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In order to touch this next egg properly, Kyros had to kneel down in the sand; this was the smallest he'd seen so far, and glancing around quickly he thought it was probably the smallest in the clutch. That made it a green, then... or an atypical? He was pretty sure they tended to come from small eggs, they hatched the same size as greens didn't they? Well, all save whites; those were even smaller.

Still, green, white, black, or otherwise when he laid a hand on the shrinking violet egg, he got the impression that this one would come out sweet but shy; the longer his hand stayed on it the more unsure the feeling coming out of it became. Not one wanting to be the center of attention, would it choose a rider to match that facet of its personality, or would it want a brash bondmate to balance it out? He had been told that nobody knew why dragons chose, but that one way or another every match was perfect. Like to peas in a pod, or like the two sides of a mark; somehow it all fitted in the end. Trying to send a feeling of reassurance to the shy purple egg, Kyros pulled his hand back and rose to his feet, dusting sand off his trousers before moving over to the next egg.

The battered wing egg seemed a logical choice to him as it stood just behind the shrinking violet. This one was rather larger, maybe it was a brown or a blue? Whatever it was, touching it made him smile; it almost seemed as if the dragonet was lost in thought, but it didn't mind his presence. What could it be contemplating? Was it aware that it would hatch soon, and thinking about what sort of rider to choose? Perhaps it was not aware yet, perhaps none of them were, and what you felt when you touched an egg was a shadow of what was to come rather than a real reaction.

When he stepped back, and then reached over to touch the mellow daisy egg, Kyros tilted his head to one side thoughtfully. This one felt unsure, not afraid, just undecided... he almost felt as if he was being appraised, and as such questioned his notion that the dragons inside these eggs weren't aware. It might not have decided about him or anything else one way or another, but the dragon inside this egg certainly knew he was here.

Touching the next egg, the withering leaf, almost made him feel guilty, as though he was upsetting an important schedule. What schedule an unborn dragon could have Kyros wasn't sure, but whatever it was, he was butting in. This one was fairly big, he guessed that made it either brown or bronze, so perhaps this one would hatch into a leader like his uncle was; everything done on time and done properly, or so help you he'd have your head on a platter. Much as this dragon felt displeased with him it made Kyros smile a little after he made that comparison; a nice little reminder of home.

The next egg was set slightly apart from the rest of the clutch, and as he approached Kyros wondered why Brakiath had placed it here. Come to that, why had she placed the rest of the clutch as she had? Was it random, or had she arranged them based on what she knew of them; they were her children after all so surely if he himself could get a feeling from the eggs just by touching them for a few moments the golden queen already knew all of their quirks... Perhaps the watching eyes egg had been put here because it didn't really want to be part of the group. It felt... distant, not hostile, but certainly not welcoming. Did it actively dislike him, or was it just a self-reliant dragon who simply didn't need anyone? Well, it would need a rider, but Kyros got the feeling that this one wouldn't be frantically scrabbling around to find its bondmate when it hatched.

Another Touching.

Twice in her life Moira had stood just where she stood now, curling and flexing her toes as she slowly buried her feet in the hot sand, blue eyes wandering over the mottled shells. The colors were different, the number and sizes and shapes all varied, but the feeling was exactly the same. She always came as though she were seeking something, as though she expected to find some answer to a question she didn't even know yet. Possessed by some irrational need, it gnawed in the back of her mind, an impatient wondering that she couldn't quite fit into words. Twice now it had gone unanswered, leaving her to smile politely and listen to the consolatory chorus of the Weyr's inhabitants.

Next time.

Someday.

Other fish in the sea, other dragons in the clutch, other chances to Impress. There's always tomorrow, next turn, next clutch. They were thin bandages carefully placed over the wounded pride of every failed Candidate, save those who would come of age before the next Hatching. For those, there were no words. No syllables, no matter how elegantly strung, would sooth their troubled minds. They left the sands for the last time, often with heads hung and red-rimmed eyes focused on their feet. For those, one could do nothing but step aside and let them go. At such a point, words because exactly that; just words. On occasion she would share a glance with another failed Candidate, and together that would smile halfheartedly and make small talk about the new dragon riders. After a few weeks the feelings subsided, a new clutch would eventually come, and the pins lined back up, ready to be knocked down once again. And when they failed again, they would put on brave faces and exchange those same hopeful pleasantries that they loathed to hear from others.

Next time.

Someday.

Her attention returned to the task at hand when they were finally ushered past the gates and released in a slow trickle, three or four at a time. Moira did not linger, but did not rush. A couple of Candidates skipped eagerly to the front, and Moira guessed them to be new. Fresh. Candidates eager to touch a dragon's egg for the first time. She remembered her own first venture onto the sands. Giddy with anticipation and clumsy with eagerness, she had tripped within her first few steps, landing face-first in the sand. The Candidatemaster of the time had hauled her up by an arm and whispered a warning, and she has resumed the Touching with apprehension and fear.

Not this time.

Moira walked with confidence, and gave a deep bow to Abigail and Brakiath. Her smile was sincere, her voice steady. “Thank you,” was all she said. It was a simple sentiment, but loaded with meaning. Really, Moira just saw no need to say more. She didn't need to exclaim the beauty of the eggs or their significance; surely Brakiath already knew such things. She smiled, made brief eye contact with both of them, and bowed once more before heading towards the nest.

Moira took a deep breath, and settled her hand upon the Ray of Sunshine egg.

Nasuymi had stayed towards the back of the group. They had pulled her from her work to do the Touching today. For some reason, today of all days was the most important day to rub up against the dragon eggs. "Gah. If I's a egg, I wuldna want nobody touchin me."

She said this to herself and not to any others around her. She had met a handful of them. Personally, she was hoping to catch another look at that girl, La's legs. But that was between herself and herself. Shaking up and listening to the Candidate Master bellow, Nasuymi waited to the instructions. They were to be touching both clutches today. Sounded fun. And then, she could go back to her little ones and tell them of today's adventures. Oh, the older ones had begged for her tales about being near the ones called Opeth and Cheryth. Then bugged her about what her lessons were like... This would be one more tidbit for them to dream about and recreate games. She did a quick count, fourteen eggs with a queen eggs. Nasuymi knew that the gold egg with it's patterning that reminded her of a new day was not for her. Queens like nice and proper girls, she snorted. She was anything but proper and especially not nice. She watched the first flow of Candidates and Weyrbrats like herself rush over to where surely the gold and bronze lay resting side by side. A slight tugging and she turned to the four eggs resting by themselves up close. They were the Tree Bark Egg, Gentle Breeze Egg, Distorted Reflection Egg, and the Animal Tracks Egg. No one would pay them any mind at first and so, arms crossed and a determined look on her face, she moved towards the smaller eggs.

The Distorted Reflection Egg called to her first. A quick run of her fingers across the shell caused a smile to crack on her face. Now this one that had something in common with her. The ladies were so much easier to handle than boys were as they did not demand as much... At least physically. Already, she was pleased with this egg. "'Lo there lil one. I reckon you got ter right idea bout wha' should be goin' on. No worries for you." A quick nod and she moved on to the Tree Bark Egg. A sense of what is going on and what am I missing totally came over her. Every egg was different just like every person was their own. "You wonder wha' goes on too much an' you may miss ou' on teh real 'portant stuff." She laid her hands on the egg and rubbed it from top to bottom, like one would rub down a canine. "Good luck wi' you." A quick side step and she was in front of the Gentle Breeze Egg. By now, she was starting to sweat slightly. Trine was a warm place and the sands even warmer. Personally, the creche worker hoped she wouldn't have to touch all the eggs. When she approached the egg, she felt as if she were being inspected. A short bit of laughter left her lips and she shifted her weight. Boredom and a slight sense of waiting overcame her. "Relly? Relly? Lil one, you kin o'ly move a'fast as you make yerself move. I wuld be bored too wif nothin' to do." Amused, she tapped a little beat on the shell like one she would tap for her little ones. "Hope tha' keeps you 'mused fer a bit." Finally, the Animal Tracks Egg was left for her to handle. One slight hand and she gave herself a shake. Nasuymi understood that need, that drive to live. This one here preferred the boyos which was fine with her. "Good luck with that luck," she told it as she moved away from the quartet.

Now came the tree bark egg, and as he touched it Kyros felt that this one was just as curious about him as he was about it. As he ran his hand down the shell he almost felt as if it was learning about him. Bonded dragons couldn't read minds, save for their riders, but could they do so before they Impressed? He supposed they had to be able to, how else would they know which candidate was their lifemate? Humm, still, much as he enjoyed the egg's welcome, and its curiosity about him, Kyros had to move on.

He came then to the gentle breeze egg, and he got the feeling that this one couldn't wait to be free of its egg. He could imagine it - blue or green? - always being the one to demand when they could move onto their next lesson, waiting with bated breath for excitement every day... He hoped the little dragon found somebody with an adventurer's spirit to match its own, or at least who wouldn't mind going along for the ride. Smiling slightly Kyros gave the egg a gentle pat and tried to send it the thought: 'Soon'.

Next along was the distorted reflection egg. This one seemed to welcome him too, but... perhaps not as much as it could have? That was an odd thought, it had certainly felt friendly but... Kyros shrugged internally; perhaps he could compare notes with some of the other candidates later. He still knew almost nobody but he suspected that didn't matter; everyone would be bright eyed and bubbling over with excitement about the experience, and the possibility that they would soon become a rider. For himself... he was excited, of course he was, but as ever he was hardly bouncing off the walls. The day of the hatching would come and he looked forward to it, and he wanted to discuss what he thought of the eggs and to hear what others thought, but he wasn't losing sleep over it all. Realizing that he had been beside the distorted reflection egg lost in thought for some time, Kyros gave the pretty pale shell a last pat before moving over to the final egg in Brakiath's clutch.

This last egg was the animal tracks egg, and immediately Kyros felt that it was ambivalent about him at best. Still, while it wasn't welcoming him with open arms it didn't feel outright hostile to him at least. Nevertheless, Kyros had the feeling that this one wouldn't be choosing him. Fair enough. Other than that the egg seemed... well, it seemed a bit like trouble, perhaps. Driven, determined, and not in a restrained way.

After a few moments, Kyros removed his hand from the orange shell and straightened up to his full height, stepping out of the way of the other candidates and surveying the clutch thoughtfully. Over all, there weren't any eggs here that seriously worried him; with his lack of experience that probably meant nothing but still, he hadn't felt as if any of them were going to go for his throat. As for ones that might chose him... Well how should he know? He had felt welcome from lots of them, but no instant strong connections which indicated he was The One for that dragon. From what he had gathered over the last few fraught days, however, was that this was normal; you came out of the Toughing with some knowledge of the dragons within the eggs, but no more idea of whether or not you would be chosen than when you'd walked onto the sands.

All the same it had been an amazing experience, one he would chew over at length no doubt. Smiling quietly to himself Kyros turned to Brakiath and bowed deeply to her and her rider once more before turning and heading towards the arch which would take him to Alumanth's clutch.

Viskal stretched and now craned his neck to spot which eggs he’d missed. Despite the thick soles he’d sown onto his boots, the sand was still turning his boots into buckets of sweat, and his skin prickled and itched with irritation.

Noting the Watching Eyes egg standing aloof at a distance, he rolled his shoulders and advanced on it, taking special interest in it simply because it was set apart. A hand on its surface showed it didn’t think much of his dye-stained hands, but otherwise didn’t mind him. It reminded him of a bronze flitt he’d seen once, keeping its own council and regarding humans from some unreachable perch. Viskal licked his lips thoughtfully before making his way elsewhere.

Tree Bark was next in his chaotic, sweeping path, and he found his deep, pressing curiosity reflected beneath the hard surface, only it seemed incurably energetic about welcoming and exploring Viskal. Unfocused perhaps? Not sure he’d discovered more than the dragonet, Viskal moved on.

It didn’t take long at the Loud Echo for Viskal to move on, somewhat repulsed by its noisy inner chatter. The Shirking Violet reminded him of the Mellow Daisy in some ways, and when he pressed its pleasant nature it gave way to uncertainty. He hummed and moved away.

Bared Fangs and Animal Tracks were the last of this clutch. Viskal approached the first, a darker egg with toothy sort of markings, and squinted when he touched it, his own thoughts intense. A harsh smirk lit his face after a moment, and he gave the egg a knowing pat, though it didn’t seem to notice though its own stubborn purpose, and moved on. He liked that sort of determination.

He’d avoided Animal Tracks until last purposefully. He’d seen a pair of girls touch and shrink from the egg, and wanted practice before approaching it. He pressed his hands against its crown quickly, but it didn’t reject him as expected. It swept him up for a moment as he tried to match spirits with the dragonet, but eventually he gave an aggrieved sigh and stepped back, looking at the shell admiringly.


He threw his gaze back, finally resting on what must have been the queen egg. He’d avoided it at first, not feeling it his place to touch the head of the clutch that would seek a girl, but knowing more of Touching now he stepped forward and laid a respectful hand on the Ray of Sunshine. Urged to show himself to the queen by way of introduction, he only tried to give an impression of himself before stepping away. It took a moment longer than he expected, for he felt a myriad of emotions and he hadn’t been expecting to putt aback in such a way by an egg. He might have bowed before he left the first sands if he’d felt the unhatched queen had been able to noticed it. Maybe later.

He continued his way around the eggs. He moved his hands from Animal Tracks, to Distorted Reflection and felt rejection. He shrugged his shoulders and moved on. Next to touch was Gentle Breeze and Saykiro had to laugh at the impatient feel he got. Soon little one. You will be out of there soon. I wouldn't be surprised if you hatch first. His hand moved to Tree Bark, which gave him a shock. It seemed this one wanted to know about him. He pulled his hand back and thought for a little bit, while others touched it. He continued on, but thought he might come back and touch it again.

The Withering Leaf was next on his way around. It seemed to be disappointed in him. It seemed because he went out of order in touching. With a gentle pat, he moved on to Mellow Daisy. There was a feeling of being reserved. Maybe this one was thinking of what to do, and just didn't want us to know about it. Yours might have some trouble with you

He touched the little Shirking Violet. Such a pleasant feeling at first, that he touched it with both hands. Once the other hand was there, there was some hesitation.

On his way out to the next clutch, Saykiro touched Battered Wing and felt a calmness about it. He had seen the others touch it, and heard rumors that it shies away, but he didn't get that feeling. He smiled at the egg as he gave it a gentle rub. Seems you aren't shy with me.

When the candidates had been told to drop what they were doing and come straight to that hatching stands for the touching that had bee exactly what Zal had done which explained why the herdbeats of the weyr were all happily munching from a bucket of feed that had half sprawled its contents across the grass.

The young candidate responsible soon hurrying across the bowl to join the small crowd of candidates that had already gathered. Zal wasn't the shy type but he still took position more towards the back so that he could watch those before him for the correct procedures for the event. To his own surprise he found there were butterflies in his stomach, at first when he had come here he had felt horribly homesick, missing the farm and more importantly Olan. But a he had gotten used to the routine, the chores that were required he had started to pick up on the excitement of the other candidates, sometimes when they spoke longingly of the bond that was shared with a dragon he was reminded of Olan again and occasionally he thought he missed that feeling more than the boy himself.

To stay thought would be to betray that bond with his idol but to go back would be to betray the hopes his parents had for him. And over time the only way to solve the issue had become to bond with a dragon, he knew the riders travelled all over which meant he could go home whenever he wanted and his family would have reason to be proud since he would have achieved their wishes for him.

As the crowd seemed to fill out then move forward he followed, seeing as the majority went first to the chamber where the gold watched over her young ones Zal followed them. Seemed as good a place to start as any really, and after bowing to the queen respectfully he walked straight forward and greeting the Gentle Breeze Egg maybe because his mind was quite empty of any other overriding thoughts he picked up on the eggs impatience almost instantly. Jerking his hand away with a blink he stared at the smooth shell. He had not expected to feel anything but the texture of the egg so the sudden invading emotion came as quite a shock, curiously he put his hand back atop the egg and closed his eyes, getting a good reading on the frustrations and impatience that boiled up from the creature within. He gave it a understanding pat "well you'll be out soon so there is no point in getting worked up over it." he told the egg before his own awakened curiosity drew him to the next.

The shell of the Distorted Reflection Egg and knew he wasn't welcome. He gave the egg a frown and a shake "well then I don't much like you either." he told it a little put off by the warning when he had first spread his fingers across the shell, he held his hand there stubbornly for a few minutes longer than he should have before moving on.

Moving around the last less than pleasant encounter with the feelings of the growing dragon inside the DRE he was more set at ease by Animal Tracks Egg it seemed to approve of his touch and although he got no strong emotions, another sightly undecided creature but determined to see through whatever came his way, at least he was not unwanted which was always a good thing. He gave the egg a stroke of thanks, and got a linger feeling this might turn out to be a bit of a mischief maker. That's what they called him sometimes and he felt a smile on his lips. It wasn't such a bad thing really.

He might have stayed longer silently feeling out the animal tracks eggs but there were others that wanted to meet him or her so he was soon jostled alog to the next one, the Tree Bark Egg and well, that was a very strange feeling, so far he had bee trying to feel what was inside the egg and information about it this one, more than the others felt like it was trying to do that to him, inspecting every inner inch and wanting to know what was beyond the confines of the shell. "your impatient like the first one." he muttered to himself. "Don' worry they say you'll be out soon." he promised it and again, feeling people coming up behind him he moved on.

Quite enjoying the experience now of being introduced to the first forms of each personality, a small mental link of picking up on new born desires.

That was very clear in the Watching eyes egg. Although once more he found himself unwelcome. Still it wasn't the same sense as before, it wasn't anything particular about him just his touch, and it took him a moment to realise his hands were still covered in barn dust from tending the herdbeast. Feeling slightly embarrassed due to the blunder he quickly rubbed his hands across his pants to try and clear them of dust which only made things worse.

Making a strangled coughing sound he quickly moved on to the Withering Leaf Egg which turned out not to be a whole lot better, and seemed to approve of him touching him the dark aloof brother beside him which he wasn't sure about at all,he didn't know if it liked him personaly or not either way he quickly moved on.

The day of the touching! Like the other candidates, she stood in line, waiting for instructions. She'd showed up on time, disliking tardiness- it was simply disrespectful. She made her way into the hatching grounds with the rest of the candidates, and found it almost uncomfortable. The heat radiating off the sands might be good for dragons, but even as her boots touched the sand, it was uncomfortable to her. She'd have to put that out of her mind though, as there was much to be done. The orders barked out, reached her ears, and she was off. Before she came to the eggs, she noted Brakiath, and her rider Abigail. She bowed deeply, for protocol. Despite herself, she couldn't trust the weyrwoman, her past giving her little incentive to bestow trust on anyone who didn't first earn it. She moved on quickly from here.

The first egg to touch- the Ray Of Sunshine Egg. She followed the rest of the candidates, and placed her hand upon it, her eyes widening when she felt the first sensations of the creature on the other side of the shell. She was told that this was a queen, that apparently, that had been obvious and she didn't disagree, she was only curious. She ran her hand over the shell, curious of the feelings she received- dedicated and scornful then back again? She didn't spend to much time here, as lingering was frowned on.

Next, Liyar moved to the Fresh Dirt Egg, She touched the egg and immediately wanted to linger! This dragonet felt as if it were very friendly, and hungry. Liyar felt a stirring in her guts in sympathy for the dragonet inside. You'll be out, and feeding. You'll love it out here, she thought ever lovingly. She wanted to stay, but had to move on. She did so, looking back over her shoulder at the Fresh Dirt Egg several more times.

Next, the Bared Fangs Egg. Touching it reveled a sense of mine, and even...annoyance? She couldn't help but smile, and send feelings of happiness and gentility, and that what was the dragonets' was definitely the dragonets' and it would find much more out here that would belong to it, but it didn't need to be irritated. She thought this one seemed almost haughty.

The next egg was the Grassy Plain Egg. Liyar touched at as she had all the rest, and a smile spread across her lips. It was as if she'd just finished playing peek-a-boo, for the dragonet inside seemed surprised to be found. She ran her hands down the side of the egg, giving it a soothing pat as if to let it know that it had done a good job of hiding, if it was the case that it wanted to be hiding at all.

She moved on, the next egg the Loud Echo Egg. This egg struck her, and she opened her eyes a bit wider. A sociable dragon, one she got the impression was very interested in communicating. She thought perhaps he or she would enjoy music, as well for the keening she could feel. Liyar felt very much attached to this egg already, for being somewhat a sociable creature herself. She touched the egg a few more times, then relinquished it and moved on to the next.

The next egg was the Shrinking Violet Egg. This egg was definitely more pleasant then the Bared Fang Egg, and Liyar wondered how so many different personalities could come from one clutch. When she re-touched the egg, she found it less stressed then the first time. That was a good thing, and she smiled generally- this little green would be shy. Liyar conveyed feelings of security to the dragonet inside before moving on.

The next egg is the Battered Wing Egg. The little dragonet inside seems mild, and she feels that it is gentle. She smiles at it, but her assertive personality, like she'd heard of other candidates, was shied from- her personality simply didn't fit the dragonet inside. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, she simply gave the dragonet feelings of affection and welcome nonetheless, and walked away to the next.

The next egg was the Mellow Daisy Egg. When her hand was placed on this egg, she found confusion, as if it didn't know what to tell her, and didn't know what to say to her, what feeling to portray. She wasn't actually sure, either, and gave the egg feelings of comfort, as well. She waited, and re-touched the egg once more. Perhaps it was curious of her, and she smiled to it, but felt...awkward. She left this egg politely enough, and went on to the next.

The next egg she made her way to, and touched was the Withering Leaf Egg. This egg gave her a mildly grumpy expression of feeling, and she sort of wanted to laugh at the response. Aggression half made her laugh, and she patted the egg gently. She liked his or her moody behavior already, it fit her own rather nicely. Complimentary, you might say. She patted the egg gently, giving it a soothing feeling in response, and then moved to the next egg.

The next egg she touched was the Watching Eyes Egg. She touches this egg with curiosity, and her clean hands got a warm reception. This dragonet made a curious reception, as if it didn't necessarily need company, or want it. It in itself was all the company it really needed, it seemed. This egg, possibly a blue or brown, gives her a different sort of impression then most. Being that she was awfully masculine, she wondered if she'd impress outside a green. Then again, any dragon was good as far as Liyar was concerned.

She moved to the next egg, the Tree Bark Egg. Putting her hand on this egg, she flinched and jerked her hand away. Such curiosity was something she was...not happy with. She gently touched it again, with a hand on the egg, she gave it feelings of welcome, but did not stay. Curiosity, about her, was a bit to much.

She hurried on, approaching the Gentle Breeze Egg. This egg, when touched was impatient to start an adventure, like herself. Liyar found it a very nice step up from the to-curious egg she'd felt was to much for her. She touched the egg again, and found it seemed to be energetic. She pat the egg, sending soothing signals to it. , you'll be on your own adventure! She promised.

The next egg was the Distorted Reflection Egg. She frowned when it touched her- such a womanizing feeling! She frowned slightly, though it felt strange. Such a female-preference! She wasn't sure what this dragon might think of her masculine nature, so she gave it soothing thoughts before she left it alone quickly.

The last egg on the sands, the Animal Tracks Egg, was last for Liyar to touch. She caressed this egg gently, and when she did, she found herself...less accepted somehow. Not to the extent some other girls where, but...she was definitely greeted only casually. So she spent little time here.

When she was finished touching these eggs, she paused. Liyar surveyed the clutch, and the candidates. What dragon, if any, would be hers? Was her dragon even in this clutch? Was there a dragon for her at all? She'd heard of candidates standing for years, only to be unimpressed. This worried the young girl- what if she didn't impress at all? What was there to go back to? A sinking feeling nestled into her guts. There wasn't anything to go back to, she realized. Then something caught her attention- right, there was a second clutch. She made her way to complete the touching, feeling a tiny bit weary.