Welcome to Gaia! ::

Both boys were watching the Zebra Egg and Riordan gave a bit of a chuckle when the antics of the Zebra Egg's occupant knocked the Lion Egg over, releasing a little blue. Greloren gave a bit of a frown. He'd pegged that one for a green. Oh well, his mind went back to the Hatching, watching the little blue and the other eggs that were rocking.

The blue was headed towards them and both boys followed its progress, slow and nerve-racking. Then... he was headed towards the girls. Both boys let out held breaths that they hadn't realized they were holding. But then... the cracking of the Zebra egg drew their attention and Greloren grinned as one of the eggs he'd pegged as holding a bronze released just that. A bronze. And a very handsome one too.

The weyrbrat sent happy happy thoughts towards the little bronze, trying to draw it to him.

Ennrik's heartbeat was really going much too fast. He tried counting how many beats happened in the span of one breath, but his breathing was too fast, too, despite his best efforts to keep his breaths slow, deep, and even. Next his throat would get tight, if the stage-fright followed its typical course, and if he opened his eyes hs vision would darken as his air was constricted. By that time he would be unable to do much more than fall to his knees and vomit. Not that he would remember the falling to his knees or the vomiting. He would simply wake up on the ground. If he was lucky, he wouldn't wake up in his own vomit.

He heard Mal's voice, familiar and reassuring, and briefly resented that once again Mal had been forced to come to his rescue. He couldn't remember what the Candidatemaster had said about talking to other Candidates, but it was probably forbidden. If jewelry was distracting, conversation might be, too. Nevertheless, illness and ire aside, Ennrik was glad that Mal was there. For one thing, it meant he hadn't slipped out of the Weyr at night and found himself a boat off of Ista and away. There had been no sneaking out.

"A blue?" Ennrik made himself ask. His present breathing patter wasn't exactly conducive to speech, and so his query came out breathily. What he said next referred more to everyone's distraction than to the dragon's birth, though. "That's good news."

He could hear the tone change as presumably another egg hatched. An important egg, judging by the collective gasp and a deep rumble that had to come from the queen. He could also hear the sounds of the newest dragonet. By focusing on them he was able to keep the stage-fright at bay, somewhat.

"What color?" he asked Mal, still not daring to open his eyes.

Now this was a treat for the senses -- two dragons on the sands, and neither seemed to know where he was going. But with the eruption of the Zebra egg, whose physique was so small and undignified...well, this one would need himself a strong rider. Both dragons seemed equally plain, though this one was far less than what your average bronze should portray. He was brindled, which wasn't too odd, but he was awfully gangly and hesitant. Still, despite his unusual characteristics, Lahar felt a warmth radiating from the wee Bronze that was simply unmatched. This dragon had a fighter's heart, and Lahar was sure everyone else knew just as he did that the Bronze would one day be as valiant as his counterparts. Now, who would the shaky little one choose?

Pendra watched the drama of the lion and zebra eggs. As the lion emerged knocking over the zebra she took a step forward concerned that the dragonet in the larger egg might be injured. She hardly noticed the blue taking his time reguarding first all the male candidates before turning toward the girls. She sighed with relief when the boldly patterned bronze emerged. Satisfied that he was ok if a little confused, she finally noticed the blues track. I wonder which of us he wants... she thought carefully watching his progress.

Both siblings were held captive by the blue and bronze. Of course Gar moreso than Faranie, at least until the blue had begun to wander over to the girls. Even then Faranie was more inclined to dismiss the blue. That was boy's color, or the type for...well not her, certainly! The bronze caught her eye, if only because bronze riders grew to power. She liked power. It'd do well to mind who got what during this event, and she began to mentally make a list of whom she'd have to...befriend later. Yes, that was a good term for it.

Gar meanwhile had hoped for the blue, when it glanced at him. That alone nearly made his heart stop. Sure, he'd been overlooked, but he'd been seen. That was new. He watched the blue intently even as it went to the girl. He wanted to see who it chose. To date, that glance marked the most he'd ever been considered by a dragonet. He nearly missed the bronze, save for it's odd mewling. He tore his gaze from the blue to it, and frowned slightly. It seemed shy, and a bit afraid. There there fellow. I know how you feel. At least you're going to find yours for sure...aren't you? For a bronze to go between would be a tragedy indeed.

In the stands Merase had nearly risen out of her seat and was hanging on the railing for dear life. So many colors! All but gold now, with the blue and bronze! The blue was very lazy looking, she noted to her father with a giggle. Hopefully he could find his soon and take a nap! And the bronze looked scared. "Is he okay?" She asked. A few folks around them hushed her, intent on the hatchlings, and she ducked her head in apology. A poor hold girl, she couldn't hide her excitement or interest. "I think so," her father had answered, prompting her to watch t bronze even more, and cheer him on.

Tyven had nearly nodded off when the roar of the crowd roused him. Ah, a bronze...He eyed the thing. Tyvensk must have woken when he did, because he felt a tickling of ego in the back of his mind. The bronze wher looked like a wild beast, brave and fierce in comparison to the meek little king. Interesting...

Lanakirene trembled as the blue looked over the boys and made its way toward the girls....was this hers? She doubted it; there were other girls like her. Don't make yourself look so stupid, La. Shaking her head, she watched, but was instantly distracted by the bronze...oh, what a lovely fellow. But he was certainly not looking at the girls...she quivered and glanced back at Hesendek, curious as to how the boy would be reacting to one of those.

When the bronze impressed Cil, she actually brought a hand to her mouth, holding in giggles. She had been mocking him just a few days before, and now here he was, making a name for himself. She would have to remember to apologize later.

Suddenly, things began to pick up! The pace of the hatching quickened, and once again, Kella found herself overwhelmed. First, an egg that Kella had pegged to hold a green spilled forth a blue. She squealed delightedly, pointing to him and grinning. "Oh, isn't he just adorable?" She asked no one in particular, but several people were within earshot. He wandered off to inspect the boys, though, and Kella turned her attention back to the eggs. She wondered, which one would hatch next? Her question was answered rather quickly, the zebra egg trembled and cracked just about evenly down the middle. Kella heard pitiful mewing sounds from within the egg's remnants; they tugged at her heartstrings. "You can do it," she encouraged the dragon, and was immensely pleased to watch a bronze emerge.

"Oh, the first bronze of the clutch!" She said excitedly. Bronzes were always a good sign, for those who were superstitious. He was a strangely colored bronze, too, but Kella liked how he looked~ his stripes were cute! The young girl clapped happily for the bronze when he found his rider. Now, her attention turned back to the blue. Wait, where was he? She scanned the area where the boys were standing and frowned. Hmmm. Maybe he found his rider? Wait, no! Kella smiled triumphantly as she spotted the blue, headed toward the girls. Was he having trouble finding his rider? Kella frowned slightly, and hoped that it wouldn't take much longer. She didn't want to have to see a dragon between today.

The mewling bronze had probably melted Anne's heart a little (and even Ferris's), and the servant girl... candidate watched with interest as the rather pathetic little thing wobbled up amongst the boys. There was some sort of.. motherly instinct to go help it, but it was a dragon, and the creatures could care for themselves at a time like this.

When it stood before Cil, Anne couldn't help but give a small laugh and a smile. Despite her awkward acts, soup spilling and obvious tactics to stay out of Cil's vicinity, she was very happy for him. AND THAT BRONZE... oh shards he was cute. ... those little stripes....