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Pot of Gold Egg - Gold Sharath to Amelia
At last! Standing tall and proud is the solid, glittering gold queen egg! It's mighty small for one, mind you, but the Weyrfolk are so happy to finally see one clutched no one seems to mind. The egg stands in the back of the clutch, not because it is shy, but because it is overlooking it's fellow dragon, already keeping a watchful eye on it's underlings. The Tye Dye Egg appears to be welcomed into the Pot of Gold's personal space, but the Noisy Rainforest Egg behind it has gone unnoticed. The egg all but basks in the attention it receives from it's mother and the candidates.

Tye Dye Egg - Green Redfith to Zia
Nestled beside the queen egg herself, the Tye Dye egg feels right at home. The base of the egg is a deep blue with purple splattered and faded onto the shell. Judging by the size, there is anything between an average green to a small blue inside. But perhaps the Tye Dye egg will shock and awe everyone with a very small, newborn brown. You do get the feeling this egg is just full of surprises.

Spring Flowers Egg - Ptoth to Ayishia
This egg could easily be either a blue or green; it's hard to tell. The Spring Flowers' shell is a mixture of purple and yellow. It sits off to the right, directly across from the cherished Pot of Gold Egg and settled beside the Sweetheart Egg, leaning ever so slightly toward it as if trying to whisper something to it. Upon being touched, it almost feels as though you've been enlightened about the rest of the clutch. Insightful observer or gossip queen? Only time will tell!

Sweetheart Egg - Green Regedth to Raysan
Perhaps the Sweetheart Egg has a misleading name. Or maybe not, since it isn't called the "Listener Egg". In any case, the Sweetheart Egg is beside the Spring Flowers Egg, and doesn't seem a bit interested in what it's clutchmate has to say. The egg is relatively small and so probably contains a green; most likely a lovely green if it's beautiful shell is any evidence. It has fallen on it's side, and one might wonder, is it trying to explore what's beyond the clutch or simply attempting to escape the company of the Spring Flowers egg?

Arctic Waters Egg - Deprith to Jaylin
Someone isn't happy. The Arctic Waters Egg doesn't feel dangerous or uneasy, just grouchy, especially when the candidate touching it is a female. Chances are it contains either a sexist blue or a green against the "birds of a feather flock together" saying. The shell is a deep blue, and shines quite beautifully when the sun hits it just right. The egg's attention is focused between the Imposter Gold and Blinding Red Egg. One or both of them have made this egg grumpy!

Imposter Gold Egg - Blue Nachith to Belram
A bit too large to be a green, this egg probably contains a blue or a brown dragonet inside. It gets it's name from the golden coloring of the shell, and looks as though it was dipped in a bucket of white paint. The Imposter Gold Egg tilts ever so slightly to the left, and is keenly observing the Blinding Red Egg while the Arctic Waters Egg behind it goes ignored, perhaps even shunned.

Brown Swirl Egg - Blue Jounoth to Janga
At the bottom of the clutch is the Brown Swirl Egg. The name, obviously, is due to the dark brown base and the lighter brown swirl that decorates the egg's shell. Many have accused it of being the most ugly egg in the clutch, and indeed, no light appears to flatter this poor thing! As if that wasn't enough, there's an aura of fear and submission hovering around it. The egg has fallen and rolled to the side as though it wants to run away. Could it be afraid of one of it's clutchmates? The egg is probably a green or a blue.

Pink Raptor Egg - Blue Kalth to Rafferty
The perfect size to be either a green or blue dragonet, the Pink Raptor Egg is pleased with where it stands; close enough to see what's going on, but far enough away to keep from being involved. It feels relaxed, some might even call it soothing, and the laid back egg doesn't seem to mind being used as a leaning post for the Green Paradise Egg. This egg is a pinkish color with brown stripes outlined in soft peach wrapped around it.

Green Paradise Egg - Green Awunrayth to Rieta
Equal in size to the Pink Raptor Egg it leans against, the Green Paradise Egg is one of the brightest in the clutch, but no doubt the most relaxed. Except, of course, compared to it's favorite clutchmate. The shell is decorated with lighter green, uneven lines, and almost resembles broken glass. Beyond it's vibrant coloring, the egg does not call attention to itself, content to remain out of the spotlight.

Cinnamon Egg - Brown Darcth to Mishal
This egg, probably a small bronze, average brown or exceptionally large blue, doesn't seem to be doing anything as interesting as the rest of it's clutchmates. It sits to the left, across from the queen. If one didn't know better, they could say it's admiring the Pot of Gold egg. That's assuming, of course, you even notice the dull Cinnamon Egg at all. The speckled brown coloring leaves much to be desired, as does the bland feeling the egg gives off. It's just sort of there.

Noisy Rainforest Egg - Blue Makereth to Uuni
Think just "Rainforest Egg" would have been plenty long enough a name? Think again. Spending a few moments in the company of the Noisy Rainforest Egg may allow you to understand where it got it's name. The egg is probably a trouble-making blue or green. It sits behind the queen egg, looking all too ready to spring forth and frighten the other egg at any given moment. Odds of success are minimal, however, because the low humming noise this egg sometimes makes, sounding somewhat akin to laughter, has probably given it's hiding place away.

Sunrise Egg - Bronze Roheth to Kamihan
Sitting in front of the Pot of Gold Egg, one will find the Sunrise Egg. It's a shame that most of the egg is hidden from nearly every angle, because the Sunrise Egg is very attractive. The shell is a combination of oranges, yellows and reds. One can still plainly see how large the egg is, though, because it can so easily be compared to the queen egg, which it seems to be guarding from the warring Sunset Egg and Seaside Egg. Does a bronze await for the perfect boy to Impress, or is a brown inside misleading us?

Sunset Egg- Brown Teharth to Kerebessar
The Sunset Egg doesn't care at all what the Sunrise Egg is doing. Then again, it isn't paying attention to any of the others except for the Seaside Egg. The two are leaning against each other, but not in a fond way; it's more as if they're butting heads. What does it contain? Anywhere from a large blue to a bronze. There is a very intense feeling surrounding it.

Seaside Egg - Bronze Sakneth to Bashir
The Seaside Egg doesn't care at all what the Sunrise Egg is doing. Then again, it isn't paying attention to any of the others except for the Sunset Egg. The two are leaning against each other, but not in a fond way; it's more as if they're butting heads. What does it contain? Anywhere from a large blue to a bronze. There is a feeling of arrogance around it. No doubt the dragon inside feels superior to the Sunset Egg.

Blinding Red Egg - Green Lofrewth to Kyllae
The Blinding Red Egg is the smallest in the clutch and it houses a small green as obviously as the Pot of Gold Egg houses a queen. The egg is very eye catching in spite of it's small size, if not for it's color, than for it's boldness. The Blinding Red Egg is much smaller than the Sunset Egg and Seaside Egg, but it doesn't appear intimidated in the least! It's hard to tell if it's trying to monitor the tension between the two of them or join in. Regardless, just by nearing this egg you feel how brave it is. In contrast to the Arctic Water's Egg, the Blinding Red Egg is more welcoming of a female touch.

When the thrum of dragonsong reverberated through the Weyr, Amelia glanced up from her work and blinked. Cursing softly, she bid her farewells and ducked out, hastily dunking her hands and arms in the was basin posted outside the workspace and wiped the dirt from her face. A quick look in the mirror showed that she was not exactly clean and tidy but it would have to do – the dragonets would not wait for someone like her.

As calls of demands for tales of the Hatching followed her out, she hurried down the hallways and soon gathered with the rest of the weyrfolk who’d chosen to witness the Hatching. It was crowded and loud as many many people had come to witness this event and she could not help but smile from the excitement. She knew she was no Candidate and yet she was anxious for them… for Camryn, whom she hoped Impressed a lovely dragon. That one, she knew, would probably go far with her mind.

Shuffled into the stands, she took a seat about midway up the seats and settled in to watch, eyes wide with anticipation. Down below, the Candidates were beginning to file onto the sand and she winced. From what she understood they were hot and only got hotter as the sun rose in the sky. Hopefully nobody would be hurt… and hopefully all the dragonets would Theirs too.

Oh Faranth. Ohhhhh Faranth. Daeluin had a feeling that she was about to witness a shitshow. It was an irrational premonition, brought on by the utter lack of order and control.

What Daeluin COULD NOT see was that the Headwoman had things under control. She saw that each and every candidate was present, dressed correctly, and that the boys and girls were split up. Lulu felt rushed, harried, and stressed. The wondrous experience that was her first hatching! She smoothed her white robe (really, she was drying off her palms). The dark-skinned candidate had to resist the urge to smooth back her hair, tied tightly with a white ribbon. You look so nervous, so uncomfortable. Relax! Stand up straight, shoulders back! Lulu berated herself mentally, forcing herself to do just that- take a deep breath and stand up straight, with her shoulders back.

Time to go!

Lulu found herself at the front of the line of girls. The front. THE FIRST. Daeluin took a deep breath. Somehow, she found herself putting one foot in front of the other. She was heading towards the hatching grounds, following the Headwoman's direction. She hoped fervently that the sands weren't scalding-hot like they had been at the touching. Logic told her that it was too early for the sands to have reached optimum foot-burning temperature, but Daeluin was still ungrateful for the thin-soled sandals all candidates wore. Daeluin couldn't even hear the dragons' hum, so focused was she on walking without falling on her face. As soon as Dorath came into view, Daeluin instinctively dropped into a curtsy, as they had been instructed. It wouldn't do to have any disrespectful candidates try to get anywhere close to a clutch!

Taking her place in the loose semi-circle of candidates around the clutch, the realization of what was happening finally dawned on Daeluin. A great crescendo in dragon's voice rose in her ears and a grin slowly spread across Lulu's face, her dark eyes going wide and bright with excitement. The eggs! They were hatching! Daeluin almost squealed. Almost. She still held onto a scrap of self control; though she did clutch her robe in a white-knuckled grasp. To try and calm herself, she focused on the dragons' humming, that song meant to welcome and encourage the new lives beginning very shortly.

Raysan rushed into his robes and looked down at his barefoot feet. The thrill of the moment finally etching itself into his head with the roars and hollers of dragon and men. Now the excitement was about to being! Maneuvering into the line quickly, he followed the group of boys out to the sands. He wanted to see things as they happened so he took a place at the front as he wasn't afraid of what was to come.

Surely, he had been warned about dragons running crazy into the crowds seeking their own so he made sure to have room around him just in case he had to pull a defensive maneuverer mid-stride. It wasn't going to be easy with all the other kids close by but what could he do. However, he'd take the risk. What a great opportunity this was...one that some would never get a chance to experience. He almost wanted to move closer to the eggs because that internal thrill seeker was vibrating with interest to watch an egg start cracking and the shell pried open. That would be just incredible! He took one step closer...at least from this angle he might catch a glimpse!

Glancing around over to the girls, he looked for ones he might recognize; spotted at least two...and then turned to his own group. He wondered if any of his new found acquaintances felt like he did on the sands. Everyone seemed as eager on the sands and fortunately, the ground was not nearly as hot as it could have been. He remembered that the Touching was a slight bit warmer on his long toes. Maybe they were lucky today for that because he had no idea how long it would take for these eggs to all open and for the dragons to make their decisions.

Finally, he took a deep breath and waited trying to pool that excitement into useful energy. Allowing his muscles relax and his mind prepare, he was just like a fighter before the next battle. Maybe one of the dragonets would find him worthy? He couldn't say BUT...soon he'd be able to get answer for the puzzles that had eluded him at the Touching. Now that was something to look forward too!

Since the touching, Rieta had dreamed the Hatching. The night past she had dreamed the queen egg's hatching. She had dreamed her in rage and glory, hissing at the candidates then taking flight, refusing them and refusing too, to go between. It had been an unsettling dream. An odd dream to have, the night before the dragons began to hum.

Quick and efficient in getting into her robe, though less helpful in her insistence at trying to direct other, perfectly capable candidates in the same task, she followed the flow of the line to the sands.

She'd thought to fear the crowds watching. For all her noisy bravado Rieta did not actually like the idea of so many eyes on her. But as she stepped out onto sands not yet warmed to the point of pain, she found that she didn't think of the spectators at all.

The dragons were singing and the eggs that had seemed somehow less intimidating when they'd touched them sat on the sands like a promise and a threat in one. They were the future. Future for the winners and loser alike. And it was that, win and loss, no matter what anyone might say. Shuffling into position, Rieta could not take her eyes away from the clutch.

To her left, a candidate murmured in appreciation and Rieta, loud, vibrant Rieta, could not find the voice to respond.

Puttering about tiding her room Nadia started to get ready for the day, as she was brushing back her hair the echoing sounds of the dragon call reached her and pausing she listened before realizing just what the sound meant. Hurrying she finished doing her hair and pulled on her robes before rushing to the sands and the hatching eggs.

Racing through the halls she tripped over the edge of her robe and stumbling she lifted the hem and carried on. Reaching the sands she took in the growing crowds of people and, rubbing her ears at the loud chatter of people as well as the calls from the dragons, she gently nudged her way through the crowd of on lookers and made her way towards where the other candidates where standing.

Taking a deep breath and reaching down to smooth out her robes Nadia looked towards the eggs and watched the other dragons react to the upcoming hatching. Taking another breath to calm her nerves and racing heart she shifted and toed at the sand suddenly glad that it was still early morning and the sands didn’t have the chance to get very hot.

Trista rubbed at sleep crusted eyes before swiftly pulling on the robes she had been given and shuffling after the other candidates. Unfortunately she hadn't been at the weyr long enough to acclimatize to the early morning risings. Selling malted beverages tended to be a late night endeavor after all.

Even so she got ready for the hatching taking her place in line without complaint, knowing that should she impress there would be many more early wakings ahead of her.

Finding herself waking up more and more as they neared the sands Trista couldn't help the thrill of excitement that passed through her as she felt the thrumming in the air. It was really going to happen, she a simple brewer's apprentice was going to stand. It was a little bit frightening to think of, having no real experience with hatchings she didn't know what to expect. but if you never faced anything that was new and daunting you'd never grow.

Taking a deep breath Trista tried to weigh the many feelings in her heart. There was some fear there, as there always was when facing the unknown. But there was a sense of wonder at the opportunity to see these new dragons coming into the world. As she glanced at her fellow candidates she felt a calmness fill her. Whatever happened today, whether she impressed or not, she would take each moment as it came. Certainly this would be a day to remember.

Onyal grinned, hearing Eshuth add to the humming as he lay next to her on his couch. It was nice to hear him make a noise she thought, before the dragons started to sing that he had fallen asleep on her. Setting down the riding straps she was repairing she quickly shoved her feet into her boots.

Will you take me down to the bowl so I can walk to the sands? She inquired, as she straightened out her shirt and hair. Hatchings, were so exciting, and she had some money riding on the contents of the eggs.

Yes, he stood and waited for more direction, he enjoyed a Hatching just as much as the next dragon, they strengthened the numbers within the Weyr..and they needed dragons and riders.

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Zia was just about to scold one of the younger weyrbrats when she heard Jillis' voice. "You've gotten lucky this time," she chuckled, he wasn't really in trouble he was just trying to snitch someone's sweet roll while they weren't looking.

Wagging her finger at the boy she started toward her quarters. It was time, time to stand again on the Sands and another Hatching! It was apart of the familiar, get your robe on and head to the heated sands.

"Bark," she touched the little brown flitter perched on her shoulder, "You're not allowed near the Hatching grounds, unless you want to be Dorath food. Stay in our bed." she spoke sternly, but the tone sounded almost comical.

Minutes later she started her way toward the hatching grounds trying to remember just which side the head woman had said girls should be standing on, not being able to recall she followed behinda familiar Candidate.