[Mystery Hatching] A Mysterious Kind of Folk

[Revel1984]

Farellen smiled, He wouldn't mind a green, they were the more numerous of the colours so it was more likely he and/or Zar would impress a green, but it never hurt to hope. He just wanted to know he was good enough for one of the amazing creatures. "True, we'll have to see how it goes" he said, hoping no one else got mauled, a few bruises and scrapes were badges of honor to some candidates.

sariraii

 

[Teiha]

So many delicious things happening all around… Shining Star blue was getting distracted again. He looked up at the crowd in the stands, wondering if they were enjoying this show as much as he was! After that, recalling his sister’s spirited words, he set himself to paying actual attention to the Candidates again. Surely his was nearby, somewhere!

———

The moment those Candidates went tumbling, Mystery #1 couldn’t stop chuffing with amusement. They’d been so surprised! Bahaha! What a rush. She and Mint Chocolate Chip stuck together for the time being, nosing about the milling crowd for something else to do… like Impress, maybe? Naaaah, not yet!

———

Perhaps the egg itself hadn’t moved much yet, but the baby inside Eggshell Egg was definitely not still. Cracks had appeared along one side to prove it, but nothing much else seemed to be happening yet.  

[Avid_RPer18]

Solameya | She/Her | HRW

Unfolding her arms, Solameya shifted her feet further apart, tension building between her shoulders. There was a dead candidate, healers swarmed those most in need of help. Some of the babies found theirs, the dramatic blue, one of the gold twins, a couple of greens. New babies hatched, including Charcoal Bronze that seemed to be languidly drinking it all in, which the other Olive queen appeared to approve of. Blue and Black Rosette green and Blue and Purple Paint green seemed to be having a moment, while a couple of others were just having a blast bowling through some of her fellows. Gracious!

Harol | He/Him | Western (Stands)

Harol could have stayed in bed, considering the time, but curiosity and excitement always spiked when the dragons started humming for the arrival of new babies. His short curly hair was in a right state, but he was dressed and here with paper to take notes, guesses, jot down the names of new pairs, if he knew them, maybe the fallen. Faranth forbid. There were surprises, twins left, right, and center! But terrible fighting, lashing out infants. One candidate dead, several more injured. There were so many dragonets on the Sands. The teacher needn't worry about lulls in activity for sleep to be creeping back into his consciousness. He was wide awake, shaking his heading, part for the lost candidate, part for the playful antics of some of the babies. They were certainly spirited, lively! A good sign down the road perhaps. He hummed thoughtfully as he brushed his hands over his paper.

Thaliawen

 

[Hattaki]

Xanael

He hadn't stopped moving since that little green had gone on a rampage through the candidates, since the brown that hatched from the Nanner egg exploded and had a rampage of his own, though more understandable in his head as he was crowded. Xan just put it in his head stalwartly to stay moving and keep his eyes open so he didn't get mauled again, not like the first time anyway where he'd stayed still and had a green tear him up.

None of the babies were to blame, certainly, they were alone in the world, no bonded and emotions could easily sway them one way or the other. He didn't hold anything against them, wasn't upset in the least and was still sending out calm and positive thoughts despite the anxiousness that was tearing at him. But curiosity bled in where the anxious had been, for a moment his older brother instincts kicked in when his dark eyes saw Nonami all alone on the sands, where earlier they'd had a friend with them. Of course he knew them, they were Ezyzu's sibling but they looked so small.. so alone.

Keeping an eye on the dragons between himself and them, Xanael made his way over until he was standing beside them. "All alone suddenly? Would you mind some company until you Impress?" He smiled at them even if he was keeping an eye at their surroundings, having no desire to see poor Nonami mauled just for talking to him.

Prism Shine

Etansi

"Friends are alone down there..." Not entirely alone in either of their cases, both Astriana and Dhaswn had friends with them, but one of them was hurt and if she'd been there, maybe she could have stopped it from happening. The little girl leaned back into her brother, pulling his arms around her as she watched blood seem to explode all over the sands. "Should be down there, could help."

But a tiny cheep from inside the blanket seemed to affirm that her little lizards were thrilled that she was up with her brother and safely away from the carnage. Traitors, was all she could think, the thought that she was missing her one opportunity to meet her dragon not leaving her. Sadness took over as she coughed herself into a little ball, curled over from pain, curling tightly into her twin. "Sorry Erastan." His arms were safest after all in this moment and she'd never question that much.

Sinders Path

 

[Smerdle]

Korbet

It was presumably difficult for most people to get distracted during a hatching, but Korbet had managed to do so. Following the apparent dressing-down of Teth by his green daughter, the playwright had begun to scribble with far more care than he had earlier.


unaffiliated sire with a heart of gold met with disdain
from all of his children for a slight he can not comprehend
years later he finds out why when he has to go
back in time to kill their mother

He hadn't actually heard any of the words passed between dragons, and he was pretty sure the brown was a Western native, but he was certain they'd eat this up in the south.

Korbet lifted his head and peered out over the sands after a squeaky prompt from Scarf. From what he could pick out of her mind, this newest bronze reminded her of Vest, and he didn't have the heart to tell her they looked nothing alike.

"Yes, he's very shiny," he said instead. The flit seemed satisfied.

His attention remained on the hatchlings below when he saw that the injured humans had been removed. He was pleased to see one of the golds had found hers, but there were still so many tiny dragons milling about. They were certainly taking their time! Which they were entitled to. Of course. He thought the happiest of happy thoughts down at the babies, hoping none of them would care that they were mostly about the Feast.

 

[Uta]

Kiri -- Impression
The brown-haired girl had watched Aryale carefully, stealing a glance over at Bukichi as the other also retreated. Was this it? Was their trio now a duo? It was a little difficult to say, especially as the golden queen stopped to turn and look at another on the Sands. Not long after, her eyes were drawn to another green that approached; the small one that had come from one of the eggs torn open earlier.

Was this one meant for Aryale? The green certainly didn't look red-eyed or upset, so perhaps she was here to investigate? There was a sweet cheep, and movement from the Queen. But it wasn't to Aryale that the green came to; for half a moment, she wondered if it might be Bukichi. But no, instead, the little green came up to her and looked at her with nothing but the sweetest, and most beautiful rainbow regard.

Kiri had once desired to work with felines. She had been so certain of her destiny, Turns ago, that she had never given thought of dragon, Search, or Impression. But to gaze down into those vibrant eyes, everything Kiri had thought she knew, thought she'd understood, washed away in an instant. One moment, she had been alone, and the next, her entire being found its missing piece. Impression was near indescribable, or so the riders said, and Kiri now, finally, truly understood.

How easily Felisath fit with her; no longer did she have one heart, but three; no longer was she of one mind, but two. Every breath was echoed, every feeling magnified, sometimes in time together, sometimes differently. Immediately, she felt nothing but a true, overpowering love; a love that filled the gaping emptiness that sat quietly ignored within the depths of her heart. How easily Felisath found all that buried hurt, all that wretched grief and despair; how easily the green wrapped herself tight about her soul, and sent nothing but comfort to her core. The grief wasn't judged; simply accepted, and comforted. She might be down a mother, father, and brother--but she now had Felisath. A friend, a sister, a being whose bond was far stronger, and far more secure. Never again would she be left alone; never agai would she need to laugh loud to hide her pain, or be the strong one because it was easier than being vulnerable. Her secrets were safe with Felisath, and oh, how badly did this green need Kiri in return.

Though the green's touch filled all the holes and tenderly brushed over every wound, hurt, embarrassment, and fear; the grief that weighed her down was shared, lightened; and it was a burden Felisath would never grow weary carrying.

"Oh--" it was all the girl could choke out, the sudden surge of beloved feeling, the sudden relief of knowing that even if things got bad, even if she lost K'din, C'ryn, Ky'ra, Aryale... She would still have Felisath. "Until the very end?" She hardly heard herself ask it, already knew the answer even as she spoke it.

The tender green gave a small croon, reaching forward to tenderly press her head against the girl. For now and for always. Dropping to her knees--she almost felt woozy from feeling--she wrapped arms about the delicate little darling, and wept.

 

[demon_pachabel]

Aryale

She took another step back as the little green approached, seeing that pointed look....in another direction. Aryale knew to give Kiri space as the little green looked up imploringly at the young woman, smiling and leaning her shoulder into Bukichi instead as she watched. This was the part she liked, after all.

But she couldn't help but look out towards them for a moment, cupping that little hopeful flame carefully in her hands to protect it. The same green she was staring after looked their way and Aryale's shoulders squared up. Oh, to just get a chance to say hello..... that could come after she had a chance to congratulate Kiri on the other side of her own life-changing experience.

"Congratulations, you. She's beautiful."

And she could only imagine how much more than that the little green was too.  

[Rian-chan]

Hyseren
More eggs splitting open, more dragonets milling about the sands. Some still in a fairly foul mood by the looks of it, others playful, or just intrigued by the action, as many in the Stands were. Hyseren was careful to move out of the way of approaching dragonets but ended up bumping into another candidate in the process. After a quick apology and he stepped a bit further away to give himself more room to mill about. Those who had been injured were already being tended to and he didn't have enough training for medical situations to be of any more help that they were already receiving.

Impressions were happening as well and the man smiled as pairs made connections that so resembled the one his own sister had made. He wondered briefly what Haelwen and Sthenoth were doing right now, probably asleep still? Maybe just waking up? He briefly wondered what he would do if he did make an Impression here today, would his sister forgive him for leaving here? Would she even notice his absence?

Losing himself to thoughts like that was not a good idea, if another dragonet came rushing towards him at this moment he'd be too slow to get out of the way. He really should know better, after the last hatching.  

[Prism Shine]

Nonami - Western Weyr - Candidate - They/Them

O-oh, the little queen’s affection was so sweet, but it took a moment for the little candidate to realize just what she had said. “O-of course. There’s nothing needing an apology.” For what was so wrong about impression? Nonami took a careful, ginger step back to allow the pair room, unable to keep the slight gasp as those rainbow eyes turned to Phryana. Not the first time someone who had stood next to Nonami had impressed, and they could only smile. There was.. A tinge of sadness, for the woman had been kind, but she had an important matter to attend to now.

Nonami nodded, a bit captivated by the dreamy look across Phryana’s once angered face. “I will.” Soon, at least. After the hatching. They would stand until they could no more today. A slash across their leg could wait--but the stroke to their hair made them jump before leaning in on instinct. “C-congratulations.” They merely shuffled out of the way, watching the pair leave before turning back to the dragonets.

It seemed that the young candidate wouldn’t be alone very long, though. Xanael’s presence had them smiling, still that near grimacing one, before they shifted a bit closer to the familiar candidate. “Y--you’re okay.” There had been a mild worry that he, amongst the few other candidates that the young one knew, would be injured. “I’d.. I’d like that.” Having candidates be impressed away from their side had been a heavy thought, though they’d always been happy to watch them find Theirs. “You might impress.. People-- people get lucky near me, it seems..”

Hattaki

Keris - High Reaches Weyr - Standidate - She/Her

While she had been keeping track of the different hatchlings milling about in the hatching, Keris had always let her gaze drift back again and again to her. There had been blood and death on the sands, and she cannot help but keep constant vigil, as if one person in the stands were to do anything about the machinations of unimpressed baby dragons. But she was here to support her.. friend.

Yet, it’s with a dawning sense that the little gold hadn’t been quite so interested in the little candidate Phryana had been attending, and instead had her sights on the woman instead, and Keris’ stomach feels like it falls into a pit.

She had been preparing herself for this possibility, certainly. After all, that was the point of the swap, wasn’t it? To have another chance at impression? And to quite the little regal queen, at that. Yet her heart aches in a way Keris hadn’t entirely steeled herself for, knowing that her contact with the woman she lo--

…

No.

Keris took a slightly staggering deep breath, the only inclination of her heart’s ache, and sat back with a gentleness. No, this wouldn’t be about her. Phryana had impressed, to a stunning queen none-the-less. Far be it that she allowed her own unconfessed feelings muddy what should be the most joyous time for her friend, when she couldn’t even bring herself to ever admit them aloud. She would congratulate the woman who was so dear to her when the hatching was over, no doubt. But the sting that it would be a long time after that before she would see her dearest one was carefully cradled and hidden from view to be picked apart once she returned to High Reaches Weyr with Ulix and Argoth.

One more deep breath and regained composure, Keris continued to watch Western’s newest boon of dragons continued to pick amongst the crowd.  

[Meepfur]

Rio

Once downed, Rio was in no great hurry to spring to his feet - he took a good look at Rasthell and Nuamia first, and then at himself, surveying the state of things. Wounded pride, mostly, along with a couple of incidental scratches, nothing the least bit worrisome. "Well, this is uncomfortably familiar," he remarked with a grin, finally clasping the offered hand for help getting to his feet. "No harm done, but I think I rather prefer getting knocked into by an egg. They're a bit less sharp."

Even if Baihath had bounced on him after. "Nah, I think you'd be safe enough, even if I were missing a piece or two. Although I certainly prefer to keep them all!"

Good luck! he thought after the greens with a sort of mental wave wishing them well, all cheerful amusement and no ruffled feathers. Just sandy robes.

faesinger

Uta

 

[Uta]

The Charcoal bronze was well aware of a certain set of eyes on him. If he glanced over his shoulder a Olive Gold, and gave one last little stretch of his wings, it couldn't be helped. Was he showing off for her or for someone else? The Candidates? The crowd?

Giving another flick of his tail, he finally moved his way among the Candidates. As he passed Ace Flag Brown, the bronze rubbed against the other before carrying on. None of these would do...

Now.

Where did he get off to?

The bronze paused to look at the crowd. His was here. He just had to find him.

- - -

Night Sky Egg suddenly started shaking and trembling. A loud crack, and in an instant the entire egg shattered as a large brown found itself rolling head-over tail before onto the Sands.

Woah!  

[houllow]

FISHER

If Serfie said anything more Fisher wasn't really listening as more eggs hatched, moved, and dragonets started their walking. The bronze wouldn't look at a girl so she didn't need worry but one of the friendlier eggs popped out a massive brown. Browns could look to girls, if the indication of female brownriders at the High Reaches hatching meant anything, so Fisher turned her gaze.

She doubted her dragon, if she had one, was among those who were out. She'd been told by the Candidatemasters that she had an excellent temperament for being a rider, but her personality was rather,,,,bland. Didn't dragons want people with that VOOM and VIBE and the looks and wonder? Not someone who followed rules and didn't want to die for someone's sake if they were too lazy to save themselves.

Fisher sighed, watching, as there seemed to be either a dragonet Impressing or just getting tired of everything. The way her ribs and leg ached she thought about laying on the heat to help ease that but, uh, dragonets. "Another one goes."  

[Stygian Supernaut]

Vesden | High Reaches | He/Him

Vesden tiled his head at the charcoal bronze showing off for the queen. Interesting. They couldn't be flirting? They were just out of the egg, but if he didn't know any better he'd think that was exactly what they were doing. Kid crushes were always cute and it was no less so when the kids were dragons, if that's what this was. He'd have to ask whoever the bronze and the gold impressed to what they'd been thinking of one another.

Either way the bronze was on the move now and he didn't want to upset it questioning it's actions. Instead he sent some encouragement towards the little brown dear who'd just rolled into the world. Careful! He was alright though, Vesden had come to realize these little ones were nothing if not resilient.  

[BastetAmun]

Candidate Huarwar : Western : He/Him

Throughout everything, Huarwar had been so focused on Aelyx and not his own pain, not even looking at the other person who came up. He followed behind Aelyx to the healers station and stayed by her as they were both bandaged. His eyes watched her, though he did glance to watch the goings on. He missed the candidate being killed but he saw the healers bring his body back to the sides. It sent a chill through his spine and Huarwar reached out to pull Aleyx to him, to reassure her but also himself.

For a moment there was panic, it was turning out just like the last time. Yes he knew that dragonets could kill and most of the time it was by accident but that didn't mean he was as ready to see it as he had once previously thought. Fear gripped the bottom of his stomach and he wondered just what in the Faranth's name he was doing. Why was he risking his life for the chance....the chance to become a dragonrider? Yeah it had been the only thing he had ever thought about but that was because Henwas had said it would give them power, give them recognition. Now...that seemed hollow.

Sure, he wanted to do something greater, to change and protect people but there was one person he wanted to protect above all those others. Continuing to stand here...to risk their lives...was this what they really wanted to do?

He did his best to push those fears to the back of his mind, though he was not going to hide the fact he was still scared...still nervous. This was not the time and place to doubt what he was doing, once it was over he could talk to Aelyx and they could figure something out. Maybe they could leave here and find something else they could do. All this hinged on if neither of them managed to impress of course...

Stifling his fears and his worries he thanked the healer who was done bandaging him before looking at Aelyx..."Are you ready to...go back and stand with the others?"

MaraRune