[Anakumath's Touching] Come Forth to Contemplate Stars

[Shaddaling]

Whren- High reaches- He/Him

His flits had been more attached to him as of late, but his mood had calmed with the coming of the cold weather and he met the new clutch with a sort of serenity. Jemi hated it, but the weather just brought a taste of new beginnings and had always been his favorite season on the ranch, and remained with the weyr.

He firmly shooed the watching flits away, feeling the flickers of their minds dim out to background distractions, a sort of white noise. He listened to F'dral speech, walked onto the sands, a searing heat compared to the cold of the outdoors. He gave a polite bow to the clutch parents and continued on.

Considering the eggs, he set a hand on Star Egg, Morning, It's cold outside these sands, but it's also stunningly beautiful the higher up you go. He sighed, shutting his eyes, letting his shoulders relax. Just him and the eggs now.  

[Shaddaling]

Jemaselle- High reaches_ She/Her
It was weird how much Wen liked the cold weather, when it started to cool down, his mood begin to approved and he seemed to be doing better now. Enough that she wasn't concerned about him doing something dumb after the last touching and hatching. It was starting to weigh on him a bit.

Jemi pulled her eyes away from the long white hair of her friend, he had stopped braiding it lately, letting it stay long and loose when it wasn't a hazard. It was time to focus! F'dral was speaking and most of it was the same. Polite bow to the clutch parents, she had watched them both hatch! Which was cool.

She hummed softly and walked out among the clutch before setting a hand on the Rainbow egg. 'Morning, bright looking egg. You seem cheerful.'  

[Shaddaling]

Rhylune

Rhylune was just so excited! There was eggs! New eggs on the sands and she had seen their parents hatch and now they had eggs! She squirmed in excitement, gleeful. F'dral was talking and she focused on on him, yes, yes, yes!
She was going to behave. Promise.

She gave the tiniest of squeals and bowed to both of them, smooth as she could managed and headed slowly to the eggs. Which one which one. That one! "Hello!" She said cheerfully, laying a hand on the Lisa Frank egg. 'I'm Rhylune! Its nice to meet you tooo.'  

[Prism Shine]

Dystzha - Western - She/Her - Touching Corn

Oh, this was it! Time was finally here to meet the lovely eggs of High Reaches’ latest clutch. While she had been uncertain in the beginning to come to High Reaches’ shores, oh how could she pass up the excitement of it all? Practically jittery in her excitement to meet the eggs, and, soon enough, meet the wonderful babies as they hatched.

The fact that Surel had decided to come with her had only been icing on top of her cake. To stand at her friend’s side, even if there was the twinge of guilt. Had she influenced that decision? Only Surel knew, and Dystzha was almost nervous for the answer. She'd made peace at possibly leaving her family for a few turns, but to meet her soulmate, it would be worth being apart for a short while, wasn't it?

These were things that had to wait until they were back at Western. The only thing she was to focus on were those wonderful babies, after all. Listening intently to both F’dral and A’ral, she entered in with the other candidates -- and her breath was positively stolen by the radiance of the children and their two proud parents. Darlings that she couldn’t wait to meet, having such an honor to do so! With a bow to Anakumath and then to Elzebuth, she turned to admire such pretty, temporary shells before strolling closer to the Corn Egg, touching the warm shell. “Hello, little one! You’ve got quite the nice, warm spot here, don’t you?”

Dalini - HR - She/Her - Touching Black Cat

Oh, it was here. It was here! Ever since Anakumath had taken to the sky, she’d been waiting so eagerly to be able to see baby dragons for herself, and with each passing day, until the shells had been on the sands. Oh, would her baby firelizard hatching be so small as compared to this? Probably, they were a great deal bigger than Biscuit’s shell had been. Yet she’s eager to listen as F’dral spoke, nodding solemnly as she’s given her instructions. Her own reviewing of protocol and what to expect, except for the tamping down nerves as she stepped into the bowl.

And there they were, proud mama, papa, and their beautiful children. Oh, she bowed to them all -- even accidentally bowing to the clutch in her sheer awe of the first-time experience, before she’s off to meet her very first egg.

Black Cat Egg’s shell was warm under her fingertips, and she smiled down at the dark shell. “Hello there, little one. It’s your big day, isn’t it? I’m so happy I get to meet you. How are you today?”

Valian - HR - He/Him - Touching Number 2 Pencil

Valian listened with rapt attention to F'dral, this was his first Touching. He was determined to do everything the proper way. It was drilled in him in lessons on how to behave around these eggs, and the reminder never hurt anyway. He nodded solemnly to himself, as if to help store every word. When freed from his instruction, he bowed to the clutch parents. Respectfully, just like the lessons taught, and turns of life in the Weyr have shown him.

He's seen clutches before! High Reaches boasting beautiful clutches over the turns, but this was the first he was allowed to see so close now that he was old enough. He gazed about, looking for an egg that didn't have too much of a crowd around it. He set his sight on the Number Two Pencil Egg. He gently traced the pattern on its shell. Hi! I'm-- so, so happy to meet you!  

[dawns_aura]

Lelte, she/her, HR:
All clutches were reason for joy, and reason to celebrate, and this clutch was no different. But for some reason, it felt even more special to the bubbly girl. Perhaps because the clutch mother was from the first hatching she attended. Was actually one of the first eggs she had ever touched. She still remembered the warmth and kindness Anakumath had exuded, making her more determined than ever to one day be a rider.

Even though it had been a few Turns and several clutches later, and the candidatemaster's speech was the same, she still listened attentively. When it was time to pay her respects the the parents, her bow to the queen was perhaps a little deeper than she might usually use to show her respect, well who would notice. She turned and bowed to the sire as was proper and took her time walking onto the sands. Taking her time to decide where to begin.

Making up her mind, she walked towards the center of the clutch and crouched on the sands, reaching out to gently rest her hand on the Happy Ghost Egg. Greetings little one. I hope you are comfortable in these nice warm sands.

 

[Zaikt]

[ candidate ciraine ] - western weyr - she/her

The day had come, and Ciraine was--ready? She hoped she was. Faranth, did she.
The initial cold shock upon stepping out into High Reaches had been enough to knock her off-guard, but she'd powered through it for the brief time they'd been outside--much like all the others, she'd been more than happy to shuffle inside to the Sands along with everyone else, albeit with a little extra spur in her side from the chill. With stars in her eyes, she'd bowed to Anakumath on her way in, craning her neck to get a decent look at all the eggs over everyone else; unfortunately, her small stature didn't lend itself well to such efforts.
Still, her turn would come all the same--the first egg she'd approach directly was the Funfetti Egg, drawn by the bright flecks of color on its shell. Carefully, almost haltingly, she placed her hand on the shell, doing everything she could to open herself up to--to, well, everything. Now would be the time to start off on the right foot, after all!

Hello--I'm, um. Really glad to be able to meet you right now. Was she doing this right? Oh no. How're you doing in there...?


[ candidate kedriom ] - high reaches weyr - he/him

He'd prepared for this more times than he could ever count. How could he not? This was what his family had been passing down from generation to generation--the right to candidacy, to participate in a Touching and see if their lifemate was somewhere within. More importantly, however, their birthright was to fight Thread, and Kedriom knew he was practically chomping at the bit for the chance. When the Candidates had been summoned, he'd been there as fast as possible, listening to F'dral's every word as though it were a matter of life and death; and honestly, it was. There'd been some fuss at their last clutch about a vengeful Blue, and he didn't fancy the idea of repeating the whole affair.
Kedriom bowed to Anakumath with as much grace as his awkward frame could manage, even though he was sure it wound up looking stilted--no matter. For good measure, however, he was sure to muster as much appreciation and gratitude as was possible to try and project her way, hoping that it might make up for his...everything.

From there, his choice of egg was easy. Even if it wasn't the biggest egg of the clutch, it still loomed all the same from its position at the very back of them all, bright shell practically glowing in the light--the Lisa Frank Egg seemed a perfect pick for his first, and he did his best to weave his way through the crowd to place a hand on its warm shell.
I hope you're ready. There's--a lot of people here to see you. Myself included. he added after a brief pause, brow furrowing in quiet concern. Thank you for...the opportunity to do so.


[ candidate alisaide ] - high reaches weyr - they/he

In spite of the cold, Alisaide was in their absolute highest spirits yet. They'd been eagerly counting the days along with everyone else, and when they'd finally all been given the signal to go, well--they'd done just that! They were glad to see Anakumath in such fine form, even if the brief flicker of red in her eyes had been a little alarming; grinning, they bowed to the queen, bouncing a little in place as they straightened back up. It was hard to pick a favorite part of a Hatching, but--the Touching ranked rather high, in their opinion.

Alisaide took a moment to scan the clutch as a whole, trying to spot an egg that would practically jump out at them--they'd never had much of a plan when it came to these, and they weren't about to start now. There was something about the stark contrast of the Black Cat Egg that drew them in, though, and just like that, Alisaide had made up their mind. They closed the distance quickly, the excitement of it all sending a soft sort of anxiety through their nerves--when their palm touched that shell, however, they were quick to snuff it out, just like they'd practiced.

Lovely to meet you! And really, it was! Getting to do this was its own reward. You and your siblings pulled in quite a crowd, as I'm sure you can tell! Are you excited about it?  

[Uta]

Lusialu
Another Touching, and Lusialu was absolutely thrilled for the opportunity to meet the eggs. She was a little nervous, of course, but not because of the babies--she was nervous because she did worry (even a little bit) that someone was going to do something wrong and upset the little darlings. She remembered how Zenobiath's touching had gone--it had shut down early and left more than a few Candidates in trouble. Hopefully, everyone would be on their best behavior and no one would get too emotional or lose their head. This was a happy day, after all--and the little ones in the egg deserved to know how welcome and wanted they were!

Sending her trio to the rafters, so as not to distract her from the task at hand, Lusialu tried to clear her thoughts and focus only on the eggs and the joy they brought. It wasn't a difficult task. Bowing to Anakumath and Elzebuth, and feeling quite small in the process, she quietly whispered her gratitude. "Thank you for letting us visit your clutch today." She didn't linger, though, not wanting to take up too much time before the pair.

Glancing around, she headed first to the Toadstool Egg. Its spots were bright and its red stood out against some of the other eggs. "Hello there," she greeted gently, reaching out so her fingers might trace against the shell. Quieting down, she instead focused on her thoughts. Are you nice and comfortable? I hope we're not interrupting you today. She would happily move on if that was so!

- - - -

Melka
The clutch was gorgeous, and Melka couldn't wait to get her hands on some of the shells. This was always a favorite part of Candidacy, and a reminder of the great honor being Searched happened to be! How many of her fellow courtesans could say they got to see a dragon egg up close, much less touch one? How many could say they got to stand feet away from an illustrious queen and her chosen mate?

No matter the hard work or the repetative lessons, these moments more than made up for any of the unpleaantries of Candidacy. "Such a ovely clutch, you both much be proud!" She grinned up at the pair, before hurrying over to the first egg. Eggplant Egg looked like it was one of the largest in the clutch, and she wasn't about to pass it by! Not, of course, that the small eggs were somehow lesser--but how could one pass up the opportunity to say hello? "My, my--aren't you a big egg! You're marvelous, darling--absolutely top notch." Her praise wasn't lip-service, either. There was genuine admiration as she gave the shell a few strokes.

- - -
Rahimar
The mountains were an impressive change for the Westerner. The snow and cold was surprising to the dark-skinned man, but he had been told to prepare for the colder climate. While Western Weyr could get chilly during the winter months, it wasn't anything like the dry, biting, freeze of High Reaches. Thankfully, he didn't have to remain outside too long, and the heat of the Hatching Sands was already warming him up considerably. He didn't know too many--just a handful of fellow Candidates who had also chosen to swap--but that didn't bother him any.

Maybe he'd chat up some of the Northerners after he'd got a good look at the eggs.

After bowing to Anakumath and Elzebuth, he trotted over to the first egg. "Hi--how you doing?" He asked, reaching out to rest his hands firmly upon the Black Cat Egg. It was so dark, and so striking, he could hardly resist getting to meet the individual within. Surely, they'd be lucky to get to know him, too.

Razanel
Anakumath had been the talk of the Weyr, and Razanel had made sure to make a few bets on who might Impress and who wouldn't! He'd been excitedly waiting for this day, and was more than ready to follow F'dral's orders as best he could. Oh, he was no yellow-belly coward, but he knew an order when he received one, and he wasn't about to ruin his chances to stand for the Hatching. Besides, it wasn't hard to be nice to eggs, and he wasn't so thoughtless to not know how precious the beings inside happened to be.

With a bow to the gold and brown, Razanel took a moment to deicde where to go. Ah-ha. That one. That one right there.

The egg was colorful and, quite frankly, fun. With its dappled shell that looked something akin to opal, the man had no problem oozing praise and admiration. "What a fine egg you are, did you know that?" He asked the Funfetti Egg. "Quite sure you'll be the talk of the clutch with all your style." Whether the hatchling inside knew what he was tlaking about didn't matter to Razanel. His thoughts, at minimum, were still oozing admiration--and that was something the being within surely understood.

Right?  

[Hattaki]

Miela - She/Her

Nerves didn't even begin to explain what was happening inside her head and the jerky movements she took when walking out onto the sand to bow before Anakumath and Elzebuth really cemented it. She'd stood for others since her mauling of course but she'd had much the same nerves as she did this time. To her luck she hadn't angered any eggs since that... one. But there hadn't been any babies like that one since.

Righting herself once more, Miela clasped her hands in front of her and took a deep breath before heading to glance about at the eggs. It was hard, not knowing what sort of baby might be within, not knowing what the response might be when they looked deep within her and found her, well wanting most likely. It had happened every time, the dragons needed one person specifically and it wasn't as if she could tell, she or anyone really.

She walked about for a moment, not dawdling exactly, not for fear that her Master might bark at her for it or remove her entirely, but just sizing up each of the eggs as if she could tell anything. Steeling herself mentally, the young girl put her right hand gently on the shell of the Blue Moon Egg. "It's a pleasure to meet you." She said quietly.

---

Suyua - She/Her

Excitement welled through her and while she wasn't prone to excessive expressions of such an emotion she couldn't help the little hop to her step as she walked out in line with the rest of the candidates and bowed before the parents. It wasn't her first time, but it always felt like the first time when she got the chance to meet each of the little dragons inside their beautiful eggs. There wasn't a bit of doubt in her mind that all of them today would get to meet some sweethearts and some sassy dragons.

Pern was made up of all kinds and Suyua knew it needed them all. She just couldn't wait to meet them!

Taking a brief moment to calm her excited heart, Suyua placed a hand on the bright shell of the Orange Slice Egg. "Hello there, sorry to bother your rest but it's a wonderful day and I'm glad to meet you." Her smile was just as large as could be and she hoped the little one could sense it.  

[dawns_aura]

Velara, she/her, Western Weyr

The cold blast of air as they came out from Between at High Reaches Weyr was harsh, and took her breath away with it’s intensity. Proving from the get go that this was not Western. This wasn’t home. But if she was lucky enough to Impress from this clutch, it could be her home for at least five years. It was different. It was cold. But if it was meant to be, it wasn’t anything she couldn’t handle.

As Velara stepped off the dragon that had been her ride, she offered a quick, polite, heartfelt thanks to both dragon and rider before hurrying to the Sands to take her place. She listened with respect to the Candidatemasters as they went through the standard pre-Touching speech. She was well aware of the expectations, but it never hurt to listen and be reminded.

After the speech she waited her turn to pay her respects to the clutch dam and sire. They were definitely a regal and imposing pair. A bow to each, and it was time to turn her attention to the lovely clutch on the sands. There were many lovely eggs, all deserving of attention and admiration. Now where to begin?

Unable to decide, she picked her way along the Sands towards the back of the clutch. Perhaps start there and work her way forward? That seemed like a solid enough plan. She placed her hand on the shell of Sunshine Egg. I hope this is okay. she thought gently, apology coloring the message. Perhaps this was one of those eggs that wasn’t fond of having so many different people touch. It is an honor to meet you, though.

 

[magnadearel]

Candidate Nalacko - she/her

The teen brushed her short curly brown hair. She felt a little bit more confident at these events now days, but she still felt butterflies in her stomach. This touching kind of brought everything full turn though. Nalacko stared into the mirror thinking as she absentmindedly brushed her hair. Two turns ago, she'd been on the sands when Anakumath had hatched. Now she was still on the sands and standing for the gold's first clutch. It had a bit of a poeticness about it.

Ready, she headed to the Sands with the others. It almost was and almost wasn't a surprise that the Western candidates were being allowed to stand. But it was best to give the eggs as wide a choice as possible, she supposed. Nala stopped and listened to F'dral. Despite having heard it numerous times before, she always worried he might say something new. Which he didn't really. She took a deep breath.

Nalacko bowed first to the queen and then to the sire. Thank you for letting us meet your beautiful eggs. I stood for your hatching Anakumath and I'm happy to stand for your first clutch. Greetings to the parents out of the way, the teen regarded the clutch before her. It was a colorful and interesting clutch. There to start?

She tended to avoid touching the larger eggs. They most likely contained gold, bronzes, or large browns. Dragons she didn't think would be really interested in her. So that left the smaller eggs, which suited the tiny girl just fine. Nala approached the front of the clutch slowly and waited for an opening by the Black Cat Egg. It's eyes looked as if it wanted to look into her soul. Could the baby see out through them? She giggled softly at the thought. Carefully she placed a soft hand against the black shell.  

[Tsunake]

Corn Egg

Oh, hello. The Corn Egg is happy to meet you, Nisadee, and it is happy to share just how perfectly content it is. Say, it's got a pretty nice spot right here--perfect for chatting. She has the honor of being the very first person the egg's gotten to speak to, so surely she doesn't mind staying a little while longer... right?

Meepfur

Corn Egg

It is so warm, the egg sighed happily and seemed to lean into Dystzha's hand. Surely she wanted to be warm as well! She should burrow in the sands next to it so they could be nice and cozy together. It thought that sounded like a fantastic time.

Prism Shine

Sunshine Egg

The egg is quiet for a moment as it seems to lean into Lihyo's hand, offering a gentle sort of strength. It isn't quite sure what it might like to see. There's so much it hasn't experienced before... Would she like to share something with it?

demon_pachabel

Sunshine Egg

Calm and comfort would flow steadily from the egg, gently washing away Surel's nerves. There was nothing to worry about here, the egg swears it. It's very glad it could meet her today. Hopefully it can make her smile when it hatches, too.

SilverLutz

Sunshine Egg

Oh, it is perfectly fine. The Sunshine Egg didn't want Velara to worry about that for even an instant and sent a sweet wave of reassurance. She's here to meet them, and this egg is glad for it. Honored in turn, it would offer the feeling of a bow.

dawns_aura

 

[demon_pachabel]

Happy Ghost Egg

Midrymear's question was regarded with the interest of a child being handed a fascinating new toy before being handed back. Mother and father perhaps knew better. They still had much they needed to see.

Funfetti Egg

Why was....Oh, Funfetti egg was thrilled to have some thoughts as so positively regarded as food shared with it, no need to apologize, no need to mind! Why, if Beelim wanted to sit there the entire time and talk their proverbial ear off he could go ahead! Sit! Let's make it a party!

This is just you, Pach

Happy Ghost Egg

Happy Ghost Egg seemed still and contemplative underneath Elibrie's hand, almost as if somewhere else. It lingered elsewhere for a time, but a presence like a comforting blanket would sweep over the girl's mind. This baby felt her unease and if Elibrie so desired she could stay until she felt ready.

Meepfur

Happy Ghost Egg

Lelte was regarded with some distance, but no malice, Happy Ghost Egg taking her good will in with interest. Greetings - how wondrously vague. But they seemed to enjoy that.

Dawns_aura

Funfetti Egg

And another! Sit! Join their little commune! Does Lojze have some fantastic stories of food like the other or perhaps he has something else he could share? Funfetti is all ears and would love to hear it!

Tatterpixie

Funfetti Egg

So nervous! There was no reason for Ciraine to feel anxious! This touching was a party and she had an open invitation! At least, that was what Funfetti thought! This egg is feeling great now that she's here! Perhaps she'll take a seat and stay a while?

Zaikt

Funfetti Egg

Hello, Razanel! Welcome to the party! Does he really think it'll be the talk of the clutch? Funfetti would love if the young man sat with it for a while longer and told it all about that!

Uta

 

[faesinger]

Heleste She/her - High Reaches

Ohhhhhh! It was that time again! Heleste struggled to stay controlled in her excitement to meet the babies for the first time. After her bow, she was controlled enough to not run on the sands (that would get her kicked off so hard no) and, though her hands were shaking a little in excitement, they were gentle in how she placed them on the Lisa Frank Egg. “Darling!” She cooed. “Everyone is here to meet you and your siblings, and let me tell you, the excitement is palpable.” Heleste would have continued but she managed to remember that overwhelming eggs is easy.

Nuamia She/her - Western

It wasn’t Nuamia’s first time in High Reaches Weyr but it still felt so foreign. The other candidates were foreign even if she knew the Candidatemaster by sight and reputation. But! She wasn’t here for the other candidates. She was here for the eggs! Approaching the circle of eggs, she contemplated which one to go see first. It was hard. She wanted to meet them all right now. Patience was not her biggest virtue. Finally she decided on the Rainbow Egg and placed her hand on the shell. “Hello, hello!”  

[Meepfur]

Star Egg

There was a sensation of slow turning from the Star Egg as the presence within stirred to regard Rahmsii. It was unbothered, and quietly assured him of such - it was an egg, he was a Candidate, and this was a Touching, so they were both doing as they ought. As for staying awhile, it supposed that was fine, but only for a little while. Each of its siblings deserved their due, and Rahmsii should give it to them.

Spockat

Red and White Toadstool Egg

Well good day to you, young miss! Toadstool appreciated Kinyegele's sincere enthusiasm, and repaid it with gentility. Excitement was only to be expected on a day like today, and the egg could hardly fault her for it. Candidates and eggs alike were each looking for someone special, though it was a search that would take patience and perseverance. So go forth and search! And if she happened to have time to come back later and tell Toadstool about it, well...

demon_pachabel

Star Egg

Warm? It supposed it was. It had no comparison, though, as it had never been cold. Star had heard about cold, been given images of the snow that blanketed their mountain home, but had no personal experience of it. So, since it wasn't cold, it must therefore be warm. And if Eralgais was concerned about it being warm, was it bad to be cold? In which case, it hoped that Eralgais was also warm. And continued to keep his toes in line.

Yes. Warm and in line. Exactly how and where toes should be.

Samuel Carlin

Red and White Toadstool Egg

Yes, it was quite well-prepared, thank you, and had even been briefed about excitement. Was Rundanrul ready for everything that might come today and in the days ahead? What if his future came for him and it wasn't what he expected? What then? Food for thought, for one who so craved renown.

SilverLutz

Star Egg

Thoughts of cold again. Star could, however, appreciate a perspective that admired the beauty of the world from higher up. One day, it would see such views for itself, soaring high as it was meant to, and what would cold matter then? Very little, it suspected.

Now then. It had heard enough of cold, and seen more than enough of Whren in a quick glance into his mind. It had given this particular Candidate quite enough of its time, and he could kindly remove his hand from its shell and move along. Yesterday.

Shaddaling

Red and White Toadstool Egg

No interruption at all, little one! Toadstool has nowhere to be, after all, and nothing but time, and this to-do is hardly a surprise. But yes, it is quite comfortable. Is Lusialu? She seems a good girl. How is she feeling about all of this? It would be interested to hear her perspective.

Uta