Welcome to Gaia! ::

The long awaited day had finally arrived!

Well, one of the long awaited days had anyway.

Senior Candidatemaster X'vish surveyed his charges as they began to gather together outside the hatching cavern with his arms folded across his chest and a small smile on his lips. "Alright boys and girls you know the rules by now," he began once he was satisfied that everyone had arrived. "You walk in quietly, salute the clutch mother and her rider, and then you may approach the eggs. Touch all of them - gently - and don't linger too long by any one egg. You can speak to one another but quietly please and no running. If you annoy Banshidheth you'll be out on your ear sooner than a startled flit can between. Now go on in then, and try to relax. Remember this is a chance to get to know the eggs and for them to get to know you, it's not a test you can pass or fail." With this said the stocky man stepped aside and motioned for the candidates to enter the cavern.



Springing Egg - Boo! Ahaha, did the egg startle you? Did it? The large blue and white egg seems to almost squirm with mischievous glee before starting to poke curiously at your brain. It reacts positively to those with a sense of fun, leaning in to learn more, but quickly tires of and withdraws from extremely serious characters.

Golden Egg - This large, golden egg welcomes every touch without exception, regardless of the personality or gender of the candidate, seeming to enjoy the contact. The touch of anyone who has bet on the eggs elicits a spark of interest, before its attention drifts to its clutchmates with a sense of speculation and anticipation.

Crystallized Egg - This egg appears deceptively rippled across it's surface, as if it were being viewed underwater but it smooth and slightly cool to the touch. A gentle swelling of sympathy and hopefulness greets each visitor with a rush of excitement for the bolder candidates. It's attention wavers and is rarely held long before fading away.

Suspicious Egg - Who are you? What are you doing here? You don't belong here, stranger! This medium-large black egg, nestled tightly among its siblings, does not trust you or your intentions one inch! Beyond the initial reproach candidates might sense that this one is feeling very protective of its siblings, if you've been rude to any of the other eggs it might be best to back off now.

Burning Egg - Named more for the color of it's sooty shell than any spark of passion or flame of valor, this egg holds itself aloof from any who approach. It's like knocking on a thick door where you know someone is standing right on the other side...you can hear them breathing... but they don't answer when called.

Dancing Egg - You have interrupted this tiny little egg and are being treated to an imperious stare. It isn't long before the egg's curiosity overcomes its annoyance however and as it reaches out to investigate a candidate's mind it gives away more about itself; there is pride there, and strength, and a great zest for life. Whatever else this little one turns out to be, it will be a handful!

Laughing Egg - Touching this egg would bring a smile to most candidate's faces; it is filled with a sense of joy and peace. When the egg notices a candidate's hands upon it it seems to give a gentle laugh; a bit of a silly ceremony, isn't it? Nevertheless it is pleased to meet most who come to it, though it appears to slightly disapprove of those with a very chaotic mind.

Welcoming Egg - This beautiful green egg welcomes one and all with open arms, or it would if it had arms at any rate. It definitely feels friendly - without a bad word to say to anyone unless they say one to it first - but those who linger a moment or two more might feel something behind this, a longing for something perhaps?

Seeking Egg - This dark egg shudders occasionally as the occupant within moves restlessly within it's shell. The moment a hand makes contact with the smooth surface the creature within stills and you know you have it's full attention. The seeking egg slowly delves into your mind and examines what it finds there with a methodical precision.

Keep Out Egg - Everyone who touches this red and black egg immediately feels a hard, near-painful, mental shove, accompanied by bristling anger. The message is simple and clear: go away...or else.

Shrieking Egg - As soon as a candidate's hand comes to rest on this small dark shell it punches into their mind with a blood curdling battle cry. Those who flinch too much for the egg's liking are given merciless mental cuffs until they withdraw. Those who stand firmer however are greeted with a sense of grudging approval but are soon enough dismissed; next!

Guarding Egg - Sitting at the front of the clutch this medium-small egg gives little about itself away at first, though candidates may feel as though they are being assessed. Soon enough it makes its decision however; cruel and selfish minds are driven away with a growl whilst those with a sense of duty or a desire to protect others are sent a feeling of approval before the egg withdraws its presence once more.

Charging Egg - This egg, marked with what looks like a bolt of lightning, is a bold presence indeed. It may be rather small in size but it has a commanding presence and absolute confidence in itself, and seems to approve of these qualities in others. There is a kindness in this egg too however; it sends a feeling of warmth to the more timid candidates, a gentle encouragement to keep going even if the ordeal of the Touching seems insurmountable.

Bloodstained Egg - From its gory appearance one might expect this egg to be frightening, which it is not.... Per se. There's a sense of chaos and conflict within this egg but it seems to be trying to hide it from the candidates who come to touch it by projecting a no-nonsense attitude at them. While it seems to be largely wrapped up in itself if it notices a candidate with a propensity for underhanded tactics it will give them a firm mental shove, letting them know in no uncertain terms that they are Not Welcome.

Guiding Egg - Situated near the front of the clutch this bright egg greets visitors with a quiet peace. You are welcome to spend some time with it, and it may gently nudge you in one direction or another, or it may just remain a passive but attentive presence till you decide to leave on your own.

Invasive Egg - The inhabitant of this bluish-white egg wastes absolutely no time when touched, and gets straight to work digging into the minds of candidates, searching intently and intrusively, but for what? Touching this egg is not a pleasant experience.

Hidden Egg - This egg is the colour of old bone with striations that almost look like cracks upon first glance. Touching it meets with an evasive responsive, not hostile or shy, simply a making of space. The faint impression of giggling sometimes bubbles to the surface.

Dud Egg - Nothing. Though there are some who claim the faintly-patterned brown egg changes position slightly every once in a great while, no one has actually seen it move, and when touched, it gives no response of any kind.



In Character Information
- It is a little after lunchtime.
- All candidates from both wherholds should be present, candidates from Malvren will have had a ride over.
- The candidates have spent the morning with the candidatemaster and some of his assistants going over etiquette for the Touching (again) and brushing up on basic information new riders need to know.

Out of Character Information
- We are doing egg responses this Touching. This means that you get a personal reaction to your candidate's touch from an egg rather than having the basic blurb about the egg to react to.
- You may request up to four of these egg responses per candidate.
- To request an egg response please post the egg's name in bold red somewhere in your post.
- Staff will get through responses as quickly as possible but please be patient! Also please be away that Tawny is away most of this weekend and Dizzy is busy so replies might be a little slow during this time.
- The Touching will be relatively slow paced and can run up until next Friday if required.
- If you have any questions please post in the main shop thread or PM Tawny, Dizzy, or Meep.
- Just for everyone's info there are three staff eggs in this clutch.
- There are also two 'contest eggs', more information on these to follow.
- There will be an egg betting thread where you can guess the colours of the dragons inside the shells! More on this to come too.

While it only took a few seconds between, being carted back and forth across the ocean between Benden and Malvren seemed awkward and unnecessary to Zen. Why didn't they keep all of the candidates in the weyr where the nest was? Was she going to be shipped off home then the moment the eggs started to rock thrown on a dragon and hauled right back again? Sounds like a fine way to be late or miss the hatching in her mind. Sure, let the eggs start cracking for Benden candidates first, make sure they had the prime positions before any Malvren kids could get their marks in the game!

Well Zen was determined that that wasn't going to happen to her. The tall young woman's mind was turning even as she stood for the first time on the hot sands of Benden, eyeing the clutch. She'd heard from some of the other candidates about it's size and the obvious queen egg... There was no missing it sitting there in the back. No. Zennaren would not be going home to Malvren till every last shell on those sands were empty. A bit of cunning could probably secure her a set of Benden candidate knots. Some of these candidates seemed less than perfectly observant in her mind. If any riders came picking out the Malvren kids she'd just conveniently not be around.

Zen eyed the gold egg again. It would certainly serve her purpose but was that really the life she wanted? Banshideth certainly bucked the gold stereotype, but not enough to sway Zen towards that symbol of power and prestige. She'd pay her respects... but the red one. The one that looked like their ancient enemy itself was her first target. When given leave, Zen approached the clutch with a straight backed long legged stride. She tossed her short hair before bowing to Banshideth.

The Keep Out Egg certainly earned it's name as soon as her fingers grazed it's shell. "Shaffing trundlebugs!" Zen swore, snatching her hand away and halting the sudden instinct to slap the egg. That would get her kicked out for sure. She settled for a seething glare before leaving the foul beastie within alone.

The next egg she touched was little better. Zen waited... and waited... but at the point where her feet started to get uncomfortable from standing in one spot on the burning sands she gave up. The Dud Egg was probably just that. A Dud. Well this was going swimmingly.

Touching Day was finally here! During lunch, Vos hadn’t been sure if she wanted to stuff herself full or hardly eat. She had managed to force down enough food that she wouldn’t embarrass herself with her stomach growling as she waited for the candidatemaster to call them. It seemed to take forever! She bet he knew they were excited and purposely took his time!

The teen had her head up and eyes bright, with a huge grin plastered across her face. Vos gathered her siblings as they went to meet up with the candidatemaster on the sands. For the first time she got a good look at the eggs. Her eyes went wide at the size of the gold egg. “She’s gonna be massive!” She whispered to Esre and Ves. And the gold egg was all the way in the back. Should she bypass all the other eggs to greet her first, or work her way back? Vos decided to start at the front and work her way back.

She nodded to X’vish as she passed to enter the sands. Vos turned to Banshidheth and bowed deeply. “Thank you for letting us touch your eggs.” Her respects paid, the teen moved slowly toward the eggs. The sands were shafting hot, but she didn’t mind too much. The first egg to be greeted was the Shrieking Egg. She laid her hand on the shell and felt her muscles tense instinctively as her head jerked up. “The shards is that for?!” She whispered harshly to the egg and pulled her hand away. If any of her siblings had followed her she whispered to them. “Watch that one.”

Her nerves were all jingling now and she shook her hands out. Curse that egg. The next egg was the Guarding Egg. The dark swirly shell made her wary as she laid her hand on the shell.

Jikkiri

Jikkiri was excited! Today he got to touch dragon eggs... now wasn't that a great thing? He grinned happily at his brother. “Isn't this great?” he whispered to Jamarin as they were allowed to enter the cavern.

Soon, though, he was separated from his brother by the crowd, not that he minded. All these people! In this place! Here to do this amazing thing! Ahhh, it was wonderful.

When it was his turn, he gave the queen dragon a jovial wave and an exuberant bow. “Thanks!” he said to her, almost sing-song, “It's a lovely clutch!”

Hahaha! He was talking to a dragon! What a hoot. This was sure a funny life he had gotten into, and not one he would have ever thought about just a few years ago... but that was Jamarin – always dragging Jikkiri into the strangest things.

Not that Jikkiri regretted anything about it, of course!

His first target was the great big Gold Egg, and why not? Of course he couldn't impress gold, not that Jikkiri cared about impressing or anything, but the egg was big and it was sitting there, being shiny. He couldn't not touch it.

He looked around to see what the others were doing – so yes, they did actually touch the eggs – and he touched his plump hands lightly to the lustrous shell. “Hello!” he said cheerfully, not really expecting much of anything to happen...

Malta and Poecileth

Malta had done something remarkable... she had taken a break. But how could she not, when there were new eggs on the sands? Back before the revolution, when thread had been the bane of her happiness, Malta had not missed a single hatching, and tried to at least watch most of the touchings that had happened in her weyr. She liked to watch the new candidates and the eggs and the dragons – there was something sweet about it, innocent even, and it reminded her of her own experiences, long ago.

The woman loved dragons. When she had touched her first egg, not knowing what to expect, that was when she had fallen in love. Poecileth had just made it official. Perhaps, if she hadn't impressed, she would have gone the path of a dragonhealer anyway. Instead, with Poecileth, she hadn't had to, not for a long time. Now, she was doing as much dragonhealing as people healing, cleaning as much ichor as blood... or so it seemed.

So Malta entered the nesting cavern, staying to the side to watch the young candidates line up to be let in.

Of course, Poecileth wanted in, too. <Mirath> she greeted, settling to watch next to her rider. It was a shame the Crimson hadn't clutched, but such was life. Mirath was fortunate even in that: Poecileth could not clutch at all. She supposed it made her
occasional Rises less high stakes and stressful, but it also meant she could never be a mother... though... some had said that the relationship between her and her rider...

Ah well. Poecileth wanted to ask her about the crimson's thoughts on the clutch, but... well... That would border on tasteless. Best to get a conversation going.

Malta, for her part, did not know what she thought...



Jamarin

Jamarin saluted the big shiny dragon with a stiffly straight face and, hands in trousers, stalked off to the eggs.

Fine.

He'd given up some hours of work to do this stupid touching thing, and fine. He'd do it. Jikkiri had been all excited and if Jamarin hadn't gone, neither would the lazy fatarse he had for a twin. Jamarin glowered as his brother went right up to the queen egg.

Typical Jikkiri, always going for the feminine thing... not that gold dragons weren't big and powerful or anything... he glanced at Banshidheth. He'd heard things about the clutch mother.

But... Jamarin shuddered in disgust and gave the gold egg a berth. He wanted nothing to do with femininity, and he didn't want to give that baby dragon any... ideas.

For now, he avoided that cluster entirely, going right to the badass red and black egg that looked like it wanted nothing to do with its clutchmates either. Unlike some of the other new candidates, Jamarin didn't care about doing it right. He stared at the egg and, after some scrutinizing, put his hand on the Keep away egg.

He looked up to see a pretty brunette just leaving. She was a candidate too, huh... He looked her over...

Not bad.

“Hey.” he said to Kalendol nonchalantly, “So. Dragon eggs. How's it going?”

Jikkiri

Jikkiri was absolutely delighted that the gold egg had said hello back! “Well, I couldn't help it!” he whispered to it, “You just looked so stunning!” flatterer extraordinare, that was him. But then she... of course she, how silly of him to question... directed his attention to the other eggs.

What an interesting question! He had half-closed his eyes when his mind had contacted the eggs, but now he opened them, driven by her curiousity. He looked at the eggs around the big golden egg. “Well...” he whispered to the egg after a moment, “I don't know, but none of them are red.” Just in the other pile. “So maybe... um...”

Jikkiri wondered what she was asking. “You know, I don't know. Should I meet them and get back to you?” he asked cheerfully.

Vesin bowed to the queen dragon as they had bee instructed to do. Her bow was respectful and longer than some as she hung back from her siblings a bit to survey the eggs. There were quite a bunch and no matter how many times she changed her view, the gold egg was always in the center. Her siblings seemed to start at the front most eggs but Vesin's eyes always went immediately to the gold egg. She knew she probably didn't have much of a chance for the gold choosing her, and it was okay in her mind though she couldn't deny that it would be interesting, but so would being in a wing.

Not wanting to miss the opportunity while there weren't many candidates there, she smiled at her siblings before waiting behind a boy who was at the gold egg already. That's nice of him, Ves thought, that he would come pay respects to the gold egg. After he moved, she took a few small steps forward and placed both hands on the gold egg like a gentle caress. "Hello..." She said softly, holding back all the words of praise for the egg, after all, there were many other captivating eggs on the sands, the gold was just the one more so.

She had figured Esre would probably follow one or the other if the twins slit up. In fact she expected him to follow Ves. It was a pleasant surprise when she found him by her side at the front of the clutch. Vos gave him a wink of encouragement. She watched him touch his first egg and smiled. Hopefully it’d be nice to him.

At first she thought there’d be no reaction from this egg. Although when she relaxed she suddenly got a brief if warm approval from it. Vos smiled as the dragonet in the egg pulled back. She patted it fondly and whispered, “thank you,” before she moved on down the line. Her eyes scanned the candidates and she spotted Ves over by the gold egg. Well that was all good.

The marking of lightning on the next shell had to be admired before she touched it. Her fingers brushed over the curve of Charging Egg. She smiled at the boldness she got from the egg. It was hard not to giggle as she imagined it puffing out its chest with confidence. This one had plenty to spare. Next was the Bloodstained Egg. She placed her hand on its shell. From its appearance she thought it might be aggressive. For a moment she thought she felt like she was caught in a twister then it was gone. Slightly confused she left it.

The Guiding Egg drew her attention with its bright purple shell. Resting her hand on it felt similar to being snuggled in a warm bed on a cold day. That was one of her favorite things being snuggled in bed with her twin on chilly mornings. Ves almost always got up first. She got the sense it was time to leave it and stepped toward the light blue Invasive Egg in front of it.

“Are you doing ok?” She checked on Esre. It was eerie to have the egg riffling around in her brain like she might riffle around scrolls. Vos stayed awhile then wished it luck finding a candidate that suited it well. She shook her head to clear it. Not an egg she’d want to touch again. The next egg was almost completely hidden from sight. Vos was about to move on when she spotted the Hidden Egg. For a moment she was fooled into thinking it was hatching. So much so she started to open her mouth to call the candidatemaster.

She glanced sheepishly around then rested her hand upon it. This egg felt if liked its space and she was maybe a bit too close. The faint giggling made her smile. Something amused it. Finally she’d made it to the end of this line. The brown Dud Egg had pretty subtle patterns across the shell as it lay on its side. Vos had to kneel down to touch it comfortably.