Ayleneth's Hatching 73.11.18

[Nicole]

The girl had interfered with the Hatching! But that was against all protocol, right? Still, nobody seemed to mind, and the she had Impressed to the little one.

The Aurora seemed pleased that the dragonet was out -- what would she do next? -- and Elora's eyes twitched over to where the next Egg was rocking near its mother. I'm not even going to guess what color is going to come out. Too many options -- and I'd probably be wrong.

She ignored the nagging voice in her head that told her she shouldn't even be on the Sands. It was just her nerves.

But still, it gave her a knot in the pit of her stomach. It's not like this is the last Hatching in the world. I'm fine. She straightened her back again and watched the Aurora, the Egg, the other Candidates.

[phantomofthewolves]

Miska clapped for the newly Impressed dragonriders. As the three left the Sands, she sighed quietly. There were only three eggs left, and an unimpressed Aurora wandering around. She thought of the first Hatching she participated in, the one when her twin sister Impressed a green, leaving her unimpressed. Was her mind not strong enough? She turned her attention to the Aurora, her fingers crossed behind her back, hoping that a dragon of any color would choose her for the first and only time.

[Shoki]

Cyan watched intently as one of the female candidates rushed to the aid of the struggling egg. Oh, what was happening? A White dragonet finally appeared and the dark haired candidate breathed a sigh of relief. White dragons were some of the smallest dragons, that must have been it. She clapped for the newly impressed pair, relieved that things had worked out for them. She wondered what it would be like for the new weyrling to have impressed a dragonet so small. As if on cue her brother's words came ringing into her head again. What on Pern had he meant? She had to ask him. She kinda wished she could ask him now. It was the kinda thing that she understood the words, but she didn't understand why her brother had said them. It felt so weird.

She couldn't shoo the words from her head entirely, but one of the eggs could distract her. One of the other eggs was beginning to shake back and forth,. It looked like it was one of the eggs that the Aurora was guarding specially, so she was curious about it. Who knew about the northern dragoness, what would she find important?

[summerrain]

The egg near Ayleneth started cracking. Suddenly, all movement stopped. The spectators seemed to hold their breath. Then, a chunk of the egg flew away, and a head popped out. It was a very confused Sunset, and she looked like she was having trouble figuring out how to break the egg. Then, a mischieveous glitter entered her eyes. She pulled her head back into the egg, which then began rolling toward the unhatched egg near the Aurora. The Sunset's egg collided with the unhatched egg, and both shattered. Somehow, the two dragonets were mostly unharmed. The unhatched egg revealed another Aurora, this one larger than the first. The swirls of pink and blue made her look a lot like her mother. The green Aurora turned to the sunset, glaring at the little dragoness. It was as if he was reprimanding her. She gave him an apologetic look before sauntering over to the girls, searching for Hers. The pink Aurora did the same.

The pink Aurora found Hers quickly, the pair leaving the Sands. The green Aurora looked down the line of boys, carefully scrutinizing them. He stopped in front of Miros and met the boy's eyes.

M'rosMine, sorry your Argeneth took so long. I needed to make sure the others were okay first. Now, won't you find food for your Argeneth?

Aurora (m) Argeneth Impressed to M'ros, formerly Miros
Name: ar-JEN-eth
Hex color: #09ca51/#15a067
Adult size: 29 feet
About: Smaller than his Aurora sister, Argeneth acts as protector, making sure the others are safe before caring for himself. His hide lacks the pinks of the hides of his mother and sister, making up for it with brilliant greens.

[Nicole]

Another Pink -- but a Pink Aurora, which was different. And a Sunset. And the green Aurora who had been helping everybody Impressed at about the same time the Pink did.

Elora was just managing to keep up with the developments and she was on the Sands. How did those in the crowd do it? And those who attended the larger Hatchings?

As the pink Aurora and the green Aurora made their way off the sands, the Sunset earned her full attention and she watched her look around. The way she had gotten out of her egg - a small smile flashed over Elora's face. Creative, that one.

[Void]

Svak had been met right away with someone who had fresh meat for Tsubareth and she saw food for herself and grabbed a piece of bread as she walked passed it. She then plopped on the ground and set the bowl full of meat down. Tsubareth sat right down and started devouring the contents inside the bowl.

She mumbled through her breakfast, "Do most Dragons help their clutch siblings in hatching?" She was thinking of that one Aurora, the first dragonet hatch but did not look for His right away.

Who knows SvakMine I am not most dragons now am I? Tsubareth stated simply.

"True, I guess each are different in their ways." She heard someone else coming into the room and saw a girl carrying the smallest dragonet Svak had ever seen, a White. She guessed it must have been the one the Aurora had tried to help. Tsubareth looked at the White and chirped, happy his clutch sibling had made it.

Svak felt a sudden itch through their bond. "You need oiling." she said remembering what the weyrling master had told them if they should impress. She got up and found some oil seeing the Aurora coming in off the sands. No, it was another Aurora this one more pink in color and larger. Svak did a quick calculation in her head as she walked back with the oil. Aurora, Pink, Tsubareth, White, and another Aurora. Four had Impressed out of the seven. Leaving two unhatched and one unimpressed. She was slightly nervous for Miros.

"Where does it itch the most Mine?" She asked. She knew she could do nothing with what was happening out there. Besides as much as she was worried for her friend she had someone who needed her, and Svak realized, who she needed as well.

My shoulders itch the most, but everywhere itches now. Tsubareth said with a little bit of misery tinging his voice.

"Well not for long if I can help it" Svak said starting to rub the oil into his hide.

[phantomofthewolves]

Miska sighed as another pair of new dragonriders left the sands. She may not even get to Impress this time, with only one hatchling left on the sands. She thought of her father, who died before she was a candidate. What would he think? Would he consider her a failure? She shook her head and cleared her mind. This was not the last hatching on Pern, ther will be other chances. But she wondered if that time would come sooner.

[Moo]

Both Mosiliath and D'gan had been watching silently, nervously, as the next few eggs hatched and Impressed and moved on in a blur of colors and sounds. So much commotion and excitement for a small Hatching! Perhaps it was best that it was small; a larger one would have had the spectators and Candidates in fits with the antics of the dragonets.

Mosiliath watched each bonded pair walk off the Sands with barely contained anxiety. Oh, and without so much as a goodbye,[/b][/color] he huffed, kneading his claws into the Sands. Do you think I could see them later? I do want to introduce myself and see that they are okay.[/b][/color]

D'gan chuckled. I would not worry so much. They will be well looked after here. And they are your hatchlings; I have no doubt you will see them again. You were not so different from them, once upon a time.

The Tiger hugged his wing tighter around Ayleneth and crooned, still anxious for the rest of the clutch. Sure, he had attended many Hatchings and seen this all before -- but now it was different. These were his children! He wondered if Ayleneth was as nervous and excited as he was for everything to go well.

Lightly trailing his hand up and down the side of Yuki's waist, D'gan continued to observe the remaining Candidates. How often he had considered what life he would have had if he had not Impressed. Were they wondering the same as well? He glanced down at Yuki, then back up at the Sands. "I've never seen so many Auroras in one place before," he admitted. "This is certainly one of the most colorful Hatchings I've ever been to."

###

N'kio and Metanath had taken up room near the rest of the crowd, pressed close together as they watched the Sands, the Candidates -- and in particular, Elora.

You know, I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous for her, N'kio said, eyes narrowed in concentration as he focused on her white-clad form. I hope she Impresses.

I feel the same way. I wish there was something we could do. Metanath hummed along with the rest of his kin, but his eyes whirred and revealed his nerves to anyone not watching the Hatching.

N'kio eyed the Sands. There's still that Sunset, he said, voice hopeful as he nudged the Black beside him. You like Sunsets, right?

I cannot even believe you are considering potential Flight partners for me right now. Please, remind me why I Impressed to you in the first place.

Well, someone had to be the brains of this partnership.

Metanath shifted where he sat, growing restless as he waited. I don't even want to joke, you know. I'm too...too nervous. For her. N'kio, what if...?

He patted him on the neck. There is still a chance.

Let's hope so.

[darkwanderer]

Miros had been paying such close attention to the hatching of the Sunset and the second Aurora, that he didn't even notice the Dragonet approaching him,

M'rosMine, sorry I took so long, I had to make sure the others were alright. Won't you feed your Argeneth?

Miros looked down in utter astonishment. The small male Aurora gazed up at him expectantly,
"You're....my Dragonet?" he breathed. The beast cocked his head to the side in puzzlement,

Well of course I am, why else would I be here? he replied simply. Miros smiled and shakily he knelt down to get a better look at Argeneth. His hide was similar to his mother's and his clutchsister's, but in place of the pinks and purples he had seen Argeneth shone with stunning greens. Miros felt tears welling up at this feeling of completeness. He had finally found His!

Did I say something wrong M'RosMine? the Dragonet asked worriedly,

Not at all, you've done nothing wrong at all! Miros expressed through their telepathic link, Now let's get you some food

The pair made their shaky way off the sands and M'Ros could not keep the smile off his face. He led Aregenth to the stalls set up about the Weyr Bowl laden with trays of fresh meat. He spotted a very familiar face feeding her own Dragon and led Argeneth towards Svak and her Midnight,
"Svak, look! I Impressed this wonderful Aurora!" M'Ros exclaimed happily,

Hello Tsubareth said Argeneth pleasantly to his clutchbrother. Though M'Ros was elated to have found his Dragon, he wondered who else would impress this day. How were the other Candidates doing?

[summerrain]

Yuki couldn't stop smiling. Then, a sobering thought struck her. She straightened, then turned to look at D'gan. "Once this is over, I'll need to go back to the North. Just for a few days," she assured him. "I need to ask the Weyrwoman there what she wants to do about the two new Aurora hatchlings. This is the first time Auroras have been Hatched outside Ice Stone Weyr, after all..." She watched the male Aurora walk off the sands with His. "I'd hate to be the one to have to take the Aurora Weyrlings away from their friends..." And she didn't really want to go back to the North. She had bad memories of that place. "I'm going to need to talk to you, too, after this is all over. In private, if that's alright."

Ayleneth nuzzled Mosiliath, consoling him without words. Then, the bent her head and gave Yuki a bump in the back. The girl turned to the dragon, then laughed softly. The pair turned their attention to the last two of the Clutch remaining on the Sands.

The Sunset dragonet, and a single egg. The egg was just now starting to move, and the air in the area lightened. Everyone had been worrying about that egg, wondering if it would hatch at all. Movement was good. Movement meant the Hatchling inside was alive.

Meanwhile, the Sunset looked at each remaining girl one by one. She stopped in front of Miska and met the girl's eyes. MiskaMine, why are you worried? Your Aoieth has found you. You are not alone any more.
Sunset Aoieth
Name: AH-oh-EE-eth
Hex color: fb3333/ fea322/ ffff7f
Adult size: 23 feet
About: Aoieth is playful and loving. Her hide is that of the sky just after the sun has dipped below the horizon. She is immensely loyal and friendly, but hates fights and getting involved in them.

Meanwhile, Kokoro and little Angeh were greater by the Midnight Hatchling. Kokoro grabbed a bowl of meat before going toward them. "You two must be the new kids I heard about," Kokoro said to Svak and M'ros. "My name's Kokoro. You can usually find me working the fields. I'm a senior apprentice farmer."

Argeneth, you didn't have to help me, Angeth said, her mindvoice slightly angry. I was going to get out with KokoroMine's help.

"He started the egg cracking," Kokoro told the White dragonet. "He helped me help you." Angeth huffed and looked away, brooding, because Hers was supporting her ClutchBrother Argeneth. Kokoro laughed softly. "You are a cute one. Much more fun than any Silver."

Ya got that right, Angeth replied, slightly happier now.

[Eirena]

The hatching seemed to be speeding up to Dag, though it really wasn't. There were only seven eggs, which made the whole thing seem so quick. This clutch was so much smaller than those of queens, and he had stood for queens' clutches before. Only seven eggs, and so very many Candidates standing along the sides, hoping for a chance at their very own hatchling. Who would be chosen? Would all seven hatch and survive? He certainly believed it was going to happen. Fewer eggs also meant fewer chances for tragedy, or so he was forcing himself to believe.

Two more eggs hatched, as they collided together near the aurora that remained on the Sands. From the eggs came a second aurora, this one colored in pinks and blues, and a little sunset. The first aurora seemed displeased with the sunset, but it didn't stop the second aurora from going out to Impress without the other two paying any mind. At least the second aurora seemed properly feminine, which only made Dag even more confused about the first aurora, that still seemed so very masculine. Could they be males?

The first aurora seemed tired of checking on eggs and finally went to find its bonded. A boy off to the side, who seemed so very pleased at Impression. But then, what Candidate wasn't pleased at Impression? Even those females that sought queens were happy when they Impressed fighting dragons. No matter what the outcome, how expected or undesired it may have been previously, the newly Impressed were always so very happy. Dag was fairly envious of that fact, but he shoved the thoughts from his mind. Instead he only focused on the fact that he would have to find out, either by checking with people around the weyrlings or asking the boy who Impressed himself, if that first little aurora had been a male.

This left only two on the Sands still. The little sunset was a female, the only gender sunsets came in. But she could Impress boys or girls, as had been shown in the past. Dagoniat didn't have too much opportunity to contemplate this thought, however, as the little sunset wasted no time in finding Hers. She went to a girl not far from him, and Impression was made.

In the background, Dag could hear the newly Impressed Candidates, now riders, introducing themselves and talking to each other. He smiled, happy to have the Weyr doing so well. It was best to have a happy hatching, even if he was not chosen by one of the dragonets. So long as there were no tragedies, the Weyr was well represented by the clutchparents, the tiger and the aurora who seemed fairly close at the moment, the clutchfather with his wing draped over the clutchmother. True representation of what a hatching does to a Weyr, bringing everyone together for the joyous occasion.

Still, one egg remained on the Sands. It was moving, so it was not dead. What dragon was inside, holding up the rest of the hatchling? And who would it choose? Dag glanced down the line, noting just how many Candidates there were Standing, hoping that that last dragonet might turn to them. It was hard not to get your hopes up, even though there was so little chance. Dag felt as if his heart was paused, waiting for that last hatchling to emerge, the sounds around him growing fuzzy as he focused his whole attention on that last shaking egg.

What would it be and who would it chose?

[phantomofthewolves]

Miska never saw the Sunset coming over to her. Then she heard it, the one thing she had been waiting for: MiskaMine, why are you worried? Your Aoieth has found you. You are not alone any more.[/i] She gasped in surprise and turned her attention to her bonded. A Sunset... I Impressed a Sunset. she said, still in shock. Yes, Mine, I am yours. Aoieth replied. Miska hugged her new dragon friend, stroking her eyeridges, tears of joy starting to stream down her face. After a few moments, she went over to get some food for Aoieth. Father, are you proud of me? Miska thought as she took a bucket of meat. She returned to Aoieth and began to feed her. What adventures would the two have? Only time would tell.

[Void]

Tsubareth was plowing through yet another bowl of meat but was slowing down considerably. The oiling felt very good on his hide. He rolled over onto his back stretching out and looking for the world just like a cat. One with wings of course.

I thought I Impressed a regal Dragon not a little kitten. Svak teased rubbing some oil onto his belly.

But a kitten is so much more interesting than a stuffy dragon who can't bare sand between their toes SvakMine. He said twitching his tail and started to make a noise.

Are you, purring? Svak asked pausing in her oiling.

What? We can humm can't we? Tsubareth said craning his neck so he could see His over his gorged belly.

Svak scratched his belly causing the dragon purr to increase and Tsubareth put his head back down enjoying the scratching.

She was so into her apparently over grown cat she hadn't seen Miros come into the room until she heard him call out to her. She turned to look and gasped. The first Aurora, the first hatchling actually, was walking beside him.

"Miros! I mean M'ros." She stood up and gave him a big hug. "Told ya you'd impress this time" She said poking him in the chest.

Hello Argeneth. Tsubareth returned the greeting looking at His' friend and his clutch sibling upside down still laying sprawled out on the ground.


Svak smiled at the girl who Impressed the White. "Yeah I just got here not that long ago, I come from Dragon Ridge. I don't suppose I'll be looking for you in the fields anymore?" Svak grinned.

[Shoki]

Cyan tried to take everything in. The Aurora dragons impressing, the creative way that the Sunset got out of her egg, and even her impression. It was enough that she finally got her head in the hatching. How was it possible to keep track of everything when the clutch was larger? Her head would likely spin right off her shoulders! Still it was easy to follow now, almost everyone of the dragoness' clutch had impressed and was off the sands. Except one lonely little egg. It moved like, as Cyanee imagined it, it was knocking on a door. Maybe it was asking, very politely, if it could please come out and join the rest of the world. Then again, she imagined dragonets were mostly worried about getting out of the much too small eggs. Still, it made sense to her.

Her dark eyes wandered to the candidates still assembled. There were still so many. So many people and so few eggs. Maybe that was okay, more for the next hatching? It was something to think about, after the last dragonet had impressed.

[darkwanderer]

M'Ros chuckled at seeing Tsubareth on his back like a playful kitten, being scratched by Svak. Argeneth nudged the back of his legs impatiently,
That meat looks nice M'RosMine, It's time to feed me now the Dragon said, still nudging. M'Ros smiled to Svak and the girl who Impressed the little White, Kokoro,
"I see Tsubareth has eaten well, is your White fairing alright?" he asked as he picked up a bowl of meat and held it out for Argeneth,
Sorry Angeth, I wanted to make sure you were safe. Argeneth said to his clutchsibling as he wolfed down the meat in front of him. M'Ros looked questioningly at the little White and realised it must have been waiting for Kokoro to help it from its shell. Argeneth nudged M'Ros again,
More meat now please was his simple request.