A Moment In Time (Pelegaoth's Clutch Hatches)

[Omnia Munda]

The evening brought the first breath of coolness to a stifling summer day at Telgar Weyr. Truth be told, even at the height of the season the mountain Weyr was never too hot, but the people of Telgar were little accustomed to the sweaty and stifling heat so common in more southern reaches, and even a taste of it for the dog days of summer was too much. An evening breeze was sweet and welcome.

Dinner was mostly done when the gentle wind seemed to carry not just sweet, fresh air but sound deep into the caverns of the weyr. It was a low thrum, barely audible at the edge of sound; it could be felt more than heard, at first, as though the rock beneath one's feet gently vibrated.

But the sound grew, and within minutes there was little doubt in the minds of any who knew the ways of the weyrs or the songs about them what that sound must mean. The dragons hummed: Pelegaoth's clutch was wanting to hatch.

Riders and weyrfolk alike rushed through whatever duty or business they were doing. People strolled, jogged, raced across the floor of the bowl to the hatching grounds' entrance; within, the first arrivals were already streaming into the gallery seats. Dragons soared into the cavern from tunnel or between to alight upon ledges, lending their voices to the song.

And on the sands rested golden Pelegaoth and her son, her clutch's sire, sleek and proud Jordeth. They sang most deeply, their voices resonant, filling the cavern with their vibrato tune. Before them their clutch lay mostly still; a few eggs twitched precipitously, shaking in their sandy cradles. Apart from these twenty-five, the twenty-sixth egg lay alone not far from the queen's flank, its golden shell still all but buried in the sand.

A few candidates were already appearing upon the sand, some coming down from the gallery steps but most ushered through from the barracks which were the new weyrlingmaster's domain, all in white robes. A couple of girls moved as they were told to do toward the lone queen egg; the others, all boys, bowed to the dam and sire before beginning to form ranks facing the clutch.

In the galleries there was growing an ever more-excited buzz. There were bets being hedged, deals being shook upon, and general speculations being made in droves. The voices melded together into a background noise of interest and expectation.

And then a single egg cracked open, spilling out an exceptionally small green dragon. She creeled piteously, raising her tiny wings and tiny head, looking into the cavern's ceiling for assistance, for succor, for anything. Finding nothing there to help her, her tiny head sank and she stumbled forward from amongst her clutchsiblings' shells, sad eyes swirling with hunger and loneliness. She had been on the move only moments when the burly lad Bonquen, the farthest-flung of Telgar's candidates as he hailed originally from Ista despite his search from the Smithcraft hall, strode forward to boldly stroke her green head. "It's all right now. Come along, girl. Let's eat."

However unlucky a green might be, the crowd cheered for the first impression made. The hatching had begun.

[Invisible]

For all that he’d been through this so many times there was still a little thrill of excitement, and apprehension, when the dragons began to hum. Konamar knew what it meant and found himself, as usual, one of the first to make it out onto the sands. Certainly in time to see the green impress. In time to watch the other eggs with an almost greedy gleam in his eyes. The last egg, the one so close to the queen that girls were sent to he paid little mind. It was worthless to him no matter how others might see it. No, it was the other twenty-five that were his calling.

Just like the last hatching, and the one before it, he assumed any oddities about his behavior would be laid at the feet of nervousness. Surely it would never be thought that, quiet drunk that he was, the thing responsible was the wine he’d consumed. Attuned as he was after so many failed attempts on the sands Konamar easily was one of the first to notice the impending hatching. It allowed him a chance to stop, to seek out the wine skins carefully laid up for before the trip to the sands. For after as well, although he never thought of that. Never considered the next lone trip from the heat. But the wine was there waiting nonetheless. Whatever else might let him down, he always had that.

For now he wouldn’t think on it. Oh, he didn’t mind the slight distraction, the faint mellow buzz from his calming agent of choice. It helped him out here on the sands. Helped him ignore the heat through his sandals, the whispers of the other candidates, and most importantly the sight of others taking what should be his.

[ignisfatuus]

Jansen had decided to sit outside, a short way from the infirmary to enjoy the cool night air. He had been moving around with relative ease for the past couple of days as, fortunately for him, his ankle was almost completely healed. True, it was a little tender still but he could at least walk now without pain or crutches. Well that would sure show that rather rude guy at the touching. No one would keep him away from the imminent hatching. Although Jansen got the distinct feeling that he, and probably most of the Weyr would rather that he didn’t go to the hatching. To be honest, Jansen suspected that he wasn’t really being kept in the infirmary ‘for observations’ in case of any complications but to stop him getting too familiar with either Weyr life or the Weyrs occupants. That way it would be unlikely that the Caminar would decide to remain at the Weyr after the hatching once he failed to impress (which was what most expected to happen). Jansen found the idea of his remaining laughable. The only thing that would get him to stay was a dragon. Though he too doubted that he would impress.

The heat of the day had not bother Jansen in the slightly as he had many of t he other Weyr dwellers (he had endured far worse during his travels), Jansen still found the cool breeze was exceedingly pleasant as it brushed against him and ran through his hair. He sat with his eyes gently closed, breathing deeply and slowly. At times like this he could forget where he was. Jansen was just so completely relaxed at this moment in time. The murmur of voices that drifted out to him were easy to ignore, as were the other general Weyr noises.

However, that faint vibrations he felt in the ground beneath him was not so easy to ignore. Especially considering how they were rapidly growing intensity. Jansen’s previously smooth brow furrowed as he began to frown. Slowly, slowly, he was becoming more and more aware of the increase of activity inside and around the Weyr.

The next thing he knew, a drudge had appeared beside him. She was tugging at his arm as tried to pull him up and hurry him inside the Weyr. ‘Quickly, Quickly!’ she urged. Jansen complied in a somewhat bewildered and confused state. From the excitement in the girls eyes and in the faces of practically everyone around him once he had gotten inside, coupled with what he had been told by the Candidate master, Jansen realised what was going on at long last. The hatching was starting.

Half of those who were usually in the infirmary had already left while there were a few just finishing up their current jobs in order to go watch the hatching. There were one or two incredibly disgruntled looking people who were either not allowed to leave because they weren’t well enough, or because they had to care for those in the first group. Jansen couldn’t help but smirk at their misfortune. This was obviously a big event to one and all in the Weyr and he, who was both an outsider and didn’t care all that, much got to go. Got to stand on the sands no less! The main thing that was motivating Jansen to go through all this was pride, to prove he was not a coward. That he was no less of a man than any of these plantado. He was not afraid to do anything they did. And if he could impress over these Weyr and Hold born lads… well, the looks on their faces would be an added bonus.

By the time that he had changed into his white candidate robes, most of the people who were going to the hatching had already gone. The Caminar was lost in thought as he left for the Hatching grounds. As he walked, Jansen kept going over the things he had been told, hoping it would be enough to get him through this all without making a fool of himself. As much as he hated to admit it, excitement and apprehension were starting to set in. He was vaguely aware that his heart was beating faster, harder than usual and that uneasy feeling deep within his stomach which he wasn’t used to. After all, this had to be the first time in many turns he had done something out of keeping with the life he usually led, the one thing that had to be furthest from his comfort zone. The loud humming didn’t help him feel any more at ease as it probably did for those Weyr-born either. It was just so… unnatural to him, being the first time he had ever experienced such a thing.

He did not appreciate the need for the robes either. He felt uncomfortable in them, well they added to his overall feeling of discomfort. Jansen didn’t see why they couldn’t wear their ordinary clothes. These just felt so…so odd. At least they helped conceal the slight limp that he was still walking with. It didn’t impede him at all, Jansen just found it a little irksome at times.

Jansen entered at the top of the gallery. He spent a moment or two at the top of the stairs and stared, he could not help but marvel at the sheer number of people who had already arrived. So many seats were already filled and many dragons perched high above. Jansen's eyes scanned the tops of the heads of those who were sat in the gallery. Most of them dark haired, as was common across Pern, with the occasion fair head dispersed amongst them. He spent longer looking up at the fine array of dragons above. All of them were of a good, healthy colour, all of them looked strong and fit, all of them incredibly intimidating. It slowly dawned on Jansen that all of those whom were present would be watching the candidates, watching him at some point during this event. All eyes on the sands… The Caminar boy was now feeling terribly nervous. Not about whether or not he’d impress, either he did or he didn’t and he would be fine with either. No, he was nervous about being surrounded by so many Weyr folk and holders. It left him feeling horribly vulnerable. Especially with all that had been going on between his people and the holds.

As he trotted down the last few steps, Jansen witnessed his first impression, that of a Green. She was a tiny creature, far smaller than he had dared imagine. Curiosity filled his eyes as he paused on the last step and watched the boy lead the young dragon away. What was it like, to have your mind suddenly joined with another, he wondered. What was it like…

A lot of things passed through his mind in the space of a few seconds. There were many things that he had not thought of before. He had been so lost in his thoughts that he barely even noticed that people were clapping, not that he probably would have joined in if he had. Jansen didn't realise that a green hatching first was supposedly unlucky. Such aspects of Weyr lore had failed to reach him in the exceedingly short time that he had been a resident in this stony labyrinth (the number of times he had lost his way was astounding).

Somehow Jansen had managed to forget just how hot it was on the sand since the last time he had been here. As he placed on foot on the sands, somehow he had managed to flick some of the hot sand up and it ended up hitting bare flesh. While it did not hurt, it did catch him off guard and surprise him, causing him to take a sudden intake of breath. For his first few steps, his mind was focused solely on the heat beneath his feet. Then the voices of the other candidates infiltrated his ears and the motion of the eggs drew his eyes to them. Slowly, carefully, Jansen took up his place amongst the other male candidates. His closed body language showed his nervousness so completely regarding the whole situation. His dark eyes, slightly wider than usual kept flitting between the eggs. He only gave scant attention to either the Golden egg or the remains of the Greens egg. These remaining 24 unhatched were what held his attention at present as he shifted from one foot to another.

[Invisible]

The lingering had put her behind some of the others, but Genet was not overly worried. She had stayed behind to see if G’tet would stop in and wish her luck. Surely her twin would do that? But, she had not seem him and resolved to look for him in the stands if she could. Hopefully he had saved seats like he promised to.

Walking onto the sands the first thing she noticed was how much hotter it seemed than when she’d been just there to visit the egg. Now suddenly there were so many pairs of eyes and dragons overhead and it all for a second seemed like too much. If one of the other girls had not bumped her from behind she might have changed her mind right there. Since she was run into there was nothing to do for it but go forward. Besides, she wouldn’t give Vera the satisfaction of thinking her a coward. Not to mention missing the look on the girl’s face when someone else got the queen. She was so sure she’d get it Genet wasn’t sure she would be able to keep from teasing the mean girl when she did not. Because surely a queen would have better taste.

Once on the sands she hurried to where she should be. The last thing she wanted was to get run over by some dragonet on his way somewhere. Better to get where she should be and wait it out. Hopefully it would not take too long. The little thrill of excitement was damped down by the heat, but she couldn’t get rid of it entirely. Now if she could just find her brother. Eyes scanned the stands, but so far she couldn’t locate him. Then again, it’s not like she could give it her whole attention. There would be things much closer to heed any time now.

[neopanther]

The night was cool, a delicate breeze played with the crimson hair, making it twirl and dance in the wind. The night was not far from set in, but the humming rose, and rose, elevated to a mind consuming intensity, until it had all but brainwashed all who heard it. Excitement rose. The Candidates became tenser, he could feel it. Ezieki watched on, still slightly perturbed by what he was swearing, and the fact he would be displayed so publically in this garment if it could be worthy of the word.

The hatching room was warm, warmer than the outside; the wave of warmth made Ezieki tired all of a sudden, but the atmosphere within quickly erased any lethargy in his system, the room reverberated with the hum of dragons, the clutch-keepers sitting amidst their eggs shining, and gleaming. He followed in the ranks of the others, towards the sands. The sands stood apart from the stand. Throngs of people were present, the gallery heaving in with presence. The room reverberating with foremost, with the hum of the dragons, second, the multitude of excited voices held their own song. It was highly infectious. The excitement and the gravity of the situation entering the mind of the candidate, it made him feel positively insignificant in the scheme of this, if only momentarily.

Ezieki marvelled as he approached the sands, people spoke, laughed, jeered and jested at the forthcoming event, marks exchanged hands, immaterial bets placed also. And Ezieki knew with was on this sport that the weyrfolk, holdfolk and even Caminar bet upon. And finally he had made the sands, he craned his head seen the grandeur that was their golden queen for the first time, Pelegaoth, beside her presumably was her clutch’s sire, Jordeth. The pair a spectacular sight placed amongst their unhatched children. He bowed to the pair in unison with the others, here the candidates split, boys towards the bulk of the clutch, girls towards that loan queen egg. For one of them their life would change drastically, no child’s life could prepare them for the life of a Weyrwoman, lesser or senior. Ezieki momentarily felt sorry for the girls before his attentions were brought back to his own future, or possible future that may or may not lay concealed behind a prison of protein. His mind had slowly silenced the droning noise that surrounding him, his thoughts prominent now, that and his sight, and the feeling of flittering bugs in his stomach.

He watched, eyes half focused upon the eggs, half upon his thoughts as his mind swam with the possibilities. Ezieki watched, creeling loudly, breaking his thoughts, came the cry of a small green, She looked rather lost upon the sands on her own, loneliness apparent with her. Ezieki watched, a strong lad, Bonquen was it? Smithcraft lad from Ista impressed the first; he and her appeared to bond almost immediately. The lad taking her away. Even Ezieki could avoid the cheer that escaped his lips as the first impressed, the hatching was truly begun!

[Xinnai]

It had been a long, hot day and it wasn't even over yet. Salina wasn't really one to complain about such things-after all, it's not as if they could control the weather. It was there and you just got on despite it. But today, the heat was only worsened as she was working in the Kitchens, helping to prepare the massive amounts of food that would be needed for the feast after the Hatching. It would be any day now and they had to start preparing sevendays in advance.

So throughout the entire day, she'd endured the smoke, the activity, the stifling heat and the other heat that piled on top of it from fire, from people packed into so much space, from the small space itself. She didn't really intend upon it, but she was sightly ever so disgruntled. Why couldn't it be cooler? Why were they getting another Southern simulation? They all knew what the heat was like down there and they didn't need to be experiencing it.

She stole away during the early evening, finding her way out to air and to silence. She leaned against a stony rampart of her home, eyes sliding closed as she felt the light breeze tug and play with her hair, with the skirts she wore. It was pure ecstasy out here and she found herself loathe to return to the Kitchens, to all that bustling activity and the torridness that was present there, clogging up your throat and pressing a wet hand of humidity to your chest.

She slid down to the small ledge she'd stolen upon, wrapping her hands about her knees and then resting her head upon them. She was preparing food for a Hatching, a Hatching she herself was in. It seemed so surreal. She knew she'd been able to put herself up before but hadn't felt the need, hadn't felt like it was time. Her own fifteen turns was for the most part a few couple turns behind the majority of those standing. There were a few who she had a couple turns upon, but for the most part, she was one of the younger of those who were Candidates. By Faranth's Egg, there were two who had her by at least five turns!

She hadn't gone to the egg touching ceremony either. She'd been so caught up in her work in the kitchens that by the time she had raced over there, it was done and the other Candidates were loitering about, a solidified unit she was not a part of. She had backed away, truly and fully embarrassed for the first time in too long. She was not prone to making such silly mistakes and it had hurt. But a little humbling was always good and so she had tucked it away, feeling properly chastised.

But what chance did she have now? What chance could she possibly possess now when Fate would hand her the biggest oppurtunity of a lifetime-a chance to Impress that golden, ravishing creature that kept Pern's wheels turning-when she had thrown it away in something as frivolous as losing track of the time? They were slim to none, made doubly so by the amount of girls standing. There were at least five of them, which was rather on the slim side for most, but still, such a wide variety for just one creature. The boys were made so lucky there. They had such a huge pool of dragons and surely one would approve of one of them, surely one would choose them? But there was only one for the girls and Salina dispared at this. She was the youngest of the women and she had not been to touch the eggs. Surely they all had? They were older, more experienced, had more zest and life. What in their rights minds, especially a Queen, would choose a somber-eyed blonde over the chestnut Genet, brown-eyed Kersha, brunette Nocia or the stunning figure of the blue-eyed, black-haired Keldara? Just who?

Salina shifted, feeling uncomfortable with her train of thought. She was not one to doubt, yet here she was, pessimism hanging like a cloud around her. It was so unlike her, but then everything now was so different. A Candidate. She squeezed her knees, feeling that soft and floating feeling of happiness evade her at the mere thought. She did have a chance, however doubtful it was. And she'd been made part of that sacred and envious unit, even if she did not feel so much a part of it. She'd thought things could go as they were, but they couldn't. She'd kept her duties in the Kitchen and taken on those that were borne by her new rank and barely had time for anything, much less socializing. It was pathetic, but the only friend she could count among those who would stand on those hot sands with her was...the Caminar, Jansen, the abrupt and rude man who had fixed her bracelet. Pathetic. And he didn't even like her.

She sighed, a finger idly twirling a strand of blonde hair as she brooded. If she didn't Impress this time, she was not quite sure she'd put herself up to it once the next clutch was made. It was not as if she had been picked for this like much of the others. She had put herself forward for it. Who knew if she even had a spark of ability within her? No one did, that was the thing. It was only her own hope, her own belief that had propelled her, not a rider's perceived thoughts or intuition, not their belief. Hers. It made it all the harder.

Just then, she felt the slight vibration in the rock beneath her, the deep hum that hovered just on the outside edges of hearing. Salina bolted to her feet, gray eyes wide in an abnormally pale face. Her mouth opened in a large O as color suddenly filled her cheeks. She wasn't quite flying as she dashed to her quarters to grab the customary white Candidate robes, but she was close. She had never hurried more in her life.

She dragged the garment on in what felt like eternity, letting skirts and shirt fall to the floor to be picked up later. She hadn't the time now and she was determined now to get there in time, for this most important ceremony of all. She was running through the corridors, taking shortcuts, backroutes, anything to get there in time for the first hatching. She'd attended others with levels of enthusiasm and excitement but this time it was her turn, it was her chance.

She reached the top of the stairs and was quickly sprinting down them, hair unraveling from the loose braid it had been in to stream down her back. She didn't look at the people, at the people she knew and spoke with often, or at the dragons who watched the proceedings, still uttering their humming utulation. She hit the sands, ignoring the heat as best she could, and slowed to a dignified walk as she made her way to where the girls would stand. She was the second one. She smiled tentatively at the other girl, Genet and then caught sight of a darker figure on the sands. Jansen. She hid a smile as she saw the disconcerted, slightly wary look on his face. It was good to see one so self-assured so nervous.

She inhaled deeply, eyes alighting on the Golden Egg. She sighed, smiling slightly dreamily and then her line of vision danced over to the first hatchling. A Green. Not a good sign but the Impression was made quickly and without incident. She clapped loudly. It had begun then.

[flamewolf]

Sunyu
It had been a brief wait for him, unlike some of the other candidates, male and female. Comfortable in the white robe- he was lucky enough to be in the barracks when the rumble was audible enough to confirm the events about to take place- he jogged to the entrance of the hatching sands and moved off to the side. The heat of the sand was thick and sticky, clinging to his form like a parasite. Perhaps it was mingled with nerves and the excitement, or maybe with all of the bodies there- dragon and human alike- but whatever the cause, it was hot. That was all that need to be known.

He bowed sweepingly to the dam and sire of the clutch, the gold and bronze dragon humming deeply side-by-side. He paused to look at them for a moment, dragons, in their prime? Or in their limelight? The candidate smiled to himself with a chuckle before moving along. He melted into the crowd of candidates, hearing the murmurs begin already, listening to deals, bets, and attempts to guess the outcome of the hatching. Like it would matter in the end. People would win, people would loose, the only ones who truly knew what was going to happen was the dragonets or maybe even time herself. Then again, who knew?

He settled into the ranks of male candidates by the clutch just as the first shell broke. The green revealed herself and, though certainly not a good omen, she hatched just as well, without any wrongs. He clapped for her, for the boy, for the pair. No matter what the rank of the dragon, in the end, they were all important. Some perhaps important than others...But they still deserved congratulations. They were a dragonpair, after all. His gaze flickered to the clutch, the eggs, wondering what would happen. His gaze strayed over to the girl's side, his thoughts turning into worries about his half-sister. Speaking of which...

Keldara
The hatching. Something to get excited about, something to look with bright eyes on for all the new wonderful bonds to be made, for the happy times ahead. A clutch was always a well-received occasion, except perhaps for those candidates whom didn't impress. Like the girls; many would leave with tear-filled eyes or revengeful attitudes. The girls, yet again, had it the worst. The odds were against them all for happiness; they could only bond to one dragon, while the boys had plenty of opportunities. Though that wasn't right either, because normally the dragonet knew whom he was to chose before. But still...they had a good chance of their lifemate being there. Girls...not so much.

She was shepherded (literally) to the queen egg and found that a little daunting, though she understood and walked over without a word. Her gaze flickered over to Sunyu, and she smiled to him before her gaze followed the green and her rider out. One pair cemented, one pair happy. She wished it would always end up like that. Her gaze flickered back to the Queen egg, whose many dreams were laid bare upon her shoulders, even under the thick shell and sand. She blinked then strode over to Genet, a candidate she quickly recognized. "Hey," she greeted with a smile. "Looking for your brother?" Kel had seen her look around and had quickly guessed what she was doing.

She had a feeling that no matter how much attention the queen was given before hand, her mind was made up already, so she put her gaze someplace else to relieve the weight of another pair of eyes off of her. So she had already decided that she was going to watch the others hatch, as if she wasn't going even if she hadn't wanted to. It pulled your gaze away like a magnet, really. And, she wanted to make sure Sunyu wasn't trampled. Even if she couldn't go out to help him. Yes, she also wanted to seem him impress. But hey, who could blame her?

[rigantona]

Katashi was in the dining hall, sipping klah, trying to pretend it was wine, talking to a pretty lower caverns worker, and starting at an attractive Bluerider across the room. The cool weather put him in a good mood, and he was taking a "break" from candidate chores to relax. The sound of humming came to him slowly, at first mistaken for summer insect noises or some noise from the kitchen. As it grew in intensity, however, it was clear that this was no usual hum. Grinning, he slurped down the last of his klah and stood, kissing the girl on the cheek. "If you'll excuse me, I have business to attend to at the Hatching Grounds." She laughed, running to the kitchen to help prepare for the Hatching Feast, and Katashi hastily made his way to the candidate barracks to collect his robe.

He pouted a little as he slipped the drab, shapeless white robe over his head, but he was too excited about the Hatching to complain. At least it wasn't too long or short. Abandoning any attempt to appear calm, he ran to the Hatching Grounds, skidding to a slower pace as he set foot on the burning hot sands.

"Ow, oww! Hot!" He exclaimed unnecessarily, skipping around and wincing. He had arrived at the Weyr too late for the Touching, and while he knew the sands were supposed to be hot, he hadn't expected this intensity. Tentatively, he set his feet down firmly again, sucking up his pride as he minced his way to the clutch. With any luck, he would forget the heat after a few minutes of standing on the sands.

His brown eyes riveted to a single egg as it cracked open, revealing a tiny, gawky green hatchling. It's cute, isn't it? he thought perfunctorily, and then he shook his head, chuckling to himself. No, it's not. It's sharding ugly. But I guess that won't matter if I Impress one. He turned his expectant gaze back to the eggs, wondering which would be the next to hatch.

[dragonmage]

Nocia quietly made her way to the Sands as the humming that signaled the start of a Hatching began and broke the cool evening air. Her robe tangled around her legs like lead weights. Why was she here? What had made the search dragon think she had a chance at the gold. especially with those other girls, so much more confident and outgoing then her?

Well, she had to go. As Nocia stepped onto the sands, she realized that whatever happened now or later, what was done was done and later in life she could at least say with full truthfullness that she had Stood at a Hatching. Her eyes glanced wistfully at the mottled eggs for a moment before she refocused on the Gold egg. Reaching her place in the group of girls, Nocia stared without really seeing.

The first dragonet to hatch was a Green. Nocia couldn't look at it, but her eyes followed the hatchling unwillingly, unable to admit to herself that a green would not want a person like her. Her heart twisted as it Impressed.

[Tabula Rasa]

The polite cheering for the first impression of the hatching fell into hushed quiet as several of the eggs began to move with more force and urgency. The buried gold, separate and nearer to her dam, remained still and mostly concealed, not yet willing or not yet aware that the rest of the clutch was ready to leave eggshells behind.

Tap tap tap, came from one of the twitching eggs. A spinner's web of cracks, thin and ragged, appeared against its creamy side. Tap tap tap. The cracks deepened and then several shards fell away. A muzzle shoved through, but the darkness of the hatchling's hide, mixed with the birthing slime that clung to it, made it hard to determine just what color the creature was. The nose retreated and then shoved itself forward with renewed vigor. This time, the shell gave way, splintering into bits, and sending a lean little dragon tumbling onto the sands. Pushing to his feet, the hatchling revealed himself to be a deep, dark blue. Still as he worked to gain his balance, the newborn dragon became a sudden flurry of motion as he hurried from boy to boy in an attempt to locate the right one.

A moderately sized egg cracked down the middle and sent a chestnut brown spilling out from his too-tight confines. He pushed to his feet and gave his head a good shake, though this had the effect of making the rest of him wobble as well. He sidestepped, shifted his tail and lifted dripping wings until he found his balance. Only then did he notice the cluster of boys loosely surrounding him and his hatching siblings. He darted towards one but halted mid-stride to make a sloppy turn and dash towards a curly-haired boy from Greenfields. "Gersath," W'fen gasped as the brown burrowed his head against his chosen's knees. "Yes, I know where food is. Come on, now. Come with me."

For the impression of a healthy brown, the celebration from the stands was more heartfelt.

[ignisfatuus]

Jansen was surprised to see that in the few short moments he had been looking at one lot of eggs, one in a different area to that under his direct gaze had hatched. He just caught it as it came tumbling out of his shell. To a certain degree, they showed the elegance and beauty that their older kin had in abundance. But yet...they were still ungainly and awkward looking, just as any baby of any species. Jansen had to admire the vigor that the new-born blue possessed as it went in search of the boy who would become his rider. Jansen wondered what it was that dragons looked for in a rider. It would be something he would only find out, he was sure, if he impressed.

Jansen turned to a boy close to him, Katashi "It's remarkable how such ungainly creatures turn into the elegant beasts seated above us." His eyes were on the brown who had swiftly impressed to a curly haired boy. The Caminar was surprised slightly by his actions, he rarely deemed small-talk worthy of his time but he had to do something to detract from the nervousness that had settled in the pit of his stomach. He raised his hands and slowly and amazingly half-heartedly clapped for the boy who had impressed.

[Xinnai]

Salina was watching the eggs, waiting to see what would come next. Green, blue, brown, bronze? It was just absolutely mircaculous to see. The wonder of it all stole over her, just as it did at every Hatching she attended. But this time, it was heightened, it was all much more magnificent. She was on the Sands while it was happening, she was there, right there watching as the Eggs cracked and their clumsy-footed occupants stumbled forward to fine their bonded, the person they were fated to be with.

Salina smiled as she saw the two more burst forth, slimey with egg membrane and clumsy, awkward, though beautiful nonetheless. She watched the blue, saw that he seemed confused, jumping from boy to boy. But the other dragonet, a gorgeous brown, found his right away. Salina clapped wholeheartedly. Two down. Her gaze skittered to the Golden Egg and her stomach jumped. That was the Egg that she and the women all around her were waiting for. Faranth help them.

[hockey]

Kersha had not yet been able to experience the evening's cooling, as the kitchens were stiflingly hot any time of the day. Thankfully, her duties were finally finished, and she was sitting down to her own plateful of dinner, more relaxed than she had been all day. Out in the dining hall she could feel the cool air making its way through the Weyr as she looked for an open place far from other people. This was the first time she had let herself relax since much earlier in the afternoon, and she just wanted to sit in silence and enjoy her food. She did not let herself relax very much these days, preferring to keep busy in the kitchens and anywhere else she might be useful.

As she chewed quietly on her own, she wondered absently if A'jun had already eaten. The Bluerider probably had, though he usually joined her for the evening meal, even if he had already eaten. That man just couldn't keep his concern to himself. She had to admit, though, that as much as she appeared annoyed by his constant worrying and making sure she was doing fine, she did appreciate that he cared. Not that she would ever let on to him.

Absently, she began to notice a dull humming, first in the stone under her feet, then it began to become audible, and soon Kersha realized that it was the humming of dragons before a clutch hatched. Spurred into action, she shovelled the rest of her dinner into her mouth hastily, downed her cooled klah in three quick gulps, and dashed out of the dining hall to the candidate barracks to throw her robe on. Her customary flurry of action was calmed before she reached the hatching grounds. She did not want to upset Pelegaoth by appearing disrespectful, so she walked with poise onto the sands, wincing slightly at the heat directly under her feet as well as the ambient heat of the cavern as it hit her face.

She paused to take a glance at the large group of eggs surrounded by the boys before being herded to the Queen egg, where she was supposed to be. From the lack of any motion that suggested that the egg's inhabitant would be emerging in the next few moments, Kersha took a moment to glance one more time at the other eggs just in time to see a gorgeous little Brown find his boy, fiddle with the slightly uncomfortable robe she wore, and take a look at the other girls standing around the Gold egg that they were all hoping would choose them. Even Kersha nervously awaited its hatching. This was the first hatching she had stood at. After turns of wanting this, would her gut feelings turn out to be wrong? Not that every person who Impressed did so on their first try, and while she knew that she could not help that little voice that whispered doubts in the back of her mind.

[Selvagem]

C'cao
The evening wind was welcome respite for C'cao, dwaddling on his weyr ledge with his dragon. He would have much preferred the open plains at this time, and especially as he had fulfilled his duties for the day early, but Pelegaoth's hatching was far too near for a rider to feel at ease spening several hours away from the Weyr. He would rather not miss this Hatching, and so had elected to settle around his weyr and wait instead.

The greenrider let his legs dangled casually over the edge into air, and his fingers toyed idly with his flute. It was not the new one he had recently procured from the Caminar Gather (at handsome one mark too), but his old one, the flute he had played since his weyrling days: a gift from Sonarer and Master Synjor to celebrate his Impression to Opheriath. Against his back was the living green hide of his dragon, lying sleepily on her belly with her stomach full. Leaning back against her after a good dinner, C'cao was beginning to let himself drift into a doze as well when he felt her tense suddenly beneath him.

What is it, Ria?he straightened up at once, You sense something?

A flurry of conflicting feelings struck him at the question: excitement, nervousness and joy all at once. Whirled by the sudden tumult of them, he was slow to respond as the green pitched to her feet, eyes whirling green, and stared towards the general direction of the Sands. C'cao grasped her leg for support as he hauled himself up, and felt more than heard the soft lilt of his dragon's voice in his mind.

Hatching!

The greenrider felt his own eyes widen as the dim low of humming began to reach his ears. He started a scramble for the weyr entrance, snatched up the leather pouch he had kept ready for this very instance, and turning as he ran he stumbled back to Opheriath, who was whirring her wings impatiently.

Yes yes, let's go! Drop me by the ground entrance before you head to the ledges.

He was barely mounted before the green swung sideways with wings spread and almost threw herself off the ledge, gliding easily for the entrance to the Stands. Dropping to ground some way off from the now-bustling entrance, she nudged her rider once as he dismounted, her eyes whirling excitement, and then leapt into flight once more to join her brethen on the ledges. C'cao was slower to enter the Stands, jostled back and forth by the crowd as he was. He allowed himself to drift with the main flow of them before he found an empty seat, and settled down for the ride.

A smile broke his lips to match the cheers on the Stands as a green emerged first, and promptly matched to that big lad from Ista. C'cao found himself standing and cheering with the others around him, even as he chanced a quick glance towards a sullen figure at the other end. The greenrider was not a consummate gambler as some riders were, but he did enjoy a little betting here and there, and the first hatchling of the day had already given him returns. It was, he felt, a good sign for the two other bets he had made. He would collect his winning bets after this was over.

He scanned the lines of candidates below as a blue hatchling began inspecting the candidates, and a brown dragonet Impressed. His pale blue were eyes searching for his next bet to Impress. As well as a particular girl.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Horatio and Jhorna
"I swear, Tio, I shouldn't have eaten so much."

The pair stumbled onto the Sands together just as a green hatchling Impressed to a large boy, and Horatio groaned silently, "Well, if you had just been a bit more careful, we wouldn't be so late."

"Well, we're here," Jhorna caught his breath, tension suddenly consuming his frame at the sight of the Stands and Sands both. He stopped short and Horatio, who was slightly behind, nearly ran into him. They had just come from dinner, a dinner where Jhorna had seen fit to take a second helping, only to leave it half-eaten when the dragons began to hum. Having been stranded in the Dining Hall by a rush of Weyrfolk, they had made the rush to barracks for robes and then to the Sands in record time, and were panting heavily. Both took a moment to stand and stare at the audience and the applause still ringing for the first Impression.

Jhorna recovered first, the electric atmosphere beginning to send his muscles all a-trembling. He started a stiff-legged walk for the rest of the candidates, and after a moment Horatio followed, wide-eyed. They took their places on the line. Horatio gazed everywhere, unabashed and wide-eyed at everything. Fear took him again, unaccountable fear: he would not Impress, he told himslf. He had so much to do with the Healers yet that he couldn't! His eyes roved the rows of eggs, and a longing he didn't want to admit to seized his heart. Wouldn't it be wonderful, if...

He closed his eyes, trying to ignore the blue dragonet coming down the row. His face was almst contorted with the fight to hold himself between his two desires, and inwardly he burned with the effects of the struggle, even as the Sands burned beneath him.

Beside him, Jhorna was fidgeting, feet burning on the hot Sands. His dinner sat heavy in his stomach, and he fought the urge to throw up. Everything was happening so quickly. In a moment the curly-haired boy would probably crack a joke to the next candidate, trying to ease his own tension. For the moment however, he was caught in an awe-struck silence at all that was happening around him. He gazed long and longingly at the brown weyrling walking away with his dragonet, then turned back to the blue dragonet walking the line. Light splintered in his eyes, hopeful and bright. He would wait.

And hope.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thordis
"Are you sure you need nothing else Ma'am?"

"Nothing else, Thor, you've more than fulfilled your chores for today," the older drudge smiled benignly, if tiredly, at the young candidate. Her rrough, big hands never ceased their endless stacking of pots into a corner of the kitchen, "Best run along now, you've had a long day, and I hear they push you candidate lads hard enough as things go."

"Not so hard as I'm used to, Ma'am," Thordis answered stoutly, "I'm Weyr-born and Weyr-bred, tis' naught hard for me."

The kitchen-worker chuckled, "I wouldn't bet on that, lad - you're...hark, what's that?"

Both froze at the commotion starting on the levels and corridors above and around them. From the passageway just beyond the kitchens, voices were calling back and forth like startled wherries. Thordis strained to hear them, frowned, and slipped quickly to the edge of the kitchen to hear better. Distinct words began to come to his eager ears.

"Hatching! Hatching!"

"Oh my, I do believe it's started!" the woman left her stacking and strode quickly to the boy's side, "Best hurry lad, you're not even dressed yet!"

Thordis needed no encouragement: he was already running. He barely heard the best wishes she shouted after him. He would be late: he still had to return to his bunk and change into his robes! Passerbys, especially Weyrfolk, stopped and stared a moment at the sight of Thordis running: for once, it seemed, the boy could not find it in himself to be casual about the situation at hand. It was not unknown of the Weyr-born 13-turn-old to appear serious about things when neccessary, but still rare enough that some even cheered as Thordis flew by them.

The candidate himself hardly noticed them. Cursing the irregular timings of Hatchings, he sprinted into the Candidate Barracks, skittered past his bunk while snatching up the robe lying folded on the edge for such a situation, and slipped it on over his clothes as he ran for the Sands. No time to change now! He arrived, panting and sweating, just in time to see a brown Impress.

With another soft muttered curse, he took his place on the candidate lines, sharp eyes scanning the eggs. His eyes fell, instead, on a dark blue dragonet marching down the rows of boys, and wariness sparked in his cool gray gaze. Hatching Sands, he knew, were a source of both opportunity and danger. He would be watchful for rampaging Hatchlings and maulings. The heat from the ground soaked into him, with his twin layers of clothes. He could feel the seat pouring down his back, and swallowed as if he would swallow his discomfort.

[flamewolf]

Sunyu
A dark blue hatched. The clutch was stirring now, and excitement started to rise in the ranks of the onlookers. The blue seemed confused and didn't know where to go, and while he continued to search a brown dragonet hatched. He was more sure and swift about his decision and impress almost immediately. Excitement raised like a wave for the brown, and the candidate suddenly became annoyed. Why was it that the weyr folk took ranks to heart? They were all dragons; surely you could get over excited about the queen, for she was the one to give these clutches which were so important to the dragon population. But even if a green was the first to hatch, or a blue, you should be just as excited that they were hatching in the first place.

He sighed then joined in with the clapping for the brown pair. That blue was still searching, and the brown had taken his limelight away. He focused on the hatchlings. THey weren't the gracefulest of creatures. In fact, they were downright clumsy compared to the adult dragons (this thought was accompanied with a glance to Pelegoath and Jordeth). He shifted on the sands, not from discomfort, but because of thought. His gaze sweeped along the boys and he had to wonder: how much will our lives change because of this, impression or not?