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Egg Descriptions:

The Solid-As-A-Rock Egg - The size of a small Green egg, this darling is placed surprisingly centrally in the Clutch, though it appears to lean toward no egg in particular, despite the many larger eggs towering around it. Touching its sturdy shell really does give the impression that one is leaning on a rock, when combined with the slightly rough shell and the egg's dull gray color. The personality inside, however, is curious enough to be sensed after a moment. Who are you? Well, aren't you interesting. It hasn't met you before. How is Candidate training going? Yes, polite and friendly are two traits this egg gives off in spades, although it does seem a bit distant. Whether or not that distance is from the shell or is just part of the dragon is difficult to discern.

The Deceptively Delicate Egg - Touching this tiny black egg brings the concern that the shell is a bit thinner than usual and may mean trouble for the growing dragon inside. Why look, you can practically see straight thr-- A sharp lash of anger in your direction will quickly quell that idea. The dragon inside clearly takes offense to your-- and anyone else's-- belief that it is somehow weak. However, beyond the anger, or if you manage to avoid its wrath, there is a strong sense of drive to the little beast inside. Perhaps, if you can't understand that appearances mean nothing, it will just have to find someone who does.

The Critically Condescending Egg - Oh, you're a Candidate? Well, isn't that nice. Based on size, this egg would be a Brown or a Bronze, and the attitude inside is certainly enough to match. Although the dragon's presence just barely hovers against the shell, there is always the faint feeling that it's mocking you and, should it decide to do so, could be less than polite about it, too, if it suited the shell's occupant. After all, the pick is its choice, isn't it? A good thing, too, that there are so many... other choices. But, of course, as a Candidate you should be up for consideration, too. The shell of this faintly insulting egg is a dull (and rather ugly) mottled green and gray.

The Swirling Depths Egg - The Blue or Green contained in this egg seems hesitant to come to the surface, almost as if it's shy or scared, despite there being no reason for it that you can tell. Even coaxing it only works somewhat. The hesitancy doesn't seem to ever leave entirely, although if you spent a goodly amount of Touching time with this egg, it might uncoil just enough to tentatively reach out to you. This egg's name clearly comes from its shell: a swirled mix of pale blue and dark, rich teal.

The Jitterbug Egg - Shake. Shakeshake. Tremble. Roll. Feynith constantly has to move this egg, readjust its positioning, and pick it back up. The little one inside always appears to be changing position or trying to get to its other siblings in a much less subtle way than eggs usually move. Strangely, when one touches the shell, the dragon inside doesn't seem as spastic as its motions imply. There is a hesitancy about responding to touches that might remind Candidates of the Swirling Depths egg, but this egg warms up much more quickly to its visitors than its sibling and feels like it's encouraging you to share in its good mood. The size of the egg indicates either a Green or a Blue.

The Sturdy Prankster Egg - A fairly good sized egg this one is thought by most to contain either a large brown or small bronze, it is situated a respectful distance from it's larger siblings though is clearly still wanting to be a part of the group. Touching this egg gives off slightly contradictory feelings - on one hand you get the sense that this dragon will be a hard worker on the other hand theres a small glimmer of amusement underneth that makes you wonder if the dragon really will be..or if it's just pulling your leg.

The Proud but Polite Egg - This egg is small and most likely contains a green according to most of the older riders, but if it is a green then its certainly a very pride filled one. Placing your hand on this egg gives you the impression that the dragon inside is politely pleased to see you..unless you have sand on your palm then there might be a bit of hesitancy in it's response...though after a few moments you might still get a polite if slightly disapproving greeting.

The Startling Green Egg - This egg is bright, so bright in fact that its lime green shade is enough to either draw people to it or make them shy away completely. With such a bright egg most candidates seem to expect an equally bright personality to bubble up from inside, however placing your hand on this shell might leave one slightly disappointed... It's almost like the little dragon inside is asleep..or just not paying much attention to whats going on around it. Either way its hard to get a real fix on it. It's not a very large egg size-wise.

The Silent Egg - Like its name implies this egg is mysteriously silent, there has been so little connections made with eggs that there's rumors that it's likely to be a dud. True to the mutterings a candidate laying their hands upon this average sized dull sand colored egg is unlikely to get much of an impression - if anything at all. It's hard to say if there is a dragon inside or if its just a recluse of a beast. Either way it certainly lives up to its name.

The Gritted Teeth Egg - This egg greets whoever touches it with a warm but tentative welcome. Whatever is inside seems… nervous. The egg will warm quickly to the attentions of any Candidate who lingers and will send off a pleasant welcome, but it keeps an anxious undercurrent despite whatever consolation the Candidate offers, and seems confused if queried about why it is so tense. Size indicates a green.

The Topsy-turvy Egg - It would seem The Jitterbug Egg’s enthusiastic movements have claimed a victim. Down a steep slope of sand from its sibling, a brown and yellow dappled egg has rolled into a perfectly upside-down position. A wobbling imprint down the slope indicates its journey has been recently made, and the distressed dragonet inside seems too busy twisting in its shell to take much note of the Candidates that visit it, but is it really too distracted to notice those who touch it or is it pretending? Size indicates a large green.

The Streaked Sleeper Egg - This egg likely contains a blue or green. It is a dark brown in color with pale green marks streaking down from its top. Positioned near the center of the clutch, one might think the dragonet inside would be busy or social, but at first touch its clear that the inhabitant of this egg is in deep repose, if not plainly asleep. If bothered long enough, the egg will waken enough to send out a vague, friendly greeting before drifting off once again. Is it friendly, or having a pleasant dream? Is it as lazy as it seems, or worn out from some exertion?

The Dancing Egg - Touching this egg fills the soul with the feeling of laughter, and of languid self assurance that borders on lazy arrogance. It reacts well to candidates with a sense of humour, who know how to kick back, and withdraws from those who are nothing but work work work. The easy confidence radiating out from this egg makes it seem larger than life; in reality it is quite middling in size and could either be a big blue or a small brown.

The 'Is My Middle Name' Egg - This egg seems ready to hatch right now! Life is so boring inside an egg: where's the danger? The thrill? Where are the ladies? For all its impatience to see the world this egg is friendly towards all those who touch it, sending feelings of cocky but warm reassurance to the shy and reaching out to the bold and adventurous as equals. Judging by size, this egg probably contains a blue.

The Veiled Egg - This small egg, certainly a green by size, isn't giving away much at the moment. There's a feeling of life in there but that's all; the dragonet inside is clearly in no rush to make contact with the people who touch its shell.

Cyrci stood amongst the group as one of the smaller candidates her age. Even at 16 she barely came up to five foot one, but that didn't stop the young woman. No she held her back straight, her chin up, she was proud of her scars and her work and she would not disappoint. Glancing around her she looked to the other candidates offering a smile to the few she knew and then with that she approached the Weyrwoman and Weyrleader.

Pausing she tucked her arm and dropped into one of her rare full bows taking pains to do it just as her mother had taught her. Though that didn't stop her once she was done from glancing over her shoulder at the Queen with awe. Well awe until something tugged at her heart strings.

Facing the eggs Cyrci examined them looking for some draw, some clue to show her where to begin. Then gold eyes alighting on the black shell of the Deceptively Delicate Egg she knew.

Dropping to her knees to put herself on level with the tiny egg Cyrci reached out calm hands to carefully stroke the thin black shell. Would this egg make it? It looked, NO! And a reaction as strong and as sure as the tide rolled through her. This egg would not be coddled. Tossing aside her first perceptions Cyrci rested her hands a little more firmly on the egg seeking to show her belief in it. This dragon was going to go places, do things, it would show the whole of Pern that it meant business. It like her was not going to be judged for it's size. If she could help take down a rampaging wher then sure as the first egg this dragon would make it out of that shell. This was a dragon that did not seek to live, but to thrive. No ones gonna bring you down. Cyrci thought with a calming whirling click to the egg her own drive roaring to life. Both would prove that they would rise above the ranks and needed not to be coddled. Shoot for the moon and if you miss you still fall among the Dawn sisters.

Reluctantly Cyrci pulled her hand back from the tiny black egg mourning the loss of such a bright personality and moved to the next egg. The Gritted Teeth Egg.

Cyrci was not really sure what to make of this egg when she laid her hands upon it. It was just so nervous and despite her best efforts to project confidence and determined calm the egg just didn't seem to relax. Though it did give her a warm if not confused welcome when she tried to puzzle out why it was so nervous. Giving the egg a small pat the girl once more turned to move on.

Deciding to start from the front of the middle clutch and work her way back. Coming up to the eye burning lime Startling Green Egg Cyrci really had to fight her wherhandler insticts to stoop and put a hand on it. It was just so darn bright! True she loved rich bright colors, but it was almost scalding to her sensitive eyes. Much to her surprise though beneath the shell she found almost nothing. Just the barest sleepy acknowledgement as though someone had briefly cracked an eye open, determined she wasn't a threat, the rolled right back over. Sighing and shaking her head Cyrci quickly removed her hand moving on.

Waiting till the other boy had finished with the Streaked Sleeper egg Cyrci stepped up to it bending to rest her hands on the smooth service. Another sleepy one it seemed? But in a more calm lazy almost tired way as though the dragonet inside was deep in thought or having an interesting dream. After a few long moments Cyrci was greeting with warmth making the girl smile and ponder on what lay beneath the surface of the egg. Sleep tight. She thought to it as she pulled her hand back spotting another egg of interest down a small slope.

Sliding down the small slope Cyrci came upon the Tospy Turvy Egg, her lips knitted into a worried frown as she stooped beside the little darling. Running her hands over the brown and yellow dappled shell she wondered if she'd get in trouble if she rightened the egg and gave the rather distressed feeling dragonet inside a hand. Surely that wouldn't be so bad would it? Cyrci lifted her head glancing up at the Weyrwoman and Queen awaiting some sort of permission or dissuading gesture before she attempted to do so. She wasn't the type to just abandon someone who needed her.

Zeren listened carefully, he'd had the lecture several times now since arriving at the weyr and this time there was definitely a more sombre and serious tone to the Candidatemaster's words. He hadn't been planning on speaking loudly or anything anyway since that wasn't his nature but he knew others needed the reminder, it didn't hurt to be reminded od the import of the occasion though.

In Truth Zeren was dreading this hatching, after everything that had happened at the weyrs. In his mind, the dragons hatched here were going to be just as momentous as the hatching that included the Twin Golds at Benden. He'd grieved a little for the Weyrleader but knew life went on, R'hix was the new Weyrleader and so far, he had proven to be a good one. He was interested to see these hatchlings, the first he had seen that had been sired by another Bronze.

He took a deep breath and walked out onto the sands, turning to the Weyrwoman and her golden soulmate he bowed low "Thank you Weyrwoman Eirlyn, i'm honored to attend another clutch and i know they'll be as strong as their mother one day" he said respectfully. He turned away and mentally cursed himself, his words hadn't come out how he'd wanted them to, he'd wanted to give his condolences to her, the first time he had been near her since the death of her weyrmate and he had fluffed his words. He closed his eyes as he walked for a few steps towards the eggs, trying to calm himself down, an angry mind was not one to begin a touching with.

His hand came to rest on the nearest egg to him, The Startling Green one, the brightness of the shell ... he wasn't sure how he felt about it, not given to brightness himself much...unless you counted the shades of his flits that is. A smile tugging on his lips at the thought of his fair, he certainly seemed to accumulate them. He wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing for a potential rider but he loved each of them. He was disappointed to feel no reaction from his first egg and that made him sad. Was this egg a dud?! he wasn't sure but he tried to send good will towards it anyway before moving on.

The next egg he touched was the Gritted Teeth egg, and his eyes flew open, this egg was nervous?! Zeren was surprised, he'd never encountered an egg that didn't have a strong will of it's own to give off. His hand stroked the egg carefully, as if trying to comfort the dragon within "It will be ok, when the time comes look straight for Yours, they will come and make sure you're ok" he thought to it and moved on.

He smiled when getting the reaction from the Sturdy Prankster egg, while he couldn't think of anything in particular to say to it, he gave off a friendly vibe towards it, hoping that whoever was this dragon's partner, was up to the task of keeping that ...amusing... undertone in check.

Next was the Critically Condescending egg and Zeren did not like it's undercurrent of emotions and feelings, in fact, his hand came away from the shell almost as soon as it had touched it and he moved on, trying to be swift so Feynath could be left in peace faster. His hand went to the 'Is My Middle Name' Egg next and he almost chuckled but bit his tongue in time. It certainly cheered him up after the feelings from the last egg, such energy.

Reluctantly he moved onto the Deceptively Delicate Egg, nervous of touching such a small egg, hoping he wouldn't harm the shell. He was right to have been nervous as a sense of a thinner shell came to him, he wasn't SURE but it sure felt like a thinner shell than the others. He got a feeling of annoyance but also a sense of strength behind it's character too and he smiled, nodding to himself before moving on.

Ralla hadn't been sure what to expect from this latest clutch, given the stories of the other Weyrs' latest clutches - giant eggs, twin golds, and all that. Theirs seemed rather standard in size and number, not that that was bad thing; what mattered was what was inside the eggs. Like all the other Candidates gathered to touch the eggs, she hoped that this time, this imminent Hatching, Hers might be there. That she would finally succeed, become a dragonrider.

After bowing to the parents of the clutch and their riders, the young woman chose to begin at the front, laying her hand on the 'Is My Middle Name' egg first, and found herself smiling at the dragon within. This one was ready to hatch now, to get started in life and take on the dangers of it...and meet the females of the clutch. Ralla shook her head, faintly amused.

The Critically Condescending egg was next, and she found her amusement turning to offense. How dare it mock her?! I'm a perfectly good Candidate, I'll have you know, she thought at it with a scowl, Maybe not yours, but that's your sharding loss. Shaking off the indignation, she approached the Startling Green egg, which apparently had deigned not to pay attention to what was going on, or else it was just asleep. How it could stay asleep with everything going on around it, she had no idea. Next, the Streaked Sleeper had a similar feel, and left her feeling equally as puzzled by the lack of response to the attention.

The hesitancy of the Swirling Depths egg gave her pause. Was it simply shy, or was it actually frightened of all these people coming by to touch it, to see who it was...well, she could see where that might distress a more timid indivdual. The Solid-As-A-Rock egg was more positively responsive, curious about her in a polite way. She was flattered, even, that it seemed interested in her, even in a distant way, and departed from it with a silent Thank you. The Jitterbug Egg was initially hesitant, like the Swirling Depths, but didn't stay that way for long. It was in a much better mood, apparently.

The poor Topsy-turvy egg was understandably distressed by its predicament, and she couldn't blame it! Personally, she'd have been pretty sharding put off if someone had bumped her upside-down...especially if she couldn't do anything about it! Wasn't Feynath going to fix it? After glancing briefly at the Queen, Ralla went left a little to the Sturdy Prankster egg, the contradictory feelings of which intrigued her. At first, it seemed like a hard worker - a good, respectable dragon - but there was something else beneath it. She considered it thoughtfully for a long moment before moving towards the eggs in the back. Proud but Polite was, well, exactly that! Dancing, however, withdrew from her touch, leaving her to shrug. Well, if it didn't like her, at least it didn't insult her like the Critically Condescending egg!

The Silent egg was, indeed, silent, and the nearby Veiled egg was quiet as well - but clearly there and alive, leading it to be intriguing rather than worrisome. It would be such a pity if the Silent egg were the dud so many seemed to think...

She made her way to the Gritted Teeth egg, welcoming but nervous. It was an odd combination, certainly, but it didn't seem inclined to reveal the reason for its apprehension, and so she moved on. The Deceptively Delicate egg was last, and there was egg she could appreciate. She could feel it lash out when inevitable thoughts of its delicate appearance flashed through her mind, and she was quick to apologize and offer a sympathetic thought. Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you're delicate just because you look it. That doesn't mean anything, I know. I know.

Taking one last look at the fifteen eggs on the Sands, Ralla left to consider their reactions further in private.

Salin listened attentively to the Candidatemaster, but there was nothing there she hadn't heard before. This wasn't the first time she'd Stand, but she was certain it would be the last. There had to be a dragon waiting for her in one of those eggs! Here eyes kept straying to the rounded shapes waiting on the sands, though she tried to keep her attention on G'ten. When they were released to approach the eggs, she stood before the queen and bowed deeply, then gave another bow to her rider. Then she headed for the eggs, trying not to rush in her eagerness.

The Topsy-turvy Egg caught Salin's attention first, and she headed over to the fallen egg. Poor thing, to have toppled over like that, and it looked like fall was recent. Then again, did being up or down matter much inside an egg? She put her hands to the dappled shell, vaguely considering the idea of giving the egg a slight push to help right it while she was there. The dragonet inside seemed like it was still twisting around and too busy to notice her. She waited patiently a few moments, but didn't get any other feeling from it. Well, she supposed it had reason to be preoccupied. She waited just a moment more before stepping back to look around.

Salin looked up-slope to find what might have been the cause of the last egg's tumble. She could awear she saw the Jitterbug Egg actually quivering and tipping slightly. Had that pushed its sibling over? She trotted up the slope to get a better look at it, and put her hands wise apart on the shell as if to hold it still for a moment. It seemed much more still then, as if it were holding back for a time. Then it grew more friendly, and perhaps even cheerful. Salin smiled and tried to project cheerfulness back at it. Then she stood up and looked around for the next one to approach.

It was her first Touching. Orlina was thrilled, despite G'ten's serious explanation. Yes, it was on the heels of a tragedy, but they still had 15 eggs waiting for their own lifepartners. And yet... Eirlyn had lost her husband and the weyr had lost its Weyrleader. Just thinking of it made Orlina's bubbling excitement still as a swell of pain and sadness for the Weyrwoman overtook her. It was still so close, even with sevendays between the event and now. It was with a decidedly sober air that the majority of the Candidates entered the Sands, and that included Orlina.

She saw Orothor ahead of her with some of the other boys, pressing his hands to eggs, sliding them over the shells. When she reached her first egg and waited for the girl ahead of her to step aside, she did her best to emulate his movements. She almost forgot herself when she felt the first prod from the dragonet in the Deceptively Delicate egg, faintly huffy but not unwelcoming. Her first dragon egg!

Knowing others were waiting, Orlina moved on, checking on her half-brother's actions before she touched any egg. After all, he'd been through Touchings a hundred times before; he must know how to do it by now. She got through several eggs this way, feeling the boisterous, the hesitant, and the just plain asleep.

The next time she looked up to check on Orothor's progress, though, she found herself caught. She smiled sheepishly at Orothor and received a faint smile in return before he moved back to checking eggs on his own. Orlina decided that, perhaps, she would focus on the eggs instead of 'doing it right'.

Cyrci on the other hand still lingered on the sands not far from the candidate master watching her friends progress with a calm and careful eye. She would wait for Orlina. Cyrci had been rather worried about the girl. True they were both knew to this, but she'd seemed so nervous and it was obvious she was checking herself against another candidate, her step-brother, if she recalled right.

Shifting her feet the older girl remained as a silent figure doing her best to ignore the heat pooling through the pads of her boots as she awaited her friends return. She so hoped Orlina's dragon was among this clutch and hers as well. Cyrci certainly didn't want either of them left behind.