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Ray of Sunshine Egg - Sitting in the corner of the clutch, this egg seems to be observing all of those sitting around it with either a watchful eye of delight or one of scorn. It's hard to tell as the feeling one gets from touching this shell changes quickly, though the overall sense of dedication and pride that comes with being a gold can certainly be understood. This egg is very clearly going to hatch a Gold.

Fresh Dirt Egg - Directly across from the Ray of Sunshine egg rests a massively large egg, one that would be hard pressed to be mistaken for anything other than a bronze. The overall feeling from this egg is one of pure gentleness with a hint of...well, hunger. All hands as welcomed, if not encouraged, to touch this shell over and over for a feeling of reassurance and a rumble in their stomachs.

Bared Fangs Egg - The egg seems oddly appropriate with this one. There's a sense of stubborness to the point of irritation here... and a definite MINE mentality, though over what is uncertain. Throughout the weeks, this egg has sat stubbornly upright and refused to move despite being nudged. Size indicates a blue or a green.

Grassy Plain Egg - The first thing you notice about this egg when you touch it is a sense of surprise. Not fear, but genuine surprise, as if the egg didn't expect you find it. There's a sense of transparency and selflessness in this one, and a quiet strength. A very intriguing little egg, its size indicates a blue or a green.

Loud Echo Egg - Loud and insistent sums up this one. Whomever touches it is greeted with the impression of singing and calls, perhaps the dragon is particularly sociable? Size indicates a large blue or brown.

Shirking Violet Egg - This egg sets nestled amongst its companion eggs as though it were trying to make those around it look larger and more vibrant. When touched the egg gives off a pleasantness that can certainly put a person at ease, though there is a touch of hesitation if a hand stays on the shell a bit too long. Second touches yield the same result as the first, though perhaps not as stressed. A rather small egg, this is certainly a green.

Battered Wing Egg - The little dragonet within gives the impression of being mild and contemplative. There's a pleasant feeling about this one, so much so it seems to shy away from the more forceful personalities that greet it.

Mellow Daisy Egg - This one... almost feels as if it hasn't quite made up its mind yet. There's no strong emotion one way or another and it's surprisingly neutral, perhaps even appraising, in its reaction to those who touch it. Could it just be a more reserved individual?

Withering Leaf Egg - Touching this egg before you've touched the one to it's left or right in order will result in the feeling of complete and utter disappointment. It seems like whatever is inside absolutely abhors things that deviate from a routine and a pattern and is likely to be generally grumpy to all hands during the touching. The size of this egg indicates it could either be a large brown or a bronze.

Watching Eyes Egg - This egg is set off from the rest of its clutch, likely either rolled there by the Queen or somehow moved by its own violation. It stands upright and gives off a feeling of aloofness when touched, one that suggests the dragon inside either doesn't want company or simply doesn't need it at all. All hands are welcome, provided they aren't streaked with dirt or sand - in which case this egg is not pleased. Likely a blue or brown.

Tree Bark Egg - WHAT'S THAT!? There's a decided sense of insatiable curiosity about this one, almost as if it's greeting each and every person who touches it. Those who touch it more then once will likely realize the egg seems familiar with them. Maybe the dragonet has a good memory? Size indicates a green or a blue.

Gentle Breeze Egg - A feeling of straightforwardness can be felt from this egg, along with a mixture of impatience. Each touch renders a feeling that whatever is inside would probably rather be doing something else than sitting on the sands, though there never is any cruelty behind each sensation, instead a general feeling of being bored and wanting adventure takes over. A fairly small egg in size indicates this to be a green.

Distorted Reflection Egg - Well hello there ladies~ This egg seems to give a feeling that it likes the touch of women and women alone; in fact the more the merrier! Everyone is given a welcoming feeling though when touching this egg, as if they were being carefully guided into something. Likely a green or a blue.

Animal Tracks Egg - This egg seems to give off an air of determination, one that doesn't exactly seem so quiet. It's a drive that pretty much encompasses the rest of the feelings that this egg may offer which is slightly troublesome. While not exactly hostile towards any it is more accepting of younger hands than older, and seems to prefer the touch of men over women. This egg is likely a large blue or a small brown.

The eggs were hardening and nearing the time of the Hatching, the perfect window for a Touching. Anyone not a Candidate or official personnel of the Weyr had been showed to the exit and the call for the Candidates to line up had gone out.

Gathering the youth at the East Archway that lead from the main nest into the secondary Sands where Alumanth was located, those in charge ushered the Candidates into a semblance of a line and issued their orders.

"No lingering, pay your respects, and don't fall or hurt the eggs. Make a loop of this area then swing through the Archway and head out into the other, smaller nest. Once you're done, come back to this area - where you started!" The man bellowed, loud enough to be heard over nerves and quiet chatter, "Understood!?"

Beyond the group, with a hand on Brakiath, Abigail was watching them with apprehension. A double Hatching was so rare... and so awkward to coordinate. She only hoped this Touching would help form the bonds that would ensure the survival of the dragons.

Alumanth's rider was likewise anxious, having to constantly remind the Crimson that these people were not invaders and were here to admire her miracles. It was difficult - the crimson didn't like a lot of people near her clutch, and was rumbling that disapproval with the low, dangerous restraint of an irate but restrained guardian.

Touching! At least some proof that their world wasn’t entirely made up of lessons, errands, and foolish gossiping. Viskal had done well for himself so far. He was absorbing a great deal in lessons (though he had a distinct disadvantage against those that had been there longer), and starting to feel he’d determinedly scratched a niche for himself. Home still seemed a strange thing to call the place, but he had the inflated duties of a double hatching, the added errands given to him by the healers, and upkeeping his own trade (he’d reluctantly relinquished the idea of re-apprenticing himself for now) in his scanty freetime to keep him too busy to contemplate his societal role.

He arrived at the Sands on time as usual, a bit haggard around the edges, but attentive and soaking up every detail his eyes, ears, and nose lent him. The smell of the hot sand, grumbling dragon mothers, and taunt postures of the overseeing gold all twisted his nerves to taunt for weariness to reach him. Some thought Touching was a sort of pre-Impression. The dragonets were supposed to have an easier time finding Theirs when the time of Hatching came. Less injuries that way, less terror when the Candidates were accustomed to the thought the immense (but still infant) creatures bursting from their shells. Whatever the reasons for it, when the moment came that they were released onto the Sands, Viskal was one of the first to stride forward, not because of any wish to lead, simply because he didn’t want to be stuck behind anyone dawdling with apprehension. He paused, however, and bowed toward the queen and her rider, respectful of, if nothing else, their shared physical and ranking power. During the pause he was glad he’d taken the time to stitch scraps of leather to the bottom of his thin boots, for the heat radiating through the soles was still unpleasantly hot. Then, formalities observed, he approached the eggs at a more restrained pace.

Farellen was on time an in his smartest clothes, his heart raced as him and the other hopefuls were assembled for the Touching. He loved this time in the Weyr, everyone was hopeful of a good hatching, though seeing Benden healers put him in a less of a good modd than he would normally be today. Glaring in their direction once or twice he made his way to the first Clutch on the sands.

Farellen made his way to the Animal Tracks Egg first, he smiled as he felt the stirrings of a prescence within it, it definitly felt welcoming to him, at least a little, and the engery and determination, well that was how he felt about attending the hatching, as well as this touching *Don't lose track of what's important though* he sent towards it, hoping the one inside would pick up on that, although, he really should take his own advice.

Moving onto the Distorted Reflection Egg he instantly got the feeling that, being of the male pursuasion, this egg wasn't keen on him at all though he did feel something else from the egg, but he wasn't sure what that was. He moved on swiftly to the Gentle Breeze Egg as if urged by the occupant of the previous egg. Now there was an egg that knew it's mind and wasn't afraid to let it be known, he didn't sense any malice however so he caressed it a little *Patience, i'm sure you and Yours will be the troublemakers of the Weyr and get into everything*.

This being his first Touching, Saykiro listened to what the procedure was. There was no name for what he was feeling, just to touch the eggs. He stepped towards the larger clutch. "G'day, ma'am and Gold Brakiath. Such a beautiful clutch." He greeted them.

His eyes roamed over the eggs. He touched the Ray of Sunshine in respect for the next gold to join the ranks. Next he reached out to Watching Eyes egg, his hand hovered over it before he touched it. Hello little one. Saykiro got a feeling of light displeasure? He laughed silently and thought to the egg, You will find Yours and then you will fly true. The next egg that caught his attention was Grassy Plains. He pulled his hand back at first, surprised at the surprise from the egg. Knowing it would happen, he touched it again. Saykiro let his feelings go with this egg. Greetings little one.

Next in line for him was Bared Fangs. This one was curious to Saykiro. He liked the stubbornness that there was with it. You will give Yours a hard time, at first maybe? It was such a sense of strong stubbornness from the bared fangs egg that he remember some people talking about their Runners, that was the runner decided who would ride it.

He looked at the rest, watching the other Candidates reactions with the eggs. Then went to the Animal Tracks egg and as he touched it, sent Your shell reminds me of following the beast back home. He felt a pull that the egg didn't want him to move his hand. He smiled as he rubbed the egg, giving it a gentle pat.

With each egg, his smile was brighter, almost forgetting Benden around, and moved on to the next egg.

Viskal went plunging between two eggs before noticing the orderly line forming past what was expected to be the queen egg. He harrumphed and trod on, finally pulling up to vibrant green egg. Were they meant to linger around the larger eggs or smaller, depending on what color they might Impress? It seemed a conceited way to flaunt intentions. Unsure, he laid his hand against the Withering Leaf egg, which at least looked sturdy enough to handle his fumbling curiosity until it sorted itself out, and was immediately struck with the impression the curled beast inside found him exasperating. He flinched, utterly surprised, but kept his hand there for a few stubborn moments before withdrawing the touch. He knew the dragonets were known to be notional, and even seem to think through their thick shells and giver the person touching and impression of what lied within, but he’d expected it to be a subtle thing. He shook his head and moved on. “Particular little thing,” he muttered dismissively.

No, and egg’s size seemed worth the shards it crumbled into. Personality would account for more, it seemed. He pressed on, determined to brush over all of them at least once.

He came to the Grassy Plains egg next, not wanting to lose it among its larger siblings, and laid his hand against its warm side. He squinted at the surprise he picked up from it, but less started now, he lingered and gave the egg a steadying pat before leaving it.

Wandering, he touched the Babbling Brook egg next, but moved on to the Mellow Daisy swiftly. There he laid both hands on the hard surface, waiting, but time was pressing and he pulled away, giving up on finding a solid opinion in the thing. He was curious, but pressed for time and growing anxious to introduce himself to each of the eggs.

Gentle Breeze was next in his haphazard, zig-zagging line across the sands, and as he touched it a slight smirk touched his face in return. You’ll be walking among us and deciding for yourself soon he thought toward the dragonet before pulling away and moving on.

The clustered line of candidates was stretching out now as they spent more or less time among the eggs, and Viskal pressed a heavy palm against the Battered Wing egg. Viskal was a boy with unbridled force of mind though, and in pushing to discover what sort of dragon laid inside the small egg, he felt the poor thing twist under the surface, withdrawing from his hand perhaps. He recoiled, startled for a moment, then grazed a few fingers over the shell, trying to give his apologies before leaving the egg be.

Fresh Dirt was the next the young Candidate found himself facing, and he touched the crown of it a bit more cautiously now. He raised a wry brow at the shelled dragon, both reassured by the calm personality within and dryly amused at the hunger. You’ll be stuffed silly when you get out, he thought toward it, now more sure they could in fact understand the Candidates now. He gave the egg a reaffirming pat before moving on.

Although she tried her best to remain calm, Gabriel was terribly excited. Touchings had always been a very special thing to her, for being able to feel the dragon within the egg was an entirely unique experience. This time it was an extra special occasion even since there were two clutches out on the Sands. It made for a pleasant break out of the chores that had been running them ragged lately, that was for sure. The teen waited patiently (as patiently as she could pretend to be anyway) for her turn in line while the Candidates before her trickled out onto the Sands. When her turn came up, she gave a deep bow to Brakiath and the Weyrwoman. Thank you for allowing us this opportunity. We won’t take long.

Rather than circling around to the golden egg first as quite a few were doing, Gabriel decided to approach the egg nearest to her and circle around from there. Setting her hands on the Watching Eyes Egg, the teen wasn’t sure initially what to make of it. It seemed rather… aloof? Well, at least it wasn’t an unpleasant dragon. Hope you find Yours easily enough.

Moving down next to the Tree Bark Egg, the brunette found herself quite amused by the intense sense of curiosity that was practically radiating from the egg. Well, who could blame it? She herself would be rather curious of what was going on all around if she was stuck in an egg all day. You’re going to have a lot to explore! Do have fun with it after you hatch, hm?

The next egg felt just plain bored. Also understandable, she thought to herself as her fingers caressed the Gentle Breeze Egg. She became bored rather quickly when there was nothing to do, and what really could a baby dragon do while still growing in an egg? Don’t worry, I’m sure there will be plenty of fun stuff for you to do when you hatch. You’ll be able to travel to lots of places after all.

The teen very much admired the feel of the next egg, even if it didn’t necessarily reflect the same enjoyment. Bold, determined, and strong, Gabriel sensed that the Animal Tracks Egg would yield a very promising dragon. I am sure you and Yours will accomplish many things together.

The last egg she touched of the small group in front seemed inordinately pleased by her presence, although she doubted that it was simply her’s alone that made the eggs so happy. Whatever the case though, the dragon inside the Distorted Reflection Egg certainly wasn’t unpleasant, and Gabriel found herself almost reluctant to move on to the next egg. Couldn’t keep everyone waiting though, so move on she did.