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Brynja was - for once - a little quiet, trailing around after Dezima like her new friend was a tug-boat and she herself was lacking any sails. In all honesty, she was a little overwhelmed by the occasion, and especially by the rumbling of the gold, and was subsequently quite happy to have Dezima lead her around. Later (mischief being what it was), she might tell her an elaborate story about why touchings happened in the first place (the true facts of which Brynja had no idea about), possibly involving tunnelsnakes. Really big tunnelsnakes. Man-eating tunnelsnakes. She was composing it already.

"Oh!" She was definitely surprised when she touched the Quick Sparkle Egg, almost taking her hand away immediately before her surprise turned into delight. She hadn't expected to actually feel anything from the egg, let alone that sort of attention grabbing thought and the desire to hatch. She grinned, patting it gently, still surprised by the whole thing. "It's so enthusiastic" she told Dezima.

Touching the Honourable Champion Egg, she was equally surprised by how different it felt - and especially the feeling of judging. Why was it judging her? Had she done anything wrong? She didn't remember doing anything particularly awful recently... when the feeling turned to one of acceptance, she let out a little breath she didn't even realise she'd been holding, and she stayed for a moment before Dezima called to her, walking on quickly.

The Jovial Eclipse Egg definitely got an outright laugh and a "Hi!" out of her when she joined her friend, although initially she had almost snatched her hand away, surprised by the blast of greetings. It was huge - apparently in personality as much as in size - and Brynja was almost-maybe-certain that there had to be something huge like a bronze in there.

She followed Dezima to the Questionable Magnet Egg, putting a calloused hand carefully on it. So many questions! Now there was someone you could chat to, right? The kind of sad feeling as she was about to remove her hand made her hesitate for a moment, before patting it and telling it that of course she'd come back, it was going to be very exciting!

She was glad that Dezima had waited for her, as she'd taken a little while longer over the last egg then she'd meant to, and grinned happily at her with a "Sure! Sounds good to me"

Touching the Sensuous Essence Egg was kind of lovely - it was so welcoming - and she was, again, loathe to leave, but there were other eggs to visit. The Inner Glow Egg was just as lovely, and Brynja smiled broadly at the feeling of goodwill - they were such a nice pair, and it was nice to visit them. She would definitely be happy to meet both dragons when they hatched, as the second already seemed to be ready to do.

"How about that one?" she suggested, pointing to the Resilient Warped Egg.

Huh,the next egg was certainly rather interesting. Kanen rather enjoyed the warm welcome he felt from the Sensuous Essence egg as he ran his hand over the shell. The dragon inside seemed to be of a very confident sort, and it was hard not to like it. He imagined that whoever it chose as Theirs would be someone rather charismatic, not unlike his brother. Still, there were more eggs to be tended to, so he had to move on.

The Gilded Verdant dragonet, however, seemed to take confidence to a whole new level. Kanen got the distinct mental image of this one sitting in front of a mirror and admiring itself while soaking in the adoration of those around it. Or maybe that was just his impression of it. Regardless, there was no denying that this dragonet had a strong sense of pride. At least it was friendly still. I’m sure you and Yours will make quite a pair.

The next egg that he touched, the Unquestionable Love egg, was really quite a pleasant surprise. Such a sweet sweet disposition... Surely this one had to be a green. It was hard to imagine a blue exuding this amount of love and care. Yours will be quite a lucky one, he thought to it with a small smile. Never lose that care. He always liked the sweet dragons.

He was coming much closer to the queen egg now, and had to be very much careful of avoiding Yirath’s tail as he approached the next two. The Bold Crystal egg was another pleasant one, though in a different way from the Unquestionable Love egg. This dragonet seemed rather calm and assured, though he was vaguely amused to note that it seemed to wish to follow him and he was about to move on. I’m sorry, but I have to leave room for others to visit you too, he explained. Yours will be more than happy to have you walking by their side though.

Oh? The Inner Glow egg was certainly an interesting one. He hadn’t felt too much amusement from this clutch thus far (save for that one prankster egg; he still didn’t think that had been the best of jokes). The dragonet inside also seemed to be very friendly and interested in knowing about him as well. He did have to vaguely wonder what it was that he felt like to the eggs that he’d touched all these Turns—and if that was perhaps the reason he’d yet to be sought after by a dragon. He probably wasn’t the most remarkable of Candidate options. I look forward to seeing you at your Hatching. I’m sure that you and Yours will make a nice pair.

The only egg left on the Sands that remained untouched by him was the Glowing Lifestone egg. Normally he’d have still touched it to pay the young queen his respects, but... the queen mother was still looking very much irate and protective at the moment. Deciding it best not to push his luck, he have another deep bow of respect toward Yirath and the Weyrwoman before carefully making his way off of the Sands to wait for his brother. They would have much discussing to do over this batch.

Viddle had never stood on the hatching sands before, she’d never even been to a Weyr. So naturally the Glass Blower turned Candidate was a little nervous. There were so many other candidates and a lot of eggs, but would there be enough for all the candidates? She didn’t know, but didn’t think so either. Someone would be walking off these sands in a few days, more alone than they had been when they walked onto them. She stood off to the side jerking her robe in order after fixing her sandals, and looked around at the others, she was so nervous and excited and just a ball of nervous energy, she shifted her weight constantly from foot to foot. It was similar to how she felt before walking the tables to become a journey woman. The young woman knew that if she didn’t impress this clutch, the chance that she’d age out was highly likely. Putting a smile in place she waited for the go ahead, and pulled her dreadlocks back from her face and tied them back with a leather cord. The sands were hot. Even though Gold Yinath did not seem pleased, Viddle wanted to pay her respects to the Queen and the soon to be hatched gold, first.

When they were allowed onto the sands, she walked straight for the Queen. A few paces away so stopped and bowed deeply at the waist

Thank you Great Yinath for allowing us the great honor of greeting your clutch. May they all hatch and be healthy.

She didn’t know if she was going about this the right way, but hoped it was okay. Then she closed the space between herself and the Great Gold’s tail. Her long legs made it less of a challenge for Viddle to lean over Yinath’s tail to lightly brush the backs of her fingers against the Glowing Lifestone Egg . Despite being very much a lover of the ladies, should she impress this little dragonet would someday be her Queen, so she pay her respects. She was slightly caught off guard for this was the first egg she’d touched, ever. She hadn’t known what to expect.

Greetings Future Queen. I hope to meet you and your siblings soon. May you find Yours swiftly.

She straightened somewhat shakily, but smiled at Yinath blissfully. Then Viddle took several steps backwards before turning to moving to an egg that was not being interacted with at the moment. She went back towards the entrance of the sands where the Quick Sparkle Egg sat. She touched the egg lightly and almost laughed out loud because of the dragonet’s personality.

I only went to greet your mother and golden sister first, you shouldn’t rush yourself though, your shell is quite lovely, it’s a shame you want to shatter it before you are really ready too. Besides don’t you want to hatch with all eyes on you? It’s just the candidates and a few others. If you wait until everyone is ready to hatch, then you’ll have hundreds of eyes on you.
She tried to feed the dragonets need for attention, smiling still she thought
I’m sorry dear one, we are not to linger long at any egg, and I wish to greet all of your siblings, no one should be left out right? May you find Yours swiftly.

Viddle stood straight again and feeling much less uncomfortable now and was more relaxed as she approached the Bursting Shard Egg.At first as a larged scarred hand caressed the egg lightly, like she had the others, there was nothing. She didn’t get any sort of feeling from this egg. The smile Quick Sparkle had brought to her face faded, and frowning now she squat beside the egg and rested both palms against the egg and actively searched for some sort of presence. Feeling the amusement she sighed softly and smiled

Ah sly trickster you are. I am glad all is well with the shell though. You had me worried I was wondering if I should make sure to have my belt knife at the hatching for a moment there. Try not to scare the young ones too much little one. You might upset them. May you find yours swiftly.

She stood smiling again, and looked for an unattended egg, seeing one she approached the The Resilient Wrapped Egg. She didn’t see the egg as ugly its irregular form, but unique and different. She touched the egg lightly and was glad to get a response from it right away, that last one had really unsettled her, she hoped there were no duds in this clutch. From what she could tell, Benden really needed a really strong clutch. But she would bring a belt knife regardless, she knew atypes were not accepted here, but she felt everything deserved the chance to live. So what if they required more attention as they grew?

You’re life has yet to start and you are in a rush already? Life will take you by storm when you hatch from you egg young one. There is much to do and to learn in the world, but rushing it could cause you to miss out on the little things in life. When you and your siblings are ready I hope to get to meet you. May you find Yours swiftly young one.

Really Viddle didn’t know anything about what the dragons themselves had to learn, but she knew she was right about the rushing bit of her advice, life should be savored not rushed through. Hoping she’d gotten through to the dragonet, and maybe eased some of its frustration she stood and walked to another egg. It was never good to be frustrated, I couldn’t be good to be frustrated and trapped in an egg. Still smiling she moved toward the Unpolished Azure Egg She thought this egg was quite pretty. Despite its rough surface she caressed the egg lightly like the others and let her eyes slide closed. She liked the way this one felt toward her. It was sort of a relief after the scare, and the frustration, to be accepted.

Greetings young one, you are quite the mellow fellow aren’t you? That’s good, I suspect your life will be a great one. Thank you. May you find Yours swiftly.

She gave the egg one last pat before moving on. She felt relaxed and much calmer after visiting that egg. She went towards the Considered investigator Egg. As she had before she caressed the egg lightly and felt nothing. Again her smile fell feeling the lack of anything from the egg, but then she felt herself being . . . Studied. This made her feel a little uncomfortable she wondered briefly if this dragonet got the same read off her as the others, and weither it was good or not.

I’ll leave you to your thoughts young one, May you find Yours swiftly.


Then she was standing again, this time rubbing her hands a little, the unease of being actively studied lingered as she approached the Sensuous Essence Egg She relaxed again the moment her scared fingers caressed the egg. She smiled at the eggs welcome, but felt something more from it.
Ah, thank you for the greetings, I feel better now, but dear young one why are you not happy? You and your siblings are sure to hatch soon. Life has much in store for you to savoir and enjoy. You will find Yours swiftly.
She caressed the egg a moment longer before moving on to the next, The Expanding Mind Egg was vacant, so she caressed it, only to stop when she didn’t get any feeling right away. Only to relax again when she felt the dragonet inside was studying her. Again she wondered if she was going about all of this the wrong way, wondering if she even stood a chance, there were many younger candidates on the sands.

Greetings young one, I hope you find Yours swiftly when the day comes.

Again she didn’t linger long for discomfort, but she smiled anyway as she turned to yet another egg. The Balancing Earth Egg was free so she touched it. She was pleased to feel something right away, and that something not being studied or judged. Just that feeling alone made her feel better, but the dragonet inside trying to sooth her unsettled nerves was helpful too.

Thank you young one. It seems I needed to be relaxed again. I hope I’m doing this right. I’ve never been to a touching before, and I haven’t been here long I think I missed the class on what we are supposed to do. All I know is I’m not supposed to linger overly long with any one egg. she found herself lightly petting the egg as she thought with the dragonet I don’t actually know what I’m doing here, but I was asked to stand so, I agreed. She glanced up to see a pale brunette smirking at her. She blushed a little and looked back to the egg I’m sorry I think I’m taking too long there is another who wishes to greet you. May you find Yours Swiftly my friend.
She straightened and watched as tiny hands took the place of her massive ones. Not sure what to say or if to say anything she gave a small smile and nodded to her. The smile grew when the other girl smiled and giggled. Good, this egg was pleasant. She didn’t linger, letting the brunette have her moment with the dragonet she turned to the Honorable Champion Egg, and deflated a little as she felt the dragon inside judging her. She let the egg study her for a moment and was about to give her greeting when the feeling she was getting from the egg changed. She relaxed as the being welcomed her warmly and smiled

I was worried for a moment there that you wouldn’t like me. I can’t wait to meet you and your siblings. May you find Yours swiftly.

Still smiling she moved on to another egg, The ancient Strength Egg felt odd to her. So old for being so young, but there was no judgment so she smiled and thought

I was going to greet you as a young one, but you don’t feel young. So greetings wise one, may you find yours swiftly, I mustn’t linger.

Next she approached the Jovial Eclipse Egg and smiled brightly as she caressed the brown shell. This one was so big and loud personality wise she was sure it would be a handful as a dragon, but loved none the less. Caressing the egg she smiled more and thought,

Greetings to you as well! You are quite the excitable fellow aren’t you? I’m glad to see so many happy dragonets in a clutch. I wish you luck young one in finding Yours, May you find them swiftly.
Giving the egg one last pat she moved on to another egg, she really was trying to go about this the right way. She went to the Questionable Magnet Egg.

I am greeting you and your siblings of course. Everything seems right at the moment. No, I won’t leave just yet but we are not to linger long so I will have to leave soon. But someone will soon take my place for there are many here to greet all of you. How about you, are things going well? Will you all hatch soon? Not all of your siblings are all that willing to wait. I hope to meet you soon Young one. May you find Yours swiftly

Next she moved to the Inner Glow Egg and the smile brought out by Questionable, only grew as she caressed the large egg. This egg made her feel good, she wished she could always feel this good.

Greetings young one, since you ask I am Viddle, I am standing the sands just this once, if I am not meant to have a life partner then I will returned to my glass blowing. But you, you will find yours, and you will succeed when you hatch. I can tell. May you find Yours swiftly friend.

Still feeling good from the last egg Viddle made her way to the Bold Crystal Egg. Yet again large scared hands caressed the eggs shell. This one made her feel good too, so she pet it softly and thought to the young one inside. She wanted to stay and keep the dragonet company all day, but knew she couldn’t,

Greetings in there, I wish I could stay with you, but we are not allowed to linger long with any of you. I don’t really know why. I hope to meet you soon though young one. May you find Yours swiftly.”

She stood and went towards a rich green egg for it had just been vacated. The Gilded Verdant Egg made Viddle feel subpar, with its overwhelming confidence and superiority, despite its friendliness. She cleared her throat a little as if she were about to speak to the dragon, but then was silent as she thought,

Greetings, I am glad all is well within the shell for you. Find Yours swiftly when the time comes

Quickly she stood and looked around at all the eggs making sure she’d been to them all then turned for the last one she’d yet to greet. It was small, but that didn’t mean it would be right for her to not greet it. Squatting down she caressed the egg lightly and smiled a great deal, letting her eyes close as she felt love enveloping her. The Unquestionable Love Egg was for sure the best one for her to have visited last. She basked in the love a moment then thought,

Oh you are the lovely one aren’t you? Thank you. It is nice to be reminded that we are loved, sometimes. I simply cannot wait to meet you my friend. May you find Yours swiftly, my friend. Thank you again. And worry not, I’ll be careful.

Viddle lingered in silence for a moment longer before standing and looking again at the eggs. She wondered if she’d taken too long? She scanned for the wine maker again, wondering what the Balancing had told her.

When the Candidate Master indicated they could all enter, Nemmol let a few people go by and fell in alongside Roscoe, one of the other weyrbrats. Though Nemmol had been raised with a foster family, as opposed to being placed in the creche, Roscoe was his age and had always seemed a steadfast sort. The kind who could become a high-ranked, if rather brash, rider. It would be interesting to see if they both Impressed this time around, or if they were made to wait. Failure didn't mean the end. It just meant waiting once or twice for your partner to arrive. Nemmol had no intention of becoming a "career Candidate" until he turned 21.

Like many other Candidates, Nemmol stopped at the Quick Sparkle egg first, worrying about his impression of the dragon inside rather than the color it might turn out to be. He had no intention of joining in the routine betting that occurred whenever a Clutch was laid. He wanted his lifepartner, not more marks. So he would touch every egg, even the ones that looked like Greens, on the off chance that the size of the egg was deceiving.

He smiled at a female Candidate as he excused himself by her, and got a smile in return. Yirath looked unhappy to see them. He wondered how the girls were going to get at the Queen egg with her in that mood if the Weyrwoman wasn't inclined to make Yirath move her tail. Of all colors, a rampaging Gold hatchling would be bad, so he hoped someone got to it. Obviously, though, that wasn't his place.

In the end, he stuck mostly with Roscoe as he systematically moved through the Clutch, resting both hands on every egg and waiting until he had an impression of the dragonet and had given the dragonet an impression of himself. Even the difficult, silent eggs he gave long enough chances to.

"You almost done?" He asked Roscoe, having kept conversation between them to a minimum while they were on the Sands. They could discuss the Clutch and its sheer size later, once they had their robes and were safely off the Sands.

Lilah didn't like Touchings very much. Oh, sure, you got to touch the eggs and get a feel for the dragons, but even that was possible to get wrong! You could make the Queen angry, or worse, you could trip and fall and break an egg, and then where would you be? In trouble with everyone. While she was usually relatively accepting of failure, that was with things like cutting herself during kitchen chores. Minor stuff, in the scheme of things. Breaking a dragon egg, though, would be major. Major major. Granted, she'd attended Touchings before and had yet to make such a dire mistake, but it was always a possiblity.

So the Candidate was very, very careful as she approached, bowed, and made her way around to touch all the eggs. The Quick Sparkle egg was first, and it was almost jarringly demanding of her attention. She did oblige it, though, since she didn't want to upset it - what if she were to slight it and it remembered and came after her? That would be bad. The Considered Investigator was next, and it was practically the opposite of its sibling - there was barely any feel to it at all, just a faint sense of curiosity. Huh. The Jovial Eclipse egg was a return to a strong personality, this one cheerful - happy to meet her, not just happy that she was giving it attention. An interesting difference. Close by was the Questionable Magnet egg, curious in a more insistent way than the Investigator. It seemed like it wanted to know everything about her, which was very odd for Lilah; it was rare that anyone really wanted to know anything about her. She wasn't sure how she felt about it - it was flattering in a way, but also slightly intrusive.

The Inner Glow took her aback as well. She got the impression that it wanted her to be happy, to let go of her negative feelings...something she wasn't particularly inclined to do. She was comfortable the way she was, thank you! Lilah withdrew her hand and moved on to the Bold Crystal egg. This one was better, not so prying or meddling, but still craving attention. It didn't want her to leave! But she had to, because the Glowing Lifestone was next, and it was going to be tricky, the way Yirath had curled her tail around it. Almost as much as she didn't want to break an egg, Lilah didn't want to step on the Queen guarding her clutch. So she leaned over the golden tail, giving the egg only a fleeting touch before she drew back, not wanting to push her luck with such a precarious position. Her hand had rested on it just long enough for her to feel the motion of the dragonet within, but little else. Not like it really mattered if she touched it or how long - Queens didn't choose girls like her. They chose future Weyrwomen, which she was not.

She went the the Gilded Verdant egg, a proud but friendly thing with an underlying sense of cunning she wasn't sure she trusted. Going to the Sensuous Essence egg, she got a welcome that she appreciated. There was something very likable about the egg, she had to admit. The Unquestionable Love egg was startling, though not necessarily in a bad way. It was just so different from everything she was used to - it loved her, and it wanted her to know that everything was going to be okay. While she certainly disagreed with the latter, the fact that it cared enough to try was touching. The Honorable Champion egg was acceptable, if a little judgemental. The Unpolished Azure egg seemed confused by her attitude, which only prompted a shrug from the girl. Not everyone got her stubborn pessimism, and that was fine. The nearby Resilient Warped egg was incredibly impatient, as frustrated as it was lumpy. Poor egg had gotten kicked around, had it? In that case, no wonder it wanted out.

The Bursting Shard egg she was sure was a dud, but just as she went to lift her hand, it proved her wrong. Lilah frowned. A dragonet in an egg was playing tricks, really? And now it wanted ehr to cheer up? Shaking her head, she went to the Balancing Earth egg, which had a nice, calm feel to it. The Expanding Mind egg gave her little to go on - it was watching her, she could tell that much, but that was all. Finally, she visited the Ancient Strength egg, which was steady and reliable, strangely older-seeming for an egg. Leaving the eggs, she bowed and exited from the Sands with a sigh of relief that it was over.

Analyssa was a bundle of nerves. The mood today was one mixed of joy, excitement, fear and many other primal unnamed feelings. It was Touching Day! She had spoken with her few friends and her brother about this and her hopes for the clutch. Anything was possible on Hatching Day though; look at Ja'syn who had been in the Stands and Impressed. Kestril was next to Yirath who rumbled as they approached one by one to bow and stand. Seventeen eggs! What a feat! She bowed low and sent her positive thoughts to the Senior Queen. And then tried not to groan as she protectively wrapped herself around the gold egg.

She stood by The Balancing Earth Egg and waited for the signal to move in and touch the eggs. Not as scary as her first time, Lyssa's heart still pounded slightly as she reached out to gently stroke the egg. A calm presence seemed to reach out to her as she smiled softly and spoke almost to herself. "Hello there, aren't you the pleasant one? Will nothing ruffle your scales this day? Are you patiently waiting to come out?" The teen got the sense that the egg was almost laughing quietly to itself and gave it another pat before turning to its partner, The Expanding Mind Egg. Both shells were quite fascinating to her as she moved off to the side slightly. Looking at both eggs, she carefully placed a hand on the new egg and gave a thoughtful look. This egg seemed almost secretive. As if it wanted her to tell all her thoughts but offered none in return. "Well you, I can tell you I am eager to see you hatched. But will you be first or last out is the question? Will you Impress right away or wait and watch? I have the feeling your thoughts may be deep."

Lyssa figured she would stay with the outer eggs until the crowd of candidates had moved and she was able to work her way in towards the gold egg. What female candidate didn't want to see if she had what it took to ride a queen?? But quickly and with a smile on her face, she moved next to The Honorable Champion Egg. Was this one shy? She definitely got the sense of a male out of the egg but it was leaning away from any of the larger eggs. "What's wrong, you don't like the competition? Or are you championing the smaller eggs," she whispered, placing her right hand on top of the egg. It almost felt like she was taking a vow to show her best side. "I hope you don't judge anyone else too harshly." And with that, she gave the egg one more stroke before turning to the Bursting Shard Egg. It lay at an odd angle and off from the other eggs. Analyssa wondered briefly if the eggs rolled themselves or if Yirath was responsible for their placement? Straight to think eggs had minds but there were dragons inside and those dragons did have personalities. It was something she would have to discuss later with Brynth. Instead, she focused on placing both hands on the egg and trying to get a feel for who was inside.

It felt quiet. Almost too quiet. Like the spark had gone out before it could shine. Lyssa bit her bottom lip slightly and hoped that this egg would not be a dud. Or if it was possible, an Atype dragon. She shook her head with a defiant NO to herself. Maybe it was sleepy? Suddenly, the candidate startled as the egg almost seemed to wake up and go BOO! Looking around sheepishly, Lyssa moved back to the egg and shook her finger at it. Grinning from ear to ear, she mock scolded it. "Why you! How many others have you played that trick on? Hmm. Very clever of you, your rider will have to keep an eye on any other tricks you might play." How many was that? Four and she needed to touch how many? Analyssa doubted there would be time to touch them all but one more on the outside and then to the inner right. At least, she hoped. One last chuckle and she turned to face The Considered Investigator Egg. Another quiet egg. Not hushed quiet like the other egg but almost thoughtful quiet. Simple quiet. Sit back and watch the clouds quiet.

"Hello there, keeping an eye on all of us?" Again silence but at least there almost seemed to be personality to it. Like a canine watching for the drippings or a toddler watching the older kids. "Are you trying to learn about each of us? There is not much to learn yet. At least, I don't think there is about me." Finally, almost a sense of acknowledgement. Gently tapping the egg, Analyssa sighed. "Sometimes watching and learning is the best you can do. I hope to see you soon." Turning away, she watched as the line of candidates moved and shifted. Soon it would be time to head to the inner eggs.

From there, Cormeric moved on to the Bursting Shard Egg as it was likewise sitting back and away from its siblings. If it could even be called that at this point. It sat apart and he waited his turn to touch it, hand as light as he could manage, just in case he might startle it or anger it or -- but there was nothing. Warmth, yes, but no push back against his mind and no answer to his sudden worry that whatever had been inside might not have survived...until the thinnest thread of amusement snaked out to brush against him and he cracked a broad and very abrupt smile. A good trick. A very good trick. He grinned his way on to the next egg.

Now he moved into the center of the cluster, taking advantage in a gap in the parade of other candidates milling about. He made it to the Jovial Eclipse Egg, wiped his hands again -- the heat made them very warm indeed -- and laid both palms against the shell, jerking with the surprise and force of the exuberant greeting he got in return, though he didn't pull his hands away. An already wide smile, spread impossibly more, and he gave the egg a jaunty nod of acknowledgement, as if the creature inside might somehow be able to see.

He let his fingers linger as he drifted toward the Questionable Magnet Egg, and when they touched the new shell, his brow furrowed for a moment before his smile faded a bit. Not disappearing, just changing as he tilted his head to consider the barrage of questions. This shell he patted, still carefully, as if he could reassure the needy soul inside. Certainly he--or she--wouldn't be left alone for long, not after the shell cracked.

Cormeric had a good run of friendly brushes against his mind and it continued when he came around to the Unquestionable Love Egg. Hand against the warm surface, his eyes drifted shut, just for a moment, and his chin lifted. That was peace and as good as a reassuring hug. It was a welcome kindness in the midst of all the lead up to a big change for so many in this group. They just had to be patient, and trust.