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Post by dragonmage on Mar 21, 2009 22:21:31 GMT -6
Nocia watched quietly from her place in the group of girls. The dragonets were cute, but none of the ones that had hatched so far had even really looked at the girls except for one and that one had not wanted her. Well, there were more eggs on the Sands, including the queen egg, not that she had much chance of being the right person for such a confident, proud color of dragon. Greens were nice, and far more likely for her. Where were they all anyway? Weren't greens supposed to be the most common color of dragon? There were two browns and a blue, but not a green in sight.
She shrugged and went back to watching the mottled eggs slowly rock and shake. Wouldn't it be awful if the clutch had no greens at all? Then what would she do? The gold wouldn't want her and she could be too old by the time another clutch was ready to Hatch. She would go home and go back to weaving if she didn't Impress. At least, this weyr didn't kick out girls for Impressing fighting dragons like she'd heard rumors that the Southern Weyr did.
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Post by Femisis on Mar 21, 2009 22:28:27 GMT -6
"Good." Crescentia replied with a shiver before cheering heartily for Trevan, now T'van, even going so far as to whistle at him. She'd probably have to explain to him later that she meant it only as a congratulations, but he was probably so wrapped up in his Impression to his pretty Blue that he hadn't heard her. Four had Impressed so far, with twelve eggs left to go. Oddly enough, there hadn't been any Greens yet, but maybe they were just waiting for the right moment to hatch.
"I bet Kalley is having a fit right now." She commented to Kirnin, trying not to stutter in her speech. She wasn't shivering as badly now, the heat of the sands having warmed her up a bit. Her still-wet hair wasn't helping any, however, and her back was rather cold. She'd deal with it, though, and just take a hot bath later.
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Post by virenn on Mar 21, 2009 22:45:06 GMT -6
With the two newest hatchlings Impressed to Theirs, there were a total of twelve eggs left for the Candidates who were left standing. There was a slim chance that his dragon was there, in that clutch, but he was waiting to find out. Ryker was willing to wait until the last egg cracked; he was willing to wait until he was too old to Stand.
But he would be able to think of that situation at a later time. After all, he was currently standing for Impression—he was not left standing. That one thought put a slight smile on his face; as long as he was there, he had a chance. It was slim, but it was a chance nonetheless... and it was one that he wanted to grasp.
Even then, he could not believe he harbored such hope. What happened to the part of him who did not want to believe in a dream? Ryker knew it was inside of him, but it was lying dormant. Impression was a big event, and even the part of him that was a constant pessimist could not help but be happy, even though he was slightly cold and wet. His siblings would get a kick out of him, he figured, if they could just see the small smile that was on his face.
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Post by stolenhart on Mar 22, 2009 9:13:46 GMT -6
One minutes passed, then two, then five and still no eggs cracked shell. Finally just when Ilayria was about to go find a seat, more Hatchings started occuring. The first shell split neatly down the middle and a bulky Hatchling stepped out. Not as large as those of its' caste still it was a splendid specimen. It spread it's wings widely so they would dry before turning to stare intently at the egg beside it. With a nudge the Hatchling knocked the egg over, which caused the egg to crack and Hatch.
Both dragonets stare at each before the larger helped the smaller to his feet. The smaller dragon, a very tiny blue looked absolutely pitiful. The larger Hatchling nudged it's clutchmate who looked around the Sands sadly before shaking it's head. Ilayria took an involuntary step forward but it wasn't enough. The tiny blue gave a sigh and flipped between. A gasp went up through the stands, and murmrus began. The Hatchling was confused and for a moment Ilayria thought it might go between but no, it turned to another egg.
This time the egg Hatched alone spilling it's contents onto the sand. The tiny Hatchling came up bubbling with joy and all but tackled its' clutchmate. Both dragons gave a chortle of amusment, before the larger one pushed the second one towards the female candidates. It seemed this larger Hatchling had taken it upon itself to help the smaller ones. The small dragonet gave a piercing whistle and began to search among the offered choices.
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Post by strawberrylush on Mar 22, 2009 9:19:20 GMT -6
Hasia watched in fascination as a large Hatchling suddenly appeared on the sands. It was magnificent in it's appearance and worthy of attention. The noble creature even went so far as to help out a fellow clutch mate, though the poor blue might as well never cracked shell. It looked so sad and pitiful on the Sands and then it popped between. The dragons above sang it a farewell tune but then went right back to their welcoming hums. A sad and quick eulogy for the poor creature. But she watched in amazement as instead of the large Hatchling Impressing, it began to help another dragonet out. Would wonders never cease? Only the large Hatchlings held any attetnion from Hasia, she was here for the gold after all. No sense in mourning after a departed blue or wistful thinking towards a newly hatched dragonet of any color but gold. Such was her way and gold was her destiny.
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Post by saidaltam on Mar 22, 2009 9:27:25 GMT -6
Kirnin flashed a small smile toward Cresce, another toward Eris, and then snickered softly, nodding. "Oh, I'm sure. Faranth forbid Trev--T'van, now, I suppose--upstage him at anything!" She chuckled dryly. "T- T'van's going to flirt with you like there's no tomorrow, you know. He'll tumble you, too, given half a chance, though I suppose now he's got a two turn wait before that's an option." A small smile played over her lips. "I wonder when that will hit him. Ooo, more eggs!"
As the next two eggs hatched, the second with a bit of help, Kirnin applauded brightly, but when the weak blue flicked between, she stopped, face falling and a somber silence settling over her. A hatchling going between was always a depressing experience at any hatching, and to have it happen at hers was... something less than encouraging. The larger hatchling didn't seem stopped by it, however, and as the next shell cracked, she shrugged it off, trying to bolster her own spirits a bit. There was no point in becoming morose over something she couldn't change, after all.
T'van was so wrapped up in his precious, hungry Ghalyth that he didn't even notice the other three eggs hatching or the impressions going on around him. The dragon was all of his focus, just then.
:More?:[/color] Ghalyth prompted, opening his mouth widely. T'van chuckled, feeding the bits of meat into him.
"You're like a pit or something, little one," he observed cheerfully.
Ghalyth swallowed, then paused to cast a disparaging eye over T'van. :You don't really think that, do you, Mine?:[/color] he asked plaintively.
"Oh, of course not, but you are eating a lot," T'van replied.
:Is it too much? Do you want me to st--:[/color] In the middle of a whimpery question, the dragon cut off, turning to stare at the sands. With a soft, mournful creel, he leaned into T'van, rubbing against the boy's abdomen. :My brother did not find his,:[/color] he mourned pitiably. :You won't go away so that I don't have mine, will you?:[/color] the hatchling begged.
"No," T'van promised. "I'm not going anywhere."
Kalley watched as yet another two hatchlings left the sands with theirs, and he felt his heart sinking. Six eggs gone, now. He shook his head, staring down at the sand, but as yet another shell cracked, he looked back up, smiling at the sight of the large dragon and its smaller, weaker sibling. When the little blue winked between, however, he winced visibly, and in that moment, the selfishness of his complaints struck him like a hammer. He felt absolutely shamed, wondering if perhaps the hatchling had been meant for him, but had found him lacking because of his bad attitude. The thought passed, however. There was no way to predict which hatchling would go to what rider, beyond the vague guidelines they already had--golds chose girls, bronze and brown chose boys, blue chose mostly boys, and most greens who chose boys would choose gay boys. That was hardly much to go on, and it could hardly be construed to mean that he was meant for any one hatchling, or that he could have had anything to do with the blue flicking away.
As the larger dragon turned toward yet another egg, urging the small hatchling from within toward the girls, he felt himself brighten. Yes, one had been lost, but look how many were left! Pursing his lips, he paused to count the eggs over.
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Post by kusuri on Mar 22, 2009 11:11:58 GMT -6
Nyboka snarled and ripped into her chest as soon as the bone rattling humming began.She had been on the other side of the barracks and had run as fast as her little legs could carry her.Why!? Why now! She had just set foot in the Weyr for the first time and the dragons had to start hatching!? The small brown girl ripped her clothes off and pulled the white robe fiercely on.Her bare feet were soon slapping the cold stone ground as she loped to the Hatching caverns.She cursed her escort.The blue that had brought her in had immediately started humming and went Between,leaving her bewildered and without a ride to the hot sands.Her rolling gait made up for lost time however and soon she was at the mouth of the yawning cavern.Embarrassed and slightly awed,the former drudge slowly walked in,bare feet burning.But she took little notice,her bare feet hardened and calloused.She had arrived just as a little blue Betweened and an overwhelming sadness washed over her.Poor thing! What if that had been her hatchling and it had died because she was late? She shook her long black tresses and strode to the back of a group of girls.She didn't join their conversation as she didn't know anyone here.Instead,she looked out at the marvelous eggs and sent out feelings of love and wonder.She struggled to see,as she was the shortest person there,but she focused just as intently as the others on the remaining eggs,breath held tight.
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Post by stolenhart on Mar 22, 2009 12:55:27 GMT -6
The little Hatchling pranced about happily, nosing a girl here or a boy there. It was very happy to be free from it's confining shell apparently. So much so it ignored its' clutchmate helping another small dragonet to be Hatched. This new dragonet was slightly larger than its' clutchmate and wasn't nearly as cheerful. Still though it glanced around curiously and made no move to go between as it turned and headed for the males.
The first Hatchling finally paused, tilted it's head and then gave a chirp of joy to have found it's chosen. Headbutting her rider, the pair of girls were now greeted by Ph'in with their own bucket of meat. The other Hatchling, a nice dark forestgreen, paused beside Verm who was still hiding, and chirped inquiringly. I am Wysth, she told him, firmly pushing away V'erm's cover so her rider was now displayed.
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Post by virenn on Mar 22, 2009 14:37:22 GMT -6
Ryker all but stared at the newest Hatchling in the sands; it was certainly an interesting one, as it seemed intent on helping its clutchmates before going off to find Theirs. When it helped the small blue out of its shell, Ryker thought that the little creature was going to run off and find His, but he was proven wrong. As the Blue went between, Ryker took in the startled gasps and the chorus of saddened dragons.
It was a shame that one of the hatchlings had to be lost, and that no one out on the sands would have been a good choice for His.
Knowing that there was nothing that could have been done in order to save the hatchling, Ryker turned his attention toward the dragonet who had, once again, taken to helping the others before Impressing. A hatchling like that—a strong hatchling—needed to be bonded with someone so it would not be lost like the Blue. While it was sad to see one go, it would be horrible to see a second one lost as well, and Ryker hoped that the incident would not happen again.
Though the Hatching had taken a turn for the worse when the Blue went between, there were still more dragons that could be Impressed. Unsure about which dragonet Ryker wanted to watch as they found Theirs, he decided to let his eyes wander between them.
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Post by Femisis on Mar 22, 2009 15:04:10 GMT -6
Cresce couldn't help but laugh as she rolled her eyes at the thought. "I was banking on the hope that he'd be too focused on his dragon to notice much. I'll be sure to cheer just as much for Kalley when he Impresses." She chuckled to Kirnin, then shivered again. "Shardit, I should have dried off more before I came in here..." She muttered, wrapping her arms around her torso to try and conserve some warmth.
As Kirnin had said, more eggs were hatching, Impressing one at a time until the Blue. He was a tiny little thing, almost pitiful looking, though his clutchsibling assisted him in gaining his feet. It wasn't to last as he took a dive between, startling everyone in the sands. The dragons sent up their death knell and she felt tears spring to her eyes, but wiped them away furiously. Death was better than being forced to live with one who wasn't perfect for you, right?
Another hatchling, a Green, had gone to Impress a boy in the back, most likely hiding from the rest of the crowd. Why, she couldn't understand, but people were all different, after all. She kept her eyes on the other hatchlings milling about, waiting to see where they went.
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Post by stolenhart on Mar 22, 2009 15:12:33 GMT -6
At just that moment, just as the littlest hatchling on the sand chose her rider, the gold egg parted down the middle and the gold dragonet stepped out. She glanced around, sniffed one and sat down on top of the remains of her shell. Short and stubby she was smaller than the only other non-impressed dragon on the Sands. Very small for a queen actually and she was pink! Well maybe not a true pink but a definite rosy gold color. Even Astoth gave a surprised snort as her daughter yawned, flopped on her side and merely stared.
Now that the gold had finally Hatched, her clutchmate took it upon himself to choose his own rider. As he started for the men another egg Hatched spilling forth a third brown. The brown gave a warning growl to his clutchmate who merely blinked and dashed for his rider giving a joyous crow when Impressed was made. The brown glanced at his golden sister then at the candidates before looking up into the stands. Finding no one worth interest, he gave a pitiful creel and went Between.
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Post by saidaltam on Mar 22, 2009 15:34:45 GMT -6
Kirnin merely nodded in reply, casting a contemplative eye over Cresce, before turning back to the sands with interest. There were... She paused, counting mentally. If she wasn't of at all, then there were ten eggs already hatched, two between'd, and, lying on the sands like an overgrown cat, the queen. She watched the hatchling for a long moment, then said softly, mostly to Cresce but really to anyone close enough to hear her, "I wonder what she's up to out there."
The brown flicked between, then, as his blue brother had before him, and Kirnin could almost feel the crowd wince. Shaking her head, she sighed, watching the remaining eggs with quiet curiosity. She wondered passingly how many more would flick between. Two, already. It was not a good omen for the clutch.
A brown had gone between, this time, and Kalley could have cried, if he hadn't been so angry. This wasn't fair, it wasn't right! Everything was going wrong! He was supposed to impress, and then his life was supposed to turn around! It was supposed to be a good, happy day! Instead, Trevan, that little cretin, had impressed, two hatchlings had gone between, more than half the clutch had hatched, and now, here he still stood.
His mind began running through the other things that could go wrong, the other events that could make this day, this day that was meant to be good, go worse than it already was. Kirnin would impress, next, probably the gold just to make her absolutely unreachable, more hatchlings would go between, he'd be left standing, and his new friend, Cresce, would impress out, find better people to talk to, and start ignoring him. He'd end up back home, in the same exact miserable boat as he'd been in before, and this time, it'd be without Kirnin. He could see it now.
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Post by virenn on Mar 22, 2009 15:40:06 GMT -6
Having waited out on the sands patiently for something to occur, Ryker had not expected anything to happen so suddenly. The voice had rang through his head so clearly, so wonderfully, that Ryker could only stare. Whatever he had expected, it was not for the dragonet to come running towards him.
R’kerMine! Come, it is time for your Onith to be fed.
It couldn’t have been possible that the beautiful hatchling that stood before him was his; that the excited croon he had let out when he ran up to him was because he had found His. But it was, and Ryker—Now R’ker, he realized—finally let the smile slip on his face. He Impressed, and to a fine dragon if he could say so himself.
“I’ll get you something to eat right away, Onith.” R’ker said as he scratched at the dragonet’s eye ridges. “You must be starving.”
I am, R'kerMine! I would like to be fed!
Just as he began to lead his dragonet away in order to get the little creature food, the Brown had decided that no one was His, and much like the blue, went between. Onith stopped walking, staring up at R’ker as he announced, sadly, Another has not found His!
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Post by strawberrylush on Mar 22, 2009 15:54:50 GMT -6
So a bronze, a few browns and blues and a green had all hatched and Impressed, Hasia thought to herself. Wonderful. Well except for the part where the blue and brown went between of course. It seemed strange that in a gold clutch there was only one bronze. It reflected poorly on Brennenth. Hopefully Astoth would choose better in her next flight. Love should not be a consideration in a flight. Now she turned her full attention on the young gold that had just flopped on the sand.
She was a gorgeous little thing, a nice bright rosy color and instantly her heart went out to the creature. She took an involuntary step forward before remembering that golds were dangerous creatures freshly Hatched and she stood still. Hasia did however try to stretch her thoughts out to the dragon though, asking for her mind to be bonded to that of the lovely creature.
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Post by stolenhart on Mar 22, 2009 15:58:39 GMT -6
Six eggs left to hatch and it seemed they would not wait. In a flurry three of them cracked open revealing the three smallest Hatchlings of the clutch. As one they turned and -Smack!- ran into each other. Each one began to accuse the other and soon the Sands was in chaos as the Hatchlings began to wrestle about. Behave!, Astoth sent her children, gently pulling them apart with tail and claw. The smallest of them grabbed onto her tail and began chewing on it gently. Astoth gently shook her tail to disengage the Hatchling who immediatly chirped and took off. Stumbling right into her rider.
The other two had already chosen their's, ensuring that another blue and green had found their riders. So now there were three eggs left on the Sands as well as the gold who didn't show signs of moving anytime soon, except maybe to lick her side where it itched. What a lazy creature.
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Post by saidaltam on Mar 22, 2009 16:15:23 GMT -6
:Oh! Mine!:[/color] The green tumbled nose-under-tailfork across the sands and bumped directly into Kirnin's legs, then shook her head, straightening herself out. :Did you see my clutchmates try to stop your Similath from finding you? It was very, very rude. Silly things. Momma wouldn't let me bite them, though. Did you see your Similath? She tried!:[/color]
Kirnin blinked down at the hatchling, startled, then smiled. "Eh... yes, I saw," she assured her, reaching down to touch the tiny, long hatchling's head lightly.
:Good. Will you feed me, now? I'm hungry.:[/color]
Kirnin smiled widely and crouched down to kiss the hatchling's nose. She was not the classic beauty that some hatchlings were, there was no question about that, but to Kirnin, the tiny dragon's coloration and build were about as perfect as it was possible to be. "Alright, Similath. Let's go eat," she said softly, then rose to escort the dragon -- her dragon -- over to the bowl of diced up meat.
Kirnin... had impressed.
Kirnin had impressed, and Kalley stared after her as she walked away with the hatchling with a poleaxed, heartbroken expression. It wasn't quite what he'd predicted, but it was so very close as to make no difference. He knew it. He just ... knew it. Cresce would be next. Then, hatchlings would between. Then, he'd go home, without any future, without any allies, and without any friends.
This had been the worst idea he had ever had. He was beginning to seriously regret having suggested coming here.
But no. What would Kirnin and Cresce think if they knew what he was thinking? What would Trevan think? He was going to be shown up by that little ... brat, if he let this get to him so badly! That was not acceptable. Shaking himself off, he turned back to what little remained of the hatching, taking a deep breath and steeling himself. It was time to be an adult. He could handle this.
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Post by Femisis on Mar 22, 2009 16:22:56 GMT -6
"Faranth only knows." Cresce replied to Kirnin as she watched the Queen laze about on the Sands. "She's pretty, regardless." She added, watching as the creature lifted her head to lick herself. She only hoped that beyond the hatchling's lazy outward appearance she was a much needed asset to the Weyr, or that her rider could get her up and going. She didn't think much more of the Gold as something happened beside her that made her grin.
"Oh, conratulations!" Cresce cried as she watched Kirnin bend to kiss the Green's nose. She wasn't exactally jealous, but she was getting a bit worried. There were so few dragons left... would she Impress? No, that was no way to think. Even if her dragon wasn't in this clutch, there would be others and there was still plenty of time for her to stand. She wasn't going to give up now. Kalley wasn't giving up, was he? Well, he was still there in the males group toughing it out. Well, she'd tough it out, too.
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Post by stolenhart on Mar 22, 2009 16:59:12 GMT -6
Four dragons left, three left unhatched and one gold who didn't look like she was going anywhere anytime soonish. The three eggs, tired for waiting on their clutchmate to Impress, hatched. The Weyr increased by two more when two righted themselves, flapped their wings and ran off to find their riders. The third, a green, betweened. Her wing had been badly deformed and there was no sense in her staying here.
Now that she was the last one, the gold rose slowly to her feet, stretched, sniffed and yawned before plodding off to find her own rider. It didn't take her long and eventually the only thing left on the Sands was broken egg shells. Thirteen dragonets had Impressed and three between. Neither of which was a good omen. There would be blood for this, Ilayria realized. B'oone had better shape up.
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Post by Femisis on Mar 22, 2009 17:32:33 GMT -6
At the moment, Crescentia was feeling a bit alone on the sands. Nearly all the hatchlings had Impressed, Kirnin was gone, not that she would have forced the other girl to stay or anything, along with most of the few candidates who had Impressed and things were starting to wind down. There really wasn't much left to do, really, except go to the feast...
Not without me. Your Basteth is hungry, too.
Now where did THAT come from? There weren't any hatchlings left... Oh. "Basteth..." She trailed off slightly as she laid a hand on the Gold's head, only to meet thin air as the hatchling laid down at her feet.
I hunger, Mine, so if you're not going to scratch my side, then feed me. Basteth grumbled, rumbling in delight as Hers began to scratch her eyeridge. A little to the left.[/i] She thrummed, enjoying the scratching JUST enough to forget her intense hunger for a few moments.
"Later." Crescentia said as she stood back up to her full height. "I'm hungry, too, and there are some people I want to see." She waited for Basteth to stand a bit awkwardly then led her off, feeling immensely happy and maybe even a little bit smug. Wait until Reren saw THIS...
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Post by saidaltam on Mar 22, 2009 17:42:52 GMT -6
...And then it was over. The dragons were gone, and ... Kalley was still there.
Maybe he wasn't suited to be a candidate? Maybe there was something wrong with him? Maybe he was flawed? Broken? Lacking? Was he not good enough? Maybe he didn't have that special... whatever it was... that made someone able to impress? Trevan -- no... the hatching was over, and his half-brother had a dragon beside him while he did not; it was T'van -- T'van was wrapped up in catering to the whims of his blue, and Kirnin was beaming down at her long-necked, long-tailed, very long-winged green, and ... he ... hadn't impressed. They had something that he didn't. It was all he could think of. Maybe it was something he couldn't have.
He stood there for a long moment, staring at the broken shells laying across the sands, then knelt down, picking a shard of dragon shell up and turning it slowly over in his hands. He would have to speak with a rider about this. If it was just that he wasn't capable of impression, he supposed he could deal with that, but if it was something else...
If it was something else, he thought his heart might break, but on some level, he almost hoped that it was, because if it was something else, maybe he could change it, and then, if he was still young enough, maybe he could stand, again.
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