It's Now The Monster Mash: The Spooky Clutch Hatching!

[Masterharper]

Thaliawen

ShinosBee

Waiver

faesinger

Cedarian didn't agree with the girl's assessment that Dolmar, but he wasn't going to start an argument. He didn't know who she was, or how well Dolmar knew her. Friend? Girlfriend, perhaps? Whoever she was, she certainly was friendly enough to the boy to have no trouble poking him. Hmph.

"He is a beautiful specimen, certainly," he replied, glancing back at the bronze creature. He understood wanting to be the center of attention -- this one had the entire room to watch it. "I have no doubt he'll grow into quite the stunning bronze." It was clear this dragonet had confidence, though unlike Dolmar, Cedarian did not have any real preference on dragon hide. He would never admit it, but he had more interest in the smaller blues and greens than the larger sizes. Perhaps it was because he had been the young son, the small one. He knew his worth -- and it went beyond the color of a dragon.

He glanced at Marinel when the boy spoke, and answered immediately. "The big golden egg," he spoke, his smiles curling into a fond grin, thinking of the Vampire Egg. He would not share his discussion, wanting to keep the approval he'd felt from the egg a secret. Maybe... Maybe that one would be his. Mph. But he dared not to hope.

When Gavryl spoke, Cedarian considered his words. An interesting concept, to be sure, and though a bit cold and mechanical for the strawberry-blond, he didn't necessarily disagree. Some dragons would zero in on Theirs, it seemed, and not dawdle. But on the other hand.... "Mph. Perhaps he is simply wanting to be polite. A proper host would not disregard his guests, or hurry through a first introduction. It might not be efficient, but I think he's being nothing short of a gentleman. He will get to His in due time."  

[Meepfur]

Dezerac folded his arms and watched the bronze strut about, his own expression bored rather than admiring.  True, it was a fine-looking young dragon, but beyond that, the man wasn't impressed this far.  He wasn't the sort to think pleadingly at the hatchlings or moon over how magnificent this one or that one was, and certainly not to think at them to come his way and choose him, not after his first couple of Hatchings.  The dragonets had gotten a good look at most of them before the Touching had gone to s**t, so they probably had at least some idea who they were looking for...not that this one seemed to be doing any looking.  Just parading about, flashing his hide and implied power for everyone to see, enjoying his captive audience.

If that was all it wanted power for, the former mercenary was disappointed.  It was just as well he'd pushed away from it in the egg.  He looked over the rest of the clutch for any signs of movement, anything to look at besides the swaggering hatchling and his ailing mother.

------

Junenth's voice in her head was not completely unfamiliar by now, his presence not unwelcome, and she looked up to where he was perched and wiggled the fingers of her free hand in a little wave.  Her gaze passed over Vimiath as well, and she felt a twinge of sadness.  She was still deeply frightening on an instinctual level, but she'd been as beautiful as she had been dangerous before, and now...she looked like all the life had gone out of her.  Akaris looked away and to R'mor, with the same small smile she'd had for A'ral.

Her life had taken a very strange and unexpected turn on account of her mistake at the Touching - which she could now, to herself and perhaps another few, admit had been profoundly stupid - a mistake she had for an instant thought would be the death of her, and then that it would certainly be the end of her time in the Weyr.  And yet she was not only still here, but holding hands with the Candidatemaster entirely of her own volition, with the Weyrleader come to stand by her as well.  Not sitting up in the Stands, not with the important guests from High Reaches, down here with her.  Even before she'd been a Candidate, she hadn't been anyone important (except by her own estimation), and yet here they stood.  She'd long fancied catching the attention of a man of rank, but not like this.  Still, she couldn't say for certain she'd trade this reality for what she'd fantasized about (well, she would trade away the part of this scenario that had her waiting around for a vengeful dragonet to come looking for her).  However unsure of things she felt now, she felt...she didn't have a word for it, but at this moment she was possibly a bit less eager to run home than she had thought.

And certainly not eager to venture farther out onto the Sands with Lennik, though he seemed nice.  It was kindness she would have taken for granted, before.  She offered him a smile, but shook her head. "Thank you, but I'd like to stay here," she answered, adding on at the end, "Good luck."

Don't get eaten, I hope you Impress what you want, etc.  Who knew, maybe the bronze would be his?  It was just the sort of dragon young men wanted, wasn't it?  She was almost sorry Demon was a bronze; she'd liked him in his egg, and she thought if any of them might want her, it would be that one.  And where was that thought coming from, anyway?  In the unlikely event one of the dragonets wanted her, she wouldn't be able to go home.  That was what she wanted, she reminded herself.

Mx Cherie

Masterharper

demon_pachabel

 

[Masterharper]

The Demon

The bronze was indeed in no rush. He actually began to move in to the sea of Candidates, pausing to sniff one here, or lightly touch another with a wing, or a tail there. He moved with confidence, head held-high, and his footing sure. Who was he looking for?

The bronze brushed against Vennodren as he passed, and took a moment to sniff at Phayton before moving on. He stepped delicately, politely, around the girls though did not waste time to spare them much of a look. No. He was looking for someone in particular... But who?  

[faesinger]

Shahera was not at all taken aback by Dolmar ignoring her. She knew he had heard her. She listened to the others that were gathering, weighing their words and what they said about the people saying them. “A blue.” She told Marinel simply. If he was going to make the assumption about her statement meaning not a bronze, she would clarify. Her voice, almost, almost, implied a mental tongue being stuck out.

“Perhaps,” she said to Cedarian and Gavryl, “he wants to wait for the others to hatch so that he might have the most audience for his great reveal. he is being a showman.” It was not obvious if she actually believed it or if she was being contrary to be contrary.

After a beat, she clapped her hands together and said, “All right! If we are to stand her waiting for the others to hatch and this one to decide to announce its bonded, we might as well make it interesting.” She poked Dolly again. “Pay attention,” she chided. “There have been bets made all over the place here. Surely a few more won’t hurt?"

Thaliawen

ShinosBee

Waiver

Masterharper

 

[Ruhane Chiisai]

Farensil gave a polite nod to the bronze as he passed through, noting his lack of interest and reminding herself that bronzes only ever hunted for boys. So, while he was pretty, he wasn't hers. She did have to admit to herself, though, that the dragonling expressed a fantastic mobility and control of his faculties for being fresh of the shell. Really, though... How long HAD this unusually graceful thing been loose?  

[demon_pachabel]

Lennik

"Of course, I..didn't mean, I just..." he fumbled over his words for a moment longer before nodding. "I thought I'd ask. Just to be safe. But I understand." he again squared up his shoulders, though an observant watcher would know it was less posturing to perhaps try and show off for a frightened young woman and more reinforcing the feelings of a slightly nervous young man (aka himself).

Certain that Akaris was exactly where she wanted to be now, he finally moved from the back to go join the other young men who were currently being assessed by the bronze. And perhaps now he'd actually be attentive enough to give it the attention it seemed to want. Or did it? A glance at his fellow candidates was all it took for him to recognize familiar expressions.

'Come to me'

'Be mine'

Of course, he was a handsome bronze. Was that not what they were all supposed to want? Maybe in some way, he too desired that little bronze dragon. In the same way he'd desire every blue, green, and brown that touched the sands as well. But it wasn't about what he wanted. Not at this moment.

No, right then it was about what they wanted. So all he could do was stand firm and well.....hope that being himself was enough.

Martirae

Oh, the little bronze had started scoping out the boys, now had it? She looked at it curiously for a moment, eyes catching Lennik briefly before she smiled to herself. Oh, he'd want that handsome little devil (demon), now wouldn't he? She amused herself with that more than any desire or disappointment in that she couldn't have it herself.

She reminded herself quite firmly: no dragon was hers to covet until otherwise proven.  

[Thaliawen]

“Me either,” Resa fretted, taking z’haq’s hand; it was as much for her comfort as it was for his. “I’m sure she’ll be alright,” she said. “Tally I strong, and Vimiath is too.” ...Even if she’s never seen a dragon in such poor condition. They couldn’t lose them.

She gave his hand a squeeze. She wasn’t sure what else to say. Tally was her friend, and Vimiath and Lyraeth enjoyed swimming together, at least.

—-

“Dolmar liked that one too,” Marinel gave a smile. Maybe both these boys would Impress the eggs they’d liked. He hoped whatever happened, people would end up happy. “I liked that one,” he gestured to the werewolf egg.

“Which one did you like best, Shahera?” Maybe talking to her would distract her from his brother.

—-

“Maybe he’ll back,” Jailla offered. When the bronze had come over, she’d been sure Phayton was going to Impress him. She gave his hand a squeeze. “Or one of those other eggs, they’re all lovely.”

“Masterharper”

“Faesinger”

“Shinosbee”

“Tatterpixie”

 

[~Kiana_Nala~]

Miach (HR)

Miach was surprised to say the least at how languidly the bronze dragonet moved amongst the crowd of candidates, brushing up against some with his tail or wing, and sniffing at some. To be this close to the bronze was beyond amazing. She grinned at the pacing bronze and waited to see who he would choose. This was real. It was happening.

Kambri (W)

While he had been watching the bronze make his way around his egg, Kambri had realized someone he knew took a spot beside him. Knowing he couldn't say much now that the bronze was making it's way through the crowd, but still wanting to show his support of Oerlen, Kambri gently brushed his bicep against the other's. Bumping him may have caused too big of a distraction and he didn't particularly want to feel the wrath of the bronze--yet. If ever if possible. Kambri hadn't gotten the chance to meet this dragonet when it was in it's egg, and knew next to nothing about what it had been like. Maybe he should have talked to the other candidates? Oh well, it was too late now. Kambri waited as the bronze made it's way through the crowd, looking for his.

smerdle

 

[SilverLutz]

Venn held his breath just as he always did as a dragonet approached him, and just as every time before he let it out slowly as the little bronze brushed against him but ultimately passed him by. Although Venn would be overjoyed with any dragon that Impressed him he really didn’t know what he’d do if a bronze chose him. There was so much responsibly that came with them and, while he was sure he could rise to the challenge, he knew he’d be pretty overwhelmed with excitement and nerves for the first few months at least.

The bronze went on, still searching for his One. Venn gave him a little smile in encouragement, wishing him well. Surely someone was out there for him.  

[Aukai Oceansoul]

Damon eyed tge brinze pensively, good form and grand style a drama king if ever therr was one. He remembered touching this egg his companion had come right after he and touched the egg as the golden chaos of Akaris and the queen had surrounded them. They hadbt got much of a chance to connect with the bronze besides the feel of him glorying in the attention. He hoped to get to know the dragon more, if he chose him that would make life grand if he didnt well then Damon would remain an admirer from afar that dragon had flare and class both things Damon admired greatly. He couldnt stop himself from glancing at the other eggs though as well. There was the werewolf egg, the little howler right where he had left it. The lime green shell of one of the others always caught the eyeand the siren of course.  

[ShinosBee]

Lestenna & Uridith

Uridith waited only long enough to see that her mate was ready to go as well before launching with a trumpet of joy. Babies! Not her own, but still wonderful. She glittered in the sky as she rose, and then—pop!....pop!—the bowl of Western Weyr spread open below her. A long spiral downward gave her time to sky Brieteth's seat (thankfully he was unharried, it seemed) and she banked for it, trumpeting (as quietly as she could) her delight to be there, with her two favorite males, and to see a splendid baby already on the sands. She landed with a flourish, pausing to nuzzle her blue son, then scooted to the edge to peer down.

Goodness. Vimiath looked...well. She crooned in sympathy for the much older gold, and tucked a wing around the blue. Her other flexed, waiting for her bronze to land to pull him close too. At least the hatchling seems unaffected...

demon_pachabel

nilah44

A'iel & Nasath

Oh, oh there she is, A'iel! I told you she would be. She's gotten much better about that—rules, I mean. She looks so small down there... The bronze peered down from his spot—a rather low ledge, which meant not the best view, but one he felt better in for the sake of his bulk, and out of wanting to be near to the ground. The rest of A'iel's wing had taken to the kitchens to begin the rush to prepare the feast, but not him. As Serfie's....sponsor, of sorts, her actions reflected on him. And he desperately wanted to be sure she'd be alright. She looked both a good fit in the candidate robes, and horribly out of place. She so clearly didn't want to be there...a shame, really. She'd told him before about deciding she wanted a dragon. He'd gotten her the eggs both for good behavior and to give her a taste of a potential obligation, responsibility, to come.

Those firelizards had perched atop him now alongside his own green, but he barely noticed. "Let her know where we are." As the bronze reached out to give a light mental tap to the girl, A'iel waved, even managing a smile. Things would be just fine. He...hoped.

revel1984

Dolmar

Dolmar felt a flutter of satisfaction to hear Marinel defend his prospects to Shahera. It...really was a futile battle, that one. She had always and eternally been a prickly one, inclined to try her best to ruffle and prod. Speaking of...He bore her continued jabbing with grace, firmly ignoring her (and the twinge between his ribs where she was slowly tenderizing him) in favor of more properly regarding Gavryl. "I did meet it, yes. Twice, actually. Both times I'm afraid I was...pulled away before we could finish our introductions." And both perpetrators now stood at his side. He'd been rather glad when Shahera had pulled him off the egg though. The order to clear off the sands had gone over his head in the moment, and so he couldn't fault her for her actions.

He nodded along with Cedarian when he heard mention of the large goldish Vampire egg. "That one was quite lovely as well. A charmer, I'm certain. A rival in size to this one..." He turned his thoughts for Vampire over in his mind again. He'd liked it quite a lot, really, but the coloring made him feel more certain, coupled with the sense of power from it, that it'd hatch golden to match the shell. And if that were so, it'd be for none of them here. Perhaps Shahera but...his nostrils flared just slightly, as close as he would deign to come to an amused snort while on the sands. Especially while he continued to watch the bronze as it moved about. Not that one, nor that one. Of course not. None of them were him.

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thaliawen

Masterharper

Faesinger

Waiver

 

[Revel1984]

Serfie was the most uncomfortable she'd ever felt, in some ways this was way worse than Whers running past her thorn den in their mating ritual, Whers, at least wild ones, didn't have the kind of judging eyes she swore she felt coming from all sides, however imaginary. She watched as the bronze baby bumped and nudged the boys and closed her eyes when he moved near the girls, but he paid none of them any heed, even... polite? She let a breath she hadn't known she was holding when she felt the mental nudge from Nasath, it being as familiar to her as a voice, but somewhat always distant, he wasn't HER dragon after all. She turned, eyes scanning for A'iel and the bronze and spotted them, she managed a small, wobbly smile for A'iel when he waved at her and she gave a shaky one back before turning her attention back to the eggs. She'd sworn she would stay .... at least til the last egg hatched and left with it's bonded partner but for the first time she felt guilty .... she knew it would hurt A'iel if she left and that twisted her up all kinds of ways, she never felt guilty about letting someone down before, she refused to admit she felt a kind of connection, something like she saw among the siblings among the candidates perhaps, NO she wouldn't admit it, but...she was still here, she kept a promise, she wasn't running for the hills and the forest .. YET.

ShinosBee

 

[Shaddaling]

Meepfur

Ihiannsith called out and shifted his large bulk, moving to meet with rider and his rider’s brother. He added and lowered his head as his rider nearly skid to a stop, nudging the smaller male back onto his feet.

Rylyrr hurried up on to Ihiannsith back and secured himself as Aly’on checked the straps. It seemed forever but with a snap and a crisp chill they were between and going down. He barely waved goodbye to his sib, hurrying to change in the robe, double checked his sandals and stepped out onto the sands.

Vimiath was tired and gray and it seems her rider had not recover. He gave a bow to her and paused looking at the bronze hatching. Was a preening but lovely thing he was. He moved slightly and stopped recognizing the girl by the candidate master. Rylyrr moved over to Akaris and gave a broad white smile at her.

“Are you alright?” He questioned, softly, still a bit bruised by Vimiath earlier rage but well enough to be on the sands. “I’m Rylyrr, I meant to tell you earlier.”’