Archith's Hatching!

[Kaya]

*EVENT* | 15.08.23 | Early morning

It was morning in the valley as the sun started to climb over the mountains. The cool air of the season chilled the outside. The few who were awake were mostly indoors. Some of them were milling about the kitchens, grabbing an early breakfast for their busy days ahead. Some set about cooking and rewarming some of the dishes prepared the day before, in anticipation of the upcoming Hatching. In the halls people cleaned and tidied the Weyr for all the guests that would be arriving at the first sign of a hum. The occasional set of footsteps could be heard in the halls, and if there was an accompanying set of clicking claws it was probably the few wher handlers heading in from their night post.

Though the Weyr was still mostly asleep, there was one particularly lively spot: the Hatching Sands. As the rays of sunlight poured down onto the sand it twinkled faintly, as things only do in the morning hours. The eggs sat motionless on the dancing sands, their mother's hide wavering in color slowly. Every now and then Archith would lazily open an eye to peak at her children. They had sent her through journey of motherhood, willing or not. She had never been more relieved when she finally could lay them.
Twenty six precious shells protecting the new dragons' lives. The Weyr had expected to see them arrive into the world the day before, but there they were, still sitting under a blanket of still peace. Some had stayed near the Sands late into the evening, still hopeful. But eggs hatch in their own time, despite the anxious hopes surrounding them. Unlike some other Queens, Archith hadn’t taken a liking to any of her eggs. In fact, she’d been rather meticulous about arranging them all in a circle, equidistant from herself and each other. Though they varied in size, the way they had been placed left no egg immediately looking particularly large or small. They all sat upright, leaned slightly to left, and could have passed for nearly identical creations if not for the differences in their speckles and the few with faint tints of color. Archith moved slowly around her circle from the inside, checking and rechecking her handiwork. Something told her that today would be the day. She spoke her thoughts to her Rider, wanting to make sure she was awake.

Today. It will happen today, she stated without any uncertainly. To her satisfaction, her inquiry met the waking mind of Rilora. They were preparing. She repeated her thought in anticipation: It will happen today.

Rilora sent back a word of acknowledgement and finished her breakfast, which had been delivered to her room. She considered waiting for M'kota, but knew Archith wouldn't want to be kept waiting too long. Still, they ought to be kept current on the news.

Would you tell Promeuth and M'kota the news too, love? Rilora asked as she walked the breakfast tray back to the kitchen.

Of course.

Rilora dropped off the tray and redirected herself to the Hatching Grounds. It was a bit of a formal event. The Lord Holder of Stormy Plains had made a point to attend, in addition to some of his inner circle. One of their sons was a Candidate, and good impressions (and Impressions) helped everyone. So though Rilora would rather have worn a light top with a skirt, she was in a muted reddish dress.

You'll be fine, you look fine, the guests will get along wonderfully and it's all going to be great.

Rilora actually stopped a step. She wasn't used to such forward and positive advice from her dragon. Careful. Motherhood will go to your head.

Well don't let me encourage you again, Archith huffed, though she was really mostly teasing. Mostly. She had just rearranged herself into her napping position when something caught her eye. It was the slightest bit of movement, barely visible and perhaps it didn't happen at all. But Archith stared at that egg and by the time Rilora had arrived at the Sands it had moved again. An instinctual hum started to build up inside her, first soft but it grew in volume and intensity. The dragonets were coming. This fine early morning, the Hatching was beginning!

[Lark]

Saka yawned for the millionth time that morning since she had dragged herself out of bed. Her hair was still tangled in a mess, no better than a nest created by a clutching bird. Framing around to try and comb out the beck, the candidate hissed as the brush caught on a stray feather she had forgotten to take out last night. Cursing under her breath, she quickly pulled it out and set to work again. Perhaps it was a strain of luck that she chose to put in white and gray feathers that day instead of brown or black ones. Or perhaps somewhere in her subconscious she knew. After all, the hatching had been expected yesterday. She had been among the few that had stayed, hopefully watching for any movement.

As a random firelizard swooped by humming though, Saka knew that it would be today. Smiling like the crazy fool she was, the young girl went to pull on clothes. The right attire for this event was the white robe of candidacy. She wore it of course, over thin pants that were a dark reddish orange color. Was it what she was supposed to do? No. Did she care? Not particularly. Takorah chirped from her bed where he was perched. Ruffling his wings, a feather fell out onto her pillow. The candidate quickly swooped down and grabbed it, adding the thing to her collection over in a box nearby.

"Stay here love. I'll be back soon...hopefully with a new friend." The girl took a deep breath and practically squealed in delight before she stopped herself. She was just so excited! She had attended hatchings before, but never as a candidate. She took one last check to make sure she was good to go, then Saka ran out the door. The way there wasn't all that far, yet it seemed to take forever. Would the hallways never cease to go on? Was this some joke? Of course not. There up ahead was the hatching sands, the Gold Queen laying surrounded by her eggs. Saka ignored any strange looks she got and bowed to the Queen and her rider. Though she didn't know if they'd hear, Saka thought it best to give her thanks. "I'm honored to stand for your children."

----

Zorasn on the other hand had been unnaturally asleep. He had even gone away after their had been no hatching! Still, he was tired and occasionally the victim of laziness. Though, it was going to make him catch grievances probably in the morning. That thought sent him groaning, his eyes struggling to open. Wait...was it morning already? He had sworn he had just...oh shells whatever! Pushing himself up, the candidate rubbed the sleepiness from his eyes. So, something was happening. Why else would there be candidates running all around him? Not to mention robes...white ones.....and humming firelizards. Finally the pieces clicked together and the healer, apprentice widened his eyes. "Oh Faranth, the eggs!"

Running to quickly pull on his own robe, the young man shook his head. Yep, he knew sleeping in was bad! Nothing he could do now though. Rushing his fingers through thick sandy blonde hair, Zorasn ran after the leaving candidates. He was breathless by the time he arrived, but he wasn't the last. He dipped his head, then bowed and said his thanks with whatever other candidates did so. Searching the stands, he pleaded with his family to be there. A familiar shape waved toward him, and Zorasn smiled. His sister was here at least. That brightened his mood, but it quickly grew darker. His eyes switched to the form of his father. "I'll show you, you were wrong."

----

Inoria was by any means NOT going to be late. Not when she was the weryrlingmaster! Pulling her golden brown hair up in a bun, the sunlancerider sighed. Okay, she was here. That was good. The eggs were rocking, that too was good. Her dragon was nearby in the stands. Looking over, Zaranyth gave a happy twitch of her tail. Good, good, good. Candidates? Coming. Everything was going according to plan...so far.

---

Dynaskith was having a tantrum....again. Rubbing her temples, Nituna growled slightly as she told the Starlight to between already. Snorting, the dragoness did, filling their world with cold and darkness. They soon were at the otherwise though. Looking down at the sands, Nituna held a hand up to her dragon's head. "Don't you even think about complaining right now. Not till the first impression, got it Dyna?" The starlight hissed, but nodded her head. She didn't trust herself to talk when Her's got like this. It wasn't common at all in the sweet holdbred girl, but then again Fynaskith could drive anyone to insanity usually given the time.

[sweetlilangel]

"And there we go. Now-"

"What are you doing here! You are supposed to be off duty. Don't you hear that?"

Jerston looked up as one of the other healers cut him off, his head cocking to the side to listen for whatever it was that had her in an uproar. Ah. There it was. The hatching hum. "Okay. Just let me finish with this patient." He said, blinking. He'd been so absorbed in his work he hadn't noticed. He smiled to the patient, a wher handle who had tripped over something cut their head open upon landing on a rock. "Now, as I was saying, you'll need to change the dressing on this when you wake at night and before you go to sleep in the morning." He handed her a small jar of numbweed and some gauze to use for the dressing. The 'handler thanked him and left, no doubt rushing off to the hatching.

The healer huffed and tugged at his arm. "Well hurry up. You will be late."

Jerston smiled at her and shook his head, retreating to the back of the infirmary where is robes lay. They were never far from hand in the last seven day. He pulled them on over his healer green and left the infirmary. Though his heart pounded rapidly in his chest, he did not rush. He walked with dignity towards the sands. Not surprised to find others had made it there before him, Jerston bowed his respects to Archith and her rider before moving off to join the forming semi circle of boys.

---

I don't wish to go. Kronikoth said irritably.

It is our duty as well as an honor to greet the lifeblood of the weyr. Mi'an responded, asserting his will over the dragon. It was not something he attempted often. The consequences would be a dire later, but a hatching was worth it.

Kronikoth let out an annoyed snort, hissing at his rider, but knowing he would go. He wasn't a given a choice in this matter. Not really. Mi'an was right. It was duty, but duty between. He didn't want to listen to the little brats mewl for food as they Impressed to weak riders that cried because they were so overwhelmed... His Mi'an had not displayed such weakness.

Mi'an gave another nudge as he mounted. "Okay then. Off we go." With no further argument, Kronikoth took them to the hatching grounds. It was bad enough he had to attend the event. He would not be used as a ferry. Let the other dragons handle that. He landed on the ledge that surrounded the grounds and settled in.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Kalitar was up early, despite the late night the previous day, which he’d spent carefully a proper distance from the Sands, although as the evening had lengthened he’d left at the persuasion of Jatheiron, who successfully talked him into providing a tour. Rolling off the cot, he quietly dressed and slipped out of the room, avoiding his roommates’ cots with the ease of a month’s practice. As he trotted past the Hatching Sands on his way to the kitchen, he paused to admire the neatly arrayed circle of eggs and the Queen within. As he ducked inside at the kitchen, he glanced around, looking for his friends, but though there were not a lot of people, he didn’t catch sight of any of them. He gravitated towards the kitchen, grabbed a couple sweet rolls and was just starting to take a bite out of one of them when a deep humming started reverberating through the air. Though he’d never heard it before, he knew immediately what it was. The Hatching was about to begin!

He slipped both sweet rolls into his pocket, then stared down at his clothes in brief dismay.
I should have put on the Candidate’s Robes before leaving the room, he thought, darting back across the Bowl and hoping that his fellow Candidates wouldn’t all be clustered at through the hall.

Upon reaching the room, he slipped back in, scrambling for his set of the white Candidate’s Robes. If they hadn’t been so associated with ceremony, Kalitar never would have worn anything of that color, but as it was, he was so aware of what they meant that he couldn’t even truly think of them as merely clothing. Rather, they were the symbol of a Candidate, nothing more, perhaps, but certainly nothing less.

“Holt, Hatching’s starting!” he said, his voice nearly cracking in excitement as he pulled the robes on over his head. With the volume that the humming had reached, the other boy didn’t need the information, but Kalitar was still in his “best behavior Lord Holder is here” mode and so he informed Holt anyway. Not like he was nagging, just a polite heads-up.

In a few seconds, he was walking purposefully across the Bowl towards the Sands, head up and shoulders back, determined not to seem the slightest bit nervous. He stopped at a polite distance in front of Archith and formally bowed to the Queen, before joining the other three Candidates who were already there.

[Simile]

Koga was doing her chores in the kitchen. A boring, tedious affair, but that was alright, it gave one plenty of time for thought. In fact, it was while she was washing the pots, a truly boring task, that she heard it. The hum that she could practically feel in her bones. It was time! Oh my! Another Hatching! And she hoped that she would Impress in this one. She put down her work quickly, listening to it clatter once again as it fell. "Sorry!" she said as she already ran out towards her own barrack to grab the whtie robe that all Candidates to the sands.

"Excuse me!" "Pardon me!" "Look out!" All these phrases escaped her mouth as she every so often nearly ran into those around her as they, too, seemed to be scrambling to the hatching sands. The humming always intensified the closer the first Hatchling came to hatching... And... Every time, she could feel it in her bones. It thrummed through her head and it increased excitement ten fold.

She felt a grin on her face, which she tried to bring under control. The better that she controlled it, the better off it would be and the more dignified she would seem. But... She just had to be herself. Oooooh! She got so nervous before a Hatching. She wondered briefly if other Candidates had often felt the same. She took a deep breath and pulled on the white robe. Oh! She couldn't be late! As soon as she had it pulled on and pulled on her boots, she ran to the Hatching Sands, pausing at the entrance to breathe, compose herself and entered. She bowed to the Gold Queen and to the Weyrwoman. "Thank you for this chance, milady," she said formally to the golden queen before moving on to take her place on the sands, her eyes immediately falling to the shaking eggs.

They were beautiful. So many different speckles and tints of different colors. Koga slowly pushed her hair back from her face again, feeling the annoying black locks that had decided to fall towards her eyes and onto her nose. What an annoying feeling. She didn't want to think about it, but rather about teh eggs and it did not take her long to turn back her attention back to the shaking eggs. Not a one was lesser than another, and it seemed that was what their mother wished to portray. That each was as important as another. It was an endearing thought, one that, if it were true, she would always and truly greatly respect. It was a notion that, she would hope, that many more would have of eggs, but so many seemed only interested in those colors which were ranked higher, and some others, females at least, seemed to be only interested in dragons who could clutch.

Joellal was not long in getting ready, though he remained far calmer than some of his counter parts, leaving the table where he ad been eating and walking to the barracks rather calmly. He was excited, yes, but he was doing his best to keep himself under control. He would rather prefer to have thins in order rather than to try to rush everything and make a mess of himself and everything else.

He pulled the white robe over his head rather unceremoniously, which was then soon followed by the boots he would wear onto the sands to keep from burning his feet. Now it was time to start running. However, running was not quite what he did, but rather... Jogging. He jogged towards the sands and soon came to a stand still to bow to the Queen and her rider, both of whom were decidedly beautiful, he had to admit. Soon, however, he took his place with the males who already stood on the sands, his eyes scanning the eggs. He wished to guess the contents, but it was impossible. He noticed Koga standing with the girls and nodded to her, giving her a smile. Koga returned it, raising a hand to wave to her friend.

It was then that she saw another of her friends, Enetta, walking on to the sands. Her face was calm, though she showed her excitement in her very movements. "Thank you, great queen, for this incredible chance. And thank you, weyrwoman as well." She bowed deeply to the woman and her dragon and then stood, her walk a little awkward over the sands beneath her feet and the odd feeling through the thick boots which guarded her feet from the hot sands.

She flicked her hair back with a slight shake of her head as she joined the others and wished that her air was shorter at this point rather than the long, slightly curly locks that she currently had. It seemed to her taht it would be much simpler in such a case than to deal with the consistent annoyance of hair in her face. She shook her head and looked over the eggs. What was she doing thinking such ridiculous thoughts when, really, the concern here was the eggs! What vanity was she showing that such things came before newborn hatchlings! She was ashamed of herself for a moment before she pushed it all from her mind and focused again on the eggs that stood in a wondrous circle ahead of her. She wondered what would hatch from them. It was always wondrous, always amazing, to see. Even when one did not Impress, as she had not so many times.

She looked at Koga, who was to her left, and smiled, giving her hand a squeeze before she turned her eyes back to the eggs ahead of her, watching the one which currently shook the most. What a lovely thing it was! They all were! It was wonderful!

------

Dandzael was starting to wonder where his brother was. Andi was holding the edge of his white robe, pulling him to the sands. She was determined that she and hers would be there now! She was not happy that he was keeping her from the new babies and singing them into the world! The little black fluttered her wings hard. "Alright, alright already, Andi!" he exclaimed and started walking, the flitter still pulling at his shirt. he gave a huff of annoyance as he picked up the pace further and started trotting towards the Hatching Sands, which seemed to please the little flitter who decided to start flying ahead of him toward the Hatching Sands, but as they reached the entrance to the hatching sands, the flitter blinked out of existence, sending hers images of his grandmother, who's own flitts she had joined. He smiled. Ah, grandmother. He hoped he made her proud today.

He looked around once more for Dalziel, but not seeing his twin, walked into the Hatching Sands, stopping to bow to the Queen and her Rider, giving a very respectful thank you to her before continuing on to his place on the sands where he stood, though his stance may have easily seemed stiff at first as he looked at the eggs, a sense of tension building up at his core.

He was so excited and, yet, he was afraid he wouldn't Impress. He had a chance, though... Just like all the others on the sands. However, he wished to be one of those lucky enough to Impress a dragon at this hatching. He hoped that his brother would too... He was looking around for him again, a sense of worry for his twin building at the back of his mind. Oh... Dalziel...

[Kaya]

Rilora kept a sharp eye out for the Lord Holder. She had asked K'nan to bring him and his family yesterday for the expected Hatching. She hoped his stay had not been a trouble and instead a much needed day of rest. She thought she saw him making his way up the stairs to the stands, but too many others crowded the area for her to see well enough. She frowned slightly. A nudge from Archith's mind prompted her to smile again, so she did.

Archith on the other hand was watching the Candidates like a very well trained shoulder bird. Each was evaluated by appearance and mannerism, and their punctuality was noted as well. She accepted their offers of gratitude, though the ones that came in less than traditional attire irked her. It was Rilora this time that kept their pair in check. They are wearing the robes, love. Don't fault them the rest. The Gold mentally growled in reply. Focusing on the one Candidate's perfect entrance, Archith restrained herself from indulging in snappy comments. Her eyes watched Kalitar the rest of the way across the Sands until he came to a stop.

She let her gaze wander to watch Candidates line up in the moments another one wasn't entering. Though she appreciated the half circles around her eggs they weren't quite as perfect in structure as the eggs. Too bad, but they were only humans after all... Still, she wished that they'd spread out a little more. Her wings raised to stretch and then to call more attention to herself. Though she tended to be a dragon of relatively few words for her kind this was an important event and speaking to them herself would work better than having Rilora shout her message repeatedly at them.

Archith gathered up her thoughts and tried to reach even the Candidates that were still coming. She knew them in status only, except for Lavender, which Rilora had pointed out to her over the past several months. She found that girl's mind with ease. There was no doubt in the Gold's mind that she'd Impress.

An even circle around the eggs. ...please. It took an extra amount of effort to force in please. They should do it because she said so, but a little more of Rilora's polite nature was in control today. Her messaged delivered Archith raised her hum louder and tucked her wings to her sides. She turned to face the egg that was set up squarely in line with the entrance. Her golden nose nudged it gently. The egg rocked in response. Something like a smile took over Archith's expression.

[Lark]

Saka smiled when she heard the Gold voice inside her head. She smiled even more when she noticed the strain. So, the Weyrwoman was having to influence her dragon then. That was an interesting note in her brain. Scuffling across the sands, Saka bit her lip. She hadn't gotten particularly close to any of the candidates besides Zorasn of course. It was something odd, and yet not for her. Being social, she easily was comfortable making friends. Wanting to though, or needing to, that wasn't in her personality. She was as good by herself as in a gathering. Because of this, Saka had already spaced out from the group. At the Queens words though, she spaced out more. It brought her next to the boys and she smiled at Zorasn.

He too had moved during the Queen's requests. Fixing his robes, the healer sighed and then shuffled his feet. His eyes kept flicking to the other candidates and the eggs. At least of there was any trouble he'd be there to help. Taking a relaxing breath, Zorasn started listing medical information in his brain again. The routine was something he knew well. Because of that, it worked as a security blanket well enough. His eyes still flicked to the eggs and candidates though. No matter how much he tried to give off a sense of calm and serene demeanor, inside he was just as jittery and nervous as the rest. He was also just as excited and hopeful.

[inksword]

Oh god he was late!

Every fiber of Raaiz's being screamed that he was late and needed to hurry, rush, panic, sprint, just get to the hatching sands. Raaiz wasn't scared of missing the hatching so much as he was afraid of the disappointment it would cause. Raaiz wasn't afraid of people, he was afraid of letting people down... He had only been at the weyr for a little over a month... he felt like he had just barely scratched the surface of weyr life, and he wasn't ready to give it up. He couldn't ruin this he couldn't. He had stayed late last night watching the eggs hopefully, and even after he had left the sands excitement and anticipation had kept him up in the early hours. He had been dead asleep when the call for candidates had gone out and now... well now he was sprinting for his life up towards the sands.

His lungs burned as Raaiz sprinted desperately through the weyr's still shoving one arm through his robes and affixing them as he ran. The wide opening to the sands came into view, and Raaiz pressed forward as hard as he could, putting on a small burst of speed that he didn't know he had. The speed worked against him for a moment, as his sandals weren't meant for running and Raaiz stumbled, tripping just outside the entrance. His knee collided with a rock, and Raaiz gave a small squeak as he felt pain lance up his leg. He couldn't stop, and scrambled up, rushing right up until he reached the entrance.

Once he came into view in the entrance, Raaiz halted to a stop, ceasing his running to walk in, at least attempting to not look like he had just sprinted his heart out to get here. It was rather futile, as his face and cheeks burned bright red, not only from his running, but also from embarassment and he was breathing heavily, a light glisten of sweat on his brow. He was barely aware of his throbbing knee as he walked in, pushing all other thoughts out of his head and focusing on not limping as he made his way down to the rest of his candidates. He felt like everyone was staring at him, the other candidates already beginning to form a neat circle under the gold mother's behest and making his belated entrance all the more out of place and awkward.

His sandals padded softly over the sand, Raaiz's back straight as an arrow as the boy made his way down, urging his burning lungs to stop gasping for air. He still went in front of the queen, bowing and giving his respects to her, though inwardly he knew the majestic dragon must be looking at him critically for the late entrance. He wouldn't mess up now that he was here, Raaiz was determined, and he managed to keep his mouth closed tightly and didn't spew his apologies all over the place.

He quickly moved to join the circle of candidates, eyes going to the eggs for the first time as he walked stiffly to the edges of the circle. Did one just move!? On just moved! Raaiz felt all thoughts of the others evaporate as pure exhilaration rushed through him. He was here! He was seeing dragons hatch! Be born! Raaiz doubted his breathing would calm much even after his lungs had their fill of air. If he didn't feel that smiling would be inappropriate for the situation, one might've snuck it's way onto his face, but Raaiz forced his lips to remain still.

[sweetlilangel]

Jerston smiled as he watched Spark fly into the crowd of firelizards that were already starting to gather high above the sands. He maintained this smile as the queen's voice unexpectedly touched his mind. He glanced to either side to determine where the candidates that surrounded him were and then stepped until he was evenly spaced apart from them in the circle.. as Archith had asked. Even as he was shuffling into place his mind shifted to Shara. Oh he hoped none of his roommates had let the canine out in their rush. She was well behaved, but a canine on the sands was dangerous.

Dismissing the thought quickly his mind shifted to examining the scene. At least the even spacing made it less likely for too bad of injuries. Even if a dragonet did stumble into the crowd of candidates, the spacing made it so only a few would be in its path instead of clusters. That would make it easier for the on duty healers... and if he were to be honest, he knew that he would make it to any injured quicker than they could and he wouldn't just let someone bleed out... So it made it easier on him too. His fingers danced against his thigh, betraying his nerves as he finished observing the scene and shifted to familiar act of pairing herbs and medicines with their functions in his head. It was the best thing he could do to keep his mind busy until the eggs started hatching...

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Lord Famoran glanced over his shoulder, checking to make sure that Jatheiron and his friends were safely seated. Not that he expected them to cause any mischief today; their energy was all present only as an intense focus on the Sands. Satisfied that the young men were, in fact, where they were supposed to be, he allowed his gaze to drift over the crowd before returning it to the Sands. He smiled at those people he’d met, and at quite a few he hadn’t met yet, including the senior Weyrwoman, Rilora. Of course, he wasn’t sure if she’d seen him, but he smiled anyway, a gesture of acknowledgement from one leader to another.

He saw the Queen, Archith, raise her wings out of the corner of his eye. About a couple second later, he realized he hadn’t exhaled when he should have. Pulling his gaze away, he let it skim across the Candidates, looking for a familiar face. A shift in the Candidates revealed Kalitar, and Lord Famoran smiled to himself at the sudden surge of pride he felt, almost as though it was his son out there, rather than Razoren’s son. Speaking of Razoren, Lord Famoran glanced over at the other man, and was surprised by a glint of wetness around the eyes. It was obvious that, no matter how little time Razoren had spent with his sons, he was truly proud of Kalitar that day. That was definitely good.

------------------------------------------------

Kalitar glanced once to each side when the Queen, Archith requested that the Candidates form a circle, then he smoothly stepped back and to his right. Just a single step, for, provided that the others moved as he expected, that position was exactly where he would need to be for a circle. He had to swallow to prevent himself from grinning in growing excitement, though his stance remained confident, though still almost relaxed. His attention on the eggs, he hadn’t noticed his father’s presence in the stands.

[Simile]

Koga was watching the eggs. The increasing rocking of each seemed to build a certain tension in her, but when the Queen spoke, she tore her attention from the eggs, a rather laborious and difficult task. She bowed to the gold and took a step back, careful not to bump into another Candidate. She was very careful to stand at attention as she filled the queen's request. She was a bold, beautiful queen, though she was young at this time, but she would be a great queen. That much anyone could see.

Koga looked towards Enetta and watched as the other girl did as the queen bid her. She seemed a little bit nervous. She did her best to try to ease the nerves of hte other girl through her expression since she didn't thi9nk that she would be able to hear her over the noise of the Hatching that was going on around her.

Koga looked at the eggs again. It was all so organized in a rather beautiful way. It was an important and marvelous event. She brushed back her hair again and straightened the robe that she wore, not that she was one to worry about her appearance, but it was a way that her nerves manifested themselves. She watched the egg that had first started rocking and bit her lip. Would it soon grace the sands with its presence and bless them all with its presence.

She held bits of fabric in her hands as she attempted ot still them and keep any excitement or nerves from showing further, putting on a composed, but serious expression as she took a deep breath. This clutch was so special as it was the Queen's first at any time. But.. .all clutches were special. All the ones she had stood for and all the oens she would stand for if she did not Impress in this one.

Enetta took a deep breath and let it out slowly, her eyes first on the Queen and then on the eggs that were soon to hatch. It was a tense time. She felt herself standing up straight. She looked at each egg in turns, her eyes scanning them. They were beautiful and magnificent. Each was a new life that the Queen had brought to the sands. She had graced the sands with such a magnificent clutch. It would show RMW to be as great if not greater than ever before.

Joellal stepped back without question, bowing his head respectfully to hte Queen before doing so. He looked up at her as she started to hum more loudly and smiled. She was something special, that was for sure and he was so privileged as to be here, to stand at this Hatching. He looked down to the eggs again, his breath baited as he waited fr the first egg to spill onto the sands.

Dandzael did as he was bidden and he smiled slightly, trying to hide his excitement. He rarely smiled. He looked up to the stands, spotting his grandmother, Zareal and smiled, wishing to wave, though he didn't, keeping his hand firmly at his side. Oh how he hoped that Dalziel was here! He looked back to the shaking eggs.

K'nan smiled, looking back at Embraeth who was proud for his Weyr, despite the fact that he had not been the father of this clutch as e had so greatly desired to be. K'nan smiled at Rilora. She was a picture of beauty and a wonderful leader. And he was always very pleased to help her, even after he hadn't one. He had t oadmit, however, that he would have rather preferred it if Embraeth had been the one to win, but he was not going to hold onto that now. Things always worked in unexpected ways.

[Kaya]

Holt was not a light sleeper. He half heard what Kalitar said before he rushed off, and though his consciousness started to stir, it wasn't until their other roommates were already gone that Holtrarn finally came to. Despite realizing the Hatching was starting he didn't leap out of bed. His eyes still weren't open enough for that anyway. He gave them a good rub as he shuffled across the room to find a comb. He had a bad habit of waking up with horrid bedhead and his hair had gone more or less uncut since he'd arrived at the Weyr.

By the time his hair was fixed Holt's eyes were working again. He shook his shoulders to further wake up. Then his attention shifted to Hatching attire. He easily got his robe - it was the only one left in the box. It was a little short for him, in all honesty, but he felt comfortable enough in it. The shoes were another story. His feet were picky about what they wore and the thin sandals were about last on his list of suitable shoes.

It was in this painfully thin sandals, that let him know whenever he stepped on the smallest rock, that Holt made his stroll to the Hatching sands. One particularly young boy went screaming by him down the hall. Holtrarn just shrugged it off and kept walking. He'd make it.

When he arrived he took in the rather circular sight. It was different than what he'd been expecting, but that didn't matter now. He looked for Kalitar but couldn't find him fast enough in the crowd of Candidates. He did spot another one of their roommates however, and quickly found an appropriate spot near him. It was then he spotted Kalitar, though he doubted the other boy would notice him now.

Properly positioned he finally realized that he hadn't stopped in front of the Gold. Taken slightly aback Holt refused to further acknowledge that he'd made a mistake. He would look toward these eggs with a brave face and await their judgement.

[Simile]

How could she, of all people, be late! She was responsible! She was supposed to be on top of things! On top of her life! She immediately dropped the instrument she had been carrying as she reached her barrack and went to the trunk, pulling out the white robe and pulling it on before fastening it, slipping on the boots, and running to the sands, brushing hair back from her face and taking a deep breath before entering, bowing lowly to the queen and her rider. "So sorry.." she said quickly before moving quickly but calmly to her place on the stands, careful to line herself up in the circle amongst the other females, being careful of how she positioned herself.

She then turned her eyes on the eggs and straightened, taking a deep breath. She felt the panic in her chest as she looked out at the eggs and at the Queen. She knew her eyes were wide as though she were afraid and she knew that her breathing was heavier than it should be. However, she did her best to bring it under control. She had to. It was imperative.

She took a deep breath and pulled hair from her sweating forehead. This was an important day and she had been late. she would not be surprised if she did not Impress at this Hatching. Did she even deserve to after being so late?

[Lark]

Inoria raised an eyebrow as a few candidates came in late. That probably wouldn't go well with how the gold dragon was acting currently. Even her own Sunlance was on edge do to the tension. When would the first shell break finally? It seemed to be a question everyone had. It will come when it means to Mine. Looking up at her dragoness, Inoria smiled. The sunlance crooned in response. They were here and most of the candidates were too. That's what mattered. Just now one of them needed to impress and shed have a job to do finally! Silly InoriaMine! Don't you know a watched shell never cracks? Inoria laughed. "Unless it has a starlight in it you mean?" The creamy tan dragon ruffled her wings and warbled in amused agreement.

Ooc: sorry it's short, just trying to get another post in for you xD

[Moo]

One.

Two.

Three.

In the blink of an eye, a great Tiger dragon burst into the light from between. His wings raked the sky as he paused in mid-flight, breath steaming in the crisp morning air. A low, satisfied rumble sounded deep in his chest as he glanced around.

We are here, he reported in a clear, resonant voice.

Outstanding, the rider on his back replied, leaning back in his saddle. He marveled at the land. This was to be their new home -- Rainbow Mists Weyr. He took a deep breath and reached for the mind of his dragon. Mosiliath, please announce our presence.

He did not have to be told twice. Sharing in the excitement of his Rider, the Tiger arched his neck and bugled loud to the world beneath. I am Mosiliath, Impressed to D’gan, once of Fort Weyr, and we come now! With eyes whirling light blue, he pressed his wings tight to his sides and dropped fast from the skies.

The wind howled and they spiraled, falling from their height with remarkable speed. D’gan laughed at Mosiliath’s exuberance, and felt an old, familiar vibration race along his dragon’s neck. He was humming. We’ve arrived to a Hatching, said D'gan. Their Queen must have flown not long ago.

Mosiliath unfurled his wings and cupped the air, slowing their fall to land near the Hatching Grounds. Gold Archith and Weyrwoman Rilora, said the Tiger, remembering the names his Rider had mentioned prior to their arrival. What a glorious time to arrive.He hummed louder, eyes swirling faster.

They touched ground moments later. D’gan dismounted, ruffled his long, black hair, and patted his dragon on the foreleg. We should pay our respects to them, he said, and began to scan the area for the Weyrwoman – or at least, someone who appeared to have an air of authority. He never had the chance to meet the her until now.

We may not have the opportunity before the Hatching, Mosiliath said, and folded his wings against his body. Let us find a place out of the way to look, and if we happen to meet her before it begins, then all the better. No sense in blocking any candidates from their places.

D’gan nodded and took in the scene around them. He spied a Crimson dragon not too far off, as well as a Sunlance. Candidates appeared from everywhere, moving toward the Sands with haste. He smiled. Some things never change. They stood in an even circle around a meticulously arranged clutch of eggs, and watching them all was the gleaming Gold. But he did not see the Weyrwoman yet.

"Come," he finally said to Mosiliath, and began walking toward the stands for a better look.