Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Come on lads! Line up and let's get this going!"

J'ev gave a nearby candidate a friendly slap on the shoulder, the Weyrlingmaster looking as excited as the rest. Had it not been for his clear signs of age, one may have even mistaken him for a candidate with his current mood. The small group of Telgar candidates had been rounded up early that morning when Malkai announced that it was time to let them touch the eggs. Despite his rank as Weyrlingmaster, J'ev had been left in charge of the candidates, if only because the current Weyrleaders were looking for an outlet for his enthusiasm. Not that one could blame him, of course. After the Terrible Trio, who wouldn't be excited for the next clutch?

"Now! We know the rules, right? No pushing, no shoving, mind ye manners, and mind the sand! It's feeling pretty hot today!" He gave a whooping laugh, before turning to face the Weyrleaders. "Jus' waiting on the signal...."

Those candidates in the front may have been able to glimpse Kaveth's final moments of egg tending. Several eggs of the small clutch were gently rotated, others touched, and others still simply inspected. No egg was left unchecked. With a final ruffle of her wings, the gold settled back and turned her whirling blue-green eyes towards the waiting candidates. Only then did Malkai give the nod.

J'ev responded in turn with a grin and stepped aside. "In ye go then!"

From his perch on the upper levels of the Stand, Rakyth gave the candidates a welcoming call. Kaveth responded with a quiet rumble, though she didn't seem to be agitated. Perhaps this was a good sign, or at the very least a sign that this clutch wouldn't be like Shaith's. It was doubtful Telgar could handle another Terrible Trio.

Had the candidates been looking as they filed into the Hatching Sands, they would have caught sight of bronzerider I'dan, leaning casually against one of the stone walls. He certainly looked proud, almost as proud as Rakyth did, and the pair's puffed chests stood out in clear contrast to the ever-stoic Malkai. The Weyrwoman scarcely seemed to blink as she watched the candidates move about.

I'dan, however, flashed candidates encouraging smiles whenever they looked his way. No one, not even the Snow Queen herself, would ruin this Touching!


Going clockwise, the eggs are:

The Golden Stag Egg: The large and radiant Golden Stag Egg sits almost in the center of the little clutch. It seems content in its place, and seems to radiate a distinct aura of calm whenever anyone approaches it, both male and female. Though both the Spicy Red and the Orange Stripe Eggs are leaning away from it, it seems to more readily accept the closeness of the New Grass egg that leans almost up against it.

Spicy Red Egg: Close to the Golden Stag Egg, but obviously with its tip just a bit away, the Spicy Red Egg seems uncertain whether it wants to be involved with the other eggs or not. An insecure socialite or an proud bronze waiting to hatch out? The egg itself gives out an aura of impatience to males touch and this feeling is stronger towards female candidates.

Three Spots Egg: Oops! Looks like something tipped over the Three Spots Egg and it hasn't righted itself! No matter what Kaveth seems to do, this egg always ends up toppled over, lying on its side in the sand. Candidates need not worry about disturbing it; it is completely unmovable. Those who touch it will get the feeling that it seems to be amused by something. Perhaps the neighbouring Pink Charcoal and Streaked Sky Eggs?

Pink Charcoal Egg: This egg has planted itself down right where the Streaked Sky Egg is and continued to point itself slightly towards its other clutchmates. It's obvious this eggs wants to be involved. Each individual person might get a different experience each time they touch it, but the underlying feeling is always that of pleasantness.

Streaked Sky Egg: Only one thing is for certain, the Streaked Sky Egg is clearly avoiding the Pink Charcoal Egg. In fact, the feeling this egg gives off is almost hostile. It is not fond of being touched.

Grey Speckled Egg: Yaaaawn. Just getting near this egg almost makes you feel tired. Or maybe it's just the heat. This egg is tipped a little to the side, perhaps too tired to stand upright like many of its fellows. Overall, it seems somewhat unimpressed by the rest of its siblings and maybe even some of the candidates that touch it. Judging by its size, it's most likely a green or a blue.

Orange Stripe Egg: This egg is Not Impressed (no pun intended). Though it doesn't seem to mind the closeness of the New Grass Egg, it definitely doesn't like being so close to the Golden Stag Egg. Perhaps it's jealous of its large size? Or maybe it just doesn't like the fact that the Spicy Red Egg is so close on the other side. It's hard to know what's going on in the mind of an egg, but for whatever reason this one definitely doesn't have a happy dragonet. Size wise it looks like it may hold a brown or a large blue.

New Grass Egg: Seated the closest to the Golden Stag Egg, the New Grass Egg leans almost up against the Queen egg, almost as though seeking comfort. Or perhaps it has something it wishes to tell to its larger companion? Candidates who touch this egg will pass extremely close to the Golden Stag Egg, though perhaps the New Grass Egg did that on purpose. After all, what better way to share the spotlight?

Blue Earth Egg: Smack dab in the middle of the clutch, the Blue Earth Egg seems to enjoy whatever attention it gets. Those who touch it will get the distinct impression that it likes being handled by both male and female hands. Sometimes it gives a little wiggle, though nobody's sure what the movement signifies. This egg is probably a blue or a green, though it could be a very small brown.

Jadamirei skittered onto the sands, middle of the pack, looking around nervously. Nine eggs, one of which may contain a dragon for her. She gave a nervous bow to the Weyrwoman and Weyrleader as she passed them for the eggs. She was smiling like a loon, her round face pink with excitement and hope.

What was the protocol for this? If she wanted to approach one of the eggs? She bit her lip, glancing around at the other Candidates. Who would approach first? And in terms of approaching, which egg should she try and touch first? Telgar seemed to expect female Candidates to be standing for the Gold alone...

Blue eyes looked around for someone she knew. And then she decided to gird her loins. She stepped forward, giving a polite bow to the Queen dragon. "By your leave, Gold Kaveth, I would approach your clutch." Too much? Too courteous? Was she overeager? Well by the Egg, approaching the Clutch was what they were here for! But she wasn't about to risk upsetting the Queen dragon by running up to them like a wherryhead.

Was she doing this right?

"Easy there, you look like you're about to jump out of your skin with excitement."

The expression on Yulu's face betrayed the calm words she spoke out to Layla as she approached the little girl, the usually stoic look replaced with a chipper grin. She had dark circles under her eyes from the lack of sleep she'd been getting since the time she and Layla had come to see the eggs, childish excitement haunting her nights and keeping her awake with uncharacteristic fantasy and imagination. When the day had finally arrived for Yulu to partake in her first touching she was almost late thanks to trying to get thins squared away, though she quickly made good time and found herself at Layla's side.

"Come on, let's get moving together. Make sure you bow to the Queen and extend your respect to her as we enter, as well as your respects to our Weyrwoman and Weyrleader and his dragon. You can almost do it all in one solid motion so don't think too hard on it, but if you need to just follow my lead. There are others already out on the sands, and we should be joining them."

Yulu took a few steps out and paused where she had seen the others doing so, her hands folded as she took a rather awkward bow of greetings towards the Queen and her Rider. She really didn't think to say anything other than a mumbled mix of 'my congratulations on your honored clutch' and 'with your permission'.

She just didn't do too well with bowing to others.

She knew what to do of course, they'd all be told again and again, but it was a great comfort to be reminded once again by her friend. She didn't respond to the other girl's initial comment, preferring to give her a quick hug before stepping out onto the sands a pace behind and just to the right of her. She made her bow as Yulu made hers, smiling around at the adult dragons and their riders in a manner that she hoped communicated both her respect, and her elation at being here.

With the formalities dispensed with, Layla moved forward to the closest eggs; the blue one and the pink one. Greens had been her guess for them, hadn't it? She hardly remembered anymore. Now. Here she was. Time to touch one. Taking a deep breath, Layla reached out and laid her palm flat on the pink charcoal egg... There was some kind of feeling coming from it, and it surprised her so much that she pulled her hand back abruptly. She'd felt something. This had to be a good sign, right? Pausing to touch the shell once more to let let egg know she didn't dislike it or anything, she moved carefully onto the streaked sky egg. This one was not so pleasant, and Layla found herself pulling back again; did it hate her? It hadn't felt like it was welcoming her for sure. Trying not to feel too upset, Layla glanced over at Yulu to check she hadn't somehow vanished between or anything. No, she was still there. Good. The egg probably didn't have anything personal against her... right? she'd have to ask Yulu what she'd felt from all of them afterwards.

Still, whatever the egg's feelings, or her feelings, she couldn't hang around here forever. Trying to put the hostile feeling behind her, Layla moved onto the three-spotted egg.

Folen entered the sands near the back of the pack largely because he was so entranced by the eggs and their majestic mother that he was moving rather slowly. He could loose himself in dragon watching if he hadn't had a work ethic drummed into hide at harperhall. As it was the heat seeping though the soles of his footwear roused him from the enchantment and he quickened his pace. He didn't really know if he stood much of a chance compared to some of the others who would be standing at the upcoming hatching, but he intended to make the most of this moment.

There had been many possibilities in his life that had turned into disappointments. Oh he hadn't had a sad life by any means, but he had learned that it was easier to expect life to take the hard road. Because you would be prepared if things didn't go you're way and pleasantly surprised if they did. So he was trying his best to temper the emotions trying to flood over him at the moment.

Facing the queen he swallowed. Goodness she was very big. Well, most adult dragons were, but he hadn't really spent any time at all in company with gold dragons and seeing her close up was somewhat daunting. Taking a steadying breath he drew upon the old harper protocols that had been drilled into him over the turns and gave her a simple bow.

"Thank you for permitting this intrusion. You have a fine clutch and I am honored to be able approach your eggs." Folen bowed once more. It might have sounded pretentious but he the words were heartfelt. And if dragons were half as perceptive as he thought they were Kaveth would know the truth of his feelings and intentions.

Giving Jadamirei a supportive glance and a smile Folen made his way toward the eggs waiting for his turn to touch them.

Ngaran was actually completely awake, something that was a little bit surprising to him, considering a Candidate's typical sleeping schedule. When he heard the call for the Touching, he almost showed his eagerness to go before catching himself and putting that grumpy mask back on. He trundled along with the rest of the Candidates that decided to show, though he was certainly a little taken aback by the sheer imposing feeling Kaveth and the Weyrwoman gave out. When it was his turn to go extend his respect, Ngaran was the picture of masculine politeness, quite unlike his usual self.

"May I first offer my congratulations on such a fine clutch?" Ngaran paused with a respectful smile before continuing. "By your leave, Weyrwoman and Gold Kaveth, I would be honored to have the opportunity to touch the eggs of your beautiful clutch." He'd been practicing that since he got here, oh yes he had, seeing as he wasn't about to mess this up.

After presenting himself, Ngaran drolly cast his gaze over the Candidates assembled before his eye caught on one in particular--that infuriating girl Yulu from before. Well, not really infuriating--she really seemed to be one of the few people that Ngaran could actually (with practice) stand here. Rather than go straight for her as most may have done, Ngaran strolled over to the eggs, first laying his broad hands on the Spicy Red Egg.

Oh, this little dragonet inside seemed to go at a speed similar to his own. He could almost palpably feel the impatience radiating from this one, and he loved it. Ngaran was sure that this one would at least be an interesting dragon, not a droll little patsy like some of the kinder-minded ones, and he couldn't wait to see it emerge from its shell.

He moved on again, this time to a closer egg, avoiding the Golden Stag egg. His fingers brushed the Streaked Sky Egg on his way to the Orange Stripe egg, and the feeling he got from this one made Ngaran instantly sort of latch on to is, giving it a good rub. This one almost was a little hostile, and he could tell that it didn't appreciate his touch. Perfect! Whereas the Orange Streak dragonet would be mildly interesting, this one would be definitely, definitely something to keep an eye on. Ngaran was almost loath to go touch the others, but he did so, casting one last glance back at the egg before moving on.

Canoake stood aloof from the others, watching and observing. She noticed the girl Jada and Tofir moving along with the others. They were being herded into the Sands and in front of the rather small yet spectacularly colored clutch. J'ev and the new Weyrleader, I'dan, seemed to be in a jolly mood. As usual, Malkai was watching with keen but cool interest.

And Kaveth. Not the prettiest of golds but certainly she had an air of power and security about it. Was it because she had laid a fine clutch or finally caught the position of lead gold in Telgar?

Canoake schemed and plotted. There was a gold in this clutch and she would do what was needed to make sure that she touched the egg and any others that called to her. But, and she frowned ever so slighly at this, she would Impress a gold. It was what she deserved.

Giving a respectful bow in the direction of her leaders and the gold, the young woman moved around and circled. So many Candidates! But this was not a time to socialize, oh no. This was a time to make sure that when she touched the eggs, they knew who she was...

And stepping forward, Canoake raised a hand towards the Streaked Sky Egg. The feeling she got from this egg was one of irritation. Almost like it was impatient to be done with this and get back to what it was doing. Not that an egg could do much. Canoake allowed herself a smile because she often had this feeling as well. Her hand lingered but for a minute or so before she allowed it to drop. Whomever resided in that egg certainly had a strong personality.

The Golden Stag Egg and the New Grass Egg were close to each other and seemed to almost be touching. Canoake new the attitude of Telgar very well. They would not tolerate very well a woman impressing to any other color besides Gold and slightly more acceptable green. Even if Malkai were a little less hidebound that Iva, Canoake kept her face schooled as she leaned in and around to get closer. She would not rush, she would not show impatience. One move at a time. The beauty watched how others reacted and waited.

Folen approached the Golden Stag egg slowly. Laying a hand on the smooth surface he suddenly found himself smiling though he couldn't have said why. Giving the egg a little nod born of reverence and respect he shifted his attention to the next egg.

Touching the Spicy Red egg's bright mottled shell he took a deep breath to still his thoughts and focus only on the egg before him. Opening his eyes he gazed down at the backs of his hands where they were perched on the shell . There was a brusque feeling about this egg, perhaps even irascible though until the dragonett emerged no one would know for certain. Whatever the reason for the emotion, the dragon inside would likely be one to approach with caution. Giving the egg the same bow of recognition he had given the gold stag egg Folen moved on to the third egg.

If the second egg had caused some tension within Folen this Three spotted egg drained it right away. There was something quite appealing about this lazy egg that Folen wasn't able to name, but existed all the same. Smiling once more he gave the egg a pat and the bow that had by now become a familiar routine.


The pink charcoal egg was next and Folen gently stroked the smooth shell. This egg held an eagerness that was similar to the Spicy Red egg though it seemed to be born more from excitement and anticipation than impatience. Well, he could certainly understand that sort of a feeling. "We can't wait for your hatching day either." he murmured laughingly to the egg.

After bowing to the fourth egg Folen nearly passed the Streaked Sky egg up such was the negative emanation from the egg. Bowing to the egg he touched it gingerly they were to touch all the eggs, but he didn't like feeling as if he were forcing his attention on an egg and so swiftly moved on to the next.

They Grey Speckled egg was a welcome relief after the adverse reaction of the previous egg and Folen let himself relax into a deeper sense of calm before offering the egg a tender rub and a bow.

Strangely Folen found himself at ease despite the overly strong sense of self assurance the Orange Stripe Egg was giving off. He had been judged unworthy before, though he wasn't sure he was being judged so now. Either way, He would deal with this hatching the same way he dealt with previous misjudgments, by moving forward secure in the knowledge that he had is own unique worth even if others sometimes could not see it. He was sure that at some point he would find the one thing he was meant to do and an imperious dragon wasn't going to frighten him away from seeking out every possibility.

The new grass egg almost gives off the sense of timidness and Folen whispers soothing nonsense to it before moving on to the next and last egg.

The Blue Earth egg wiggles slightly as Folen touches it and he smiles glad he could finish on such a positive note. For he can tell the little one within is quite pleased with itself and the candidates currently gathered around to touch it. All in all it has been a brilliant day. One he won't likely forget. Looking back over the eggs he commits to memory those that seemed negative or hostile. From the stories he's heard of past hatching at Harper Hall it would be a good idea to be watchful.