It's Now The Monster Mash: The Spooky Clutch Hatching!

[SilverLutz]

Venn felt like he couldn't get ready fast enough. Of course a dragon had already hatched without anyone being there to witness it! It seemed this clutch would certainly be a handful given how the Touching went, and now there was already a hubbub around it. He had to admit it was exciting despite it all - he had been through quite a few Hatchings now and not one of them had started like this!

He joined his fellow Candidates in making their way to the Sands, eager to see the baby dragon that had already made an appearance. He fanned out with the rest of those standing, making sure to keep a fair distance from the eggs themselves. The dragons would come to them in time. As he took his spot he saw the first dragon - a bronze - wriggling about within its egg and he had to smile. To think that they would grow into large, majestic creatures was amazing when they started off so small and uncoordinated. Just as with every other Hatching he had stood at, excitement rose up within him as well as hope. Perhaps this would be the clutch...

He took a slow, deep breath to steady himself and took a moment to find his center. It was important to remain calm and in control, even if his emotions were happy ones. It wouldn't do to rile up the eggs.  

[Masterharper]

The Hatching. The Hatching! The excitement that buzzed through the Weyrling Barracks even affected the pale strawberry blonde, and he found his hands trembling as he changed out of his clothes, and into his white Candidate robe. This is what they'd been waiting for, hadn't it? This was what being a Candidate was all about? Very suddenly, the boy felt all his anxieties and nerves build up, and his stomach twist. He might be confident, arrogant, and perfect -- but now he would be summed up and judged.

Was his dragon out among those Sands? Or would he be found wanting?

Trying to shake away his quiet fears, he hurried as fast he could. Once he got upon the Sands, he suddenly caught sight of the glistening baby. It was a bronze! Now there was quite the prize. What young man hadn't been raised with stories about the heroic bronze riders of Pern? Well, Western Weyr wasn't exactly traditional, but even the Weyrleader rode bronze. Power and prestige were written in the history of that hide, and Cedarian could at least respect it.... even if the smallest part of him was unsure he would ever be worthy.

Spotting Dolmar and Marinel, Cedarian edged his way a little closer. He didn't know too many despite his months at the Weyr, and right now, he did want to seek out a familiar face. Dolmar seemed focus... and Cedarian wondered if that's what he was supposed to do.

So he turned to stare at the bronze and tried desperately to think loving and kind thoughts. That what they were trained to do, right?

- - - -

Rasthell, for his part, wanted to wait for Dharzol, but the excitement was too much. Though he kept an eye out for his love, unsure where he might be, he hurried into his robes and slipped on the fine sandals. While some were all but running to the Sands, the red-head wasn't quite as excited. He feared that once more he would be left alone. He'd failed to Impress for Turns now, and though he desperately wanted to be excited, he feared that familiar pain. He hadn't fit in at his home in Keroon... maybe he wouldn't really fit in here?

Ah, but those thoughts were exactly why he would scare a dragonet off! He wanted to wish Dharzol good luck, and hoped to stand with him as the dragonets moved through the crowd. But in the madness, it was hard to find anyone at all. So it was, even as he shuffled himself onto the sands, he kept an eye out in anticipation. He should focus on the eggs, on the bronze.... but he wouldn't relax until he knew that Dharzol had made it.

But, it seemed, the man was already two-steps ahead of him. Honestly, should he be so surprised? Though he hung towards the back, the red-head meekly approached. "Just remember -- be yourself, love. They're going to love you." He added quietly, grinning in his usual easy-going way. He didn't expect the other to focus much time or thought on him... not when the Hatching was starting. But he did want the other to know he wished him well, and wished him luck.

Maybe they'd both find their missing halves today.

Smolderingskies

Rasthell approached.

Thaliawen

Cedarian shuffled over.

ShinosBee

Cedarian shuffled over.

 

[~Kiana_Nala~]

Miach [HR]

Miach had been pondering over letters that had been sent from her mother about a recent stint in a neighboring hold. It sounded like her mother had gotten into a bit of a finagle, and her grandfather had needed to get her out. Miach bit furiously at her lip. Since she had been searched, this was exactly the kind of thing she had worried about happening in her absence. Not that it still wouldn't with her there. It was just difficult to not be there for her family. However, if Miach was honest with herself she was beyond happy to be where she was right now. Her roommates were amazing and she was starting to show signs of possibly saying more then a few words. This was something in class that she had been told to work on. Confidence. Miach wasn't sure if her confidence was lacking or not. Though, she could freely admit she didn't talk much.

With a sigh, Miach had started to put away the letter when the news came in about the recent hatching. Her eyes widened as she stared at the open doorway. It was time? Already? It seemed like an infinite amount of time had passed since the touching, yet it felt like yesterday. Miach smiled a little as she thought of the wondrous feelings that had traveled from the eggs to her. There was no doubt in her mind that the candidates who impressed today would be lucky for so many reasons--but primarily because these dragonets seemed to be so excited and supportive. Of course that may not be true, but Miach was telling herself that anyways. With cautious speed, Miach washed and dressed herself before her roommates and several other candidates. Several of them had been asleep or turning in while she had been awake, pouring over a letter. It seemed less profound a moment ago. While she was going to still worry--this moment allowed her to put it on the back-burner. Today was the day to meet the hatchlings.

Once she was completely ready, Miach went to the designated area and waited with the other candidates until everyone was gathered. Once everyone was ready to go and the group made it's way to the sands, Miach couldn't help but move from foot to foot. Holy moly was it hot. She, like many others, grinned and bared it. This was too exciting a moment to simply complain or worry about one's feet.

((Edited for the sake of HR candidates already being at Western))

Kambri [W]

Kambri had been just about to plate up some food when the exciting news passed through the Weyr from A'ral. It was time! The only emotion that was zinging through his body at the moment was excitement. As more news started to spread down to the candidates they learned that not only had the hatching begun, but one egg had already opened. He wondered what egg it had been, what the dragonet under the shell had been, and most of all--was it his? Kambri wasn't conceited enough nor did he much believe in himself being one of the lucky few to impress an egg, but he hoped he was.

Kambri made a mad dash to his room where his roommate candidates were already washing up and throwing on robes like there was no tomorrow. Not wanting to be late or left behind, Kambri washed himself as quickly as humanly possible. As he was cleaning himself off he scrubbed too hard at certain spots such as his arms and the result made him feel a little beat up. Okay, calm down. It doesn't help anything to bleed before you even make it to the hatching grounds. He told himself as he finished. Once clean, Kambri threw on his robe and dashed as quickly as he could back to where A'ral waited for them--before being led to the grounds.

Upon his arrival, Kambri couldn't help but bounce from his heels to his toes in excitement. Could the day have finally arrived? He was excited and hopeful. It looked as though the Demon Egg had made the first appearance. He grinned further as he looked over the small dragon in comparison to his mother. He was adorable. If he didn't impress today, maybe he could still have the opportunity to cuddle. Dragonets needed lots of cuddles, right?! Kambri sure hoped so.  

[Masterharper]

The Demon
Ah-ha. Now this was more like it.

The bronze watched as white-robed Candidates started to pour into the Hatching Sands. He kicked away a few shell-pieces stuck to him,and gave a little shake to rid-himself of any goo. He was ready to recieve his audience, thank you, and his eyes whirled a mix of red-blue. Stepping surely away from Vimiath, he spared the queen no other look, and instead started moving closer to those who adored him.

In fact, he showed off -- trotting surely around some of the other eggs. He'd pause to sniff at one or another, and then continue his little dignified prance. He swished his tail before turning back to face down the Candidates. He wanted their eyes on him, that much as clear, and he began to edge closer, to more readily investigate.  

[Meepfur]

She didn't expect the extended hand, but by now she should have. Akaris quietly reached for it, the motion bringing her another step closer to A'ral as she curled her fingers into his. Hers were not so perfectly manicured now as they had been, nails chipped and chewed on and the skin of her hands just starting to develop callouses as she had finally resigned herself to the chores she'd previously resented. But lately they had become a welcome distraction, and as long as she wasn't required to work closely with anyone insistent on giving her a hard time, she voiced no complaints most days. Before, she'd had plenty...and before, she'd not have been caught dead holding the Candidatemaster's hand like a child. Some might think she was beside him as a punishment, or to keep her from running away, but this was exactly where she wanted to be, if she had to be here.

She looked only briefly at the young bronze on the Sands; he'd hatched from one of the eggs she'd actually liked. She took her eyes off him a moment later, to look up and give A'ral a tiny smile.  

[Ryala]

Ryala

Ryala had almost grabbed her white candidates robe to pull it on when she realized the mistake that she'd almost made. Her hands... She had just fed Ghost, and her hands were a bloody disgrace! And while she was sure that the dragonets would eat fresh meat as well, she had no plans of being on the menu, herself. Nor would she arrive in a filthy robe.

A hurried wash saw her in good order. Finally clean, she donned the robe and made her way hastily to the Sands. From the moment she reached the growing gathering of candidates, her eyes locked onto the bronze who had already made his grand entrance.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Ladellan

Del arrived at the Hatching Grounds garbed in sandals and white robe, ready for anything. Or so he thought. Though he'd known that a hatchling was already out and about, he hadn't been aware until now that the forerunner was a bronze. And quite the charming individual, it seemed! He certainly seemed to want to be the center of attention.  

[Andranis]

The humming had gotten Nemo's attention, a time-old thing that everybody in a Weyr knew the sound and meaning of. He'd been in the early stages of copying an updated map for somebody in Rivercrest when he heard Lokith start. "The eggs!" Quickly, he put the fine brush he'd been using aside. "The eggs are hatching! Shards, my hands are a mess! Lokith, why didn't you tell me sooner?!"

I could not have as I only just became aware. Hurry, Nemomine, get clean and changed!

"Shards, shells, and fardles!" Knocking his chair over in his rush, Nemo hurried off to get cleaned up. The day was finally here! Vimiath's eggs were hatching!

In probably record time, he was rushing back across his weyr, adjusting his tunic. When he got out to Lokith's ledge, she silently crouched for him to climb on.

"Nemo, wait!"

The call had the cartographer turning, "Norathoman! Need a lift?"

"You know I do, don't get the pleasure of riding my own dragon, now do I?" Armed with his bag and his firelizard circling excitedly, her own throat vibrating with humming, the healer climbed up behind the rider. "Onward, to the sands!"

Just what's IN that bag of his? It's heavy!

Stifling a laugh as Lokith launched into the air, Nemo turned, "Lokith wants to know what's in your bag, says it's heavy."

Shifting to better grip Nemo's tunic, Norathoman glanced at his bag, "Just the essentials... Bandages, tonics, lots of numbweed... Lots and lots and lots of numbweed... It IS a hatching, after all."

"Of course, why didn't I guess.."

----

Out of between, a large brown appeared. He let out a bellowing call, excitement coloring his eyes many shades of blue and green. On his back, his rider clung, slightly grousing, "I had BETTER not have another hatchling use me as a pillow."

P'tiusmine, only I get that honor. Besides... The dragon turned his head to look at his rider, before paying more attention to where he was trying to land. We know somebody here, personally. Three, in fact!

P'tius sat back, one hand holding the ridge in front of him and the other on his hip, "Who could we possibly know here? I don't recall us EVER visiting this Weyr before today."

Oh, you'll know two of them when you see them. Or perhaps... Ah, there! Look below!

Leaning over so he was practically out of the saddle, P'tius looked at the weyrs below. His eyes soon fell on a large bronze with familiar patterning. His eyes widened, "That's Kraketh! Which means... J'mus is here!" But what, by the first egg, was his little brother doing in a Weyr? And why did Kraketh look at home?

There's two of three that we know! Where the other is, I couldn't tell you, but they ARE here. Now... Flaring his wings, Lennoth landed next to a rather tiny green. Two men were climbing off her back, one laden with a bag. Go find a spot in the stands, well away from hatching dragons. You worry-wort.

Climbing off, P'tius only shook his head, "You great lout of a dragon." He waved to the greenrider they'd landed near, then went to find a spot. The greenrider soon joined him, settling next to him. "Looks like one's already hatched."

"Happens, sometimes. He'll find his soon." Sticking his hand out, the greenrider said, "Nemo, of green Lokith."

"P'tius, of brown Lennoth." He looked back at the gathering candidates, shifting. Lennoth's words about somebody else he knew remained in his mind, eyes scanning everybody.

Leaning forward, Nemo draped his arms on his knees and clasped his hands, "What Weyr are you from, P'tius? Don't think I've ever seen you around Western before."

"High Reaches..." His thoughts trailed off, before he rose to his feet again, eyes widening. "My sister's down there..." Worry began to twist in his gut, fear about her getting hurt or worse. "Shards I don't think I can watch anymore..."

Nemo reached up and yanked the brownrider down into his seat. "You know the risks as well as any of us, now hush."

"But..."

"Hush."

---

Much closer to the sands, Norathoman found where the other healers were. One dragonet was already out, impatient and waiting. Hopefully, he wouldn't give up quickly and manage to go between, though given his eagerness to be free of his shell, Nora was confident that the young dragon knew exactly who he was looking for.

His gaze went to Vimiath, ever watchful of what she did. Hopefully... Hopefully she didn't go between right after all the young dragons had Impressed.  

[Hattaki]

Amra

Eyes on the eggs that the Demon sniffed, curious to what it was up to, Amra showed no interest in it outside of noting how small hatchlings were. A bronze would never impress to a woman and she hadn't been at all enticed by the Demon's pull. There were other eggs that drew her attention readily and she chaffed to see them hatch.

What could the Goblin offer? What would the Ghoul or the Zombie look like? If the Demon was a bronze did that mean that the Angel was a gold?

What would happen if the two dragonets met on the sands with the fading mother in such a condition? Thoughts flicked through her mind as she tried to remember if she had read about dragon hatchlings fighting from past clutches. Surely Western kept good records, but those of the older Weyrs would likely yield more information...


----------------------------

Ty'bar & Asilaeth

The first of the eggs have hatched! Get up my rider, we must go see what the queen's clutch will yield!

Asilaeth always seemed to know when something was going to happen before it did and Ty'bar's heart leapt up into his throat at the thought of the new Weyrlings the night would yield. Vennodren had best be out there among them this night and his heart reached out to the younger man in the hopes that he Impress one of the hatchlings this night.

"Let's go!" Ty'bar shouted as he leapt upon his green. Surely a short flight across the Bowl to the Sands wasn't to be frowned upon, it wasn't as if he were fighting Thread. Already he felt more comfortable as the little green settled into the stands, dropping him down so that his rose-brown eyes could scan the grounds below.

The first of the hatchlings was making quite the show! But the gold! Oh how his heart went out to her, to see the beautiful creature in such a state was tragic. Vimiath and Tally had been there since he'd joined over ten turns previous and Ty'bar had always enjoyed her high spirit and laughter.

The small green beside him bumped her head to his arm, now was not the time to be sad. There was too much happening!  

[Thaliawen]

Jailla startled at Phayton suddenly being by her side but then gave him a nervous smile. It was her first hatching! It was hard to explain how much she appreciated his being by her side.

“Maybe that bronze is for you,” she whispered, and smiled at him. Her nerves were settling, with him there. “Maybe by the end of this, we’ll have another star gazing partner.” If anyone deserved to Impress, it was Phayton. He was so kind and genuine, a dragon would have to be a fool not to want him.

“Tatterpixie”

tatterpixie

 

[magnadearel]

Vosin and Killakeeth

Vosin was just settling down to her dinner when Killakeeth broke into her thoughts. Vosin it is time. The eggs are hatching. She sat for a moment with an arched brow. Really? Now? The woman sighed and shook her head. Babies will be babies! No sense of timing for what would be convenient for the rest of them! Meet me outside. She rose gracefully to her feet and made for the entrance to meet up with her dragon.

Swinging herself up with practiced ease onto the golden neck, the pair moved quickly to the hatching sands. Killakeeth settled herself on a ledge with a flick of her wings. Her throat filled with humming as she welcomed the new clutch from their eggs. Vosin slid down her shoulder to stand beside her. Surprise surprise though, a dragonet was already on the sands. A strong bronze by the look of him.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Candidate Rinis

She was getting ready for dinner. While not a super elegant affair, Rinis liked to look her best. She was freshly groomed and just putting the last touches on her outfit when she heard the humming start. Her eyes went wide as she glanced at Chaek who sat back onto his haunches to give voice to his own hum. That cinched it! The hatching was here!

Her fingers flew as she undid her outfit and tossed it aside, grabbing for the while candidate robes. Rinis felt her breath coming in gasps and her eyes wide. Oh oh oh! Finally everything was in place and her hair tied neatly back. She raced to join the others heading for the sands. As she entered she was surprise to find one young dragon already awaiting them. Usually it was them waiting for the dragons to hatch! Rinis was amused by the turn of events. He was a handsome beast to be sure. She gave a bow to the ill looking queen before moving further.

Rinis moved to an uncrowded section of the sands. The idea being that there would be room to move if one came her way. She noted it was the nice Demon egg she'd touched and wished him well. With a bronze on the sands, she took a moment to glance toward the stands. Was L'saen and Solouth up there yet? She hoped they were watching. Slowly she moved from foot to foot.

Aukai Oceansoul

Rinis mentioned L'saen.

 

[ShinosBee]

Dolmar

"Cedarian..." Dolmar glanced towards the other young man for just a moment, then all eyes back to the strutting bronze. Cesare was around, and Shahera—she was short but always managed to snag his attention, thanks to turns and turns of working together. None of them held his eye too long though. "Here he comes. Look at him swagger!" There was no judgement in his voice as he leaned slightly towards his twin and the other teen to murmur. More like amused pride. He was a bronze! Why wouldn't he strut about as if he owned the sands? He had every right, and besides. It wasn't as if there was anyone else they all ought to be minding, not yet. He had hatched alone, and early, and was the center of focus....for now.

"A bronze first is good luck, right? That's the superstition, at least. Not too many clutches lead with a bronze...but we can hope that the rumor holds true. As...emotive as this batch were, I'd not be against a touch of fortune on our sides, hmm, Cedarian? Or maybe one of us lucky ones will impress him out there now, and be out of the way if trouble starts." The thought started as a joke, but ended rather soberly. If that was his dragon, would he be able to keep off the sands if one lunged at Marinel? He shifted unconsciously closer to his twin, eyes darting over the other eggs. His hands had come to rest, folded behind the small of his back, forcing his posture upright, and in the moment of concern, it made him look slightly tense. A long, deep breath soothed the rigidity from his spine—and a glance back at the still-parading bronze hatchling. They would be fine. Marinel would be fine. He'd make sure of it himself.

Though, hopefully, whatever dragon chose his twin would be close on his own's heels.  

[Dea and #Teddy#]

Astriana

Astriana had just finished cleaning up for dinner and making sure her flits were alright, when she heard the candidatemaster's voice cut through any din like a knife. So it seemed the hatching had started and not only that, it seemed one of the hatchlings couldn't wait for them before emerging from its shell. Well, this was definitely something the young woman had not predicted to happen. However, like any other creature, dragons could be unpredictable. She quickly changed into her white robes and sandals, glad she had already cleaned up, before going over to where A'ral waited for them. Her mind was a mix of the usual hope and worry that always came with hatchings. It was even more intense now because her twin brother was a rider of a green. She hoped both of her brothers and uncle would be in the stands watching, no matter what happened tonight. If she impressed, they could celebrate properly with her. If she didn't, they could be there for her to bring her comfort, in a way only they could.

As the candidates headed off to the Hatching Grounds, she was in that single file line, trying to keep up with the pace. Her mind wondered which young dragon had hatched and if it was one of the ones that had piqued her interest. As they got to the sands, she walked over to a spot that she felt would give her a good vantage point, but should be fairly safe. She gave a respectful bow to the queen, noting how sick she looked. It seemed the queen's rider was still not doing well, she could only hope the woman would get better soon. Then her eyes fell to the eggs, noting the red Demon egg shell was littering the ground and a bronze hatchling was strutting his stuff. She mentally rolled his eyes, well someone was awfully sure of himself. Since she knew it was not the dragon for her, since they only went to boys, she chanced a look up to the stands, to see if her family was here. She did make sure to keep attention on the sands too, just in case.


((Anyone is free to interact with her or if you want to plan something with me, poke me on Discord smile ))  

[Dragon Berri]

Candidate Jarah

Jarah's head snapped up from where he was cleaning up when he heard the candidatemaster's voice. It was time! Feeling giddy, the tall teen hurriedly washed up and threw on his robe and sandals. He'd been to Hatching before, but he always got the same rush of excitement when it was time to get on the sands.

He nearly tripped over his own feet on his way to the sands, and when he caught sight of Marinel his heart skipped a beat. He still had that reaction every time he saw the other boy. Calling his name, Jarah waved and smiled brightly.

Thaliawen

Mariii your boyfriend sees yoouuu~

Candidate Xibora

Go, youngling, it's time, Anath nudged one of her rider's hatchlings when the call for candidates went out. Enjoy your first Hatching on the Sands! The small green joined the hum

Xibora stared at her mother's dragon for a second, not quite parsing the words. "Oh! It's time!" she squealed and sped out of the weyr to wash up and get her robe and sandals on. She was almost there when she spotted her oldest half brother. "Jarah!" she called out, reaching him and punching his shoulder. "You coulda come get me!"

JM Dragonhealer/Stands Candidate Cheora

Che had been lucky enough to catch a ride to the Weyr the day before the hatching began. She loved attending Hatchings, they were so exciting, and she loved to be there to support her friend Rinis. It had been ages since Cheora had been able to come visit, but she was here now!

She managed to snag a spot close to the sands and smiled when she spotted her friend. She wanted to call out and wave, but there was already a dragonet on the sands! The last thing she wanted was to distract Rinis and possibly get her hurt.

Her flits, Bronwyn and Corona, landed on her shoulders. Corona was her second flit, but being the gold lady she was had already taken charge over brown Bronwyn. Her tail was wrapped loosely around Che's neck whole Bronwyn made do with his tail around her upper arm. They hummed along with the dragons and Che could feel the vibrations through their feet.

magnadearel

Cheora's there to support Rinis~! (I know it's been a while but xDD <3)

 

[SilverLutz]

Oh, and what a little showman this bronze was! He was certainly enjoying the attention, that much was for sure. Venn glanced at the egg he had come from - the Demon, one that he hadn't gotten to touch before things had fallen into chaos - before drawing his attention back to the dragon that it had held. He hadn't met this little one yet, then. He held still as the dragon slowly approached the Candidates, eager to meet them.

He gave a quick look down the semi-circle of other Candidates standing and waiting. Who would he go to?