Welcome to Gaia! ::

The pillars separating the main arena to the hatching ground seemed particularly large as Farin steadily walked across the flattened dirt path. Already she could feel the warm heat from the sands begin to n** at her skin, and from somewhere in the distance she could feel the steady eyes of Ariath as the greenrider strode into the main, and most pivotal section of the Weyr. But as much as Farin would like to imagine that this was a solo occasion, she knew well enough that behind her steady footfall fell the stamping of what seemed to be an innumerable amount of anxious candidates. With the thought fresh in her mind, she scowled and crossed her arms across her chest, grumbling silently to herself as she continued what she wished to be a lone march to the hatching grounds.

'How did I get talked into this?' Farin thought dully, her pale brown eyes squinting.

I am so proud! Echoed the familiar voice, and Farin was dually reminded that she'd get no sympathy form the green. Moth would have no buts about this; In fact, Farin wondered bitterly if it had been Moth who'd orchestrated the whole event. The green, who although perhaps did place her in this position, conveniently placed her own self outside in the Weyr bowl. Not that Farin doubted the green would have entered the hatching ground at the drop of the hat. But Moth knew well of the Queen's discontent over the no doubt clumsy candidates fondling her eggs. Having a green present to bother her would simply have been the coup de grace.

'I'm glad you're so happy.' Farin sighed, and rubbed the center of her forehead. She turned around and began walking backwards, already scolding a few of the candidates for straying too far. "Please, everyone, stay where you can be clearly seen." She hoarsely spoke, waving her hand and ushering a few back in a semi line format.

Don't worry Love, you will do fine. But please do not mess this up, or Nico might not ask you again! Moth rumbled from some sunny ledge.

'Oh, I certainly wouldn't want that.' She added to Moth, and turned herself right facing. They were very near to the Queen now, and Farin ushered for those candidates in the front to come to a stop.

Farin paused now, for a moment fumbling her bottom lip. How to go about this. She squinted, waiting for the final stragglers to come to a stop. Steadily, she took a deep breath, and crossed her arms. She regarded the candidates coolly, hoping that they would notice her, 'I'm not going to take any crap,' expression. It seemed to work most of the time, although Farin had never tried scaring small children before.

She took a moment to nod politely to Ephia, for despite her outwardly disgruntled appearance, she was a bit honored to be considered atleast somewhat capable of handling candidates. Whether or not that had anything to do with her teaching abilities, she was not sure.

Farin cleared her throat, and turned back to those gathered. "All right now. Candidates, it is a tradition at the Weyr that all prospective impressionees be allowed to touch the eggs." She took a glance towards the eggs for emphasis. "But that does not mean that touching a particular egg will ensure your bond with a dragon. This exercise functions nothing more then to get you accustomed to standing on the sands, in front of the Queen. Work out any fear you might have of her and her brood now, for there won't be any time once hatching comes. If you put yourself at a distance from the eggs, you risk other candidates being injured if 'your' dragon comes looking for you."

Her blond hair bobbed slightly as she slightly dug her gloved nails into her own dark skin. What more could she say? Well, of course she knew more things to say, but that needed to be for when they'd actually touch them. She swayed, and waved her hand idly. "You will not be able to tell the colors of the dragonets by their eggshells. As you will see, they are all molted grey- Only the Queen's egg is a distinguishable color, and there is none present for this hatching. Any pushing, or attempting to claim a particular egg to yourself will result in a reprimand, kitchen duties, and you will be asked to leave the sands for today."

Her eyes narrowed sternly. "If you are foolish enough to attempt to harm an egg, you risk injury or death from an angry mother. If you escape, you will be expelled from the Weyr." The idea of hurting an egg was ludicrous, but she decided that it needed to be spoken. "And finally, don't let that worry you. These dragon shells are very hard now, and you may touch them without worry about breaking them. But do not slap them." She added as an after thought, and placed a finger at her temples. There was too much to say!

Farin took a harsh breath, and concluded her disclaimer. That was all that could be said-now atleast. Her eyes turned towards Ariath, who still grudgingly protected her brood. Farin took a step back, onto the sands, and took a few steps to the side so the Queen could get a better look at those who were attempting to win the favor of her children.

"Be respectful to Ariath, and as soon as she wishes she will allow the eggs to be touched. When this happens, you are to walk, not run, and stand two at an egg. If there are any extra eggs, or any candidates left over, you may stand solely or a group of three may be formed." The woman shifted against the hot sand, and finally, watched the candidates sharply. Somewhere up in the rafters, a pair of flits watched as well, ordered to alert Farin if any candidates attempted to remain after the touching ceremony was completed, or if any slunk away too early.

Young Talon followed alongside the rest of his fellow peers. Dark brown eyes searched the crowds for his friends, however, the search was in vein. His heart fluttered as his nerves were at a high. Ahead of him the group stopped, he was so scatterbrained he bumped into the candidate in front of him. "I...erm...sorry." He whispered, then he heard a quick 'hush' from another. Visage brightened with a deep cherry red, he then side stepped once or twice so that he could see the dragonrider, Farin. Her whole stance and expression clued in alot. Eyes continued to look to see the Queen looming in the backround keeping close to her clutch.

He continued to study the gold dragon, her pearly orb like eyes dragged across the candidates. He gulped, Com'on Talon, you'll never be a dragon rider if you are always a scardy-cat. He reminded himself, he swallowed the fear trying to put it behind him as much as one could. He lifted his hand slightly to tug at the collar of his outfit. The heat singed the bottom of his weyr-hide boots, he could feel it radiating off his face, he did his best to put on a smile masking the fear that dwelled within his heart. What if his companion wasn't in this clutch? Would they send him back to his Hold by his father's wish? Or would he stay for the next?

Too many questions swirled in his head, perhaps the heat was getting to him. Once again his fingers pulled at his collar almost hoping to cool off the sitiuation. He turned attention to Farin as she began to speak. For the most part they had already been lectured on this topic for days, maybe even weeks before. Yet this seemed to be the final hammer blow, the one you couldn't take the information out of your brain or the hammer for that matter. It didn't matter, he still needed to pay attention, his palms were sweaty along with the rest of him. He anticipated the moment he could touch those mottle-hued shells.

Thirty-eight eggs, he mused to himself, I wonder how many candidates there are? How many will be left alone on the sands? He then thought then dwelled on Farin's comment about approaching the Queen and clutch, who in their right mind would want to run up to a Queen to get torched by her firey breath? Not correct, Queens can't chew firestone. It would make them infertile. He reminded himself. Whatever, who would want to die by dragon claw? Even a whak of the tail could deal a heavy enough blow to stun at the least if not kill a young adolescent like he. Talon then listened as Farin seemed to be finished as she sent another cold gaze over them.

Nestren stayed close to Kirana the whole time, in complete awe of the gold dragon. She was the biggest dragon he had ever seen and was so amazing that he could barely keep an ear on Farin's strict announcements.

Thirty-eight eggs!

And not everyone would Impress.

That thought sombered up the boy a little bit. Farin continued to talk about what would happen to those who disobeyed the rules, a very firm frown on her face. In the distance he could see the Weyrwoman, also not looking to happy. Did they not want the Candidates to touch the eggs?

Nestren wanted to ask this question, but felt that it would be out of line. Instead he waited for Ariath to make a move. Her multi-faceted eyes continued to survery the group as she hoved over the eggs. Hoping that she approved of him, he gripped Kirana's arm tightly...holding his breath...

Nestren would probably look back at this moment and wonder what in the name of the First Egg he was thinking. But some weird, hormonal...teenage moment overcame him and he let go of Kirana's arm. Taking a deep breath, he stepped out of the Candidate line.

He was sure that the other Candidates, not to mention the Master and the Weyrleaders, were aghast and shocked at his actions. But something had to be done otherwise everyone would stand there staring at each other until the sun set and the moons rose. Taking a shakily step forward, he moved slowly...hoping that the great Queen would not eat him...and bowed ever so slowly.

"Gold Ariath, I give my respects to you and your clutch. It is a fine clutch for such a beautiful mother as yourself. I hope that you forgive my being forward, but you needed to be complimented on your efforts. And your young will fly strong and fly well when it comes time to fight Thread...as will you."

The holder son had never said anything so important to such an important being. As far as he was concerned, Nestren felt that none were more important than the dragons themselves. He stuttered the whole time and had a hard time trying to look at Ariath...after all, she was the largest dragon in the weyr.

((sorry guys, I just got done reading the white dragon!))

Audris made her way to the Queens enormous clutch with the group of candidates. There was a low rawr rippling through th ever anxious crowd. Audris had made up her midn that no matter what she would nto be late again, and as a result she stayed ontop of news at the Weyr. As soon as she heard the dragon eggs might be hard, she steeled herself for such an occasion as this, and stayed in large groups so that she would be one of the first to hear of the touching.


Audris settled into the front of the crowd as Farin began to speak. The dragon woman seemed to be frustrated as she spoke and maybe even a little nervous. This caused Audris to gain confedence as a thought surfaced to her head "Maybe she was anxious about competition, maybe on of us will be a great rider and she can sense it!" Audris began to breath deeply as her gaze focused upon the cluth. "The cluth!" Audris thought "That is what I should be attentive to." She surveyed the very enormous but very plain eggs. They were honestly not much to look at, but the beauties that lay inside were well worth the wait...

Audris broke from the intent stare she had on the eggs, almost willing one to hatch and the infantile dragonet to miraculously fly out and sweep her off her feet, but she knew this was not possible. So with a final feeling of disappointment she looked at the crowd around her and saw the expectant faces, she then saw Farin and cought the last bit said. "Be respectful to Ariath, and as soon as she wishes she will allow the eggs to be touched. When this happens, you are to walk, not run, and stand two at an egg. If there are any extra eggs, or any candidates left over, you may stand solely or a group of three may be formed." With that, Audris thought to herself "I hope I get one alone, I want to bond right from the egg!"

And although the young candidate might have been good intentioned, stepping out of turn quickly caught Farin's attention. She instantly moved in front of the boy, stretched out and arm, and caught him by the end of the shoulder the moment his little speech was over. "Impetuous boy." She snapped, her blonde hair flushing forwards. "If you think to steal the stage for the other candidates, then get back in line." She bristled. "As honorable as you think you might be child," She bitterly added, "You are not quite so important as you think." The woman sharply hissed.

With a stony expression, she pointed her hand back towards the others. "Do you think your feelings are so different then they? Do not put yourself ahead of the others. If you wish to bow, you bow together. The Weyr has no place for interlopers."

Farin waved a dark hand, and placed it on her hip. "And as the personnel running this, I expect you fully to listen to what you are told to do. If you have any other speeches, keep them between your teeth."

If anything good could have come out of Farin's sharp scolding, it was that she did it in a low voice. In fact, probably only the first rung of candidates could even hear the woman's sharp biting tone, but nothing more. As soon as the quick scolding was over however, she walked more directly in front of the candidates. She spoke to everyone now; "Please, do nothing to disturb the queen." Her voice was calmer now, but it was flat with an inky tone. "What might be good intentioned can easily be misconstrued by any dragon. Dragons are mind linked to their riders, but they can also pick up your own thoughts as well." She waved her hand. "But that does not mean they understand what you. Only your emotions, and what their rider proffers them."

"Ariath will let you touch her legs when she feels ready. She is not waiting for you to prove yourself to her. This is an intimate issue." And with that Farin shook her hands as if clearing herself from the matter, and attempted to ignore the flushed feeling in her dark cheeks as the heat from the hatching ground and the constant thrumming thoughts bounded about her head.

You do well, Love. Crooned a soft voice, and Farin could tell the green had adjusted her position to be closer bowl.

The woman sighed, her chest caving forwards in the motion. "When Ariath does allow you up, do not rush. If you wish to bow then, then bow then." With that, she turned back to the gold, watching to see when she would loosen her grip upon her eggs.

----
From somewhere in the stands, Araye sunk down from the stony ledge and pressed a tiny hand on her chest. Now she'd get it for sure, with Farin riled up. Although the woman did not seem perhaps so angry as she could have been. She couldn't hear anything of what had happened, only that some boy had run up onto the sands. She bit her nail and flushed. She'd be kicked out for sure now, especially if everyone was in a sour mood. She frowned, and placed her head on her bony hand. And she had been enjoying watching the Queen too.

Xilias looked to the boy that had stepped forth and rolled his eyes. Oh yes, that boy was asking for trouble. Even he, Xilias, wouldn't attempt to approach the queen in such an agitated state and Ariath was his sisters dragon.

Farin's words slipped through the crowd of candidates to Xilias's ears. The boy didn't really need to be told about such things. This wasn't his first hatching and the touching of eggs had been a sort of tradition at Rias. He would wait for the signal before moving forth towards the dappled eggs.
-------------------------------------------------

Ephia smiled as L'cian appeared. "I may need it. Ariath is none-to-pleased with this whole arrangement. She has been well until this point. Her temper is starting to seeth forth, something that doesn't happen all too often. I just hope that such a reaction like this is only going to happen once and be done with. With her next clutch I am hoping she won't be AS protective." Ephia sighed and looked to Ariath who turned her attention momentarily to Tallith. A rumbling in her throat sending her affections to the brown.

Faceted eyes swirled between blue, green and red as the bold candidate stepped forth causing the queen to curl more protectively around her clutch. The words spoken by the boy went unnoticed by Ariath, all she cared for at that moment was protecting her clutch from the 'children' wishing to touch it.

Farin's intrusion and pushing of the boy back into the throng of candidates allowed Ariath to ease her muscles slightly, her eyes swirling back to a calm green. She wanted nothing to do with this whole procedure and she looked at her rider pointedly but the woman looked more amused than anything by her queen's actions.

Dearheart, I think you should let them at your clutch now. They look like they could burst any moment if they don't get to touch the eggs.

Ariath curled around the eggs tighter again causing the woman to sigh in frustration. Walking across the sands Ephia's hands reached out to the wedge shaped head of her dragon, unconciously scratching at an eyeridge.

The sooner you allow them to your clutch the sooner they will be gone. An amused smile spread across Ephia's face as Ariath looked to the candidates again before ever so slowly unfurling herself around her clutch and moving away far enough that she could see every egg clearly.

To make sure that Ariath would not lunge out at a candidate Ephia opted to stay by her dragons side. Making sure Ariath would not try to curl around her eggs again Ephia looked to Farin and nodded. "They may approach but do so carefully. I wouldn't advise getting to close to Ariath though."

Glancing over to L'cian Ephia gave him a pleaing look to join her. She didn't want to only have an angry queen to converse with during the touching.