises, hanging back a bit, to let others precede her in following Saskia down the stairs.
Miteh helps Aisling out with, "Hasn't been on the Sands before."
Saskia steps down from the galleries.
Saskia has left.
From the hatching sands, Saskia comes down from the galleries.
From the hatching sands, Saskia has arrived.
Tirdan smiles at Kichevio and moves to follow Saskia.
Tirdan steps down from the galleries.
Tirdan has left.
From the hatching sands, Tirdan comes down from the galleries.
From the hatching sands, Tirdan has arrived.
From the hatching sands, Tirdan apprehensively comes down the steps from the galleries. He stays close to the stairs, making /certain/ he's supposed to be out here before he unknowingly angers Rinath.
From the hatching sands, Taralyth, for his part, retreats to a low crouch that sweeps tail and wingtips just shy of the sands themselves. Not that there's really any retreat beyond the stairs themselves.
Terryll steps down from the galleries.
Terryll has left.
From the hatching sands, Terryll comes down from the galleries.
From the hatching sands, Terryll has arrived.
From the hatching sands, Terryll makes her way down the stairs, then hangs back, probably with the same thoughts in mind as Tirdan.
Leelson enters the galleries from the bowl.
Leelson has arrived.
From Kichevio's shoulder, Liam tries to pose himself in a similar manner to Taralyth. This does not work well.
Kichevio rolls her eyes. "Nitwit flit...Hi Lee!" She gestures toward the Sands. "If you want to go down there, better hurry."
From the hatching sands, Taralyth tilts his headknobs forward: better?
Leelson hurries into the cavern and quickly slows to a fast walk to get behind Aisling and Miteh. His hair is wet - probably an indication of his chore: dragon washing.
Aisling steps down from the galleries.
Aisling has left.
From the hatching sands, Aisling comes down from the galleries.
From the hatching sands, Aisling has arrived.
Liam eagerly tilts his head forward as well. This results in his headknobs getting snarled in Kich's hair. Muttering imprecations toward fire-lizards in general, Kichevio carefully works the squeaking bronze free.
From the hatching sands, Aisling pads in after the others....offering Rinath and Taralyth a deep bow...nothing like the ability to eat one to demand respect.
From the hatching sands, Tirdan looks at Aisling and nods. Yep. Bowing would be good. He bows to both Rinath and Taralyth after Aisling, smiling, "Good day, lovely Rinath, Taralyth."
Leelson waves to Kichevio, a little embarassed at his late arrival, before heading over to I'sai. "Um...." His eyes go up to look at his still blue dyed bangs. "I'sai, my hair, as you can see, hasn't lost its blue from the rope drill. Can I still go out on the sands for the egg touching?"
I'sai shifts from foot to foot, giving the remaining lineup an appraiser's eye, one no doubt copied from some senior rider; "And it'll even be your turn soon, M' - Hmm? Blue? I don't see why not. The worst that could happen would... well, ah, Saskia'd probably warn her off."
I'sai says "It's, er, -very- blue."
From the hatching sands, Terryll really has never been the sort to bow to anyone, dragon or no. But Taralyth and Rinath get a very respectful nod of her head.
Kichevio chimes in. "Blue's a dragon color. Can't see why Rinath would object."
Kindre enters the galleries from the bowl.
Kindre has arrived.
Chithit chirples agreement. Blue's a _great_ color. Even on humans.
Miteh starts, "Now, violet..." but stops, unsure what to say.
I'sai murmurs something about how one never knows.
Ryialla enters the galleries from the bowl.
Ryialla has arrived.
Leelson sighs towards I'sai. "I know, I know. Nothing is working to get it out." Lee furrows his brow at the suggestion of the worst, though his expression seems to suggest the 'worst' flys right over his head. He smiles slightly and bows before heading down to the sands.
Kichevio winks at Miteh. "Might not want to go there..."
Kindre waves as she enters the cavern and spots familiar faces. "Afternoon," is called cheerfully before finding herself a seat. "How fares with all today? Well I hope?"
Leelson steps down from the galleries.
Leelson has left.
From the hatching sands, Leelson comes down from the galleries.
From the hatching sands, Leelson has arrived.
Ryialla follows after the stream of people, her expression slightly curious. "Heyla, all. Something going on? I've just seen at least five people walk past in two minutes..."
From the hatching sands, Tirdan looks to Aisling then looks at Rinath. He clears his throat and asks, "Is it alright to go on?" His eyes flicker to the hazy gray egg, and he takes a step toward it, still unsure.
Kichevio does a combination nod/wave to Kindre and Ryialla. "Afternoon, Kindre, Ryi-ma'am. Another egg-touching. We watch, they touch--or maybe get eaten by Rinath."
From the hatching sands, Taralyth noses one of those eggs in white satin, muzzle dropped low enough that it shades blue - if not blue as Leelson's hair - from reflecting his diamondine eyes.
Miteh gives Kindre a wave. "Afternoon. Well, provided that Rinath doesn't try to eat all the Candidates, the hatchlings, the oil and the Weyrlingmaster, yes!" He grins.
From the hatching sands, Aisling glances at the bronze...considering the effect of his eyes on the egg. Her eyes light in appreciation. "Beautiful'
From the hatching sands, Rinath watches all the candidates carefully, their different shapes reflected in her many facets, but allows them to pass. Saskia calls up "The first in line may step down to the sands edge for inspection."
I'sai glances back from the stairs, suddenly smiles; "Welcome. And what Kitschy said. How're the odds going? I've had to duck past half a wing who thought they'd all hatch last sevenday."
Kindre lifts her shoulders in a shrug, but then pauses to gaze about the galleries. Noticing, it would seem, the Candidates moving down towards the sands, she remarks, "Egg touching I would assume," and then grins a bit. "I was stopping in to take just a peek at them myself...Herath swears it'll be soon that the crack...but I think I'll stay to watch. Nice memories and all," she adds.
Miteh looks around. "Am I first, or... am I not?", he asks, apprehensively.
From the hatching sands, Tirdan smiles gratefully to the lovely queen as he passes her. He makes a v-tol line for that egg he's so entranced by. He gently lays a hand on the shell and hums, murmuring, "warm.. and hard.."
Snarl is no longer listening.
From the hatching sands, Saskia gestures to Miteh, "You. You're first. No time like the present." She smiles.
Kichevio narrows her eyes at I'sai over the 'Kitschy' comment, but keeps watching the eggs and the Candidates steadily.
Ryialla says ""Tcha. And me without my wineskin. Best ask Kassi 'bout the odds - she actually keeps paperwork, y'know."
From the hatching sands, Leelson stands on the sands edge, waiting for the others to recieve their inspection first.
From the hatching sands, Aisling stays back behind Miteh..just in case Rinath is hungry.
Miteh nods at Saskia, and, with only slight hesisitation, walks slowly down the stairs, ready for Rinath's inspection.
You step down from the galleries onto the hatching sands.
Hatching Sands
This is the immense cavern containing the hatching grounds of Telgar Weyr. It stretches for several hundred feet across, and even farther in length. To the north is the large mound of sands used by the queens for their clutches. Looking up along the high walls of the cavern, the ledges where dragons and their riders observe the hatchings are visible. Much of the eastern wall is dominated by the galleries. Row upon row of tiers are capable of seating hundreds of people.
The afternoon is clear, and the sun shines with a few small clouds floating past. There seems to be a light breeze and the spring air feels a bit nippy.
Contents:
DRAGONS: Rinath Taralyth
PLAYERS: Terryll Leelson Miteh Tirdan Aisling Saskia
Terryll gives a smile in Rinath's direction as she passes, moving carefully around the eggs until she pauses near the sinister sable egg. With a grin of more than purely artistic appreciation, she reaches out to gently trace her fingers over the shell.
In the galleries, Eelan enters the galleries from the bowl.
In the galleries, Eelan has arrived.
In the galleries, Kichevio blinks curiously. "Paperwork? On bets? Almost makes me wish I had something to bet."
Rinath rumbles softly and dips her muzzle to loom her huge head over Miteh, completely covering him in shadow. She breezes soft spicy dragon breath upon him as she exhales and then opens her huge mouth, and inhales as though she might in fact eat him.
In the galleries, I'sai protests lightly, "But she's not here!" even as he eyes Miteh's back as he heads down to the sands' level. "Well. You can always bet favors. Such as, oh, serenades..." and there's a quick smile to Ryialla and M'kon both, before he adds to them all on a note of apology, "I'd better go."
In the galleries, I'sai steps down from the galleries.
I'sai comes down from the galleries.
I'sai has arrived.
In the galleries, M'kon chuckles softly, and settles down on the stone bench to wait, his chin gripped in his hand.
Miteh is surprised at the sudden darkness, and looks up into Rinath's mouth. "...erk!", he murmurs.
In the galleries, Kichevio calls after I'sai. "Shall I serenade _you_?" before turning and laughing heartily. "He'd better be careful what he asks for. No-one in their right mind wants to hear _me_ sing!"
In the galleries, Eelan scratches at his nose with one hang and juggles at the scraps of hide and the few brushes in his hands as he picks his way to a seat.
Miteh glances around in desparation, as if pleading for someone to rescue him from this gold.
Taralyth's muzzle dips across the clutch, scenting, his lean neck casting a long shadow of its own over certain of the eggs and egg-watchers - no savior he, but only witness.
In the galleries, Kindre chuckles a bit before noting, "I never wager any longer on these things. Well, unless one of my guesses matches one of Kassi's. I've terrible foresights about what is in the eggs, I fear. Even Hera isn't right most of the time."
In the galleries, Kichevio reaches up to stroke Liam unconsciously. "Rinath, please don't eat Miteh..." she murmurs.
Leelson bites his lip as he watches Miteh in front of Rinath's maw.
Rinath closes her massive jaws with an audible snap. If Miteh's head were any closer...well, the results would have been gruesome. Saskia shakes her head, "Rinath says no-one will rescue you, but you're still here, so you can look at her eggs."
Aisling pales significantly. Her feet remain firmly planted on the ground before she takes first one step backwards...then another.
In the galleries, Corin looks down at the sands, "I'm suddenly very glad I'm not one of them,"
Tirdan looks up from the gray egg at Rinath and Miteh. He sucks in a small gasp and moves around to the /other/ side of the gray egg. Maybe Rinath won't eat him if the egg's protecting him.
Miteh breathes a massive sigh of relief. Looking up at Rinath, he says to the dragon, "Thank you." He bows to her and Taralyth, then steps towards the eggs reluctantly.
Leelson flinches slightly as Rinath's mouth closes quickly, thought probably not as much as Miteh did. He breathes out in relief before looking around to see who's next.
In the galleries, Ryialla smirks at Kichevio's comment, and says, "He's already been serenaded by me. I highly doubt you could do worse." She looks smug, then turns at the sound of Kindre's voice. More softly, she says, "S'good to see you out and about, Kin."
In the galleries, Kichevio nods slowly to Corin. "I think I am too. Are _all_ brooding queens like that?"
You look over the sands and see a clutch of 42 eggs.
1) Dance of the Shadows Egg
2) Shimmering Spun Starlight Egg
3) Fish Season Egg
4) Rhinestones And Satin Egg
5) Caramel Desert Egg
6) Cinnabar Coral Fan Egg
7) Forest's Depth Egg
8) Reflections Egg
9) Ink-swept Oblivion Egg
10) Hastily Painted Canvas Egg
11) Wind and Rain Egg
12) Deep Jungle Egg
13) Silently Sinister Sable Egg
14) Two Roads Egg
15) Borrowed Scarf Egg
16) Desert Grassland Egg
17) Grey Haze Egg
18) Ancient Memorial Egg
19) Abject Afflicted Ambivalence Egg
20) Dew Strung Gossamer Egg
21) Discovered Driftwood Egg
22) Temptation's Terrible Termination Egg
23) Misty Landscape Egg
24) Which-Way Premonition Egg
25) Lurid Panorama Egg
26) Spotty Egg
27) Coruscating Crystalline Chill Egg
28) Blue Rhapsody Egg
29) Ardent Verdant Egg
30) Rootball Egg
31) Dusty Dilapidated Dwelling Egg
32) Lacy Pink Egg
33) Opaque Omnipresent Opal Egg
34) Jeweled Egg
35) Fantastical Fruit Egg
36) Mesmerizing Magnetic Mint Egg
37) Belgian Waffle Egg
38) Dainty Embroidery Egg
39) Fatal Faerie Frolic Egg
40) Mottled Magnificence Egg
41) Confident Conserving Conflict Egg
42) Expeditious Electric Energy Egg
In the galleries, Corin shrugs, "That's the first brooding Queen I've seen."
Boot finds sand, but that's when I'sai stops with the other still on stone, the better to glance back and up; he holds that gaze a moment, then nods and turns back to head towards his dragon's side.
In the galleries, Yet another shout of Corin can be heard, "Gotta run," the boy says before doing just that.
In the galleries, Corin walks off towards the Central Bowl.
Miteh looks around the eggs, and heads slowly and carefully towards the egg with a helter-skelter of dots and dashes on it. Every now and then, he glances back nervously at Rinath.
In the galleries, Kindre smiles genuinely at Ryialla before nodding. "It is nice to be out and about, to be true," she replies. Grinning, then, at Kichevio she notes, "I've only seen Kimbrith, Leilanth, Herath, Daelyth and, now, Rinath and honestly? They are all rather that way, give or take. More protective than a Benden vintner of his wine."
In the galleries, Eelan fumbles around and settles his things by him. Eventually, after all of his things are set to his liking, he looks up and out, towards the sands. "Oh!"
Aisling looks up..up..up at Rinath then over at the eggs, her gaze growing contemplative as if she is trying to decide just how badly she wishes to touch the eggs.
A velvety cognac-dark muzzle dips to brush I'sai's hand, and the young rider leans in to rub along his jaw; inner lids may half-close in pleasure, but the dragon's still watching. Always watching.
Terryll eyes Rinath with a raised eyebrow and just a hint of nervousness. But, mothers will be mothers, and they're -all- universally protective of their offspring, or yet to be offspring. She shrugs off her nervousness, and wanders over to another egg, slowly, and with a smile for it's beauty. "Like starlight on a spinners web.." she murmurs.
Miteh very cautiously reaches his favourite egg and first looks at it, then at the dragons, seeking reassurance as he points to the egg.
In the galleries, Ryialla says "Well, why wouldn't they be? After all, these are their children..."
In the galleries, Kichevio looks down at the eggs, then gathers her flits to her and leaves quietly.
Taralyth, if he gives that reassurance, it's only by his very nature; that remaining crescent of diamondine eyes reflects the lad, but no more than the other eggs, the other candidates, from spinner to sister.
In the galleries, "Exactly," Kindre agrees with Ryialla. "Though I've never seen many other queens and didn't want to judge them all," she says and chuckles. "I remember that Leilanth wouldn't let any of us near Herath's egg. Herath was the same with Rinath's, actually. It took considerable doing to keep Hera calm at all for her first clutch. Thank Faranth for the Sires...I think they help temper them enough."
Rinath offers no such reassurance. She's extremely broody, vigilant and has massive teeth. Still, her mouth is now firmly closed and all she's doing right now is watching everything closely with huge eyes that whirl slowly in shades of sky blue.
Aisling wanders sideways to the eggs...keeping a wide berth between her and Rinath. She takes a deep breath as if preparing herself to run just in case. To speak of living in a dragon's tummy is one thing, actually having it happen is clearly another.
The egg doesn't react; it just sits there, with its other sibling-eggs, each casting their own shadow in the yellow-green glowlight. That's all. That's all ...for now.
Tirdan mutters something to the gray egg before moving on the jungle depths egg. He puts his hand on the tip, eyes trained on Rinath more than the egg. Occasionally, they do flicker back to the gray egg. He smiles as he does. Finally, though, he puts his attention on the egg he's standing by now.
Quietly, he says, "It's... strange... sort of warm..."
Miteh, taking Taralyth as reassurance, and not Rinath as discouragement, lays first a careful finger, then a palm on the egg. Quietly, he says, "It's... strange... sort of warm..."
Leelson decides there isn't anyone else stepping forward, so he swallows, composes himself, and walks out over the sands towards Saskia and Rinath. He runs a hand through his hair but it's little more than a clever way of disguising him wiping sweat from his brow after. Lee comes to a stop and stands watching Rinath slightly nervously, but for the most part steady. Certainly a different candidate from when he came out on the sands for the first time.
A gentle bow is performed to the gold by Leelson.
Aisling slips into the maze of eggs...taking a bit of comfort that perhaps now she is safe, maybe. Her gaze moves about quickly as if trying to see all at once.
In the galleries, Eelan comes to himself all at once and snatches at a scrap of hide and a smallish bit of charcoal to draw and sketch with. He peers out at the sands and then looks down into his lap and begins to draw.
A reflection of Leelson whirls in several of Rinath's facets. But she's already seen him here, so he gets no more of an inspection than the others who have come before. And perhaps Taralyth's reassurance has an effect on her also, for her stance relaxes a little, though still remains very protective, hovering even.
Warm. Warrrrrm. Peridot-dots, and that smear of smalt-blue - perhaps they're equally warm to the touch if not to sight. Perhaps not. One would have to touch, to see.
In the galleries, Ryialla chuckles gently. "Truth be told, I'm very happy Pliarth's green instead of gold. I'm not at all sure /I/ could handle a tempermental queen. Being on the sands with Kimbrith was bad enough - although I was young enough to be more excited than scared by her. And this way, with flights, it's only myself that winds up bearing children." She wrinkles her nose. "Twenty turns apart and both from flights. I'll have to bring 'Saira when these eggs do crack shell so she can see her big sister Stand." Oh look. There goes the Proud Mom look again. Ryi's been doing that a /lot/ lately.
After a brief carress on the shell of the spun starlight egg, Terryll moves on to another, one that looks like dancing shadows.
Tirdan pauses a moment, raising his hand from the egg shell as if it had suddenly turned hot. He shrugs and puts his hand down on the egg once more, humming to himself. He looks up at the gray again as he kneels next to the jungle egg. His eyes narrow, as if he were trying to discern was was inside. Again he shrugs. He smiles and murmurs, "/Both/ of you will be so.." he trails off into silence before laying his other hand on the shell.
A delighted smile fills Ais' face as she catches sight of herself in one. Her hand reaches out to gently touch the smooth surface. "Hello, little one." She whispers in the off chance that the life inside may be aware of her presence.
Miteh takes his hand off the egg, and moves his head so that his ear is near to its surface. He shakes his head, apparantly not hearing much.
Leelson smiles gently and steps away in the direction of a smokey grayish blue egg with indigo shapes on it. It actually sets his hair off quite nicely. When he reaches it, Lee pauses a moment before sliding a hand out through the air to connect just his fingertips to the shell.
Terryll smiles, tracing the swirling, almost chaotic shadows of the egg's shell with gentle fingers.
A silent nod to himself for some unknown confirmation, and Tirdan leans closer to the egg. His eyes trained on Rinath, he lays his cheek then ear against the egg. He pulls back sharply at first, just in case the golden mom doesn't approve, but then, he gently lays his ear against the shell. Wonder if he can hear anything.
In the galleries, Kindre laughs and nods to Ryialla. "Well, I don't have any children myself, as you likely know. Watching Herath with all of hers, though, makes me feel like I have...without the pain and rearing," she says before standing from her seat. "Speaking of whom, I've got to go take a look at the hide around her scarring. Seems to get drier than the rest of her. Clear skies!" The latter is offered with a wave as she heads back towards the bowl.
In the galleries, Kindre walks off towards the Central Bowl.
In the galleries, Arraynor enters the galleries from the bowl.
In the galleries, Arraynor has arrived.
In the galleries, Tania enters the galleries from the bowl.
In the galleries, Tania has arrived.
Leelson lets his hands flatten against the blue rhapsody egg's shell, his palms feeling the warmth within. He moves his hands gently downwards and out as he smiles and says quietly "What life will you have, I wonder..."
behind, and seeks another, a maroon egg with a tie-died effect. "They're all beautiful...", he says in awe.
Miteh returns to a sitting position, looking at the egg. "...beautiful...", he says quietly. Reluctantly, he leaves the egg behind, and seeks another, a maroon egg with a tie-died effect. "They're all beautiful...", he says in awe.
In the galleries, Arraynor glares over his shoulder and oh so maturely sticks out his tongue at her. "You brought /that/ on yourself Tania....and don't try and tell me otherwise."
In the galleries, Tania rolls her eyes. "I know I know.. but it was all in fun.. I burned the clorhes, by the way.." she says to Arraynor as she follows him the the edge of the sands, waving up to those in the stands before stopping the the edge of the sands, watching and waiting patiently to be noticed.
Terryll smiles again, wandering through some of the other eggs, gently touching one here or there, before, almost inexorably, she's drawn back to the sinister sable egg. "Amazing, these patterns.." she murmurs.
In the galleries, Eelan makes soft little noises and sketches frantically, scrawling little notes to himself on the scraps he's doodling on about color and shadow and so forth.
Aisling wrinkles her nose at one of the images, pausing before she slips to her knees by the egg, hands resting on her hips as she considers her reflection...She's a vainone isn't she?
I'sai straightens from his dragon at Taralyth's own shifted attention, glancing over - "Saskia? There're more up there, if Rinath's up for it - they mayn't have another time."
In the galleries, Ryialla calls over to Kindre as she leaves, "Bye, Kin. Hope to see you around, soon..." She misses however, and turns at the other's entrance, waving idly for her nice comfy seat. "Heyla. Running behind?"
Tirdan closes his eyes and hums a little to himself. From the placement of his hands and the press of his cheek against shell, he seems more to be embracing a lover than trying to listen for the faintest of sounds inside the egg.
Saskia blinks "There are? Oh, sorry. Got distracted by Rinath." She waves up to the galleries. "The next person, please come down."
In the galleries, Arraynor laughs softly at the comment about burning clothes as he waves to the others in the stands nodding to Ryialla, and then walking right up behind Tania to stand, also waiting quietly.
In the galleries, Tania turns to nod to Ryialla. "Surprise, eh?" she asks with a hint of sarcasm, then nudges Rayn before heading out to the sands.
In the galleries, Tania steps down from the galleries.
Tania comes down from the galleries.
Tania has arrived.
Leelson smiles a little and reluctantly removes his hands to head towards another egg, one which caught his eye earlier. Leelson heads slowly over towards an egg which looks almost like a desert grassland, an Igen desert grassland. Tentatively he lays his hands flat against the shell and crouches low beside it. He closes his eyes for a breath.
There it is before you, untouched and so very jaunty, even - especially? - if it's turned so its 'tassel' sticks straight up in the air.
In the galleries, Ryialla snaps her fingers. "The clothes got burned? Drat. I would've liked to see that. If they were /that/ outfit.." She stops talking mostly to herself and turns to watch those down on the sands.
Saskia smiles to Tania, "Sorry, I didn't see you up there. I guess you arrived after the others." Meanwhile Rinath peers over at Tania and sniffs her at delicately, huge nostrils flare very close to the candidate's hair, assailing her with the full force of her breath.
Leelson has left.
Miteh looks down at the tie-die effect egg with the unusual 'tassle'. He also gingerly lays his hand on this egg, feeling its warmth and hardness.
Terryll moves on after tracing the feather-like patterns of the egg, ending up once again near the spun starlight egg. Grey eyes shining silver as she looks at it, studying every tracery, as if she's branding the pattern into her mind. With a soft smile, she lays a hand on it gently.
In the galleries, Arraynor gives Tania a mock glare as she precedes him out onto the sands. Ain't his fault he was late...honest! It was...uh...uh...someone elses fault! Yeah...thassit. He hears Ryialla's comment and turns, nodding. "That's the outfit alright." he answers back.
Tania smiles at Saskia. "I was late.. again, sorr--eep!" she closes her eyes, wrinkling her nose a bit as she's snuffled by the gold. "Why, hello there!"
Upside down it is - but even under your hands, it doesn't move, barely shifts within the sand. Warm, warm, dusty-warm, warm... could envelope you, could keep you warm, if it weren't so occupied with itself.
Tirdan relinquishes his grasp. He shifts to a crouch next to the egg, one hand on the hardened shell. He comments, "So hard. I hope you can get out."
Aisling wrinkles her nose before informing the egg-mirror. "My nose is -not- that big, thank you very much."
I'sai murmurs briefly toward his ever-watchful dragon, then walks into the egg-maze himself; he approaches no candidate, touches no egg - just walks. Just looks. Just.
Rinath breathes out harshly, but Saskia smiles, "Tania has stood several times. Let her pass." Rinath chuffs softly but shifts slightly so Tania can get by if she dares.
Miteh just says quietly - almost as a whisper - to the egg he is touching, "Amazing."
The white-satin egg just sits there: were it animate, no doubt it'd be smug. -It- saw: the nose knows.
Saskia glances up at the galleries, "Okay, next candidate, please."
In the galleries, Arraynor steps down from the galleries.
Arraynor comes down from the galleries.
Arraynor has arrived.
It -is-, isn't it? Such a design, such an ultra-maroon.
Tania gives Rianath a nervous smile. "I'll be good, promise." she says, and scoots her way by the dragon, heading over to the eggs. "How're they looking?" she asks a nearby candidate in a soft whisper as she approaches.
Tirdan hefts a sigh and stands, fingers trailing across the surface of the egg. He shakes his head, "I suppose it wouldn't get that hard if you couldn't break out of there."
Rinath leans forwards putting one huge whirling eye, as big as Arraynor up close to him. She sizes him up, takes his measure, and then with a soft rumble, which must sound awfully loud up close, she swings back, allowing him to enter her sandy domain.
Aisling sighs as she peers again...then looks around for the nearest candidate. "Is my nose big?" She asks noone in particular...why it suddenly became an issue now?
Miteh admires the design on the tie-die egg. "What a nice ultra-maroon.", he says, again half to himself, half to the egg.
Miteh is rather interrupted by Aisling having beauty problems. "Uh?", he asks, slightly disorientated by the sudden change in topic.
Tirdan shrugs a little. He travels back to the grey haze egg. He puts his hand on that one again, feeling the hardness of this shell as well. When in doubt, compare and contrast.
Terryll sighs wistfully, running her hand along the starlit traceries. "Never could I do you justice if I were to attempt to draw you." And on she moves again, with a small smile, back to dancing shadows egg.
In the galleries, Ryialla smirks a little, then slips out. A short while later, she returns, with a skin all to her self. Uncorking it as she sits, she brings it to her lips and takes a swig. Much better.
Tania nods slightly at the whispered back answer, then turns to grin at Aisling. "Is mine?" she asks in return.. which hers /is/ big, but still.. with a soft smile, she reaches out to run her hands across the twisting ivy of the ardant verdant egg.
Arraynor steps off onto the sands, walking straight towards Saskia and Rinath. He takes a deep breath and offers a smile and nod to both dragon and rider. "H'llo Saskia...Rinath..." As a huge whirling eye drops down to his level he blinks and then blinks again as a rumble is emitted and the eyes swings away again. A glance around and he puts one foot forward...Which way to go...which way to go now?
Fine. (If the egg could sniff, no doubt it would, to a flight of fancy.) Leave the egg for that other candidate. See if it cares, that lump of fabric crumpled into itself. It'll be here. ...If not for so very much longer.
With all the seriousness of one speaking to a sentient being, Aisling thbbtts the egg...then turns to look at her profile, watching from the corner of her eye.
Smiling, Tirdan lays his head against the tip of the egg, feeling the warmth from the shell. No, no rock could be so nice and warm, so comforting. He closes his eyes. He could stand here forever if it weren't for the watching Rinath.
Toward the distant edge of the clutch, Taralyth lurks dark-to-light, all low-lidded eyes and swept-back wings spread just enough to soak in the rising sand-reflected heat. Dare to go -this- way?
Miteh glances around at all the Candidates who may or may not have large noses in moderate bemusement. For some particular reason, he is drawn back to the tie-die, 'scarf' egg, and places his hand on it again. He appears to be a slave to the egg, not able to leave its vicinity.
That white satin egg? It takes it like a man. As it were. No cracking -here-... not even a button-popping rip from too-full shell. Not yet.
To the left? To the left? Hmm. Rayn gazes thoughtfully in the left direction. Or maybe to the right? Or how about to the front? Certainly not back the way he came. The left looks good...and so he heads that way. A hand out to trail fingers here or there over this egg or that one.
Aisling rubs her chin thoughtfully as if struck by a thought. She leans a bit closer to the egg to whisper quietly, "Would you hatch now...please?" She adds after a brief pause.
That's the spirit, boy! Not that it's giving you back anything but dusty warmth - and itself. And maybe, just maybe, that's enough. (Is it?)
Running her fingers along the teeth-like pattern on the egg's shell, Terryll chuckles to herself. "Like childhood fears brought to life on you.. I wonder what you hold inside?" she murmurs. Well, a hatchling, of course, but what colour and personality?
...Even if 'itself' is just here, just now, and never again.
Funny, none of the eggs are cracking, much less hatching. -Particularly- not the requested one. Imagine that.
Miteh flashes a glance over the other eggs, but remains with the 'scarf' one. For some reason.
In the galleries, Ryialla continues to simply sit and watch and sip. Sometimes sip and then watch. Just mellow observation - a nice respite from everything.
Tirdan stands up again. He sighs in contentment before moving back yet again to the jungle egg. He looks back to the gray again. He just can't help putting his hand on the jungle egg, grinning, "Just can't decide."
Bits of sand, as you touch that egg, roll along your hand as if you had them to remember it by; ... or maybe not, because they keep on rolling, down to join their brethren on the low, dark dunes.
Arraynor circles around from the left, one eye ever so carefully watching a certain egg. He pauses beside an egg, halfway near the back, one hand placing flat along it's shell. "Even harder than before...won't be long now, I guess..." he murmurs, barely audible.
Terryll shakes her head at herself, still chuckling quietly. "Well, I'll find out soon enough, eh?" With a final touch, she moves back towards, surprise surprise, the sinister sable egg. Can anyone guess her three favorites?
Tania doesn't say anything to the egg she is running her finger across now, nope. She just stares at it as if seeing it for the first time, entranced by its wave of colors, and.. life. Looking around a moment, she steps forward, putting her ear against the egg, then steps back and smiles slightly.
Aisling settles back on her heels to watch the egg, her face scrunching up. She said the P-word...It's -supposed- to work. She tries another tact...this time turning her back on the egg. Maybe it will hatch out of guilt..or something. Of course she does watch it out of the corner of her eyes.
Miteh continues to look on in reverence at the eggs, the 'scarf' egg in particular.
Saskia clears her throat, and says in a clear carrying voice, "I'm afraid we need to stop now. Thanks for coming, candidates."
Miteh looks back up from the egg which he inexorably cannot leave to Saskia. Reluctantly, he leaves the egg, and continues to eye it carefully as he walks towards the stairs, almost falling over the first one as he was not looking where he was going.
Tirdan reluctantly removes his hand from the shell of the jungle egg. He retreats back towards the steps, bowing at sire and dam in passing.
Perhaps the egg's one big runner-eye, with no intact pupil, only blotches within the iris - it saw that, it did, it did! ...And then, even in imagination, it looks away.
Miteh wobbles a bit on the step, but turns round and bows to the two dragons.
Aisling slowly pads away from the egg, glancing at it over her shoulder before she pauses to offer Rinath and Taralyth a bow, "Thank you for not eating me." She tells the gold before she pads off the sands with the other candidates.
Tania looks over at Saskia and simply nods, then turns to look out over the rest of the eggs before turning and climbing back into the stands.
Arraynor makes quick step forward the few paces that's left between him and the certain egg which resembles two roads...A quick touch of hand to shell and then he steps back, turning and moving back the way he came. A pause near the entrance, a slight bow to both dragons and he trails the others off the sands and back into the stands.
Terryll sneaks in one last carress of the sinister egg, then heads back towards the stairs, with a warm smile and very polite nod to the Dam and Sire. And another nod and smile for Saskia and I'sai.
Tania walks over towards the galleries.
Tania has left.
In the galleries, Tania walks over from the hatching sands.
In the galleries, Tania has arrived.
Taralyth ducks his head with a low, clear warble: anytime. Maybe. ...Or at least, this time - and then, as the sands clear, he velvets the warble into a croon to his mate.
Aisling walks over towards the galleries.
Aisling has left.
In the galleries, Aisling walks over from the hatching sands.
In the galleries, Aisling has arrived.
Miteh says to I'sai and Saskia, as well as their lifemates, "Thank you for letting us touch the eggs."
In the galleries, Ryialla has disconnected.
Terryll walks over towards the galleries.
Terryll has left.
In the galleries, Terryll walks over from the hatching sands.
In the galleries, Terryll has arrived.
In the galleries, Aisling sighs, 'I had better get to those chores' She notes as she pads out.
In the galleries, Aisling walks off towards the Central Bowl.
From the hatching sands, Tirdan walks over towards the galleries.
From the hatching sands, Tirdan has left.
Tirdan walks over from the hatching sands.
Tirdan has arrived.
Eelan supresses a big smile and tucks aside his bits of hide.
From the hatching sands, Rinath snorts softly. Perhaps good riddance or perhaps goodbye. In any case, she's not welcoming them back.
Terryll glances curiously over at Eelan, before moving to lean against the railing and just look down at the eggs.
From the hatching sands, A touch and it indeed is gone...the grit remains unbrushed...the memories will remain...but for how long until they too are brushed aside? Rayn steps off the sands...and still the path remains untrod...but soon a step in one direction will answer the question : Which path do you choose?
Tirdan walks back up to the galleries and leans against the rail next to Terryll. He comments, "Hard, weren't they?"
Miteh, now out of the Sands, thinks of things other than eggs. "I need to be off to finish cleaning the Guest Weyrs.", he says, and with a wave, is off.
From the hatching sands, Arraynor walks over towards the galleries.
From the hatching sands, Arraynor has left.
Arraynor walks over from the hatching sands.
Arraynor has arrived.