The Hatching of Gold Leilanth and Bronze Laerth's Second Clutch
PernMUSH, August 4, 1996

The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

You fly over and land upon one of the ledges.

<*> From the hatching sands, Laerth flies down from above.

You slide off of Lysseth's neck to land beside her easily. She rumbles,
cocking her head down at you, and you rub her eyeridges gratefully.

From the hatching sands, Laerth gives a proud rumble to his gold mate!

Spineth flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

Juliath flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

Benden Galleries> Nafai sits down with Rasa, he looks at her, "Ok, auntie."

Atop Spineth, Kethran grins excitedly and hugs Ursa. "This'll be fun. And
warm, too!" he points out, relishing the heat rising up from the Sands.

Veyath hums softly as she settles down onto the ledge. K'nan leans back
against Veyath, waiting calmly.

Nicoth flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

From the hatching sands, Leilanth rumbles to Laerth. A few eggs quiver
minutely.

Atop Spineth, Ursa nods mutely, looking rather excited, and slides down
Spineth's back.

Ursa climbs carefully down with the assistance of Spineth's extended forelimb.

R'val lands on his feet near K'nan and nods to him with a smile, "Been
waitin' for this. Got yer bets ready?"

T'lar slides precipitously down from Nicoth's back.

Meli slips smoothly down from Juliath's neck to her foreleg and to the
ground, giving her a gentle caress.

K'nan chuckles, "Aye, that I do, m'friend..."

Nicoth jostles for a space next to Juliath and Lysseth. T'lar waits until
he is comfortable and sits on one foot.

Ursa finds herself a position against Spin's leg, chuckling slightly as she
feels the vibrations of his humming through her back.

Meli waits until Juliath is well settled, then curls up along her side
where she can just about see everything.

Kethran climbs carefully down with the assistance of Spineth's extended
forelimb.

R'val blinks, "Oh shards, TRia! She'll wanna be up here!"

Vidarth leaps off the ledge.

T'lar looks up at his lifemate sandwiched between two greens. "Well, he
looks happy."

Meli snorts, grinning at T'lar, starting nearly to bounce with the
beginnings of anticipation.

Tinya chuckles at T'lar, and finds herself a good spot up front, right near
the edge.

Kassima snorts and grins as she looks out over the Sands, twirling a strand
of hair anxiously.

Public announcement: P'tran announces "Come one, come all to the Benden
hatching, which starts in 5 minutes! YOu can watch the hatching from the
Benden galleries (+go bdw-galleries), or from the ledges for you riders and
dragons (@tel #1375 to go there directly if you want) or watch from afar
with '+watch on bdw-galleries' :)"

L'nay listens with half an ear from where he leans against Palinth's chest,
watching the cavern below.

Vidarth flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

Prefeth flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

T'lar smiles over at bouncy Meli. "You look a bit excited. Why?

R'val slips an arm atround TRia to hug her, and grins at the baby, 'His
first HaTcching..."

Meli just continues to grin. "I like these. Especially here."

Atop Prefeth, Aphrael waves downwards towards the dragons on the ledges,
then turns towards Misharn. "Need help with those straps?" She asks.

Ursa drums nervously on her thighs, peering down at the sands expectantly.

Germaine slips her leg over Isadith's back and slides gently to the ground.

Caitria chuckles. "Aye. Too bad he's not old enough to enjoy it."

Dragon> All dragons sense that Leilanth hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmms from Benden as
her eggs begin to rock.

From Prefeth's neckridges, Misharn shakes her head, strugling with the
straps, "I think I've got it." She succeeds in undoing htem.

R'val grins, "No, but we'll tell him stories about it..."

Misharn clambers down Prefeth's side as the blue dragon crouches down after
a silent word from his lifemate, offering a foreleg as his swirling eye
watches the proceedings.

Aphrael climbs down from Prefeth's neckridges with practised ease, reaching
up to give her lifemate a thankful scritch as the blue dragon crooons.

From the hatching sands, P'tran emerges from the candidate barracks.

Dragon> All dragons sense that Zyrieth looks over toward Benden Weyr and
hummmms, too.

Marth flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

T'lar says "Hi, Aph."

L'nay spies Germain and nods a greeting. "Benden's duty to Ista, ma'am," he
says politely.

From the hatching sands, Cavadan emerges from the candidate barracks.

From the hatching sands, Flannery emerges from the candidate barracks.

Misharn smiles at the dragon nad rider, "Thank you.

From the hatching sands, Jehrina smiles at P'tran as she stands in front of
Leilanth.

Upon Marth's neck, K'ri loosens the straps tied to her belt.

From the hatching sands, Thera emerges from the candidate barracks.

K'ri slides down from Marth's neck, holding onto the straps untill she
dismounts from Marth's foreleg.

T'lar half stands and salutes to Germaine, knowing he can't be heard from
here.

From the hatching sands, Kindre emerges from the candidate barracks.

Dragon> All dragons sense that Gwirith bugles with excitement, making her
way to Benden to see the little ones hatch.

Tinya hears a name and turns. "Aph! Heyla, glad you could make it!"

K'nan looks up, and grins widely, "Aph! You made it!"

From the hatching sands, Alyssa emerges from the candidate barracks.

From the hatching sands, Cavadan enters quietly, and bows to Jehrina and
Leilanth as he steps onto the sands.

Kethran sits down beside Ursa and peers curiously at the Sands. His eyes
dart occasionally toward the tunnel from the Candidate Barracks. He smiles
as he recognizes Flannery, and then continues to peer, looking for his
sister and his other friends.

From the hatching sands, Karise emerges from the candidate barracks.

From the hatching sands, Talev emerges from the candidate barracks.

From the hatching sands, Devid emerges from the candidate barracks.

Aphrael glances over tot he sky above the bowl. "Wonder what happened to
Ularrith.." She grins to Misharn. "You're welcome." She says in return,
glancing around towards the Benden dragons. "K'nan!" She calls.

From the hatching sands, Jarryl emerges from the candidate barracks.

T'lar says "There they are!"

From the hatching sands, Lal emerges from the candidate barracks.

From the hatching sands, Kindre bows to Leilanth and nods respectfully to
the Weyrleaders before taking her place.

From the hatching sands, Thera bows to the two massive dragons, gold and
bronze, before taking her place in the circle.

From the hatching sands, Padde emerges from the candidate barracks.

Kheveth flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

From the hatching sands, Lal takes her place next to Alyssa.

From the hatching sands, P'tran smiles from his place near Jehrina as the
candidates enter the sands. His bronze it still giving a low, thrumming
hummmmm as the eggs rock on the sands

R'val grins excitedly and says, unecesssarily, "Here they come!"

Misharn loks slightly overwhelmed by teh sheer number of people comming and
going.

From the hatching sands, Talev bows to the massive bronze and gold dragons.

Caitria nods to R'val, with a slight smile, then peers to get a better look
at the Candidates.

From the hatching sands, Jarryl bows deeply to Laerth and Leilanth, then to
the weyrleaders.

Aphrael makes a face. "Yeah, just. I don't know how long I can stay for,
though." She murmers, then peers towards the sands.

Germaine stamps heels into the solid rock of the ledge as she lands from
atop her lifemate, smiling a greeting all around before calling out to
L'nay, "Ista's to Benden's!" She grins, then points toward the Sands, "They
come!" Isadith trumpets encouragingly to the Benden Queen, settling with
ill-concealed excitement at a look from her lifemate.

From the hatching sands, Lal nods in reverence to Leilanth, shaking
slightly. Wow. What a mind blow.

K'ri moves around with a squiqqling bundle in her arms and sits on Marth's
forearms, holding on tight to her squirming daughter.

From the hatching sands, Flannery ushers the candidates into a circle,
herding them toward their appointed places.

From the hatching sands, Jalynn emerges from the candidate barracks.

From the hatching sands, Karise wonders out, mouth agape. It wasn't /this/
hot before!!Bowing to gold and bronze, she hot-foots it over to Kindre and
Thera.

Ularrith flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

From the hatching sands, Alyssa smiles and makes a polite and respectful
bow to Leilanth, P'tran, and Jehrina, before taking a stance at Lal's side,
already moving back and forth on the very hot surface.

Opa slides quickly down the brown dragon's back to the ground.

From the hatching sands, Talev joins the circle of candidates nerviously.

Kheveth banks in a tight turn, settling to one of the brown ledges.

From the hatching sands, Damian walks out onto the sands, bowing to the
bronze and gold, and their riders.

Vyaneth flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

From the hatching sands, Baram emerges from the candidate barracks.

K'nan makes his way over to Aph, giving her a quick hug. "S'good to see
you..however long for."

From the hatching sands, Cavadan then bows to P'tran and moves to where is
is supposed to stand, eyes now glued to the eggs.

L'nay nods and grins at Germaine as he watches the candidates pour forth.
"That they certainly do," he says, barely audible.

From the hatching sands, Baram bows deeply to Leilanth, then Jehrina.

From the hatching sands, P'tran grins and leans over to Jehrina.
"INteresting batch the searchdragons picked up this time ..."

Mirtia slides quickly down the brown dragon's back to the ground.

From the hatching sands, Kiatyn emerges from the candidate barracks.

Liselle swings a leg over Vyaneth's neck and slides down to land on a
lovingly proferred foreleg before hopping to the ground and receiving a
gentle whuffle from her lifemate.

Ularrith backwings to a place by Lysseth, Prefeth, and Veyath.

From the hatching sands, Baram nods to P'tran and his bronze, then moves to
the circle of candidates.

Mirtia nods her thanks to Kheveth and N'ren.

From the hatching sands, Jalynn stops and bows to Leilanth and Laerth, then
goes and stands near Alyssa and Lal.

Aphrael looks back up to watch the High Reaches dragon sail in. "Ah.. there
he is." She says, then hugs K'nan as she moves closer. "It's good to see
you too.." She grins over at Veyath. "You're both looking well."

N'ren slides quickly down the brown dragon's back to the ground, after
hugging his shoulder lovingly.

From the hatching sands, Breana emerges from the candidate barracks.

M'rgan climbs down Ularrith's side to the ground, as the dragon warbles a
greeting.

Gwirith flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

From the hatching sands, Padde steps carefully onto the sands, close by
Breana. She nods somberly at the queen Leilanth.

From the hatching sands, Baram moves into the semi-circle and faces the
clutch.

R'val smiles, waving cheerily to Gwirith and her rider!

Seated on Gwirith, Alea grins. "We're here."

From the hatching sands, Cavadan moves quietly to stand near Baram.

From the hatching sands, Devid heads off the sands and into the barracks.

Seated on Gwirith, Jerethan grins and whoops with delight as Gwirith
emerges from *between*. He grins as he glances down at the familiar
contours of Benden Weyr below, and smiles to Alea. "Thanks."

Opa turns back as she lands on the ground, smiling at Kheveth. "My thanks."
She then turns her smile on N'ren. "Well...looks like we got here just in
time!"

From the hatching sands, Lal holds Alyssa's hand, looking very much the
giant bronze wimp.

Meli pokes her head 'round Juliath's side to wave at M'rgan before turning
back to watch, fingers drumming on her thigh.

Jerethan jumps down from Gwirith's back with the help of the riding straps
and a kindly proffered forelimb.

Alea gracefully slides off of Gwirith. Her eyes glaze over as she speaks
for a moment with her lifemate.

From the hatching sands, Kiatyn edges out then straightens himself. Almost
stumbling in the hot sands he bows to Leilanth with respect then to Laerth.
He nervously goes to stand near Thera, following her.

N'ren nods at Opa, abruptly.

Alea waves to R'val, Kassima,Ursa and other familiar faces.

From the hatching sands, Devid emerges from the candidate barracks.

From the hatching sands, Karise grabs a hand on either side of her, glaning
over to Knidre and Therea, and wishing she has pulled her hair back.
"Shards," she mutters.

From the hatching sands, Baram leans forward a little and smiles at Lal and
ALyssa.

K'nan grins, "Thanks...so do you two."

Prefeth hummwarbles softly, peering intently down at the sands.

From the hatching sands, Jarryl stands near the other girls, shifting
uneasily from foot to foot.

Kethran glances over at Jerethan and grins with delight. "Heya, Harper!" he
calls. "Thought you might be coming."

Opa finds a place for her and Mirtia to sit. "Now...let's see if we can
spot Damian, hm?"

From the hatching sands, Lal waggles her eyebrows at Baram.

From the hatching sands, Kindre quickly pulls out her head scarf and rips
it in half, "Here, Karise..."

From the hatching sands, Thera waddles back and forth a bit on the hot
sands, as the nervousness ceases to block the pain. She grins at Karise,
Kiatyn, and Kindre.

From the hatching sands, Breana minces her way across the Sands, bowing to
Leilanth and Laerth then moving quickly over to stand beside Padde, Thera,
and the others.

T'lar smiles at Meli. "I have my hopes up for so many on the sands this time."

Mirtia finds an out of the way seat and quickly vlaims it so she can watch
quietly.

From the hatching sands, Elyandra emerges from the candidate barracks.

From the hatching sands, Alyssa takes Lal's hand in hers and gives it an
encouraging squeeze, then takes Jalynn's hand as well. "Luck," she says
gently to the two woman, smiling back at Baram with that same excited
encouragement.

From the hatching sands, Thera reaches a hand out to Bree, beckoning her
over if she wants.

Misharn looks a little confused, but takes a seat with a sigh.

From the hatching sands, Padde joins the crescent of candidates, stopping
at a spot rather toward the back, no matter her short stature.

From the hatching sands, Elyandra comes out and gives an all clear sign to
the Weyrleaders.

Jerethan smiles and waves to the trader. "Me? Miss a Benden Hatching?" He
smiles and pauses for a moment to thank Alea and Gwirith. "I really
appreciate this," he murmurs to them.

From the hatching sands, Sionelle emerges from the candidate barracks.

From the hatching sands, Karise takes the scarf with a look of relief,
pulling back damp locks into a makeshift runner-tail. "Thanks...." She
whispers hoarsely.

Meli reaches out to pat T'lar's hand a few times, distractedly.

M'rgan remarks to Aph, "They wanted to watch from the galleries." He
returns Meli's wave before taking a seat on his lifemate's proffered leg.
"Looks like we haven't missed anything yet," he says as he peers down into
the Sands.

From the hatching sands, Devid rocks back and forth trying to ease his feet.

Germaine glances sidelong, giving Kheveth's lifemate a curious look.

Urieth flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

From the hatching sands, Leilanth hummmmms loudly as several eggs wobble
more rapidly.

Caitria peers. Herder apprentice. Hm. But she's rather far away just now.

Celie climbs down from Urieth's back, giving her a loving pat as she sets
her feet on the ground.

R'val waves excitedly towards Alea, ?"Alea, hey!"

From the hatching sands, Kindre noddles, retying her hair up, "Anything
now..."

From the hatching sands, Cavadan seems not to notice the heat from the
sands on his bear feet.

K'ri smiles and watches closely, telling Luana all that is happening...

N'ren's attention is on the sands below.

From the hatching sands, Jalynn shifts from her right to her left foot,
then smiles when she feels Alyssa's hand. She nods "luck for all of us".

Alea waves to Celie. "Heyla, Celie!"

Aphrael grins at K'nan. "You think so? We're missing this place a lot." She
replies, then ahs at M'rgan. "Wondered if you'd got lost."

From the hatching sands, P'tran smiles at the assistant Weyrlingmasters in
appreciation and looks over to the eggs as they continue to rock, a few
possibly showing first signs of hatching ..

From the hatching sands, Kiatyn fidgits again then as a stray lock of hair
crosses his vision he reaches to tighten his hair. A bit of a nod to Thera
then alot more nervousness passed through rubbing one foot on the back of
his leg.

From the hatching sands, Lal nods to Jalynn, "Let's hope fer what's best."

From the hatching sands, Cavadan glances at all of his fellow Candidates
and winks at them.

From the hatching sands, Talev hops from one foot to the next on the hot
sands.

Ursa waves distractedly to Alea, not taking her eyes from the sands for long.

Kessith flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

From the hatching sands, A firey colored egg rocks for a moment, knocking
against a smaller egg nearby. Another long moment later a wet, creeling
dragon head appears as a green dragon forces her way out of the egg. She
creels hungrily, and trips over a wing as she climbs out of her shards,
almost tumbling. A young girl from Nabol takes a half-step forward to help
the hatchling up, and stops abruptly as the dragon rights itself, and
stares her in the eyes.

Celie dismounts and looks about, hearing her name in all the commotion. She
waves in the general direction.

From the hatching sands, Karise nods wnicing as she moves from foot to
foot, too hot and too amazed to say anything more. She gives a weak smile
to the others, finally coughing up, "Luck."

From the hatching sands, Breana takes Thera's hand and stays close to the
older girl, staring at all the eggs--and the dragons!--in open-mouthed awe.
"Wow," she whispers. "They're all so... so...." Words seem to fail her.
"Big," she finally finishes, stepping back a bit farther.

From the hatching sands, Greek Temple Egg has arrived.

Meli whoops. "Green!"

From the hatching sands, Baram watches the first dragonet, smiling slightly.

Alea leans against her lifemate, eagerly watching the rocking eggs.

Mounted on top of Kessith, Rhyana turns to look at her passengers. "Here we
are... You need any help getting down?

From the hatching sands, Lal's eyes go wide as saucers. 'I didna know they
were THAT big..."

Mounted on top of Kessith, Dantion smiles, "Here we are."

From the hatching sands, Thera musses Bree's hair quietly.

Mounted on top of Kessith, Maeve starts to unbuckle her straps, much much
too eagerly -- desperation across her face, "We've not missed anything?"
She asks.

From the hatching sands, Jarryl gasps softly, watching with wide eyes.

From the hatching sands, Cavadan smiles for the dragonet and the girl.

From the hatching sands, P'tran grins as the first hatchlings do indeed
start to crack their shells

Misharn blinks, "That was quick!"

T'lar says "Green's a good color."

Mounted on top of Kessith, Dantion unbuckles his straps and slides down
Kessith's leg.

Mounted on top of Kessith, Rhyana slides off and turns to lean agains her
brown.

Jerethan peers down at the Sands and breathes a sigh of relief as he
notices that no eggs have hatched yet. He grins to Kethran. "I heard Alyssa
was a Candidate."

From the hatching sands, Padde raises a knee slightly aside, planting one
bare sole against the other leg's knee, somewhat wherry-like.


K'nan smiles at his weyrmate, "We're all missing you, as well.....hope
you'll be back soon." As the first egg hatches, he quiets down, turning to
watch but remaining near Aph and Prefeth.

From the hatching sands, Jalynn smiles at the first impression, shifting
back to the other foot.

From the hatching sands, Talev mutters, "Good omen that."

From the hatching sands, Greek Temple Egg pitches about, a bit slowly at
first, and then with increasing fervour. With mounting frenzy of movement,
it narrowly misses crashing into several other eggs.

M'rgan's expression takes on that of a pouty child for a moment. "I've been
here before, you know," he says in a whiny tone before laughing to show
that it was all a tease of the woman who still treats him like a child. His
laughter stops at the sudden calls of "Green" and his attention returns to
the Sands.

Kethran waves excitedly at the Candidates on the Sands -- those he
recognizes, at least, and then turns back to Jerethan briefly. "Yeah, she
is!" he beams.

Cirdanth flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

From the hatching sands, Kindre steps up and down, her eyes following the
hatchling.

Dantion smiles and takes Rhyana by the arm, "Shall we my love?"

From the hatching sands, Karise blinks. It wasn't that bad..."Ow!" She
winces, mocing again, watching each egg wobble and rock.

From the hatching sands, Kiatyn forgets fidgeting and watches the first of
the eggs with unhidden fascination. Less nervous but still moving his feet
some in the sands

Seated astride Cirdanth, Kershala scrambles down, tuggging buckles and
straps out of the way.

From the hatching sands, Damian emerges from the candidate barracks.

Kershala takes a good grip on Cirdanth's straps and lowers herself to the
ground.

R'val leans against Vidarth's hide, peering out over the edge of the ledge
towards the sands.

Ursa says quietly, "Green." She sounds rather pleased.

Maeve turns to path Kessith, "Thansk for teh ride" and then turns to the
sands, elbowing past people in her struglle to get closer.

From the hatching sands, Jarryl nods to Talev.

Alea waves to Kershala. "Heyla, Shala!"

R'val smeiles towards Ursa, 'A good start."

From the hatching sands, Cavadan takes a deep breath, calming himself. His
eyes watch the eggs with great facination.

From the hatching sands, Jehrina smiles, "Well.. They're lookin' lovely."

From the hatching sands, Damian bows to the Bronze and the Queen and joins
the circle of Candidates.

Cirdanth chuffs rapid welcomes to everyone, then settles into a low,
excited hum.

Aphrael cheers happily at the first hatchling, then grins to K'nan. "It's
good to know." She says, taking his hand in hers as she peers back over to
M'rgan, then sticks her tongue out. "Be nice!" She calls.

Opa beams. "There he is!"

Caitria looks up and calls a greeting to Shala, with a smile, ignoring
N'thren's nudges and I-told-you-so's. "I knew green would be first,"
N'thren says smugly.

From the hatching sands, Elyandra smiles and moves forward to the girl,
"Wonderful, Marla! And Foth! Come this way... yes, she's a hungry
green...." She moves off into the barracks with the girl and her new lifemate.

Pliarth flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

Kethran cheers for the first Impression. "A green," he says happily, and
settles back next to Ursa to watch.

Kershala grins and waves back at Alea. "Heya!"

From the hatching sands, Elyandra heads off the sands and into the barracks.

From the hatching sands, Talev smiles at Jarryl.

Mirtia cheers for the Apprentice Weaver, "Go Damian!"

Cirdanth nuzzles Tria softly, still humming.

From the hatching sands, Breana stares. "Wow!" she repeats, more loudly
this time. "I didn't know they'd be that big, did you?" She turns to Thera
for the answer, gripping the other Candidate's hand tightly.

Alea grins. "First one was green, of course!"

R'val winks at Alea, with a grin, "Oh, of course."

Kershala laughs. "Oh, of course. They're the impatient onees."

From the hatching sands, Loosing her hand from Lal's long enough to wipe a
hand across her brow, Alyssa regards the mobile egg with a vague smile
before taking the former Miner's hand once again.

From the hatching sands, Devid looks around at all the candidates, "Here we
go, luck to all."

From the hatching sands, P'tran smiles to his weyrmate and looks up to his
own bronze, who peers down briefly and gives a proud snort.

From the hatching sands, Lal grips Alyssa's hand as she searches the crowds
in the galleries for her Master, Lily.

M'rgan chuckles as he overhears Kershala's response.

From the hatching sands, Thera looks over the heads of the other candidaes
to smile at Damian, tilting her head towards to rocking egg. "No Bree, i
did. They were that big last time."

Kassima beams and grins. "A lovely green! All right, Lyss, you were right
about which would be first. Nay need to gloat about it." The dragon merely
rumbles, then resumes her incessant hummmmmmmmmm.

Alea grins. "Ok, so I'm prejudice towards greens. Would you have me any
other way?"

Caitria blinks a bit at Cirdanth's proximity, shifting Cail to her other
arm, and grins at him. "Heyla, there. Hope I don't still smell like
herdbeast." She chuckles.

From the hatching sands, Greek Temple Egg starts displaying cracks on its
surface, gossamer thin lines turning into wide, black jagged edges. It
rolls closer towards the Candidates, and then, a wingtip emerges.

From the hatching sands, A maze of dark lines appear in one of the lighter
colored eggs, marring its quiet perfection. The cracks grow greater,
allowing a bronze hatchling to be born. The bronze makes his way around the
sands for several minutes before choosing a lad from Benden Hold.

Maeve bounces as she spots _one_ of her sisters. "Bree! Bree!" she shouts
out, jumping up and down and waving. Not that her sister would see her --
but its the thought that counts.

R'val grins, "Kassi, even your dragon bets?"

J'rell slides down Mileketh's foreleg and off.

Gwirith bugles to welcome the new little sister.

From the hatching sands, Cavadan follows Lal's gaze and then looks up for
someone himself. His attention is immediately brought back to the eggs.

Nicoth bugles to his little brother.

Dragon> Juliath bespoke Green dragons with << Of course the first is Green.
Should that not always be true? >>

From the hatching sands, Padde touches your shoulder, She mutters to
Breana, "... I'm... so... I keep... you'll... not... some..." 

Jerethan heads over to join Kassima and Aphrael. He plops down and grins.
"Last time I saw a Hatching at Benden, you two were down there!"

From the hatching sands, A resounding crack shatters the egg, a jigsaw
puzzle of black marks over a previously smooth surface allow a wedge-shaped
head to appear. Slowly, deliberately, this brown picks himself out of the
shards of his shell. Nearly tripping over a shard, he refuses to let it
phase him as he looks about. Calm, his actions belie the hunger evidenced
by his orange-red eyes. Nothing will stop him from doing his duty to rider
and weyr. Somewhere there must be the right one for him..

                       Dutiful Silt-brown Hatchling                        
Slowly, deliberately, this brown picks himself out of the shards of his
shell. Nearly tripping over a shard, he refuses to let it phase him as he
looks about. Waves of color, pale and sandy at the head to deep, and dark,
nearly black at the tail cover this brown. As he dries, his color changes
slightly, seeming like the bed of a stream where water no longer runs. As
he moves, he swings his head back and forth often, looking for the one who
shares his sense of duty, his lifemate. Somewhere there must be the right
one for him..

Dragon> Zibrith bespoke Green dragons with << Yes, it should be. We are
perfect, after all. >>

Dragon> Veyath bespoke Green dragons with << Of course! >>

From the hatching sands, Lal blinks from her stares for Lily, and sees the
bronze Impress the boy. "Good fer him...he was a nice one."

Tinya chuckles. "How typical. You've not forgotten _our_ bet, have you,
Kassi? I'm still expecting that bracelet...."

J'rell sits quietly with a group of Igen riders.

From the hatching sands, Kindre blinks at the size of the young bronze,
"Crackdust..." before returnig to look upon the cracking egg...and the brown!

Palinth **BUGLES** at the latest hatchling, wings flapping happily.

From the hatching sands, Flannery hurries toward the young Benden Hold lad
and his new lifemate, guiding them swiftly toward the waiting barracks.

From the hatching sands, Breana's mouth forms into a wordless O. "So
they're always that big--and look at that one. He's even bigger!" She seems
to lose more of her nervousness with every moment.

From the hatching sands, Baram smiles as the brown emerges.

Kheveth sounds off with an incredibly loud BUGLE as a brown appears.

Aphrael grins over at Jereth. "Seems like a lifetime ago." She mutters.

Dragon> Green dragons sense that Gwirith rumbles deeply. <>

R'val whistles softly and nudges TRia, "Look, TRia! A brown!"

Ularrith trumpets as the brown hatchling is born.

K'ri nods..." he's a handsome one Marth"

Maeve bounces even more, catching herself against the railings.
"Paddddddddddeee -- go get him love" she shouts

Caitria nods, with a wince. "Shards, R'val, you didna tell me they'd be so
_loud_ up here."

T'lar says "They all seem to be in a big hurry."

From the hatching sands, Lal whoas at the brown. Shew swallows.

Marth hummms and croons!

From the hatching sands, Devid ooohs, a beautiful brown.

From the hatching sands, Jarryl turns her head this way and that, trying to
watch all the rocking eggs, then hatching eggs, and the few hatchlings.

From the hatching sands, Talev says "My what a large brown he is."

From the hatching sands, Jalynn lets her breath out in a soft sigh as she
watches the bronze impress. Then her eyes are pulled to the brown that has
just hatched.

R'val smiles apologetically at Tria, "No, but the crowd in the galleries
wouldn't be too quiet either>"

Jerethan waves to Maeve. "Heya, Apprentice!" he calls, and then casts a few
glances around worriedly, looking for any Masters who might have
accompanied his fellow apprentice. He turns to gape at the little brown.

From the hatching sands, Karise blinks, eyes wide as the brown appears. She
gulps, trying to draw back moisture into her mouth.

From the hatching sands, Cavadan's eyes follow the movements of the brown.

From the hatching sands, Jehrina smiles again, "He's a handsome one."

From the hatching sands, Alyssa smiles at the brown's determined arrival
and says unnecessarily, "What a handsome fellow..."

Cirdanth BUGLES for the brown!

From the hatching sands, P'tran hmms and smiles. "That's definitely a good
omen at Benden, a brown."

Alea grins at Tria. "You have to put up with the dragons welcoming up here."

From the hatching sands, Thera reaches up to untie her hair, letting it
cover her face. She tries not to watch the other Impression tank place, but
can't help but smile at the handsome brown.

From the hatching sands, Lal nods! "I agree...wah, what a beaut."

From the hatching sands, Faerie Dust Egg rocks from side to side as the
life within struggles to break free. A crack appears and then, as if the
effort to mar the perfect shell was too much, the egg stops moving.

Caitria nods to R'val. "Aye, but nay like the dragons. Hope they don't
scare Cail." But the baby is peaceful. Go, him.

Maeve barely spots Jerethan -- not that she's being rude -- oh no! Her
attention is rivetted to the sands.

Kershala winces at Cirdanth. "Yes, he looks like you. Don't all the browns?"

From the hatching sands, Damian stands with his mouth open. "Stunning."

M'rgan hugs his lifemate's muzzle. "Yes, you great lump. You were once that
small."

From the hatching sands, Flannery, reappearing on the sands, nods her
approval to Leilanth.

From the hatching sands, Padde smiles excitedly, "Oooh, look!"

From the hatching sands, Dutiful Silt-brown Hatchling draws himself up to
his full newborn height and extending his wings. He looks around curiously,
eyes whirling faster as he spies the sea of white robes before him. He
strides towards them unhesitatingly, looking them over one by one.

Ursa points wordlessly at a dragonet on the sands, looking terribly pleased.

Alea chuckles at Shala's comment to Cirdanth.

From the hatching sands, Kiatyn takes a deep breath and looks at the newly
hatched brown. Another tug on his robe then more nervousness in the way he
fiddles with his belt again.

From the hatching sands, Devid keeps his eye on the brown, and can't
believe how wonderful he looks.

From the hatching sands, Breana turns to Padde and blinks in surprise, then
grins that irrepressable Bree-grin. "Don't worry, Padde! This is a happy,
happy time!!" She bounces a bit, then adds with a tinge of reluctance, "And
I really hope a dragon finds you." She quickly turns back to watch the
brown hatchling, shifting her scorched feet.

From the hatching sands, Lal stands up a little straighter, trying to look
more formal or something.

Cirdanth winks one wide eye at Alea, then trains his gaze back on the
clutch, croon intensifying... just a little.

From the hatching sands, A dark blue snout emerges from an egg while
nearby, a pair of nearly identical greens practically fall out of their
shells. One of the greens trips as the blue darts across her path, raking a
claw across the leg of a young lad who drops to one knee to help her up,
calling out her name. The blue dashes headlong into a girl from the
Woodcraft as the second green daintly pleaces herself before a girl from
the lower caverns of the Weyr.

Rhyana leans back against Kessith, oohing at the brown. "Browns are good.
Browns are _very_ good..." she murmurs to herself.

Kethran grins and hugs Ursa. "Yeah. It's a little Spineth." He offers the
big lug on whose foreleg he's leaning a scritch.

From the hatching sands, Karise pulls at Kindre hand, nervously whispering.
"Where is he going?" She hopes, and prays...but then again....

Dantion smiles at Rhy.

From the hatching sands, Baram lifts a foot and brushes sand off it as he
watches the blue find its lifemate.

Meli peers down. 'Which caverns girl got tha'green?' she points.

Aphrael lets out a cheer. "Go blue!" She calls with a grin. "Nice choice!"

Ryialla undoes the buckles and straps tying her to Pliarth.

From the hatching sands, Jarryl watches the brown, ready to move out of the
way of it if it decides to go THROUGH her instead of TO her.

From the hatching sands, Kindre tuggs at her collar with her free hand as
the heat fills her, "I...I don't know..." comes out in a horse whisper.

R'val nods with satisfaction as the little blue finds the woodcraft girl.
He grins hugely, "Excellent..' He chuckles, as the green picks, "Not sure,
Meli."

From the hatching sands, Talev stops hopping and stands still, too excited
to notice any discomfort.

From the hatching sands, Padde takes a moment to wipe moisture from her
cheeks and forehead with a forearm, and switchs legs, balancing on the
opposite one, now.

From the hatching sands, Sionelle, wearing a wide grin, beckons the new
pair over toward the entrance the barracks, once the girl has shouted her
new lifemates name for all to hear.

From the hatching sands, Cavadan licks his lips as he watches, eyes darting
from one hatchling to another.

T'lar says "The pretty one,..."

From the hatching sands, Jalynn takes her hand from Alyssa's, wiping it on
the robe, before grabbing her hand again.

Kethran grins happily as he points to the lower caverns girl, and he nudges
Ursa. "Looks like she won't be pestering me to do any more of her chores,"
he grins.

From the hatching sands, Lal looks a little surprised at how happy the new
weyrlings seem.... "What's up wi'them?"

From the hatching sands, Faerie Dust Egg rallies back, spinning and rocking
and jerking in the sand. A talon pokes free, a bent wing finds another
hole, and with a great stretching effort, the imprisoned hatchling
pulverizes the remaining shell and stands erect, gathering his strength.

From the hatching sands, Alyssa's mouth curves upward once more as she
watches the proud, certain brown hatchling closely examine the Candidates,
trying to look calm despite the quiver in her hands, her posture.

Wistrenth flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

Meli lifts a brow dramatically. "Heh. Thought you knew alla them, Uri."

From the hatching sands, Lal grips Alyssa's hand tighter.
"S'awright...s'awright..."

Ursa chuckles, a low rumbling chuckle. "Yeah, now you'll just be assigned
them, instead," she teases.

R'val grins at Meli, "Erm. That's..exaggerated."

Seated on Wistrenth, Alicyn unstraps and slides down nonchalantly, saluting
the Igen contingent as she finds a place on the crowded ledge.

Alicyn uses the strategically placed hand loops on the straps, sliding down
to Wistrenth's outstretched leg, then jumps to the ground.

Kethran calls the girl's name over to Meli. "She's the one who's always
been finding all those /special/ chores for me to do. Looks like that's
over, at least." Still, he grins widely as he turns back to watch the other
eggs and Candidates.

Caitria listens to the conversation, with a slightly quirked eyebrow.

From the hatching sands, Cavadan whispers to Baram, "They are marvelous
beings, aren't they?"

From the hatching sands, Devid forgets his feet, and watches the eggs and
dragonettes.

Alea waves to the Igen rider. "Heyla, Alicyn!"

Ryialla quickly slides down Pliarth's foreleg and jumps to the ground. She
turns to pet Pliarth's muzzle and grins as she gets soundly whuffled.

Ryialla squeezes her way into a spot, waving to those she knows.
"Heyla..did I miss much?"

From the hatching sands, Dutiful Silt-brown Hatchling gallantly steps back
to let the greens past in front of him so that they can have a clear path
to their lifemates. Once they do, he continues on his course, his head
moving from side to side searchingly, his tail swishing in the sands to
give him balance as he goes. Finally, he approaches a stocky young man and
regards him silently.

From the hatching sands, Baram nods at Cavadan. "Yep."

From the hatching sands, Shuddering from the pressure within, the shell
finally gives way. It shatters into thousands of shards, scattering over
the sands to reveal this proud, regal blue Hatchling.

                       Budding Violet Blue Hatchling                       
Like violets dotting a field and waving in the warm springtime breeze, so
this glorious little blue delights all with his color. A dark, pleasant
blue with just a hint of violet to color his hide. Dappled shades of violet
and darker blue trickle down from his neck ridges and spatter over his
tranlucent wings, seeming as if thousands of petals have been sprinkled
down on him from above. He holds his head high, his wings spread wide. He
knows he's not as big as a bronze or a brown, but isn't he just glorious?
Only a blue such as he is worthy of such perfection. He's been blessed, and
he knows it! Vainly he turns, letting all eyes gaze upon his immaculate
form. His long, lithssome tail seems to snake around to point directly at
this person or that. Are you looking? He bugles proudly, announcing himself
to the world as if to say 'Look at me! I'm a BLUE!'

Having suddenly learned much more than she cared to, Meli shuts up and
watches the rest of the Impressions.

From the hatching sands, Breana's eyes go as big as saucers as she watches
the lad's leg raked. "I hope that boy will be all right," she tells Thera.
"Why'd that baby dragon do that? He wasn't doing anything wrong." She bites
her lip and takes another small step backwards.

J'rell nods to Alicyn.

R'val's eyes widen hugely at the sight of the blue, "Look! Look at that
blue, with the violet in his hide! Shards, he's Vidarth all over again!"
Vidarth bugles loudly at the sight of a dragon almost as lovely as he is.

From the hatching sands, Baram smiles at the blue's attitude.

From the hatching sands, Flannery rakes a hand through her hair as she
dashes toward the injured boy, helping him to his feet with a murmur of
concern. Realizing his injury is superficial, she leaves him to return
impressed pairs.

From the hatching sands, Karise hobbles, moving this way and that, blinking
as the brown stops to a boy, before glaning over at the arriving blue.
"Gorgous," she breathes.

From the hatching sands, P'tran smiles at the new blue hatchling. "That's a
rather dark shade of blue for that one," he comments to Jehrina. "Leave it
to Leilanth to give us variety."

From the hatching sands, Cavadan looks at the brown curiously.

Aphrael lets out her breath slowly, grinning as Prefeth BUGLES encourgament
to the blue.

Maeve wiggles forward having been pushed back from the rail, she tugs on
the arm of someone -- who she doesn't know -- and points. "There's my
sister" at Breana and then again "Padde too!"

From the hatching sands, Kindre's steps to alliviate her feet slow as the
blue hatches...she turns her eyes from th brown to the blue and nods, "He
is...so dark..."

Caitria watches, suddenly holding her breath.

From the hatching sands, Thera remusses Bree's hair. "They don't know it
Bree. They are just babies, you gotta remember that."

From the hatching sands, Jarryl grins at the blue hatchling, his attitude
captivating.

From the hatching sands, Alyssa is trying to keep an eyeon the inquisitive
brown but gasps at the brilliantly colored blue who has just emerged.
"Oh...Faranth, what a gorgeous hatchling!"

From the hatching sands, Lal stifles a nervous giggle at the blue, then
looks again to the brown.

From the hatching sands, Talev says "He's a proud fellow isen't he, but
such a wonderful shade."

Misharn smiles as some hatclings are born and impressed. "Wow, it's all
so...fast!"

From the hatching sands, Budding Violet Blue Hatchling lowers his
wedge-shaped head-- notice how perfectly formed it is?-- and regards the
Candidates arrayed in front of him, studying them for one brief moment. He
sweeps his multi-faceted gaze from side to side, craning his neck to see.
One of them is his. He can't see which one, but he can hear a voice, feel a
pull, sense a need. Taking a clumsy first step, he follows the call. He is
coming!

Ularrith snortchuffs as the blue hatchling is freed from his egg. His voice
is more of an acknowledgement than a welcoming.

Tidal pops from *between*, leaving a spot of cold where he came in.

Alicyn makes her way over to her Weyrleader and offers a skin of wine,
"Special delivery." Her mouth twitches upwards, "And quite good, too, I
might add." before she subsides to a sitting position.

From the hatching sands, Dutiful Silt-brown Hatchling looks deeply into
Cavadan's eyes.

From the hatching sands, Damian grins at the Blue. "Beautiful."

From the hatching sands, Lal claps with glee!

K'ri claps as the brown impresses!

Aphrael grins at Misharn. "It is fast. Blink and you miss it." She says
with a wink.

From the hatching sands, Kindre's eyes widen, "CAV!"

From the hatching sands, Cavadan blinks and reaches out to the brown.

From the hatching sands, Karise blinks, looking over to call, "Cavadan!
Woohoo!"

R'val smiles, nodding in approval, "Good, Cavadan Impressed.'

From the hatching sands, Eamhain Mhacha Egg has arrived.

Maeve cheers for Cavadan's impression and then turns her gaze back to her
sisters.

From the hatching sands, Jehrina grins impishly. Leilanth snorts at her
rider's weyrmate. Of course they're lovely. After all, she is a descendant
of Tzornth.

From the hatching sands, Thera looks up, to watch the brown again, and see
it take Cav. "Congrats!"

T'lar says "Yea, Cavadan!"

From the hatching sands, Kiatyn watches the brown some more then looks
towards the blue, then back at the borwn. His eyes are drawn up in the
dragonets and fascination.

From the hatching sands, Baram flashes a grin at Cav.

From the hatching sands, P'tran hmms? and peers over towards the brown and
grins at his choice.

Mirtia cheers for Damian, and wishes him luck with the blue.

Aphrael jumps up and grins. "Cav! Yes!"

From the hatching sands, Jalynn blinks and watches the blue, her fingers
holding Alyssa's hand in a deathgrip. Then a soft cheer emerges as the
brown finds Cavadan.

From the hatching sands, Alyssa cannot miss the bright look in Cavadan's
eyes, and she cries out, "Cavadan! Oh, how grand, how very grand!"

From the hatching sands, Padde dodges to one side, not sure where that
green dragonet was dashing. Her head snaps up at the sound of the blue's
shell bursting.

Dantion smiles and lets out a sigh as he watches the impression.

Alea claps her hands. "Wonderful! Hurrah Cavadan!"

J'rell grins at Alicyn, "Thank you. Now that's proper respect for your
Weyrleader :)"

K'nan nudges Aphrael slightly, and smiles, "Remind you of your own hatching?"

From the hatching sands, Breana nods. "Kinda like when Dreamer was really
little she'd scratch me when she took off. Doesn't do that any more though,
and I'm glad--oooh, Cavadan! Congratulations!" She jumps, clapping her
hands. "Look, Thera! It's Cav! And a brown!"

From the hatching sands, Talev watches the unique blue, "Who are you
looking for pretty one?"

Tinya cheers. "Woo! Alright, Cav!"

Kethran cheers loudly, whooping with delight as his friend Impresses a
brown. "Yes!" he cheers, knowing Cavadan can't hear him. He glances over to
Ursa and just grins. "Now I've got /two/ close brownrider friends," he says.

From the hatching sands, Another egg, half-hidden by some others bursts
apart, depositing a bronze hatchling onto the sands. The bronze takes
several unsteady steps as he tromps towards a likely group of boys. Almost
shaking his head, he turns to the next group, finally chosing a young man
from Nabol.

J'rell downs a big swig of wine and shares it with Alicyn.

Tidal jumps, hovers for a second, and blinks *between*

Meli leans forward. "Wha's his name?"

From the hatching sands, Lal sees the blue, and veeeery slightly wrinkles
her nose. "Just like me firelizard."

From the hatching sands, Jarryl grins at Cavadan, then turns her attention
back to the hatchlings.

Ryialla brandishes a skin of Benden Red. "Wine, anyone?"

From the hatching sands, Talev shouts, "Congrats Cal!"

Aphrael chuckles softly at her weyrmate. "Indeed it does.." She glances to
Prefeth, then back. "It does seem somewhat different from up here.."

Alicyn smiles, downing a hefty amount before handing it back.

Caitria watches in utter silence, then, at Ryi's question, turns to the
rider. "Please."

From the hatching sands, Karise turns from cheering to see the blue, awkard
gait taking him unerringly to someone. But where is he going? Gray eyes
widen as she looks.

Kershala cheers! "Cavadan!"

Alea belatedly catches the Igen Weyrleaders' eye, giving a brief salute
amidst all the turmoil.

From the hatching sands, Budding Violet Blue Hatchling picks up speed as he
gains confidence in his ungainly stride. Immaculate wings held out for
balance, perfectly sapphire tips dragging the sand when their weight
becomes too much to carry, he plows ahead into a group of Candidates with
little regard for safety. All he hears is the voice, all he feels is the
pull, all he needs is just ahead. He is coming!

From the hatching sands, Devid smiles at Cav's luck.

K'nan grins, "That it does, aye..." He turns back to watch, grinning.

From the hatching sands, Eamhain Mhacha Egg rocks back and forth, back and
forth, back and forth, gaining enough momentum to roll out of the groove in
which it was placed. But it doesn't stop there. Points of strain appear on
its shell, bulges, but not breaks. The dragon within fights to be hatched.

From the hatching sands, Kindre smiles over to the young Nabol lad, ans she
mouths a "congrats" to him before turning somewhat steady eyes to the eggs
again.

Ursa is busy pointing to Cav and his brown, even though every one's seem
him. "Yes!" she exclaims.

From the hatching sands, Flannery strides toward Cavadan and his newly
impressed brown lifemate, resting a hand on the weyrling's shoulder as she
guides him toward the barracks.

From the hatching sands, Jarryl eeps, and dodges away from the charging
blue, her eyes going wide.

K'ri says "Has anyone heard what that new brown's name is?"

From the hatching sands, Kiatyn backs up a little bit, seeing he's near the
front. His face reddens but his eyes barely leave the eggs.

Cirdanth bugles for the young man... he's got a *BROWN*, so why shouldn't
he bugle for him?

R'val shakes his head to K'ri.

From the hatching sands, Damian watches the Blue, but the Brown still draws
his attention as well.

Meli shakes her head at K'ri. "Neh, not yet."

From the hatching sands, Cavadan smiles. "His name is Dulath...."

K'ri hrms and tries to get a better look

From the hatching sands, Talev dodges the blue as he charges the group of
candidates.

Misharn shakes her head, "Don't think they've said...oh, there it is."

Kassima shakes her head. "Nay yet..." she says absently, leaning forward to
get a better view. "Oooh, Dulath! A fine name!"

From the hatching sands, Flannery guides Cavadan and Dulath toward the
barracks.

K'ri says "Ahhh!...Dulath...and ....hmmm, how do you shorten Cavadan?""

From the hatching sands, Cavadan heads off the sands and into the barracks.

From the hatching sands, Flannery heads off the sands and into the barracks.

Palinth rumbles amusedly and whufles his lifemate's hair.

Tinya frowns a little, then tries, "C'dan?"

From the hatching sands, Kindre manages a surprised giggle-eep as the Blue
becomes aquainted with the Candidates.

Alea shrugs. "He'll think of something I'm sure."

From the hatching sands, Padde twists a corner of her white shift to dab at
perspiration when next she switches legs.

From the hatching sands, Dulath heads off the sands and into the barracks.

From the hatching sands, Alyssa turns away, reluctantly, from Cavadan to
maintain a look on the violet blue hatchling; after all, one must keep on
one's toes when a dragon hatchling is on the sands. Not that keeping on
one's toes is hard with the sand so scorching hot...

From the hatching sands, P'tran grins and looks over to Jehrina. "He's soft
spoken to the very end."

From the hatching sands, Jalynn jumps slightly as she watches the blue plow
through the candidates.

From the hatching sands, Jehrina smiles, "He'll do well then."

Gwirith warbles an excited hello to the pretty blue on the sands.

K'ri smiles, very happy for the new pair...then she follows the blue

From the hatching sands, Baram regards the blue carefully.

From the hatching sands, Flannery emerges from the candidate barracks.

From the hatching sands, Lal blinks, resisting the urge to duck from the
Blue's charge. Call it a Violent Blue Hatchling.

From the hatching sands, Karise winces. That must have stung. She watches,
making sure to step out of that blue's way if she has to.

From the hatching sands, Budding Violet Blue Hatchling barrels through the
Candidates, lumbering heavily through the sand that seems to trap his
beautiful feet, stick to his glorious hide, and otherwise slow him in his
path toward Her. A richly-toned bugle escapes him, partially in frustration
and partially in triumph. He can see her now! So close. He is coming!

From the hatching sands, Damian congratulates Cavadan.

Celie wanders over the ledge until she spies the apprentice she's looking
for. "Mave!"

From the hatching sands, Cracks begin to appear on the outer shell of the
Eamhain Mhacha Egg, spiraling around in pretty patterns before flaking
away. But still, it rocks and cracks, and doesn't free its occupant.

From the hatching sands, Breana beams, watching Cavadan, then blinks at the
blue. "Uh-oh," she says. "I hope he doesn't hurt anybody, plowing through
the groups like that! That would be bad!"

Germaine chuckles quietly to herself, watching the new pairs stream from
the Sands. Absently, she murmurs something to Isadith as she leans back.

Meli digs her fingers into her thigh, leaning forward, eyes flicking
frantically back and forth from hatchlings to candidates.

Mirtia watches the blue hatchling with puzzled excitement.

Maeve turns at the sound og her voice. "CELIE!" she calls out, "How's
things?" she asks, gaze flicking back and forth -- Padde - Breana - Celie.

From the hatching sands, Thera says "If he comes at you Bree, you move.
Aph'll kill me if i let you get hurt."

From the hatching sands, Devid watches the blue, and smiles at his
determination.

From the hatching sands, Padde wipes sand from one of her eyes, flung by
that careening blue hatchling.

T'lar slips forward on the ledge to get a really good view.

Alea watches anxiously, as the blue searches for his lifemate.

From the hatching sands, Talev watches as the blue tries to find his lifemate.

From the hatching sands, Jalynn turns slightly, watching the blue. Suddenly
she realizes she squashing Alyssa's fingers and lets go of them, wiping her
hands on her robe and shifting from foot to foot.

M'rgan peers over the side, his hand waving the blue towards Breana and a
green hatchling away from her.

Celie squeezes Maeve's arm in greeting, hunkering down to watch the sands.
"Just great. Where's Padde?"

Alicyn sprawls out, not minding who her limbs come in contact with. From
time to time she snags the wine skin, then passes it back to J'rell.

From the hatching sands, Slowly, methodically, the shards of this egg begin
to fall away. It shifts slightly, and soon a claw can be seen, then a
wingtip. It finally seems to take a deep breath, then bursts into tiny
fragments, leaving the Hatchling to stand and gaze about.

                       Dappled Sepal Green Hatchling                       
Greens of every shade, from the palest near yellow, to the darkest near
forest dapple every inch of this perfect young dragon. Her hide is that of
the sunlight filtered through the treetops, full of movement and melody.
There is no uniformity about her active green shading, a dark spot on her
shoulder, a yellowish one over her left eye, a bright green streak down her
tail. Even when still she is alive with motion, the many greens moving
across her hide in a vibrant dance. Her wings appear as stained glass when
held outstretched, light pouring through their translucent sails. She
regards everything calmly, slowly, as if examining each and every aspect of
her new life and turning it over in her mind, assessing it and moving on.
With a decisive step, she moves forward, stopping only to regard each
white-clad figure from this spot. Her decision made, she takes another step
forward, and another. Her gait is unwavering as she heads directly for the
one that is hers.

From the hatching sands, Karise grabs onto Kindre's hand, eyes as wide as
saucers as she watches, breathing raggedly, hair escaping from her runner
tail to cling to her cheeks.

Maeve points out a figure -- dressed in white (of course) "There! she
excalims, "Younger sister -- Bree's -- on the sands too"

From the hatching sands, Devid shakes his head, "This is all happening so
fast."

From the hatching sands, Alyssa drops both of the hands she was holding to
push her golden hair back from her eyes and once again wipe her brow. She
still maintains her gaze on that blue hatchling, though the hatching of the
green necessarily arrests some of her attention.

Gwirith bugles as another green emerges from her shell.

K'ri cheers for the newest green..." just lovely"

Ryialla hands the skin over to 'Tria, and a hand out to N'der. "Told you
Cavadan would impress. Your wager, sir.."

Dantion puts his arm around Rhy and leans against her, watching the Sands

From the hatching sands, Baram watches the dappled green.

From the hatching sands, Damian stands ready, watching the Blue, ready to
step aside should it veer in his direction.

From the hatching sands, Lal keeps her eyes on the blue, praying it doesn't
bowl someone over into next sevenday...

From the hatching sands, Kindre squeezes Thera and Karise's hands, eyes
wide at the lovely, determined green as she remains wary of the blue...

From the hatching sands, Kiatyn tugs down on his robe again then pulls on
the belt. Mostly unthought of moves, though. He looks towards Thera
momentarily.

From the hatching sands, Budding Violet Blue Hatchling plows headlong into
a pair of legs, knocking their owner onto her behind. She wasn't looking,
but she can't miss him now. His forelegs give out, his head falls into her
lap, his jewel-like eyes find hers and drink in the sight of her. Golden
hair, soft expression, creamy skin. Her voice is the voice, her pull is the
pull, her need is his need, her mind is his mind. He is here, Alyssa, and
he is for you.

Rhyana leans back against Dantion, her eyes totally focused on the sands.

From the hatching sands, Breana takes yet another step back. "I will,
Thera, I will! Don't want to get cut up! Who's he looking for, anyway?" A
fourth, tiny step back. "And oh, what a pretty green! She's got lots of
colors."

N'der grumbles, but hands it over.

J'rell takes his turn at the wine, sharing it with Alicyn.

From the hatching sands, Thera grins at the newly hatched green, splotched
and colorful.

Aphrael blinks and stares. "Lys? Is he going for Lys?"

From the hatching sands, A green bursts out of its shell, warbling
anxiously as she makes her way across the sands. After several moments of
anxious creeling, she looks up into the eyes of a farmcraft girl.

From the hatching sands, Lal blinks! as Alyssa Impresses! "YAY!!"

R'val beams hugely, A"lyssa!"

T'lar says "Yeah, Alyssa! What a great blue!"

From the hatching sands, Baram smiles broadly as Alyssa's lifemate finds her.

R'val nods, "yes! Yes, he is!" He beams.

From the hatching sands, P'tran blinks suddenly as the blue plops down in
front of Alyssa ...

Meli lets out a mighty Whoop!, nearly tumbling forward off the ledge.

From the hatching sands, Jalynn's head turns back and forth between the
green and the blue hatchlings, crossing her arms in front of her and giving
Alyssa and Lal a nervous grin.

From the hatching sands, Flannery hands off a trio of newly-mated pairs to
T'awn, who escorts them into the barracks. Turning toward Alyssa and the
lovely violet blue, she beams and runs toward them.

Ryialla watches the sands, and then lets outs a loud cheer. "WaytagoAlyssa!!!!

Kethran rises to his feet and /cheeeeeers/. "Alyssa!!!" he calls, his face
a happy mask of joy. "Yes!"

K'ri cheers and lets out a whoop!, then listens for the new names...

From the hatching sands, Karise eeps, as Alyssa is bowled over. "Are you
ok?" she calls, now keeping a wary eye on the green.

From the hatching sands, Talev says "Way to go Alyssa!"

Caitria grins slightly. "Good for you, Lys," she murmurs.

Aphrael cheers happily. "Yay!! Alyssa!!"

Alea jumps up and down. "Alyssa! Yes!" She cheers loudly!

Tinya blinks, mouth dropping open, then lets out a whoop! "Way to _go_,
Alyssa!"

From the hatching sands, Thera squeezes Kindre's hand back, and smiles at
Kiatyn, to lend him strength. She calls, "Yay Alyssa!" out to her friend.

Kassima blinks. "Alyssa? Is... it is, isn't it! He's for her! Oh, I hope
so! Lys!" She cheers, applauding loudly. "Alyssa, how fabulous!"

L'nay lets out a whoop! "ALYSSA!" he calls down, waving his arms with delight.

Kemith flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

From the hatching sands, Jehrina says "They're quick this time."

From the hatching sands, Kindre does a little hop for Alyssa as the "look"
is easier to recognize, "Oh, 'Lys!"

From the hatching sands, Alyssa's face loses its ruddiness as she realizes
that the blue is regarding her most closely. Her widened amethyst eyes fix
on the irridescent swirling gaze of the hatchling before her, and as her
gentle features radiate with an expression of boundless joy, she proclaims
brokenly, "Adonith, I hear you!"

From the hatching sands, Talev turns his attention back to the eggs and
discovers the new hatched green.

R'val beams,' Naturally a blue! The best colour for her, ayup."

From the hatching sands, Jarryl ohs, her eyes feeling with tears of joy as
she watches Alyssa impress.

From the hatching sands, Devid smiles at Alyssa, "I knew you would get one."

Jerethan cheers as well, rising to his own feet in unison with Kethran. "Yes!"

From the hatching sands, Kiatyn looks over towards Alyssa, the same frown
on his face that was there for the knives. He looks relieved though, and
smiles as Alyssa Impresses.

From the hatching sands, P'tran grins at Jehrina and then smiles back to
Alyssa in silent congratulations.

Channie climbs down Kemith's side to the ground, as the dragon rumbles softly.

K'nan grins widely, "Congratulations!"

Maeve applauds loudly for teh new impression, murmering, "Lovely name --
Adonith" she repeats.

From the hatching sands, Padde shouts squeakily, "Congratulations, Alyssa!"

From the hatching sands, Dappled Sepal Green Hatchling gracefully stretches
out her wings, taking in the light about her. Carefully, specifically, she
checks each of her foreclaws, shaking them to dislodge the pieces of shell
still upon her. For a brief moment, she teeters, and almost falls over, but
she soon corrects. She looks towards those in the white robes, and folds
her wings, as if considering them.

Aphrael sighs happily. "Alyssa and Adonith. Perfect!"

Alea nudges R'val.

Ryialla claps N'der on the back, sending the top half of him staggering
forward. "Ow, Ryi, lighten up, hey?"

From the hatching sands, Kiatyn hides the smile quickly, ears turning red,
and looks eggward again.

From the hatching sands, Breana jumps. "Alyssa!" she squeals happily.
"Alyssa and that pretty blue! Wow, 'grats! How wonderful!"

Celie follows Maeve's finger. "Oh, there!"

From the hatching sands, Flannery beams at Alyssa, nodding and gesturing
toward the barracks entrance.

From the hatching sands, Jalynn squeals and claps her hands. "Congrats
Alyysa!" and steps back from the new rider.

Ursa laughs loudly, pulling Kethran back down to a sitting position.
"You're blocking the view," she complains loudly, but gives him a big hug.
"She'll do well," she says.

R'val oofs at Alea, and grins.

Alea pounds Jerethan on the back."Do you see,Alyssa has the blue!"

From the hatching sands, Flannery heads off the sands and into the barracks.

Maeve nods, gaze watching, "Oh, I hope they impress. Or at least one of
them. "

From the hatching sands, Alyssa forgets entirely about everyone and
everything else, and, arm about Adonith's body, moves with Flannery toward
the barracks, smiling through joyous tears.

From the hatching sands, Jarryl starts to wipe her hands on her robe, then
hides them behind her back, aware of the green's eyes on the candidates.

From the hatching sands, Thera giggles at Bree, anything to feel less
nervous. She watches for a bit as Alyssa and the blue cross the sands, and
turns back to the hatching.

Channie pouts, "Jyays, how much have I mised?"

From the hatching sands, Alyssa heads off the sands and into the barracks.

Jerethan grins happily to Alea. "Yeah. Look at Keth. Somebody better catch
him before he explodes with pride. Alyssa's his sister," he explains.

From the hatching sands, Budding Violet Blue Hatchling heads off the sands
and into the barracks.

From the hatching sands, Karise looks at the green, eyes glacing over at
the mutlititude of shades upon her hide. "Forest," she recoginzes,
"Jade.....lime," she recites the colors she sees, as if to calm herself.

Celie nods, leaning forward. "Go Padde!"

From the hatching sands, Lal looks back at the incoming green...

Misharn grins at the newly arrived rider from Fort. "Uh, about 10 hatchings?"

Alea waves to Channie, about three greens, two browns and a blue, I think."

Kethran slowly sits back down, his face just filled with pride and joy and
about every other emotion. "Wow," he says quietly.

Misharn addds, "And two bronzes."

From the hatching sands, Autumn Leaves Egg rolls out a bit from its
protected position, boldly, knocking against the egg nearest it, then
spinning away. A tapping can be heard from within, a tapping which grows
louder as the hatchling within labours to free itself. Cracks begin to
appear in the shells, slowly growing wider.

Rhyana waves at Channie. "Not everything..." She waves a hand at the sands.
"There are still many more..."

Channie peers out onto the sands to see who else is there.

From the hatching sands, Kindre nods slowly to each word Karise utters as
if in agreement, "Mm-hmm...her wings..."

From the hatching sands, Flannery emerges from the candidate barracks.

Maeve puts two fingers in her mouth and whistles -- loud! "Go Bree! Go padde!"

From the hatching sands, Lal hears the cracking and eeps! all the more
excited from Alyssa's impression.

Kassima grins at Channie. "Cavadan has a brown, Alyssa a blue... and a
bronze and green Impressed too. Nay, three greens, nay one...."

Aphrael waves over at the Fort rider. "Nie!"

From the hatching sands, Thera grins at Karise. "Tuber-peel green."

From the hatching sands, Talev watches as the green eyes the remaining
candidates.

From the hatching sands, Karise blinks, blushing faintly as she realised
she said this aloud, "Emerald," comes the reply.

From the hatching sands, P'tran smiles at Jehrina. "I guess we have one
less dragonhealer for awhile .."

Channie beams at aphrael, "APH!!!"

From the hatching sands, Dappled Sepal Green Hatchling swings her head away
from the males, and instead towards the females, awaiting the gold eggs
arrival. Yes, that's the way she'll head. And she does, one inexorable step
after the other, speed redoubling on every third step.

From the hatching sands, Bursting out of eggs at opposite ends of the
hatching grounds, a brown and a smallish blue burst out of their shells in
rapid succession. The blue, sturdy despite his smaller size and recent
birth, quickly finds his way to a dark haired Bitran lad and Impresses. The
brown, meanwhile, makes a headlong dash at a group of candidates, who
scatter. The brown comes to a halt before a blond healer apprentice who
cries out with joy.

From the hatching sands, A smile cracks Kindre's face an2 she hears Thera.

Aphrael bounces over to give her friend a hug. "Nie! I'm happy to see you!"

From the hatching sands, Damian says "Congratulations, Alyssa!"

Channie hugs Aphrael tightly, "It's so good to see you!!"

From the hatching sands, Lal raises an eyebrow at the Bitran Impressing.
She squits. "That was Vincet?"

From the hatching sands, Breana wrinkles her nose. "Ugh, Thera, don't
mention tubers! They're awful things. Look at that little blue! He's
smaller than the rest, isn't he? I wonder why?" She steps a bit to the
side, on the hope that moving about will cool her feet.

Ursa squeezes Kethran's hand. "She found a beautiful mate, she did," she
comments. As if a dragonet could be anything but.

From the hatching sands, T'awn, with his usual deftness, rounds up the blue
and brown and their respective lifemates and guides them into the barracks.

From the hatching sands, Jalynn keeps a wary eye on the gorgeous green
moving steadily yet somewhat unevenly across the sands.

From the hatching sands, Damian looks at Karise and Thera. "Fern."

From the hatching sands, Padde's attention turns to the newest hatchlings,
this one, the smallish blue, scampers to one side out of its way, and a
tiptoe look over and past others, toward the remaining eggs in the clutch.

Aphrael grins and points back to the sands. "Did you catch Lys's
Impression?" She grins as she watches the green move across the sands.

Alicyn murmurs to J'rell.."I'm glad to be just a spectator, and not on the
receiving end."

Kethran smiles and squeezes back, laying his head on Ursa's shoulder. "Wow.
My sister's a rider," he says, still totally flabbergasted. But he's happy.

From the hatching sands, Karise blinks over to Damian. "You think?" she
minces, moving on scalded feet, turning her gaze back to the green. "Could
be....."

Kassima grins at Aph. "Isn't it wonderful? She'll make a terrific rider."

Channie nods to Aphrael, "Aye, just barely I did! That seems a wonderful
paring."

From the hatching sands, Thera calls a congratulations to the healer
apprentice who'd Impressed.

Ryialla blinks. "Aph? Aph!" Being pinned in as she is, she merely waves to
Aph. She snags the wineskin and takes a swig, then holds it up. "Red?"

R'val nods to Kassima, and grins, "And that blue. What excellent taste. And
he /did/ look like Vidarth."

M'rgan's waving hand gestures once again at a green hatchling, as if by
force of will he can keep it from going near his fostersister. "Go to
Jalynn," he murmurs.

Ursa grins. "It's in your blood," she reminds Kethran.

From the hatching sands, Dappled Sepal Green Hatchling closes with the
female candidates, uttering absolutely no sound. Each step, in addition to
being faster, is steadier. But that's a problem, as she is increasing speed
with every step. One Candidate, a girl from a little Hold outside of Benden
Hold, learns this the hard way when she doesn't get out of the way fast
enough.

Jerethan grins at Ryialla. "This a mere Harper Apprentice might have a bit
of that? /This/ calls for a celebration."

Mirtia continues to root for Damian, and smiles at everyone.

Alea grins at R'val. "Yes, Alyssa will make an excellent rider."

Aphrael nods and grins, "It is!" She waves back to the greenrider. "Ryi!"
She calls back happily.

From the hatching sands, Lal ohs! at the poor girl, and gets ready to jump
if the green barrels at her.

R'val grins at Alea, "She already knows dragons so well...." He turns his
attention back to the sands and to one prominent green.

Kethran smiles and grins. "Yeah. Both mother and father, and now 'lys.
Looks like I'll end up being the only non-rider in the family!"

From the hatching sands, Talev winces, "Oh the poor girl."

Germaine winces as the green hatchling encounters the young woman on the
sands.

From the hatching sands, Jehrina shakes her head slowly, "They were
warned.. there's always one."

From the hatching sands, Baram frowns slightly and looks at the riders.

From the hatching sands, Jalynn's breath catches as the girl gets hit, eyes
huge.

From the hatching sands, Autumn Leaves Egg rocks from side to side as,
slowly but surely, the hatchling inside labours to make its way out of the
shell which has confined it. The cracks which have already appeared widen
across the surface, and a foreleg appears, then the tip of a snout. The egg
begins to shudder violently.

From the hatching sands, Thera winces, and reaches out to the girl on the
ground.

Jerethan glances back at the Sands. "Though somehow, I envy Adonith. He'll
get the best care of any dragon on Pern, and there's no denying that."

From the hatching sands, P'tran winces and sighs as a candidate gets
injured. "Shards, and we try to teach them every time to step out of the
way ..."

From the hatching sands, Kiatyn backs up a bit more then wipes his hands on
his robe again. Damp. He watches the barreling green for a moment then
winces somewhat.

Misharn says "Will she be okay?""

From the hatching sands, Karise eeps as another girl is bowled. She blinks,
as the geen is making her way straight toward the femal candidates. Wait a
minute. She's feamle. "Uh oh..." she mutters, ready to move.

From the hatching sands, Jarryl gasps as the girl is injured, and moves to
the girl's side.

From the hatching sands, Thera grins across the girl at Jarryl, and mutters
"You can take the healer out of the hall.." her voice drifts off, as she
blots the girl's leg with her robe.

Dantion shakes his head in disbelief at the girl. "Oh my."

From the hatching sands, Damian looks towards the girl, sympathetically.

Alea watches with concern. "Those dragonettes are taking their toll on the
candidates this time."

Maeve brushes hair from her face, tucking an errant strand behind her ear.
She peers closer and sighs in relief. Not Padde or Bree.

T'lar shakes his head sadly. "Why didn't she get out of the way?"

From the hatching sands, Lal just stands there, posied to move herself and
any candidates near her to safety. Woo, okay, this is scary now...

From the hatching sands, Dappled Sepal Green Hatchling ignores the girl
upon whom she tread, leaving bloody gashes on her shoulders and back.
Changing her optimum angle, the green dragonet closes on a clutch of girls
all holding hands, one repeating something methodically, the others adding
occasional comments.

From K'ri's arms, Luana :giggles and stares down at all the milling
dragonets and candidates

Rhyana shakes her head and sighs.

From the hatching sands, Jarryl nods to Thera. "Move her together? Less
shock to her... Hold her steadier..."

From the hatching sands, A bright blue hatches from a blackish colored egg,
in contrast to his clutchmate. Swirling eyes look over candidates once,
twice, then a third time before settling himself in front of a former
Seacrafter.

Ryialla tosses the skin towards Jereth. "And sure, you may. I brought
plenty to share.."

From the hatching sands, Kindre sighs and winces at the hurt girl, then
notices the determined green heading not far from where they stand.

Meli snaps her fingers. "Seacraft. S'good."

From the hatching sands, Padde leans to one side for a moment to use the
hem of her unbelted shift to wipe some of the sweat streaming into her
eyes... and nearly loses her balance getting out the the way of the
charging green hatchling.

Neith flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

From the hatching sands, Sionelle dashes out from her place by the wall,
waiting just long renough for the dragonet to move on. Waving the
Candidates who try to help away with a sharp. "Mind your own hides," she
gathers the girl from the sand.

From the hatching sands, Breana gasps. "Oh, no! That poor girl! Why didn't
she move out of the way?" Bree fidgets, eyes wide and lip already bitten
half-raw, as she adjusts her robe and watches the scene with a kind of
horror. Not for long, though--there's far too much on the Sands to attract
her attention.

From the hatching sands, Karise gulps, peeking over to Kindre, pulling on
the girl's hand. "It's not coming this way....is it?" she squeeks.

Merellia descends to the ground from Neith's neckridges by the aid of a
considerately extended foreleg, hands finding holds in the straps.

From the hatching sands, Kindre half-shrugs, her eyes wide indeed.

T'lar nods to Merellia and salutes both rider and dragon.

Jerethan grins and deftly catches the skin, taking a long pull from it and
wiping his lips. "See? I /told/ Alyssa her dragon hadn't been shelled yet.'

Celie grins, elated as the gold lands on the ledges. "Merri!!"

Alea waves to the Istan queen rider. "Heyla, Melli!"

From the hatching sands, Baram folds his arms, then unfolds them and wipes
sand from the bottem of his other foot.

From the hatching sands, Miniscule cracks run over the surface, creating a
dazzling array of spinnerwebs just before it seems to wilt, all the shards
falling to the sand. The wet hatchling stands, looking around with little
suprise, as if he expected this would happen.

                       Brawny Desert Brown Hatchling                       
This brown stands by the shards of his shell, either unwilling or unable to
step away from them. He is a magnificent brown, one of the largest in the
clutch. His hide is mostly a dusky umber color, with his snout, tailtip and
hind legs a color so dark as to almost be black. In fact, if you didn't
better, you'd swear he had spent so long in the firestone mines that the
dust had permenantly embedded itself in parts of his hide. However, it are
his wings that are the most noticible, for as he extends them to dry, you
notice they are patterned with swirls of a glowing red-bronze color that
almost seem to leap out at you, a vivid contrast to his muted hide. It is
at this point he steps away from his shell and towards the Candidates, eyes
whirling greenly as he considers. He looks up at the stands for just a
moment, and you think you see mischief in his glance..but then it is gone,
and all you see is a reflection of the excitement evident in some of the
Candidates' eyes.

From the hatching sands, Thera baks away from the girl at the weyrling
master's command. "Hope she can still Impress, if she was meant too." she
whispers to Jarryl.

Maeve turns just in time to see Merellia land. "Merri! Merri!" she cries
out, "Come see -- Padde and Bree are on the sands" -- as if the gold rider
didn't know already.

R'val spots Merellia's gold landing and, as she dismounts, waves to her.

From the hatching sands, Talev gasps, "huge!"

From the hatching sands, Jarryl looks releved, and nods to Thera, turning
back to watch the eggs and hatchlings.

From the hatching sands, Baram smiles softly at the brawny brown.

Ioth flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

From the hatching sands, Lal WHOAS at the big brown. "There's a beaut fer
th'ages!"

From the hatching sands, P'tran looks over to the candidates congregating
around the injuried. "Don't crowd her, and some of you will want to spread
out a little, there are stil eggs hatching ..."

From the hatching sands, Dappled Sepal Green Hatchling turns slightly,
wings reaching up and flapping wetly. A raucous cry comes from her mouth at
this braking manuever, as she does, indeed, barrell towards Kindre and Karise.

From the hatching sands, Jehrina eyes the newest brown, "Oh Faranth, it's
another Varquith."

From the hatching sands, Karise takes her stare of the green to see.
"Shards! Look at the size of him!" Comosure, what comsure?"

From the hatching sands, Jalynn picks up one foot at places it against the
other calf for a minute, cooling it. Glancing down, she sees her feet are a
nice broiled pink shade, then her attention is jerked over to the brown.

From the hatching sands, Kindre keeps her eyes on the mostly on the
charging green, then "ohs!" and the new Hatchling.

Caitria hmmms at the sight of the new-come brown, and murmurs something to
N'thren, shifting Cav to take a mark piece from her pocket.

From the hatching sands, Kiatyn licks his lips and spies the newest
hatchling. He frowns a little.

From the hatching sands, Padde's mouth forms a dropped-jaw "ooooh! That
brown is gorgeous, look at his dark shadings!"

From the hatching sands, Thera moves back a bit, folding her robe to hide
the girl's blood stain, and holds Bree's hand again.

From the hatching sands, Devid oohs at the big brown, and shifts from foot
to foot.

From the hatching sands, Karise drops Kindre's hand, ready to sprink aside
if need be. She saw the gouging, all too clearly.

Merellia slips down carefully from Neith, murmuring a word to the gold
whose attention has immediately turned to the sands below, before she
catches Maeve's words and grins, "I'd heard," she says wryly, making her
way over to the Harper with a wave to Celie.

From the hatching sands, Lal looks at Padde. "He looks like me daw in
summer!" She grins.

From the hatching sands, A willowy, freckled girl from Tillek, feeling a
bump from behind, wheels about to discover a pair of red-whirling eyes
staring at her pleadingly. She instantly drops to her knees, her arms
falling about the small green's neck. Through her tears she cries, "Her
name is Audath!"

From the hatching sands, P'tran rolls his eyes and gives a groan of
mock-despair. "That's *all* we need ..." he comments but his expression is
humorous

From the hatching sands, Kindre seems to agree with Karise and seems ready
to move quickly.

Tidranth flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

From the hatching sands, Jehrina chuckles softlym "Aye."

From the hatching sands, Talev says "When he attains his full growth he'll
be bigger than some bronzes."

From the hatching sands, Jarryl smiles at Thera as she moves back, finding
herself standing alone at the fringes of the candidates again.

From the hatching sands, Brawny Desert Brown Hatchling stretches his wings
showing off their magnificence. He preens, turning htis way and that, quite
content to have all eyes on him. At the cry from his green clutchmate,
however, this large hatchling utters a frightened squawk and dashes behind
his shell, one eye peeking out to see what that horrid noise was.

From the hatching sands, Baram watches the green as it seems to be near a
choice.

Germaine darts a pleased smile toward the other Istan goldrider before
turning her attention back to the Sands.

From the hatching sands, Damian says "Shards, he's beautiful."

S'mus waves. "Oh, dear. I knew I wouldn't find a good spot."

Meli bursts into laughter. "Aw, he's cute!" pointing at the brown.

R'val grins at Meli, nodding, "He's one brawny fellow, isn't he!"

From the hatching sands, Thera giggles at the brown. "He's as bad as Quiq."

From the hatching sands, Lal ohs! and grins! "Lookie, A big brown wimp!"
she laugh despite herself.

From the hatching sands, Devid laughs at the brown hiding.

From the hatching sands, Kiatyn edges around the back a moment to get a
closer look. A little smile now crosses his experession, erasing the frown.

Tidranth rumbles an exuberant greeting as he lands, and his taciturn rider
slides quietly to stand at his side.

T'lar doubles up with laughter. "He can't decide if he's brave or scared."

From the hatching sands, Jarryl ooohs at the brown, looking at him with
sympethy. "Poor baby..."

Celie waves Merellia over. "Join us, Merri! Plenty of room here!"

From the hatching sands, Karise would laugh, but her attenion is on asving
her skinny brown hide. She watches the green intently.

Alicyn manages to get drunk enough to casually flirt with J'rell, and not
really pay much mind to what's happening on the sands.

Maeve grabs hold of Merri's arm, bouncing in enthusiam with her lifelong
friend, "I've everythign crossed here" she exclaims.

From the hatching sands, Dappled Sepal Green Hatchling, noting the
attention being taken from her, immediately - and loudly - protests. Though
by no means mature, her voice is definitely enough to be heard. But the
good news is that she is slowing down. In fact, she comes to a completely
stop right in front of Kindre and Karise. Elegantly, she folds her wings
and considers the two.

Tinya chortles, declaring, "I _like_ him."

From the hatching sands, Kindre swallows...that's all...she can't so much
more.

From the hatching sands, Talev smiles while looking at the brown, "Oh the
poor dear is frightened."

From the hatching sands, Devid leans over a little farther to watch the brown.

Ryialla whistles as the brown hatches. "Shards, he's HUGE!"

From the hatching sands, Jalynn blinks at Lal, then tries to peek back at
the brown. Not able too see much, she looks over at the green and holds her
breath till she sees sparkles.

From the hatching sands, Damian watches the Green go for the girls, but is
drawn by the huge Brown as well.

N'der grins rakishly. "Bet he goes for Lal."

J'rell idly shares the wineskin with Alicyn, managing to remain innocently
unaware of her attentions.

Tinya's eyes go wide. "Oooh, go, Karise...."

From the hatching sands, Lal looks to Talev, 'Well, let's encourage
him...." She loses all her fear, and takes total chummy sympathy. 'Aww,
c'mon out now, hey?"

From the hatching sands, Karise looks from the Dragonet to Kindre, eyes
wide and unblinking, sand within them now, but she's too stunned to move.

L'nay chuckles at the little brown. Looking over his shoulder at Palinth,
he nods. "Aye. You will have to show him some courage. Just... wait till
he's Impressed someone, hey?"

From the hatching sands, Breana wows. "What a big brown!" She giggles at
his squawk and proclaims, "He's afraid! What's there to be afraid of, baby
brown? Huh?"

Alea chuckles at the brown dragonette. "That's a new one, a shy brown."

From the hatching sands, All about, eggs crack and burst, knocking against
each other, spilling hatchling after hatchling onto the sands. Slowly but
steadily hatchlings find lifemates, pairing off and moving off the sands.

From the hatching sands, P'tran hmms as he looks over to the green
hatchling before the two girls ...

From the hatching sands, Kiatyn frowns again then says, carefully, "h-he's
not a wimp. Jus'.. shy." He's watching the dragonet, though.

From the hatching sands, Jarryl frowns at the laughter at the brown... why
shouldn't the brown be afraid... she knows SHE is...

From the hatching sands, Thera tries not to look at Kindre and Karise,
wanting not to know who gets chosen, and who does not.

From the hatching sands, Devid moves a step closer, "We won't hurt you,
really."

From the hatching sands, Baram glances at Devid. "Careful."

From the hatching sands, Nearly eclipsed by Leilanth's enormous right
forelimb, a compact black egg wobbles, rocks, then splits perfectly in two,
disgorging a confused-looking blue hatchling.

From the hatching sands, Brawny Desert Brown Hatchling lifts his muzzle,
looking out over a little more of the sand. His eyes focus on the little
green. Must've been her that made that horrible noise. Of course, *he* knew
that, he was just testing the others. Puffing out his chest, he lifts his
head arrogantly, deigning to look down on the other eggs and on that silly
green. He spares a glance for the green and then moves with slow, methodic,
confident steps toward the Candidates.

Tinya chuckles. "Seems sensible to me. Hiding from bad-tempered greens
right off the bat."

R'val nods to Tinya, eagerly, "Shards, yes! I WIsh Vidarth'd had that
sense, when he came outta his shell."

From the hatching sands, Lal turns to Jarryl. "But he's bigger n'us." She
sees him coming. 'See, here he comes, he's got nerve....now..."

S'mus chuckles.

From the hatching sands, Sionelle takes advantage of a brief, very brief
respite-- the injured girl tended and all the new pairs for the moment off
the sands-- to wipe a hand across her forehead, smearing it with who knows
what mixture of egg goo, blood and sand.

Merellia flashes a quick smile to Germaine before she follows Maeve's tug,
working her way to the railing by Celie and Maeve, glancing to the Harper's
list and the sands both. "That's a beauty of a blue," indicating the new
hatchling.

F'laav snorts slightly at something or other.

Dantion smiles at Rhy, holding her and smiling at everyone on the grounds.

From the hatching sands, Lal stands there, unable to stop grinning. She
likes this one.

From the hatching sands, Jarryl says "He's bigger, but we're older... he's
still a baby..."

From the hatching sands, Karise finally, blinks, sand catching in her eyes
as she still stares at the green, alsmot screaming at it to make iths' choice.

From the hatching sands, Padde says, "Shards!" and immediately claps a hand
over her mouth. "Mmmmf.. " Her attention returns to dodging flying
sand--grinning, she is.

Celie nods. "He is, at that. Did you see that green?"

From the hatching sands, Talev carefully watches the large brown as he
approaches.

From the hatching sands, Kindre can't even blink, her sights shifting from
the green to Karise and back...

From the hatching sands, Lal giggles. "Yah, a big baby." She winks.

From the hatching sands, Losing his confusion, the little blue spies a
stocky boy from the seacraft and makes a charge for him. The two join in
the rapture of impression as the boy cries, "Porth, why didn't you /say/
you wanted food? C'mon.."

From the hatching sands, Dappled Sepal Green Hatchling focuses her eyes
first on Karise, blinking one set of eyelids over them. Inquisitively, she
pokes her head towards the girl's stomach. She pulls back, uttering another
immature bugle. And then repeats the same performance, but this time with
Kindre.

From the hatching sands, P'tran glances at his weyrmate. "You're right,
this hatching is proceeding rather wuickly. Never saw such an eager bunch
of hatchlings," he comments with a chuckle

From the hatching sands, Jalynn smiles as she sees the brown reappear, a
feeling of pride in her as she watches him puff up. She hops onto her other
foot to cool what feels like a well done piece of meat.

Maeve nods, "Lovely" she agrees, watching nothing it seems but her two
sisters, shouting shrill encouragements to both, interspersed with the odd
whistle.

From the hatching sands, Karise looks well, indignant. she doesn't like to
be poked, and says so. "Oh come on...." she whispers, "Make up you're
mind....."

From the hatching sands, P'tran hmms and peers over at the green. "Well,
all but one that seems to be taking her sweet time ...."

From the hatching sands, White Pegasus Egg rolls over on it's side, then
sits still.

From the hatching sands, Kindre can move now...she shakes her head a bit
disbelievingly, "Determined to be cer...certain, aren't...you..."

From the hatching sands, Jehrina chuckles, "Got to be one choosy one in
every bunch."

Tinya fidgets impatiently, murmuring, "Jays, pick one already."

Kassima watches the green. "Seems to be having a hard time making up her
mind, that one does."

R'val nods to Tinya, squeezing his hands together nervously.

Merellia nods to Celie, "Being rather thorough, isn't she," she comments,
her glance scanning the rocking eggs and hatchlings on the sands.

Mirtia watches all the activity with a bemused wonderment, though she still
cheers for Damian when she sees him.

From the hatching sands, Talev looks between the brown and the scene with
the green and two girls.

K'ri yawns a tiny bit and watches to see if that green has picked yet, then
studies the slow brown

Celie nods, leaning over the rail. "She is. Urieth says shes 'choosing
carefully'."

T'lar says "Picky little green. Guess she wants to get it right. She only
has one chance."

Kethran sits, still grinning. Nothing can break his mood. He watches the
green with no sign of impatience on his features.

From the hatching sands, Dappled Sepal Green Hatchling watches both of the
two girls, then pokes towards Karise once again.

S'mus grins down at the green trying to decide between the two girls.

R'val hrms thoughtfully, murmuring to Tinya, "Karise?"

Meli grins, reaching a hand back to caress Juliath. "Good thin' this one
wasn't so picky, eh?"

From the hatching sands, Lal removes her eyes slightly from the amusing
brown, just in time to see the little choosy green...choosing. She tries to
watch while stifling a giggle.

Alicyn's foot lands on a neighboring blue rider. She murmurs soft
apologies, but doesn't remove it as she murmurs something to J'rell.

Jerethan shrugs to R'val. "I'm not even going to guess with /that/ green
until the moment of Impression."

From the hatching sands, Karise ows! "Shardit Erinyth! Stop poking me
already!! Huh?" She blinks stupidly...before her fasce cracks a grin.

T'lar says "I don't know. Juliath seems to have really good taste to me."

From the hatching sands, P'tran ahs and smiles. "There we go ..."

From the hatching sands, Talev smiles as Karise impresses the choosy green.

R'val grins at Jerethan, "The moment has arrived." He turns back to the
sands< "Erinyth! That's a proper greens name!"

Tinya grins over at R'val. "Shells, I hope so. It'd make us 6 for 6." She
tilts her head back, grinning up at her dragon, then _snaps_ it back down
as she hears Karise's voice. "YES!"

From the hatching sands, Lal yays! "Yeh figgered it out Karise!"

From the hatching sands, Thera opens up one eye, and moves her hair out of
her way to see. "Congratualtions Karise!"

R'val grins at Tinya, "Six for six!"

Ryialla murmurs something to N'der as L'dan arrives and sprawls, half on
his weyrmate's lap and half on Ryi. "Oof. L'dan. Get offa me."

From the hatching sands, Baram smiles at Karise and nods.

From the hatching sands, Jarryl's eyes are on the brown, smiling warmly as
he looks about.

From the hatching sands, Flannery watches the green's actions tentatively,
stepping from foot to foot as the sands' heat sears through the soles of
her boots. As the Impression is made, she appraoches Karise, murmurs
congratulations, then shepherds her and Erinyth off toward their new home.

From the hatching sands, Kindre's face lights with a little relief as the
grilling is over and joy for Karise! "She couldn't have picked better,
dearheart!"

From the hatching sands, Jalynn starts to giggle as Karise's delayed reaction.

From the hatching sands, Jehrina chuckles.

From the hatching sands, Breana fiddles with her belt and peers at the
little green. "She's not going as fast as the others. Why not? She's got to
be hungry...." Bree keeps rambling to poor Thera, then suddenly stops and
beams. "Erinyth! What a pretty name! Congratulations, Karise! Did you see
that, Thera? Karise Impressed!"

Jerethan cheers for a moment before rolling his eyes at R'val. "You'd know,
eh, bluerider?" he grins. "I'm sure you keep a list, along with the last
date each of them rose."

J'rell chuckles at Alicyn's comment quietly.

Aphrael frowns slightly, trying to see who the green picks. "Oh.. Karise!"
She calls out happily. "Congratulations!"

Kalendrith flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

Ursa lets out a cheer as the green finally chooses, breath she didn't know
she was holding escaping.

Alea smiles at the new green rider. "Another one, Gwirith!

Respath flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

Aberuth flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

From the hatching sands, Devid smiles at Karise and the green.

From the hatching sands, Flannery heads off the sands and into the barracks.

From the hatching sands, Karise looks at the green, a sly look on her face
as she remarks, "And you just ahd to tease, didn't you

From the hatching sands, Karise heads off the sands and into the barracks.

Caitria gives a brief nod and a faint smile. "Well picked."

From the hatching sands, White Pegasus Egg begins to quake in the sands,
starting at a small shiver, then turning more and more violent, digging
itself a hole in the sands....

Pryth flies here from the air over the hatching sands.

From the hatching sands, Thera grins down at Bree, hauling herself and Bree
over to the now dragon-safe zone left near Kindre.

From the hatching sands, Erinyth heads off the sands and into the barracks.

M'rgan lets out a low sigh of relief as the green Impresses to someone who
is not Breana.

From the hatching sands, Lal grins. She looks very very pleased.

Straped onto Aberuth, Margret unbuckles the flying straps holding her in.

From the hatching sands, Kiatyn fidgits again then glances up at the
galleries. He backs away a little bit, his face reddening again.

F'laav's face remains impassive as he observes. Quietly.

From the hatching sands, Kindre smiles to Thera, "Good choice, 'eh?"

From the hatching sands, Brawny Desert Brown Hatchling settles his wings
fastidiously on his back, his head lifted up as he looks around the Sands.
One whirling eye focuses on the silly green who does seem to have finally
made up her mind, quite fitting for a sibling of a brave brown like
himself. He hears a few sounds, which intrigue him, and moves confidently
toward the Candidates. Toward a smiling face.

N'der nods to Ryi, and hefts L'dan off of her. "Why'd you go and do that
anyway? She's not your type?" A red flush on L'dan's face indicates he's
been doing a little wine sampling. He apologizes, and merely contents
himself with sitting on N'der.

From the hatching sands, Thera nods. "I'm sure there's one for us yet tho
Kindre, and you too Bree. Plenty of time left."

Sonya climbs down Pryth slowly.

From atop Kalendrith, G'fen untangles himself from the protective safety of
Kalendrith's straps.

From the hatching sands, Flannery emerges from the candidate barracks.

G'fen slides off of Kalendrith, landing unsteadily on the ground.

Alicyn casts a casual eye over the men on the ledge. "They get younger
every turn, don't they."

Margret leaps off Aberuth's neck and lands easily.

Liath BUGLES proudly. His rider laughs and pats his side. "Yes, you're a
_wonderful_ Search dragon, you are."

S'mus chuckles.

Ph'lan carefully climbs down Respath's side and foreleg.

G'fen climbs down, and calls over to his other weyrlings, keeping them
under tight control.

From the hatching sands, Devid watches the brown now that he seems to have
gotten over his shyness.

Margret lands and salutes the assembled riders and higher ranking people.

From the hatching sands, Lal again turns to her attentions to this brown,
raising an eyebrow. Her face now shows respect. "Way t'go, comin' out
an'all..."

From the hatching sands, Talev looks on breathlessly as the brown dragonet
seems to have found whom he is looking for.

Ph'lan walks over to G'fen, but his eyes look all around the cavern. Wow.

From the hatching sands, White Pegasus Egg begins to crack, shaking a
terrible quaking shake as the Hatchling inside fights to get out.

Sonya stays near G'fen, her eyes glued to the hatching sands. She follows
Meg's example and salutes.

Caitria lifts her attention briefly from the sands, and smiles, nodding a
greeting to Sonya. Not like she's likey to be seen, at this distance...but
it's still polite. :)

J'rell grins at Alicyn, "So do the women."

From the hatching sands, Jarryl's heart seems to stop as yet another dragon
heads towards the candidates. She shifts from foot to foot, moving a bit to
one side so she can watch him.

Germaine turns at the commotion of beating dragon wings en masse, and sends
a proud smile to the arriving Istan weyrling wing and its leader, G'fen. A
laugh, "Welcome to Benden! And a good first trip, indeed!" Her hands spread
expansively down toward the Sands, "The younglings are eager, they are."

From the hatching sands, Kindre swallows and turns her atention back to the
rapidly cracking eggs.

From the hatching sands, P'tran grins as he watches the eggs from the
now-dwindling clutch. He sneaks a peek at the gold egg, which he could have
sworn showed signs of movement ...

From the hatching sands, Damian grins at Karise. "Heh. Congratulations."

Ularrith thurbles gently as M'rgan absently strokes his muzzle. "Now that
brown would be perfect for Bree."

Gwirith croons to the Istan Weyrling wing.

Alicyn says insouciantly, "Women are like fine wine..we just get better
with age." Her eyes travel in teasing perusal along the ranks of riders.

Margret salutes Germaine, "Ma'am." and looks at the eggs, Aberuth poking
his head over his riders to watch too.

Pryth croons a greetin to everyone.

Maeve grabs hold of the railing -- knuckles white -- as she stares at her
sisters, almost holding her breath, until she gets nudged in the side, and
lets it out with a huge whoosh!

From the hatching sands, Lal's go a little wider when she hears the gold
egg crack. She sneaks a peek but keep her eyes on the brown, making sure
that big boy doesn't take her out.

G'fen nods, greeting the weyrwoman with a salute.

R'val peeks over the edge, "THe gold egg's cracking, "He murmurs, nudging
Tinya.

Cirdanth croons a greeting back to Pryth, distracted by the commotion on
the sands.

From the hatching sands, Brawny Desert Brown Hatchling paces slowly along
the ranks of the candidates, eyeing each one with care. He must of course
choose the right one, the one who is right for a big, brave fellow like
himself. He looks at one face in particular, one with an upturned eyebrow.
His eyelids blink.

Kassima chuckles at M'rgan. "You think so? Well, I suppose we'll just have
to see...."

From the hatching sands, Golden Apple Egg rolls out of the mound of sand it
has been resting in, protected by the huge queen above it. Slowly it rocks,
shaking back and forth, sending tiny sprays of sand out from where it rests.

From the hatching sands, Damian watches the Brown, smirking still at the
Green's methods.

Merellia glances around at the arriving dragons; catching sight of G'fen
and the weyrlings, smiling briefly before she turns back to the sands at
Neith's insistent rumble. "I see it!"

From the hatching sands, Leilanth hummmmmmmmmmmmms again as the gold egg
begins to shake.

J'rell laughs.

From the hatching sands, Thera wraps an arm about Bree, drawing strength
from the other girl, and watches the brown hatchling roam.

From the hatching sands, Kiatyn stops again and watches the dragonets once
more.

From the hatching sands, Baram glances at the Gold egg, then returns his
attention to the brawny brown.

Respath *TRUMPETS* to the other dragons present.

From the hatching sands, Jalynn is shifting from foot to foot, her face no
longer quite so calm. You can see the joy for her friends and a bit of the
nervousness she feels.

Isadith rumbles deep and rich and low, eyes whirling blue with pleasure as
she greets Kalendrith and his charges, a hint of amusements tinging her voice.

Nicoth begins to hum as the egg of a potential mate rocks on the sands.

Alea catches her breath as the queen egg starts to hatch. "Watch Gwir, a
new queen is about to be born."

From the hatching sands, Devid smiles at the big brown

Tinya nudges R'val back. "Yeah, I got eyes." She flashes a grin at him,
though, just teasing.

Cirdanth arches his neck, hummming with the queen as the gold shakes. It is
the time...

Alicyn waggles teasing fingers, but doesn't make contact with any one's
side..yet.

From the hatching sands, Talev calms his beating heart as the brows seeks
out the one he wants, smiling as some of his friends have found friends.

R'val winks back at Tinya, his mood buoyant.

From the hatching sands, For just a moment, Padde's gaze lingers on her
sister Breana, then the handsome desert brown, now the rocking eggs, her
glances bouncing around only somewhat less than the soles of her feet on
the burning sands.

From the hatching sands, From the second white egg bursts a large,
singularly unamused brown. He creels and cries, weaving his way over the
cluttered shards, until finally bowling over a plump, brown-eyes lass from
Nabol.

S'mus tries to get a better view as he hears about the gold egg.

Margret hugs Aberuth's head as the brown tramps about, remembering the
brown hatchling and silly candidate.

From the hatching sands, Kindre's heart pounds in her chest as the scene
with Erinyth rolls in her mind, the brown's soon-to-be decsion, and now the
Gold egg....

Celie leans over further, her feet lifting up. "Gold..." she murmurs.

From the hatching sands, Brawny Desert Brown Hatchling looks long and hard
at a tall, strong young woman. She has the courage to be worthy of him. She
is right for *him.* He leans forward to nudge Lal's leg gently, then
croons, softly.

From the hatching sands, White Pegasus Egg rolls back and forth, back and
forth. A frustrated grunt comes from inside. This shell is so hard! It
seems to pulse as the Hatching inside fights with it.

Ph'lan salutes Germaine to.

From the hatching sands, Thera Watches the brown touch Lal. "Oh Lal! That's
wonderful!"

R'val grins, "Brawny brown goes to brawny Lal?" He murmurs to Tria,
"Appropriate!"

From the hatching sands, P'tran hrms? and glances over to the brown in
front of .. Lal?

From the hatching sands, Jarryl smiles! "Congradulations, Lal!"

From the hatching sands, Lal WHOAS!!! "Areseth! Way t'go buddy!"

T'lar says "The brown is Lal's! Good choice."

Margret cheers for Lal, "I know her! Laal!" she says, slaughtering the name

From the hatching sands, Baram grins broadly as he gives a wave at Lal.

From the hatching sands, Kindre blinks and smiles brightly for Lal,
mouthing her congratulations and giving a subtle whistle.

Tinya blinks. "Is it...?" She frowns, then bursts into a luminous grin.
"YES! Woo, Lal! Alright!"

Kethran grins and rises to his feet again to cheer. "Way to go, Lal!" he
calls, and then, in a softer voice, "Sounds like Master Lily will need some
new miners."

Misharn grins, as the brown Impresses.

From the hatching sands, Jehrina laughs as Lal yells. "Guess he picked the
right one."

From the hatching sands, P'tran coughs to cover a laugh at Lal's reaction,
but he's smiling rather broadly.

From the hatching sands, Talev clasps Lal on her shoulder, "Congradulations
Lal! He's a beauty."

From the hatching sands, Thera grins. "That is just perfect."

From the hatching sands, Lal gives her BIG ARSE BROWN a HUGE hug!

From the hatching sands, Devid lets out a whoop as Lal gets the big brown.

From the hatching sands, Gleaming white, almost looking brighter than it
ever had until now, the egg wobbles rapidly in place for several long
minutes. Finally, after it looks like it may not hatch, a tiny hole appears
in the top as the dragonet inside struggles to be born.

                          Sunset Bronze Hatchling                          
The ruddy hide of this dragonet reminds you of the firery colors of the sky
just moments after the last of the sun has disappeared over the horizon.
Faint tinges of dark gold appear in diffuse streaks across his flanks, like
distant clouds reflecting the fading rays of sunlight. More prominently
defined streaks of reddish-tinged bronze grace his wings, and when he
spreads them, it is like fire coming down from the sky. Everything about
him seems toradiate this sense of burning strength, and he lifts his head
with an air of imperious confidence, as if believing he has the power of
Rukbat itself.

From the hatching sands, Breana hugs Thera close, trying not to fidget. "Do
you think that brown knows who he wants yet?" she whispers to the elder
Candidate, then nods decisively as the brown answers her question for her.
"He has! And it's Lal--wow, Lal, congrats! And Areseth's such a good name,
too--hey, Thera, did you see that egg move?" She points to another egg on
the edge of the clutch, attention already distracted.

From the hatching sands, Sionelle walks out toward Lal and her new
lifemate. "Come. Into the barracks. There's food there for Areseth. Watch
his wings now." She shepherds the new pair off the sands.

From the hatching sands, Flannery bursts into delighted laughter as Lal
impresses the handsome brown, clapping the imposing young weyrling on the
back as she motions toward the barracks. "Off to home with you, dears!"

Nicoth bugles to the little bronze.

Germaine chuckles, acknowledging the salutes with a nod of her head before
her eyes catch sight of the rocking gold egg on the Sands. A pensive
expression crosses her features as Isadith's rumble segues into a low
croon, her neck snaking above the watchers toward the Sands.

Alea cheers for Lal, briefly taking her eyes off the gold egg.

G'fen settles down to watch the hatching, silent for now.

S'mus snickers.

From the hatching sands, Padde laughs happily at Lal and her lifemate brown!

From the hatching sands, Brawny Desert Brown Hatchling croons joyfully and
smugly as his lifemate hugs him, looking up at her with adoring eyes.

From the hatching sands, Baram, still smiling, turns to look at the Bronze
hatchling.

Misharn says "A bronze! He's gorgeous!""

From the hatching sands, Flannery heads off the sands and into the barracks.

From the hatching sands, Lal heads off the sands and into the barracks.

Kershala whistles softly. "A find big bronze! What a lovely color."

From the hatching sands, Brawny Desert Brown Hatchling heads off the sands
and into the barracks.

R'val beams, 'Look at that gorgeous bronze..."

From the hatching sands, Thera grins over Bree's head at Kindre, ,while
answering, "Yes Bree, i saw."

Cirdanth snorts and noses Shala. I'm yours, not him.

From the hatching sands, Talev catches his breath at the bronze emerges
from his shell, "..."

T'lar says "He looks like a sunset on fire. What a beauty."

Alea nods to Shala. "Yes, he is a beauty isn't he."

From the hatching sands, Jalynn grins over at Lal as she impresses.
"Congrats Lal."

From the hatching sands, Damian looks at the Bronze with awe. "If Master
Caladin could see this color...."

F'laav's eyebrow arches, disproving any notion that he might actually be a
statue.

Kershala murmurs, "Jealous boy," softly and rubs the huge brown nose. "You
know you're mine."

Alicyn watches, with the jaded interest of a mature rider.

From the hatching sands, Devid looks up, "Oh, a bronze."

From the hatching sands, Damian says "Congratulations, Lal!"

Sonya spots Tria through the crowd. She waves.

From the hatching sands, Kindre smiles nervously to Thera, her feet lifting
here and there, "Luck...you and Bree both..." Then sausers her eyes at the
bronze, "Wow..."

Kethran cheers at the emergence of the bronze. "He's beautiful," he says,
sitting back down beside Ursa.

From the hatching sands, Golden Apple Egg rolls over again, knocking into
another egg, sending the hatchling within into a roll of its own. Dark
cracks appear in the perfection of the shell. Wobbling and shuddering
convulsively fro several more long moments, it then lays still again.

Palinth rumbles, eyes whirling blue, as another brown impresses.

From the hatching sands, Flannery emerges from the candidate barracks.

Sonya places one hand one Pryth's muzzle, her attention back on the sands.

From the hatching sands, P'tran grins broadly as he sees a bronze hatch,
and his lifemate gives an approving tilt of his head, eyes whirling
speculatively

From the hatching sands, Kiatyn casts a bit of a smile then bites his lip.
He moves his feet again, gettting the heat away from it once more.

From the hatching sands, Sunset Bronze Hatchling bursts out, stretching his
wings wide. He BUGLES! annoucing his glorious presence. I am here, you may
all ooh and ah respectively, he seems to say. He shakes his left foot,
flinging some leftover shell towards the Weyrleader. As he straightens up,
he glances at the others. Oooh! People in white! Let's go that way!

From the hatching sands, Thera inhales as she measures the bronze. "Oh
Luck..." she murmurs, to al her friend candidates.

Respath croons to the bronze!

From the hatching sands, Breana smiles. "Thanks, Kindre! Good luck to you
too! Oh, look now, Thera--there's that pretty egg moving. And another
hatchling. My, that one's loud!"

T'lar surveys the remaining male candidates. "Hmmmmmm Wonder which one......"

From the hatching sands, Leilanth bugles a greeting to her bronze son.

Celie winces. "Shards and Shells...it's Penath reborn."

Misharn giggles as teh weyrleader dodges a shell fragment then gaspss, "Er,
that wasn't bery respectful, was it."

Ryialla cheers for Lal, and folds her arms against her and N'der holds out
his hand. "I never took that bet, dearest. I don't bet on sure things." She
grins.

From the hatching sands, Devid oohs and ahhs

Maeve frowns, "Penath?" she asks the former Harper.

From the hatching sands, A loud, violent *CRRAACK* resounds off the walls
of the hatching cavern. Unlike the other eggs, this one does not shatter,
but falls away in two or three large pieces, rocking as they land on the
sands. All eyes turn and mouths fall agape along with a hushed gasp as
Benden's newest Queen is revealed.

                      Misty Golden Sunrise Hatchling                       
Just before the dawn, when the sun pokes it's head over the mountains, when
the mist still clings to the earth, the world takes on a golden glow of
sheer warmth and rebirth. Pale golden sunlight gently wafts over her
graceful curves with a pink cast that begins at her head, covered in a fine
film of dull silver sparkles. Just as the early morning sun brightens the
meadows, chasing away the mist, so her color brightens as it moves across
her hide. The pink cast fades gently down her neck and torso, delicately
shading into the soft gold of the early morning over her translucent wings
and long, lithesome tail. As silently as the sunrise makes its way across
the countryside, she raises her perfect, wedge-shaped head to regard her
surroundings with huge, red tinged jeweled eyes. Though quite a sight to
behold on the outside, her eyes reflect an anger that shows her looks may
be deceiving. Her movements are graceful, as if set to the music of
firelizards frolicking in the early sunlight. She moves like a breeze,
delicately caressing the ground as her feet touch it. Her soft, lyrical
voice is laced with what could be fear, or perhaps anger? Even as she takes
her first clumsy steps, she is strangely graceful. This golden Hatchling
will surely grow to be as graceful and enlightening as the sunrise.

Alea catches Celie's remark and just grins. "There can be only one Penath."

From the hatching sands, Talev says, "Strong one he is. The perfect shade
of bronze."

R'val's eyes widen hugely as he murmurs, leaning forward, "Oh Shards. by
the first egg, look at that gold."

Celie blinks, turning toward Maeve. "T'vor's bronze. About as loud as he
is, too."

From the hatching sands, Jarryl gasps as the queen hatches, her eyes wide.

Merellia quirks a brow, watching the bronze, and murmurs a comment to Maeve
and Celie, "...rather sure of himself already, he is," she chuckles, then
grins at Celie's comment.

Tidranth;. That's where all the voice is. The bronze makes use of it. A
lot. Enthusiatically. More than enough to make up for his taciturn rider,
who ignores it with an air of great practice at the task.

From the hatching sands, Damian says "Absolutely beautiful. She's marvelous!"

Cirdanth crooons. Sunrise!

Misharn blinks at the gold, "Shards, she's gorgeous!"

From the hatching sands, P'tran blinks as the gold rather suddenly erupts
from her egg. "This is interesting ... a bronze and a gold on the sands at
the same time ..." he comments softly.

From the hatching sands, Flannery gasps at the gold hatchling, then turns
to cast a smile toward Jehrina and P'tran.

From the hatching sands, Damian stares at the Gold, stunned.

From the hatching sands, Devid tries to watch the bronze, but his attention
is caught by a gold movement.

K'ri cheers as a bronze and then the gold hatches

From the hatching sands, Kindre stands a bit thunderstruck at the little
gold...

From the hatching sands, Padde gasps aloud, "A ... look at that, baby
queen, oh, I've never seen one!"

Margret looks at the sands, 'Yer more beautiful, Aberuith." she says to
comfort her bown. "And ye were that little too."

Sonya ohs at the gold. "She's beautifull.

Celie laughs, then turns back to the sands. "The gold!"

Alea sighs. "Beautiful!"

From the hatching sands, Thera gasps at the gold, and swallows quickly,
looking at the ground, and letting her hair stream across her face again.

From the hatching sands, Leilanth bugles once more, a greeting to her
newest daughter.

From the hatching sands, Baramlooks at the gold hatchling, then scans the
remaining female candidates.

From the hatching sands, Breana's jaw drops rather comically at the
appearance of the queen. She stammers, trying to think of words to say--but
for once, they fail her. "Wow," she says at last.

Maeve ahhs, "Bronzriders" she comments and then turns, her eyes catching
the golden hinto of hide. "Woooo! Go go! Padde! Bree!" she calls out excitedly

Nicoth croons to the little queen, welcoming her to the Weyr.

Ph'lan gasps at the gold while Respath *TRU