[Zenobiath's Touching] Breath of the Wind [Open!]

[Meepfur]

Ilzerin

Ilzerin was a bit taken aback; it wasn't his first experience with an egg that didn't find him quite to its liking, for whatever reason or another, but it was the first time that his compliments weren't compliment enough. My sincere apologies, he answered, with a well-chastised bow of his head. I meant no slight, Beautiful. You do deserve all the fawning you desire, from myself and everyone else, and I'm sorry I didn't lead with that...but I can't take back a first impression. I won't make you suffer my presence any longer.

He truly was sorry for his misstep, and drew back from the Starry Night egg and started to move away to collect himself and rein in his guilt for upsetting the baby. He wasn't entirely certain how he'd managed it, with no ill will or negative thoughts, but he had, and that was disconcerting. Better to take a break and figure it out before he touched any more eggs...but he'd not made it far before two others eggs started radiating upset, and Sinrunth ordered them off the Sands.

Ilzerin obeyed, not even lingering long enough for one more look.


Nashwa

Well, it didn't exactly like her, but it didn't hate her, either...but since it was lukewarm at the very best, with an undercurrent of strained patience, she wouldn't keep it any longer than it took to offer a parting bow. Thank you for allowing me a moment of your time.

She stepped back and- Oh. Oh. Even though she was no longer touching the Ding Dong egg, she could feel the absolute rage almost as though it were her own. She'd never felt anything like it, and found it deeply unsettling. Nashwa had started to carefully move away, taking deep breaths, when Sinrunth told them to get back to the Barracks, and she was all too happy to do as he said.  

[TheWishling]

Alumet of Gold Zenobiath

Her distress was only for her little ones, and she reined it in. First was Snowflake, gently moved from it's wallow, to right between her forelegs. Next we're Ding Dong and Coal, who were delicately moved closer as well. The Candidate masters had the children well in hand, removing them from the sands. The Golden Queen's only focus was calming the eggs from their tantrums. Children were not her problem right now. Others, far better suited to the handling of human hatchlings, would have hand and claw on that.

The Queen softly crooned, nudging shells and carefully checking on each one. All would be well. Mother would make sure of it.  

[Tsunake]

Dehka

Oh! No, the last thing he wanted was to pressure the egg! But even Dehka began to reassure the young dragon, emotion blasted through him, the intensity of it made him stumble. For the mild-mannered and gentle boy, to be suddenly infused with the urge to hurt his fellows... Sinrunth's order was almost gratefully obeyed, and Dehka hurried as quickly as he could without running into others or, of course, any of the eggs. He just--wanted to get somewhere quiet, somewhere that he could catch his breath and regain his composure.

--

Liniyah

She'd noticed the sudden movement of both parents, but since she hadn't been spoken to, she'd carried on with the Touching... It was impossible for her to hide a wince when the Candidatemaster's bronze spoke so sharply to them all, and Liniyah had to wonder what in Faranth's name had happened. Still, quietly and obediently, she left the sands at once. Maybe someone hadn't kept their thoughts under control.... It was an emotional day for everyone, so Liniyah could hardly blame them.

--

Chakuri

It was hard not to feel a little giddy with how friendly the egg was, and Chakuri bit down on her lip so she wouldn't giggle. Well, until the egg's words sunk in. Eggs were grumbling? Someone--wait, someone was thinking something bad?? Sinrunth's voice boomed in her head, and Chakuri nearly jumped out of her skin with surprise. Oh no. She clenched her fists for a moment, frustrated and despairing that she wouldn't get to Touch the others before she quickly bid the egg a goodbye.

--

Lauthisen

Slowly, Lauthisen tried to let some of his walls down at the egg's gentle touch, cautious, but not unwilling. No, he didn't think a dragon would try to hurt him that way---and as soon as it had begun, it was over. Lauthisen snapped his head around, but didn't stop to question or refuse the bronze's command. Still, it didn't stop him from seething slightly, his lip curled with disgust. Someone had done something. Again.

--

Oranie

Thank you. She said graciously, a little humbled by the peace the dragonet offered so easily. The world would be better with this one in it, she thought to herself.... and was hit so hard by the force of rage that she actually flinched. She didn't understand what was happening, and suddenly there was a voice in her head, ordering them all back to the barracks. As frightened as she was, Oranie clamped down hard on the emotion, immediately reaching for Elibrie's hand. With her little sister here--well, Elibrie's safety was her priority. At once, she'd start to lead them both off of the sands, privately desperate to be afraid from such wrathful feelings.

Meepfur

ALARM ALARM

 

[Meepfur]

Elibrie

The offered peace and calm were quite welcome, and Elibrie sent back warm gratitude. Unfortunately, one of its neighbors was not quite so peaceful, for whatever reason. The rush of negativity was gave her quite a start, and she snapped her hand back away from Red and Green Present so that she wouldn't be sharing it with the egg...it was being subjected to enough upset from its siblings, and didn't need any from her. She reached for Oranie's hand without even thinking about it, expecting it to be there- and it was. She followed her off the Sands without hesitation, with just a lingering thought of I'm sorry to all the babies.

Tsunake

run awaaaay.

 

[Prism Shine]

Tuelarua

The eagerness of the baby had Tuelarua laughing, beaming at the little egg happily. Oh, they certainly were charming and friendly. They all deserved to be seen to, and if she could have spied him, she would have pulled Rahmsii to come meet the little darling. But the pressure on the shell, like the little baby within was trying to free itself, only had the girl smiling. 'Its okay, little one. I can't wait to see you when you break free from your pretty egg, but in due time, okay? Make it a splendid moment, for it will certainly be yours.' No doubt that she couldn't wait to see the little one, or add another painted sketch to her collection.

Yet it seemed that she would be cut short, startled by the commotion. The waves of anger from the Ding Dong Egg had Tuela struggling to hold onto her calm emotions, instead smiling at the Holly Egg. 'Have a good day, I certainly hope your siblings are alright..' For she did, but this wasnt the first hatching she'd been to that eggs had had tantrums.

Yet as she backed away, heading off the sands, the idle thought if how this might be her last, though. The clock was running.  

[Zaikt]

[ candidate kaiator - he/him - HR ]

Oh, certainly. He could swear he saw the egg shift, although on second thought, Kaiator wasn't too terribly sure. This one--he liked this one. There was something stately about the dragon within, and he wondered if they would be a wise, level-headed type. Little though you may be, that's only temporary. I'm sure you're going to be utterly grand someday.

And then things...erupted all at once.

Rage. Disgust. Revulsion. Everything centered around two eggs, one of which he'd already visited--and a young girl, standing near the Lump of Coal Egg. She was the same one that had earned the queen's ire not too long before, and Kaiator almost would have said he wasn't too surprised for the last few moments before the waves of emotions were sent roiling through the amassed candidates. He himself wasn't all that close to the epicenter, thankfully enough, but he was certainly put on edge--even more so when Sinruth made it more than clear that it was time to leave.
Sorry, love. Hate to cut this short, but I'll be seeing you again soon. Truly, he did hate to leave, especially when he'd just started to get a good idea for how this sort of thing was supposed to go, but...there was no way to argue. One final pat, something quick to close the experience, and he was off, hurrying out with the rest of the candidates before he got yelled at any further.


[ candidate alisaide - they/he - HR ]

I'm so sorry! That's awful of them. This is supposed to be your day in the spotlight, after all. They were genuinely sympathetic, mouth curling into a quiet frown of concern as they briefly glanced up to see...movement. That was normal, really, especially considering what they were doing, and Alisaide couldn't quite pick out anything that seemed expressly wrong about it. But something had caught their attention all the same, just enough to note when Miela approached the Lump of Coal Egg--

Oh. Oh, oh no. They didn't like this anymore.

They wanted--to attack those nearby them, at least verbally. They were scum, all of them, and all of these idiots were far too close to them--how dare they? How dare they?
What? What was this? Why did they feel like this? Alisaide jerked back, not even pausing to say goodbye to the Starry Night Egg before they stepped away. They had to leave, especially with Sinruth calling them all back to the Barracks; they were more than happy to get away from those awful feelings, although they still curled and coiled in their gut with an uncomfortable twisting sensation.
Alisaide slipped into the crowd of candidates, brow furrowed in obvious distress as they worried the first edge of fabric on their clothes they could get their hands on. Within moments, Freckle and Marine both appeared in the air near them, settling on their chosen shoulders with quiet croons--Marine gently nosed the side of Alisaide's cheek, and they reached up to stroke his little head to try and calm themself as they left the Sands.  

[Hattaki]

Miela

Never in her life had she encountered so many voices in her own mind, so much unfettered anger that bounced into it. Living in a weyr surrounded by dragons, she surprisingly had never had one talk to her before the queen leveled her angry gaze at her. Yes, she'd likely made a mistake, let her emotions at such a rebuff overcome her and thought something... not as nice. Given that it was her very first touching and very first egg, she'd gone straight to the punch. She would have to remember not to do that in the future, eggs didn't seem to enjoy being asked such straightforward questions. Or compliments it seemed.

She took her hand off of the Lump of Coal and turned her hazel gaze to the rocking visage of Ding Dong Egg across the clutch. Oh she knew that anger was for her, Zenobiath had made certain to inform her of what she was worth to that egg, just as the egg itself had, just as it's sibling had. They all knew her off of two touches of eggs did they? While she might not have had much training, she knew exactly how to be quiet when she needed to and all of a sudden the rush of emotions and pain at the slights was swallowed by... nothing. That was what she gave in response to the queen, to the Lump.

Nothing.

Her eyes seemed to ice over. She had missed an important marker, though she'd remembered her training. Never once would she forget that eggs could sense far away from their shells again, or that dragons believed that power and greatness meant only one thing. So it was bad to have dreams of it apparently. Any negative thought Miela would have had about such a stab to her dreams and goals deep in her heart was pushed away by the calm she forced on herself. Indeed, she didn't even jump when the master's dragon roared an order to all the Candidates minds. The second dragon to talk to her.

Pulling herself up to her fully unimpressive height, Miela kept her back straight and glanced at F'dral's expression that swept from her to the Ding Dong Egg with no thoughts about what it would mean for herself. She couldn't afford to think at the moment or it would all overwhelm her. There were much worse things than angry dragons awaiting her as soon as she stepped off these sands. Things that might keep her from standing upon them ever again after her first try.

Verica

With the wave of pure joy and adrenaline that was flushed over her, Veri couldn't keep the smile off of her face or the little wiggle she had in response to the egg's own vibrating. While she could feel the anger and less than friendly feelings all around, the egg stayed a glowing beacon to her of happiness and joy and that was what she needed. I'm so thrilled to meet you too! I'm sure you can tell just how thrilled since you can sense it all. When the time comes for you to hatch you're gonna be the most wonderful of all to watch. Her hand brushed across it's shell and she held onto the joy and excitement as she finally took her hand off and looked around.

It didn't look good all around them, there was a rattling egg on the sands, an upset mother glaring at another candidate, the Master's dragon was... well no one seemed happy other than the few candidates touching good eggs. Poor little Snowflake seemed overwhelmed! Her heart went out to it but she did as she was bid by the Candidatemaster's dragon. While she wished she had met more eggs, the two she had met had been perfect.

Still, after years of being on the road and having to survive with her sister, Veri knew exactly when it was time to go and it was time to GO. While she waited until Vera was finished up communicating with Holly, the sweet babe, she grabbed her sister's hand the moment it was removed and booked from the sands to the barracks. Better safe there to talk about their experiences with each egg than to stay on the sands where trouble was afoot!

SilverLutz

 

[Spockat]

Rahmsii

Rahmsii let his palm rest on the shell of Caroling Note. His hand numb with the surge of emotion flooding through him. He felt weak kneed as fawn, hand limply stroking the shell. Still he did not pull away.

Yes, yes dragons were mind reading. But to hear it so plainly - the simple yet sweet apology for what his family was, and what a new family could with perhaps any of the clutch. He dared himself to dream a moment. Touchings were good at bringing out that small ember of hope. No one really knew what those would bring when it came time for that to hatch…

"Thank you little one," he says softly. He would have stayed longer, basking in the warmth of this little egg. Instead he startled, jumping a few inches and eyes wide. The bronze's sharp call pulling Rahmsii out of his softer thoughts. A deep breath, nails biting half moons into him, he followed dutifully off the sands. He'd remember what the sweet egg had said, its words still warm in his heart.
========

Urzoh
Urzoh was smiling at Elf Stockings, wide and carefree. She was glad to feel the warmth in a reply from the egg. She took it's advice, kneeling on the sand, wrinkling her nose to be silly. Taking a breath thinking of soothing things. Enjoying the smooth warmth under her hand.

She barely had gotten comfortable when the commotion started. The clutch mother rushing to her eggs. The candidate master's dragon shepherding the candidates. Oh Boy.. wonder who went and go themselves in trouble.

Standing, she dusted sand from her knees. Her eyes curiously darting about to see who just might have ticked an egg off. There was always at least one, wasn't there. Golding her arms, Urzoh made her way to the rest of the candidates. She didn't get to touch many.. she wanted to have seen them all. At least she got to see some of the beautiful clutch before being corraled off. Good luck little eggs! She thinks loudly (or so she hopes), in way of parting.  

[Shikai-Chan]

Valeska - she/her - High Reaches

Valeska felt very bless to be next to the Candy Cane Egg at that very moment. It's kind support and encouragement made the candidate stand taller and feel brighter within her usual shadow of worry.

The activity on the sands were still able to make her glance about worryingly. The Ding Dong Egg seemed to be wiggling in furry and the Lump of Coal Egg she had touched just moments ago joined it sibling in its shaking. Not a moment too soon, Sinruth's word rang loud and clear. She bowed to the egg, trying to thank it the best she could before she quickly followed instructions and hurried off the sands with the other candidates.

Despite the uproar, she hoped most of them still made good impressions and the queen was not too upset with them. But she also couldn't help but feel more excited for the future. It was as though the life of a fisherman may not be all that was in store for her after all. Was it okay for her to hope after all?  

[demon_pachabel]

Kinyegele - Female, She/Her

Kinye leaned into that gentle nudge, offering all her love to the baby within their egg in turn. I can and will be able to forgive for that. If others must be unkind, I will be kind enough to make up for them, even if that was an impossible feat, she would muster up everything in her to do so. Not just for this little egg, but for the rest as well.

But all good things would come to an end shortly, as two eggs still a fair distance from the girl would begin churning with anger and begin to lash out. Oh, oh this was not good! And the candidatemaster was calling them back!

Leaving her hand for a moment longer, Kinye offered one last farewell to her new little friend - even if perhaps it would forget her once it hatched and found theirs. When you hatch, I hope you find the finest rider of them all - just for you! It will be perfect, and I will not be sad if it can't be me. Yes, she wanted Santa Egg to have a good life.

And F'dral wanted them all to run back to the barracks, so off she went like the good girl she was, falling in line after the rest.


-----

Kahbrohm - Male, He/Him

The tender warmth and approval from this egg was nice, if not a little uncomfortable to Kahbrohm who was a bit more used to having to fight for approval. This one simply...handed it over, it seemed. But he didn't dislike it.

He'd not intended to stay long, but he'd only just removed his hand when the sudden torrent of upset from several eggs started the earliest Touching meltdown he'd ever seen - and F'dral was sending them all away! He'd barely even met any of these eggs!

But he'd not argue it now - not when Zenobiath was already gathering up her little ones to settle them. He'd not fight with a golden queen to keep making introductions. However, he was more than a little displeased when it came time to go back to the barracks.

Whether it had been the candidates, or the eggs, at least someone had been left with a taste to leave them waiting for more.
------

Dorok - Male, He/Him

She does mean a lot to me. He offered the image of the tired looking woman again, though she was more glamorous in his mind than she was in person. She would likely be the only one who loved him unconditionally no matter what he became. He would have liked to claim he did everything for her - but he couldn't think so in good conscious. He did it for himself, really. But was that so selfish?

Dorok wouldn't have time to hear what this little dragon thought of that, as a sudden torrent of upset flooded from their neighbor, sending feelings of disgust and rage - and Dorok had not been shy of those feelings before. Especially when he knew he deserved better. High Reaches deserved better. But he knew that wasn't him thinking.

So he ripped his hand from the egg where it had rested, recoiling to try and tuck his thoughts back into himself. When the Candidatemaster summoned them back to the Barracks, he followed those orders gladly. He'd be happy to have some space to cool his head.  

[SilverLutz]

Rundanrul - Western

Rundanrul was not prepared for the double assault that was leveled upon all of the Candidates nearby. The rage coming off of the Ding Dong Bell egg washed over him so suddenly that he didn’t have time to remove his hand, and was given a mental slap for his efforts. That made him yank his hand off the shell while simultaneous feeling the offense and outrage from the Lump of Coal egg catching up to him.

Stepping back from the Ding Dong Bell egg as it trembled on the spot, Rundanrul wasn’t sure if he wanted to scream in rage or tackle the Candidate next to him to the ground. Instead he gathered his willpower to follow the order to return to the Barracks. His time here was done, just as all the other Candidates. The eggs were too upset.

---

Versha - HR

Holly’s genuine and delightful reply had Vera smiling more openly than she had in quite some time. She usually kept her emotions well checked, but here among the eggs it seemed her true emotions were pulled to the surface. It was hard not to be so happy around such adorable little eggs!

But it was hard to ignore the growing ire around her, the quaking eggs and the restless shifting of the queen. She sent a wave of appreciation and warmth over the Holly egg before rising with Veri as one, her hand reaching for her sister’s. Together they beat a quick retreat to safety, not wanting to push their luck. It was a short touching but a successful one all the same in her eyes.

Hattaki

 

[Sweet Symmetry]

Ruunan [HR] - 17 - he/him/his - App Woodcrafter/Candidate

String of Lights caused Ruunan to gasp- quietly, and to himself, but the breath was taken from him as kindness filled his very soul. The dragon saw through him, or into him, as though he were made of glass. He hoped he wasn't as fragile as he once was, stronger now for the experiences that the dragonet had uncovered within. "I…" He began, but trailed off as anger and unhappiness swept through the hatching grounds like a storm.

The unborn hatchling soothed him, wrapping him in a gentle, mental blanket that dampened the general flow of displeasure. The world seemed muffled and very far away to his senses, and Ruunan breathed deeply, comforted by the presence of such a wise and caring soul. "Thank you. Thank you so much… for every small comfort and kindness you bestowed upon me, despite the brevity of our encounter…" His voice was low, barely a hushed whisper amongst the fuss and ruckus. For now the candidates had to leave, and he had to bid this brilliant, beautiful soul farewell- too soon, his heart ached. The young man had not felt so at peace since laying his hand upon Anakumath's yellow shell…

"I can't wait to meet you. You are a gift to High Reaches." Ruunan backed away once he had finished speaking, bowing to the eggs, to the parents, and melting into the crowd of candidates, determined to sink once more into anonymity. He had done his best to follow instructions, and had tried not to upset anyone… Poor young dragons.  

[magnadearel]

Candidate Nalacko -HR, she/her

She'd had high hopes for Snowflake, but that wasn't what she got back. Nala jerked back quickly as the egg began it's tantrum. Tears sprung to her eyes. The candidates weren't allowed near the eggs until the moment of Touching. Their mother was very protective of them. It wasn't their fault they hadn't come near.

The quiet teen turned from the eggs and hurried towards the sidelines, trying to keep the tears from falling. It came as something of a relief as a dragonic presence ordered the candidates away from the eggs and to the Barracks. Nala hurried off the sands, glad to be away from the eggs. What had happened? Had she touched Snowflake wrong some how? Was everyone going to be mad that she was the cause of the Touching being cut short? Nala tucked herself into a corner of the barracks until she could dry her tears.