The Hatching of Gold Phediath and Bronze Solarith's Clutch
PernMUSH, April 25, 1998

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

You fly through the entrance to the Hatching Grounds.

<*> Isadith flies in from the bowl.

<*> Jh'rin eases himself off of Siaroth with the gracious aid of a lowered
shoulder.

<*> Sonya dismounts off of Pryth's back and sits on a proped up leg of his.
She swings her legs, looking down at the sands with anticipation. As other
riders arrive, she waves to them, watching them instead.

<*> From the Hatching Sands, T'saren walks onto the sands from the entrance
to the Hatching Grounds.

<*> Evath flies in from the bowl.

<*> Asaleth flies in from the bowl.

Dragon> Telgar dragons sense that Torinth stirs on her ledge, mentally
listening in the distance.

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

<*> A'wyn With the grace and agility of a feline, A'wyn makes his way down
from Asaleth's taught shoulders down to Asa's forleg which guides him down
to the ground.

"Yeesh, Lyss, keep your straps on, for Faranth's sake," Kassi's voice can
be heard to grumble good-naturedly as the rider unfastens her straps.
"Duties," she then calls, "to Ista and her queens! Lysseth tells me the
eggs are rocking?"

Dragon> All dragons sense that Phediath hummmmmmmmmmmmms at Ista Weyr. 
<< They come! They toss! They turn! The eggs hatch! >> 
Hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

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.

A'wyn smiles and pats Asaleth, "You were right love.." he bows his head to
everyone, "Igen's duties." he smiles.

Mercy gives a loving pat to Evath, before sliding to the ground.

Dragon> Telgar dragons sense that Solarith sounds shocked, but happy. 
<< They hatch! >>

Germaine waves, greeting those already couched on the ledges, just as
Isadith lets out a light trumpet before resuming her vibratoed humming.

Dragon> Telgar dragons sense that Torinth SNORTS and calls out << Told 
you! >> towards her lifemate.

Dragon> Telgar dragons sense that Lysseth rumbles to Torinth, the sound
holding a hint of a hummmmm. << The eggs rock, I am told. My rider and I
have gone to watch. >> She then snorts in amusement at Solarith's exuberance.

Asaleth not one to be left out, hums along.

A'drin parks himself on one of Nalimoth's forelimbs, gaze darting between
sands and newly arriving riders with an almost hyperactive excitement. The
brown hums behind him, eyes awhirl.

Dragon> Telgar dragons sense that Torinth snorts. << So Solarith roars.
We're coming, healers be confounded >>

Faerth flies in from the bowl.

>From the Hatching Sands, Madelynda stalks hurriedly onto the Sands,
rearranging herself as her booted feet stir obsidian grains into the air.
Her eyes go wide as she sees the eggs shift this way and that, her glance
moving quickly to T'saren before resting finally on her humming queen,
whose golden tail thrashes against the sand in anticipation.

Rykel climbs down from Faerth, who kindly obliges with a foreleg for her
departure.

Parth flies in from the bowl.

E'ryn twists his body, sliding along the side of Parth's neck and to his
foreleg. He then hops down easily.

Asaleth rumbles to the other dragons happily and makes himself comfortable
while his lifemate leans into him, still standing.

Vidarth flies in from the bowl.

R'val slides down from Vidarth's back and lands in a crouch.

Jh'rin drops off Siaroth once the small green settles near Isadith, and,
rubbing the back of his neck, he mutters, "I coulda sworn those bloody
things had another few sevendays. Ah, well."

From the Hatching Sands, T'saren turns his head to grin a greeting to
Madelynda, then turns back to watching the eggs, murmuring, "I can't
believe it," under his breath.

Sonya swings herlegs some more on her perch. She turns slanted eyes to her
blue as his humming deepens. "Try not to vibrate too much, kay?" she
chuckes as his answer is a longer hmmm sound. She waves to Germaine,
snapping off a quick salute to the Goldroider. Pryth croons sweetly to
Isadith.

Rykel plops down quietly next to Faerth, who lolls as he hums, eyeing
Siaroth with one eye.

R'val spots Sonya as he dismounts, and smiles towards he.r

Germaine chuckles to herself, overhearing Jh'rin's comment as she leans
back against her lifemate and waves to Sonya. Isadith hummms throatily to
Pryth, eyes whirring in excitement.

E'ryn smiles over at other riders after he swings down from Parth. He lifts
a hand nonchalantly in greeting and calls out "Hello!" In a booming voice.

Kassima comments as she digs into Lysseth's strap-pouch for a large skin of
wine, "First one's a green, I'll wager aught." Turning, she scans the
ledges until she finds who she was looking for. "Jhor!" she calls,
grinning. "Thankee for the advanced warning, as 'twere!"

From the Hatching Sands, Solarith rocks back and forth on his front feet,
humming for all he's worth as the eggs shiver and shake.

Public announcement: Madelynda speaks on behalf of her queen, "Phediath has
confirmed that the eggs warming on Ista's Hatching Grounds are indeed
rocking, readying themselves to hatch. All of Pern is invited to watch the
hatchlings find lifemates! +go Ista-CB to get to our lovely tropical Weyr,
go southeast, and enter the hatching grounds; or +watch Ista-Sands. Enjoy!"

A'wyn grins slightly at Asa and pats him again then lauaghs at Kassi. "No,
I'm wagering that it'll be a brown, Kassi."

Torinth flies in from the bowl.

Nalimoth turns his head about to study Evath, and the notes of his humming
rise several octaves to become a soft croon before dropping down again.
A'drin blinks up at him, and then follows his look across the ledges,
sitting up a tad bit straighter when he spies the green and Mercy.

Sonya catches R'val's smile and waves to him. Turning as she hears E'ryn
she grins. "Hello yourself." Pryth rumbles another greeting to Parth,
excited as he is he is greeting lots of dragons as they land.

Jh'rin's head turns at the sound of his name and his face brightens
significantly. "Kassi! Hey, love!!!" He looks the greenrider over, though
his expression diminishes when he doesn't see their daughter right away.

Rykel notices E'ryn's entrance and waggles fingers at him. "Want to join me?"

R'val moves near to Sonya, and grins at her amiably, "Allo, long time no
see. How goes?"

Ularrith flies in from the bowl.

Sonya looks back down to the sands then to R'val. She is beaming. "It's
only been a few sevendays." she teases. "I'm fine. How's single life
treating you?"

R'val winks, "A few sevendays is too long, my dear Sonya." He flirts. "OH,
fine, fine...I'm being recruited into the weyrling wing as an assistant
this clutch around at Telgar...'

A'wyn winces at something and shakes his head, looking down.

Evath's tone, however soft, merges with the other dragons in a welcoming
hum for the to-be-hatched dragonets. Mercy, sitting slightly within her
lifemate's shadow, peers upon the Sands below, chin cupped in curved palm.
Eyes unfocused, it's obvious her mind's busy commenting to her lifemate.

Kassima turns to help a red-headed young woman down from her dragon's neck,
and it's quite understandable to see why she needs help, given that she's
hauling two young children along with her. "Thankee again for coming,
'Maeva," Kassi says gratefully as she takes the smaller of the two into her
arms and walks to where Jhor is standing. "You didn't think I'd come here
and nay bring her, did you, love?" she teases. Over her shoulder, she
shouts, "A'wyn! Hey, put your marks where your mouth is, bronzer!"

Ularrith's wingsails billow as he cups his wings, slowing down his frantic
flight so that he can land gently on a ledge near Lysseth. As his talons
catch on the rough stone, he snakes his head back around to peer at the
Sands, rumbling questioningly.

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Ularrith rumbles. << None of them have Hatched,
have they? >>

A'wyn grins at Kassi, "Alright. How much?"

Lysseth> Ularrith senses that Lysseth warbles in reply, << Not yet. They've
only begun to rock, it seems. >>

Jh'rin gives both Kassima and Kharisma lingering, loving kisses, eyes
dancing. "Well, I'd kinda hoped," he admits bashfully. "C'mere, little
one," he adds to his daughter.

From the Hatching Sands, Chibi stands as if she's rooted to the spot, her
eyes wide with some inner terror. She sighs and shakes herself out,
attemtping to calm her spirit.

Siaroth hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmms happily at the hatching grounds and the eggs
upon it before settling down and, mercifully, shutting up.

Sonya doesn't flirt back, but she does give him a smile. "Weyrling wing?
There is clutch over at Telgar?"

M'kla climbs down from Torinth's neck.

M'kla hops down and dusts herself off. Escaped.

Tierth flies in from the bowl.

A'wyn says "I'm also bettin' that Dorn's going to Impress Brown." the
bronzerider chuckles and looks down again, "I think so anyways."

Jayna swings her leg over, and slides to the ground with the aid of a foreleg.

Parth is all the while humming, his head swaying back and forth as he looks
down at the eggs on the sands. His eyes gleam turquoise as the vibration of
his hum carries through him and into the stone of the ledge.

Tierth manoevers to a landing near other Telgar dragons, adding her voice
to the others, alternating between warbled greetigns and excited hummmmings.

Jayna smiles. "Thank you, Tierth," she says emphatically. "Thanks, Maylia,"
she adds.

Maylia slides to the ground, giving Tierth a parting caress and a tender
smile.

Torinth settles down, curling her tail around her hindlegs, and begins to
croon, eyes half-lidded.

M'kla begins to make her way towards the rest of the Telgar contingent.

Irianth flies in from the bowl.

Sonya looks over to A'wyn. "My vote is green." she calls over. "Green for
Dorn and Brown for Kaci."

Maylia smiles to Jayna, shaking her head. "'Twas no problem, honest." She
says as she heads to join the other Telgari riders.

Ularrith continues to peer down at the Sands as he hums as if by sheer will
and a particularly high-pitched vibration he can make his grandchildren
appear. Patience isn't one of his virtues. On his neck, his rider has
finished unbuckling himself from the straps and he easily clambers down the
dragon's side, beginning to strip off his too-hot jacket the second his
boots connect with the ledge floor.

M'rgan climbs down Ularrith's side to the ground, the dragon's sparkling
eyes watching closely.

Kiryath flies in from the bowl.

Irianth settles, with a showy display of her wings, maneuvering for her space.

Astride Kiryath, Catalina whoos! as they land. "That was great! Thanks!"

A'wyn smiles at Iri. "Rysa!" he waves. "Didn't think any other Igenites
would come."

Astride Kiryath, Maegena grins. "That was fun!"

Astride Kiryath, Deannus chuckles, "Welcome," as she swings a leg over the
brown's neck and slides down.

R'val shakes his head, "Not yet, Sonya, but soon there'll be one." He peers
towards the eggs.

Deannus grabs a strap and swings down from Kiryath's neckridges. Using the
extended foreleg as a prop to bounce off of, she lands in a neat crouch a
few feet away, and turns to flash a grin at the brown. He, of course, is
used to this and only heaves a resigned sigh.

Khari, grinning a grin that shows off all five of her teeth, squeals an
exultant "Da!" and holds her arms out to her father. Kassima smiles warmly
and passes the child over. "Far be it from me t'deny either of you, eh?"
she laughs before yelling back to the Igenite, "A quarter, and nay a mark
less! Hey, M'kla! Mart! Good t'see you made it!" Yep. She's hyper.

Maegena clings to Kiryath's riding straps and slides down a thoughtfully
extended leg, landing on the ground beside the brown.

Jayna edges toward the side, getting the best view she can. She's still
grinning.

Catalina clings to Kiryath's riding straps and slides down a thoughtfully
extended leg, landing on the ground beside the brown.

Between Irianth's sun-bright ridges, Faerysa shakes her head, says "Show
off!" to Irianth and flashes a quick smile to her clutchmate. "Of course we
did. Jaegon too." She jerks a thumb ove rher shoulder, and dismounts.

Kiryath croons pleasantly to the assembled greens and offers a tailflick in
greeting for any males interested.

Faerysa runs a hand down Irianth's neck, expression softening for a private
moment, before she slides to land on a foreleg, then hops to the ground.

Jaegon slides to land on Irianth's foreleg before making the final leap to
the ground.

Jaegon slides down, murmuring a thanks to Irianth and grinning at Rysa.

"When'd the last tooth come in?" Jh'rin asks of Kassima as he tosses Khari
into the air, catching her adroitly. "And hey, little bit. How's my girl,
huh?"

Sonya ohs at R'val. "Then I can visit you, when those hatch." she chuckles.

A'wyn waves, "Hey Jae!" he smiles, "Asaleth saved a place for Iri."

Jesica clings to Kiryath's riding straps and slides down a thoughtfully
extended leg, landing on the ground beside the brown.

Catalina slides down and lands next her sister. She grins at her friends.
"Thanks," she says again. She trots over to a different part of the ledges
to watch. "Isn't this exciting Meg?" she asks her sister, anticipation
beating through in her voice.

Lysseth hummmmmmmms in a blessedly quietish fashion, eyes whirling a
positively brilliant blue. To each of her fellow Telgarian dragons, she
bugles a brief greeting.

From the Hatching Sands, T'saren gives his lifemate an absent caress on the
flank as he watches the quivering eggs. "You've done yourself proud, old
boy," the be-kilted bronzerider murmurs up to the dragon with a grin.

R'val grins at Sonya, "SOnya, dear, you can visit me anytime you please."

From the Hatching Sands, Chambers of the Sea Egg rocks several times in its
place, then goes still, like the calm before a storm.

Irianth /finds/ it, too, well pleased. She'd probably take the bronzes
space if given half a chance, too, greedy as she is.

Marth flies in from the bowl.

Maegena grins and giggles excitedly. "Oh wow, oh wow... This is going to be
SO awesome."

Mounted on Marth, K'riana unbuckles herself from the riding straps.

From the Hatching Sands, Merellia comes out of a yawning tunnel onto the
Hatching Sands.

K'riana slides down Marth's side landing easily on the ground below. He
smiles gently patting her side in reassurance as she watches.

From the Hatching Sands, Madalyn comes out of a yawning tunnel onto the
Hatching Sands.

From the Hatching Sands, Kiashi comes out of a yawning tunnel onto the
Hatching Sands.

From the Hatching Sands, Gina comes out of a yawning tunnel onto the
Hatching Sands.

From the Hatching Sands, Grego comes out of a yawning tunnel onto the
Hatching Sands.

From the Hatching Sands, Elle comes out of a yawning tunnel onto the
Hatching Sands.

From the Hatching Sands, Yazric comes out of a yawning tunnel onto the
Hatching Sands.

From the Hatching Sands, Alexandra comes out of a yawning tunnel onto the
Hatching Sands.

Jesica grins and waves to R'val and A'wyn as she gets off Kiryath, 'Fort's
duties tae yer Weyrs and thier queens."

From the Hatching Sands, Kaci comes out of a yawning tunnel onto the
Hatching Sands.

From the Hatching Sands, Tamina comes out of a yawning tunnel onto the
Hatching Sands.

From the Hatching Sands, Iriane comes out of a yawning tunnel onto the
Hatching Sands.

M'rgan waves towards Kassima once he's got both arms free of his wherhide
jacket. "No bets," he calls over to her, expansively gesturing towards his
no longer bulging belt pouch. As the Candidates start to walk onto the
Sands he leans a hand against Ularrith's neck, soothing the over-eager brown.

From the Hatching Sands, Nathel comes out of a yawning tunnel onto the
Hatching Sands.

From the Hatching Sands, Magnificent Host Egg shudders against two of its
fellows, tiny tapping sounds coming from within before subsiding.

Deannus echoes, "Fort's duties," with a cheerful grin, then bounces up on
her toes to wave to K'riana.

From the Hatching Sands, Dorn walks onto the sands from the entrance to the
Hatching Grounds.

K'riana moves about to get a better view and winds up sitting on Marth's
forelegs as she settles down to watch and a soft thrumming can be heard
coming form the green's throat...

Maegena leans forward and watches the eggs intensley.

Catalina yesses! as the Candidates come out, and she scans the group as if
looking for someone in particular. "Where's D..Dorn! Whoo hoo!" She cheers
and peers down to watch her friend.

From the Hatching Sands, G'fen comes out of a yawning tunnel onto the
Hatching Sands.

K'riana catches sight of Deannus and smiles, tossing off a casual wave

Nose scrunched, Mercy squishes herself closer against Evath's forearm. The
green pays no heed, multi-faceted eyes focused soley upon the grounds
below. "Mmm, dunno," murmurs the greenrider softly, whose expression
brightens once the candidates make their entrance. Of course, A'drin and
Nalimoth is spared the briefest of glances by the woman, before attention
returns to the activity below.

From the Hatching Sands, A look of incredulous awe overcomes Madalyn's
expression as she enters; eye's pine hue immediately swept towards the
queen and her mate. "Greetings, Phediath and Madelynda." Sweeping bow is
given, "And to you, T'saren and Solarith."

From the Hatching Sands, Merien walks onto the sands from the entrance to
the Hatching Grounds.

Maylia ducks between two tall riders, smiling her appologies. But they can
see over her, and she settles to a seat on the ledge anyways. Her eyes
dancing with excitement and merriment, she sends grins off to all nearby.

From the Hatching Sands, Tothun comes out of a yawning tunnel onto the
Hatching Sands.

From the Hatching Sands, Kila comes out of a yawning tunnel onto the
Hatching Sands.

A'wyn grins at Rysa, "I'm betting Kassi, that Dorn's going to Impress Brown."

From the Hatching Sands, Mertinel comes out of a yawning tunnel onto the
Hatching Sands.

M'kla sweeps herself a space, and enough room for Medrel and the very quiet
Myklan too.

From the Hatching Sands, T'saren nods his head to the candidates as they
begin to come in, keeping a hand on his lifemate to calm the bronze a bit.

Kassima considers for a moment. "About two sevendays ago, by m'reckoning.
Shouldn't be too long ere there's another... oh, there they are. Hey!
There's Grego. I never did get around t'pestering him about those knives."
Kharisma pays her mother's rambling no heed and instead replies sagely, if
nonsensically, "D'agons!"

From the Hatching Sands, Tothun lets out a yelp as his bare feet first
touch the hoy sands. He stumbles onward though, hurrying along with the
other candidates.

From the Hatching Sands, Several small cracks appear in the shell of the
Cursed Landscape Egg before it goes motionless again.

From the Hatching Sands, G'fen walks around the perimeter of the sands,
heading for the waiting area for the new weyrlings.

From the Hatching Sands, Polly comes out of a yawning tunnel onto the
Hatching Sands.

From the Hatching Sands, G'fen walks down to the far end of the Cavern.

From the Hatching Sands, M'hryn comes out of a yawning tunnel onto the
Hatching Sands.

From the Hatching Sands, Alexandra looks around and tries to keep herself
sane. She looks at the myriad of eggs on the sands and all the people in
the stands and puts a hand to her mouth. She seems a bit nervous to the
look of her.

Deannus finds a somewhat sheltered perch between Kiryath's forelimbs,
mirroring his pose by leaning over and craning her neck to get a good view
of those on the sands.

Faerysa sidles closer to A'wyn, and considers that. "I don't know Dorn. I'd
have a hard time betting." She braces a hand on Irianth's leg and leans
over to look. "Shards, I really don't know any of them."

Catalina takes a deep breath as she watches, but she can't help but
overhear A'wyn betting. She opens her mouth to argue, but decides that's a
bad idea and snaps it shut again. To make sure it stays that way, she
returns to watching.

Jh'rin pokes Khari in the stomach and whispers, "You need t'meet yer baby
brother before yer mum takes y'back."

Kassima then calls A'wyn-wards, "I'll take that, if'n you'll wager in turn
that Grego will wind up with bronze. He's the stubbornness for it. Ach,
brownie, why nay? 'Tis nay as if'n I didn't leave you any marks 'tall!"

Belaryth flies in from the bowl.

Bhalth flies in from the bowl.

A'wyn sighs softly at Asaleth, "Yes love, that could happen to us someday.
Maybe." he smiles at Rysa, "I don't know...Brown or green, but I'm pressing
for Brown. Grego? Grego will impress Green for sure."

Jaegon makes himself comfortable. "Wager on that?" he grins at A'wyn.

R'ehn hops down Bhalth's side to the ground, using his straps as handholds.

Belaryth lands to arrange himself carefully on the ledge, quickly folding
his great wings and looking downwards with rapidly-whirling eyes.

From Belaryth's chocolate neckridges, Mani looks up towards the sky, and
mutters that she hadn't heard the weather here was /that/ bad.

Tierth shuffles to a position behind her lifemate, head looming over her as
the grassy green takes a long, intense look at the rocking eggs. One
foreleg slides foreward, providing a backrest for Maylia.

A'wyn grins at Jaegon and nods, "Of course."

Siaroth warbles a greeting at the handsome Belaryth as he and his riders
settle. She looks content.

Khari's golden-brown eyes widen significantly, even as she giggles at the
poke. "'Rother?" Kassi steals a glance at the two, and grins. "Ah, so! I
take it congrats are in order, eh love?"

Silora hops down Belaryth's side to the ground, using his straps as handholds.

Mani vaults down Belaryth's side to the ground, as the dragon rumbles softly.

Bhalth settles in on a ledge with a cheerful warble for those near him.
R'ehn begins to shrug out of his jacket, "Whew, nice and warm..."

A'wyn raises a brow at Jae, "Who?"

Jaegon says "Grego."

Tottering on Torinth's neck, Medrel easily casts himself down and off the
busy brown. His grin irreplaceable as he seats himself next to his mother:
M'kla.

A'wyn shakes his head, "Green, Jae. I'm telling you."

Absorbed in the scene below, Catalina blocks out all speech around her,
muttering something undefinable to herself.

Silora jumps to her feet, excitement written in the blush on her cheeks,
and she watches Mani 'til her passenger is safely on the ledge as well.
"Mani, I didn't ask if you wanted to be in the galleries instead..." She
looks a bit sheepish, though smiling still.

Jh'rin shrugs, though his grin belies the casual gesture. "Bronia had our
son a sevenday or so back...Jorian. Four sons and this little
daughter...and not one by Ellie yet. I gotta get her t'stop making me sleep
on the dragoncouch. Hey, Silora!"

Faerysa folds her hands, thoughtfully. "How do you /know/," she wants to
know. Still, the point at someone randomly. "That girl, there? With the red
hair, next to the blonde? Blue."

Mani sighs. "Shards, I'm stuck here now. Might as well make the best of
it." She grimaces.

A'wyn grins, "Nah, she'll get a brown."

Catalina snaps out of her trancelike state long enough to smile broadly at
Meg. "What do ya think?"

Maegena looks as though she has spaced out, but in fact she has managed to
duplicate a semblance of her sisters feat of blocking all outside
conversations and is gazing at the wobbling eggs.

A'wyn sits somewhat closer to Faerysa, "So, how've you been, I haven't seen
you since I graduated."

Catalina grins and takes that as a positive reply.

Kassima offers mischievously, "I could always bring you a flask of the
Water next time I come down. Mayhaps that'd aid you--though, with five
bairns already, I find it hard t'believe you'd need it!" She finds herself
a comfortable perch on the ledge, weighing mark pouch in one hand and
wineskin in the other. "Green. It just has t'be a green."

Silora grins at Mani, nodding her head, and then directs her attention
around the ledges. She gives waves to all those she knows, then settles
herself by leaning on Belaryth's near foreleg. "Are we late? Did we miss
anything?"

R'ehn aquires a seat with a salute for the entire area, just to be safe. He
scans the sands looking for familiar faces.

From the sands below, Tothun watches everything happen, eyes even wider as
everything happens. His attention turns then to the Childhood Mysteries
egg, catching it's movement. He watches, swallowing.

From the sands below, Dorn looks over and sees the bronze and just shakes
his head. "Luck" he whisper to both Madalyn and Gina.

From the sands below, Merien escorts the new lifemates to the corner of the
sand where the food and oil await.

Faerysa grins, bright-eyed, hopping to a seat -- skirts and all -- on
Irianth's foreleg. "Fine. Katany managed to track me down the other night,
so I've finally got my own place and everything." There's relief in ehr
tone. "Shandra left me her whip."

From the sands below, Gina grabs Dorn's hand as she rocks from side to side.

From the sands below, Kayala offers a happy grin to the new lifemates and
watches Tothun as the next egg wobbles.

From the sands below, Grego squeezes Kila's hand a little too tightly, then
mumbles an apology as he realizes what he's doing. "Little nervous," he
adds unnecessarily.

From the sands below, "You --" voice drops into a discrete whisper, "You
too, Dorn." Madalyn's pine eyes give an excited spark, though they
immediately turn once more towards the eggs.

From the sands below, Polly notices the two quick impressions and nods
approvingly, "If only the rest of the hatching is as smooth." She says
softly to one of the candidates beside her. She smiles at the new pairs.

Mani nods curtly to M'rgan, trying her best to be sociable as she sits down
near High Reach's contingent.

From the sands below, Alexandra swallows and watches as the actions around
her go on. She looks out of place as she doesn't seem to be looking at the
eggs, rather the other candidates. She smiles once and then turns back
looking at the goings on. She squeezes her hands shut and takes a deep breath.

Jh'rin picks a spot near Kassima, bouncing Khari along the way. "Well,
yeah...it's weird. Anyways. Bronia's even speaking t'me now, though I don't
know how long that'll last."

A'wyn laughs softly, "I figured she would. I have my own weyr. High up.
It's wonderful. There's some great furniture in it."

Jaegon has eyes only for the sands, grinning broadly.

From the sands below, The gentle sounds of careful cracking on the Ancient
Cunning Egg reveal, one tiny shard at a time, a dotted snout, a massive
claw, and eventually, a blue head, shoulders, and paper-thin wings.

Maylia waves to get Kassi's attention, leaning past a brown's leg to see
her. "Kassi? Care t'wager 'bout that one down there?" A gesture sweeps over
the candidates below, until she clarifies, it could be any one of them.
"Her name's Alexandra - I'd say she'll get a blue."

From the sands below, Childhood Mysteries Egg moves with more vigor, the
hatchling within tapping against the enclosing walls of the eggshell.


From the sands below, 

                      Gallant Granite Blue Hatchling                       

Pocked richly with a myriad of blue hues, this hatchling appears a collage
of stone-cold colors, solidifying and fusing together into vibrant beauty.
Along his rounded chest, surprisingly firm and taut despite being fresh
from shell, flame blue circlets are set against creamy, ice-toned shades
that seem misplaced upon a dragon's hide; indeed, as he moves, they almost
sparkle with quartz-like light. Elsewhere, a deep color not unlike an Istan
midnight is severed and flecked with crisp azure, creating complex
constellations upon his haunch. But the hatchling's rock-solid frame,
contradicting the dotted trappings of his hide, betrays an innately strong
and reliable disposition that will surely withstand the tests of Thread and
time.


From the sands below, Iriane sucks her breath in, transfixed, even though
she promised herself she wouldn't.

From the sands below, Tothun's eyes move quickly to the hatching egg, and
he bites his lip, looking over the blue hatchling while rocking from one
foot to the other just a little faster now.

A'wyn drops his jaw, "How beautiful.." he smiles.

Catalina awws as she notices the blue. "He's beautiful," she says, awestruk.

Maegena bites her lower lip and leans even farther forward as the blue
hatches.

From the sands below, Gina gasps. "Blue!" she breathes. "Blue." She glances
around, then tries to recenter herself.

From the sands below, Kiashi grins now, excitement overcoming nerves. She
gazes at the little blue. Could this be the one? For her? For one of her
friends? She hardly dares to blink.

Catalina giggles at Meg. "Don't fall off now."

From the sands below,  Watchful, alert eyes gaze upon the hatchings sands
as Chibi lifts her feet in an unknown rythm. Her eyes scan the eggs closest
to her as she wipes a bit of persperation off her forehead. A step is taken
back as her gaze alights on the blue, hatching triuphantly from his shell.

From the sands below, Elle glanes at the new hatchling and holds her
breath. Smiling at Gina, she rembers to inhale.

From the sands below, Dorn smiles softly between his friends, holding both
Gina and Madalyn's hands tight. "He's amazin" is all he can manage to say,
his voice all but gone.

Marth thrumms more loudly, evidently pleased to see such a strapping blue...

From the sands below, Kayala's eyes sweep over the myriad of blues on the
hatchlings hide. "Oh," is about all she can say.

Silora oohs, mostly silently, as she looks downward, trying to find her
sister in all the moving bodies on the Sands.

R'ehn beams at the blue, snickering at Bhalth.

From the sands below, Kila squeezes Grego's hand in return. "Ye'll be
fine," she murmurs, comforting herself as well as her friend.

From the sands below, Mertinel glances around a little nervously, and
sidles over toward some of her friends. She sucks in a breath and watches
as the eggs move and begin to hatch.

From the sands below, Polly stops her intense scrutiny of the rocking eggs
and stares transfixed at the beauty of the blue, "What intrigueing
markings." She says to no one in particular.

R'val grins brightly, "Ah, a blue."

From the sands below, Madalyn, taut body held still at the blue's arrival,
lets a timid sigh release: "Awe." Arm's persistant tremble is obvious as
she folds them across her hips, occasionally swaying towards Dorn. "A blue,
look.."

From the sands below, Childhood Mysteries Egg shakes, rattles, rolls,
shimmies, and just plain moves as the dragonet inside strives for freedom.

From the sands below, Alexandra takes another deep breath as her hands flex
out relieving the stress on her white knuckles. "They are so beautiful."
she utters, rather loudly. "And small." she adds

Kassima remarks, "Nay entirely beyond understanding, though. 'Tis
miraculous that as many lady-riders carry children as do. I don't suppose
you'd care for wine?" She starts to hold up the 'skin, but pauses at the
first Hatchling's arrival. "Hey! He's nay green, but bonny looking for all
of that... hrm, Maylia? I'll take the bet, if'n the stakes are suitable."

Jaegon grins at A'wyn. "Going to take that bet, Wyn?"

K'riana smiles and absently strokes Marth's hide as she watches, eyes
transfixed....

A'wyn tilts his head, "Asaleth says that one.." he points in the general
direction of Tothun, "Will impress the beautiful blue."

From the sands below, Grego nods quickly to Kila, but his gaze is promptly
caught by the new-hatched blue.

From the sands below, Tamina's mouth opens in an "o" fight and she looks
around for her friends with a wide smile.

From the sands below, Tothun risks glancing away from the blue hatchling as
he looks towards the Childhood Mysteries Egg once more, saying a soft,
"Come on, you can do it.."

From the sands below, Kaci's eyes go to the little blue hatchling, her face
creasing into a grin even as the heat of the Sands starts to force its way
through her reverie, causing her to shift about a bit.

From the sands below, Merellia's face lights with pleasure as the first
Impression occurs; shifting slightly on the sands as the heat of the
grounds reaches through the soles of her boots, the Weyrwoman follows the
fury of hatching eggs just in time to see a blue spill onto the sands.
Expression smoothing as the pace of the hatchings pick up, Merellia's gaze
seeks out Madelynda through the gathering, autumnal colors swirling as her
skirt rustles with her faint movement.

From the sands below, Gallant Granite Blue Hatchling unfurls himself with
the utmost care, lifting a wing, and then a foreleg, and his head. Only one
limb at a time, mind, with almost cautious movements, as though he were
trying to step out of the shattered eggshell. But he doesn't quite get that
far. Somewhere between stepping out and stepping down, something gets in
the way, and he tumbles, landing in the sand with an awkward-sounding bugle.

From the sands below, Nathel seems more interested in the childhood
mysteries egg than the blue dragonet sprawling on the sands.

From the sands below, Mertinel watches the blue with a wistful gaze as her
hands clutch at the fabric of her robe.

M'kla chuckles quietly, and glances up at her green for a long moment.

From the sands below, A shudder runs through the Childhood Mysteries Egg, a
shudder that its shell can no longer absorb. Countless minuscule cracks
appear, racing this way and that across the curvature like a fisher's
net...and then everything gives way, collapsing and freeing a sudden rush
of goop and a tiny green hatchling.

Jaegon says "Asaleth does, huh? Oh, look, a green."

From the sands below, Tamina winces a little as the blue stumbles, but
doesn't move to help. She bites her lip and watches it closely."

Oerth flies in from the bowl.

Maegena awws about the granite blue's tumble.

Catalina silently encourages the blue onwards, her glance occasionally
flicking over to gaze at the childhood mysteries egg. "Come on, hatch
little one," she says softly.

From the sands below, Kaci winces with sympathy for the hatchling. "Poor
thing," she breathes.

From the sands below, Dorn winces softly for the blue as his eyes avert to
the green. "Look Madalyn, a green too" he says, nudging her side.

From the sands below,  Sidling closer to Madalyn and Dorn, yet keeping her
eyes on the hatchlings tumbling about the sands, a soft smile emerges. She
winces as shewatches teh blue take a spill, but keep her guard up, eyes
darting warily around the area..

From the sands below, Alexandra looks upon the Gallan Granite Blue
hatchling and cringes, "Ouch." she says as she nearly steps forward. She
seems to mentally grab herself and stop her forward movement. "Is he hurt?"
she asks aloud.


From the sands below, 

                  Heart-catching Olivine Green Hatchling                   

Like the finest of silken veils, yellow-green drapes this small beauty in
an even-toned shade from the tip of her narrow muzzle through the bellied
roundness of her body and the slender length of her tail. Despite her
new-hatched wobble and uncoordination, the purity of her coloring evidences
brightly against the dark obsidian Sands like the discovery of a pale
mineral entrapped amid a dark rock. Viridian veins web across the thin
sails of gossamer wings, and a finely-sculpted neck and wideset, large eyes
show this hatchling off as the beauty she'll become, full-grown.


Maylia thinks a brief moment, fingering her marks pouch. "A mark on
Alexandra impressing a blue, then?" She seems rather confident that the
Healer apprentice will impress, as she shakes her head.

From the sands below, Grego winces just a bit as the hatchling takes his
tumble. "Ow."

From the sands below, Tothun looks to the blue hatchling for a moment, but
quickly his attention turns to the new green hatchling. He smiles,
whispering as he watches it, "Wow."

Alania holds tightly onto Oerths neckridges and swings down, lightly
landing on the ground

E'ryn remains silent and watchful, one hand leaning against Parth's side as
he leans toward the sands, focusing all of his attention there as others
talk around him.

From the sands below, Kiashi smiles. "He's okay. I bet they're tougher than
they look."

K'riana smiles at the emergence of another green, a scritch of love goes to
her lifemate and she nods to herself as if taking mental notes...

From the sands below, Yazric laughs softly, tugging on Kay's hand to catch
her attention to the green newly-hatched.

Maegena gasps at the hatching of the green. "magnificent..."

Faerysa grins cheerfully, "Pretty little green."

From the sands below, Kayala gives Yaz a grin. "I see, I see," she whispers.

From the sands below, Elle wipes her hands on her robes lightly, shifting
her weight off her other foot. Eys lovked on the rocking eggs and the newly
hatched dragons.

Catalina gapes at the green. "She's so pretty! Goodness," she exclaims.
"what beautiful hatchlings they are!"

From the sands below, Gina gasps as the hatchling stumbles, but then the
green makes her arrival and her eyes widen. She forgets to sway from foot
to foot for a moment, and her hiss of pain indicates her regret for that
oversight.

A'wyn grins at the greeen then looks to Asa, "You will not flirt with her
yet, Asa. She's too young."

Jh'rin waves off the wine, intoxicated as he is on his child's bouncy
presence. Besides, he's busy watching the green and the blue on the
sands...and reassuring his dragon that, why, no, that green's not nearly as
pretty as Siaroth.

From the sands below, Madalyn draws an inspired breath, holding it
momentarily as she green arrives. "I see.." Bouyant smile evolves onto her
expression, hands writhing with anticipation. To the blue's fall, her wince
is obvious, arms motioning upwards. "Get up.."

From the sands below, "Colors," Iriane murmurs, "Such pretty colors, don't
you think, Nath?" Her hand nervously clutches her twin's under folds of white.

R'ehn offers a long low whistle, "Wow."

From the sands below, The Knowledge Hungry Egg quivers, rocking in its
place amidst the black sand. Suddenly it shatters under pressure from
within, bursting into myriad tiny fragments to leave a tiny blue hatchling
standing in its place. The blue steps forward hesitantly, then trips over a
shard of shell in its path, which sends the dragonet into a tumble of
wings, legs, and tail. A small lad from the Beastcraft darts out and helps
the hatchling to its feet, and as the blue stands, his eyes lock with the
boy's and Impression is made.

From the sands below, Polly frowns slightly with concern as the little blue
stumbles. She takes one or two steps towards the hatchling, but catches
herself and steps back into formation with the other candidates. She
willfully turns her head towards the green hatchling trying not to be too
overly concerned for the blue.

From the sands below, Alexandra looks at Kiashi and actually starts a
conversation, "I wonder. I mean even at this age they... " she quirks an
eye and then looks back at the hatchlings. "Um... " she giggles nervously
and then shakes her head. She smiles to the hatchlings and takes a deep
breath to remain calm.

From the sands below, Heart-catching Olivine Green Hatchling shakes herself
delicately - more of a tremor than a true shake - to rid herself of the
remains of the eggshell which was so recently entrapping her. She takes a
tentative step forward and then another. Wait, she peers down at the sands
beneath her muzzle. Her head tilts in contemplation or more likely
confusion. Her expressive face clearly reads, 'what's that?'

From the sands below, Kila's nervousness is replaced by a flash of concern
as the clumsy hatchlings stumble on the sands. "They'll be okay. Have
hatchlings no been okay countless times afore..."

Maylia pauses mark held out 'tween her fingers. "Lovely green, that is!"
She observes, Tierth agreeing with a whufffff of afirmation.

Catalina smiles broadly as the first Impression is made, her eyes misting.
She wipes them quickly.

M'kla hollers down, despite the lack of ability to be heard over literally
hundreds of humming beasts, "At this age, they can eat you alive!"

From the sands below, Kaci oohs, spotting the green. "Do they get any
prettier than that?" She grins at the new pair.

From the sands below, Gallant Granite Blue Hatchling did that on purpose,
he did, he did, and recovers quickly enough to balance on all four legs,
wings held out in an obvious attempt to keep his balance. One of those
wings is wiggled experimentally, and he turns his head about slightly to
eye it... but something else catches his eye as he does so: movement from
the ranks. He snakes entirely around to try and see it, but rather than
simply turn back that direction follows the head-snaking, turning it into a
circle that somehow manages to get him off the mound and closer to the
Candidates, who he then proceeds to study quizzically.

From the sands below, Kiashi grins wryly in Alexandra's direction. She
looks back at the Green. "Looks like something's caught her interest. His
too!"

From the sands below, Gina shakes her head to Kaci. "Never. Not a chance."

From the sands below, Kayala smiles softly as the little green olive
hatchling moves forward. Poor thing, looks confused.

From the sands below, Deceptively Plain Egg shudders slightly, digging
deeper into the sands beneath it.

Kassima shakes her head to Maylia. "Too high!" she calls back. "I don't
know the girl--a quarter at most; nay more, nay less!" She winces slightly
as the nearby Lysseth trumpets a greeting to the little green sister, and
uncorks the wine flask with a faint *pop*. "Suit yourself. Look, Khari...
see the pretty green?"

From the sands below, Tothun wipes his sweaty hands on his robe as his eyes
move between the blue and green hatchlings. He continues to rock on his
feet, but stays in place.

A'wyn laughs softly, "I'm telling you, you went to the girls before you
came to me, Asa."

From the sands below, Grego nods at Kila, though he forgets his words as
soon as he hears them. "Where to look," he murmurs. The wing-wiggling
catches his attention, and he laughs quietly.

From the sands below, Tamina takes a deep breath and tries to remain calm.
She shifts from foot to foot and switches her gaze from green to blue then
back again.

From the sands below, Dorn watches both blue and green, his eyes flitting
about in the sockets nervously. "Maddy, Gina" he says, giving the girls
another squeeze on their hands. "They are a sight."

From the sands below, "She's inspecting the sands?" One narrow brow rises
inquisitivel as Madalyn's own inspection falls upon the wayward green.
Despite the looming heat, she ignores the lingering beads of sweat,
attention drawn to her surroundings. "Aren't they, Dorn!"

From the sands below, Mertinel's gaze flickers over to the newest dragon as
it hatches. Her lips part in a wondering gape and then quickly close. She
stumbles to one foot, taking pressure off of the other.

From the sands below, Alexandra stands a little taller and seems to finally
calming herself down. She looks quickly along the rim of the candidates.
"Everyone okay?" she actually poses a question. She looks along the line
again and the out to the hatchlings and eggs. She grins and takes another
breath, making sure that she at least accomplishes this.

Catalina leans over even more still as she watches intensly, her eyes
zeroing in on Dorn.

Faerysa casts a grin to A'wyn. "He was getting an early start," she informs
him in amusement. Irianth readjusts hr weightm, sending Rysa to rocking,
"Shardit, Iria!"

Silora finally sees Jh'rin in all the people, giving him a wide grin and a
wink. The child on his lap gets a more careful look, and then her attention
is taken back to the sands again by movement and sound.

From the sands below, Heart-catching Olivine Green Hatchling seems to have
figured out 'sand' and takes another step forward towards whatever those
things in white are. Motion in the galleries catches her attention and she
twists her neck to one side - her view now bringing in her slender tail.
Neat. She swivels her head around to the opposite side, there's a tail
there too! Left, right, tail, tail, one, two. Another dragon passes into
her realm of vision. Her expression turns to one of confusion. One over
there. Her head swings back and forth, two here. She lifts her muzzle to
the cavern ceiling and wails out a plaintive croon of confusion.

From the sands below, "That's it, go on," Kila encourages the Hatchlings,
"Ye lifemate is there!"

From the sands below, Kayala gives Alexandra an encouraging smile. "I'm ok.
How 'bout you?" Her green eyes sparkle with excitement.

A'wyn grins at Rysa, "I think so." he snorts at Asaleth and steadies
Faerysa, "Okay?"

From the sands below, Nathel scratches the back of his head with his free
hand and grins crookedly at the green, since there's no eggs to watch.

Alania lifts Dalia from Oerth, walking carefully in the crowd.

Cygnith flies in from the bowl.

Maegena is perfectly still, except for her eyes which flit back and forth
between the candies and hatchlings.

From the sands below, Kiashi sucks in a breath. "I'm calm," she murmurs,
riding the wave of nerves and excitement. "Hey, little green," she says,
softly, "its okay, you know?" She doesn't move. Its almost like she doesn't
dare even shift from foot to foot anymore.

From the sands below, Elle smiles and grins, her voice quiet.

From the sands below, Kaci gives Gina a quick grin before turning her
attention back to the hatchlings, her eyes flicking between them, unable to
decide where to look. But her gaze is drawn to the green at the sound of
her croon.

Jh'rin offers Silora the proud grin of a father holding his daughter
(indicating future would-be suitors of Khari might be in for trouble) and
adds a wink to the grin before returning his focus to the grounds below.

Silora chuckles softly, then turns to Mani beside her. "Don't you just love
Hatchings? There's almost too much to watch, and I feel like I miss so much."

Jaegon leans forward. "Poor thing. She's confused."

Maylia snorts at Kassi's low wager, but agrees. Her mentor has a point.
"Very well, then. A quarter." the young greenrider says, and with a quick
flash of a smile she turns her attention back to the sands.

From the sands below, Elle says "There so beautiful." is all she can say."

From the sands below, Dorn scratches his brow for a moment, staring around
at the circle of candidates, then back to the green. "What's she doin?" he
whispers to Madalyn.

Faerysa sighs, smoothing her skirts down again. "Yes," she says primly.
"she just can't sit still."

From the sands below, Alexandra bobs her head and offer up, "Good to go
here." to those that responded to her question. She looks along the line
and smiles encouragingly. She looks upon the hatchlings and smiles, a bit
of her nerves coming back to haunt her, but only for a moment.

From the sands below, Loren snorts softly, "They're so small and.....and
clumsy! Who thought such noble creatures could come from something so
awkward."

From the sands below, Madalyn blinks; bewildered by the green's
unpredictable croon, she withholds her forward steps to a mere inching
forwards -- scooting Dorn and Gina along with her. "C'mon.." she pleeds,
"Get closer.."

From the sands below, Tothun can't help but giggle a little as he watches
the green's explorations. He nly takes his eyes off it now and again to
watch the progress of the blue.

Asrai makes her way down from Cygnith's back.

From the sands below,  FInally remembering she's supposed to breath, Chibi
lets loose a gusty exhale. Still lifting her feet to an unheard drum beat,
she relinquishes her gaze on the sand and glances at the crowd on the
stands. Her attention cannot be taken long as her head turns back to study
the wobbly new lives on the sands and vibrating eggs.

From the sands below, Gallant Granite Blue Hatchling might actually have
this thing down. Maybe, possibly. Just in case, though, he leaves his wings
out: out for balance, and out of the way of his legs. Then, resolutely, he
lifts his head and sets off along the row of white and pink and rather
rudesefelence, taking a few steps in one direction and then pausing to
study a clump of the robe-clad.

Cygnith rumbles a greeting as his tiny rider dismounts.

From the sands below, Phediath croons to the little green and confused
hatchling, stretching her muzzle toward her and giving her a gentle shove
toward the circle of candidates, her movement full of warmth and
encouragement.

From the sands below, "Awww, sweetling," Kayala croons back to the little
green. "S'kinda a confusing place to start isn't it?"

Dalia holds tightly onto Oerths neckridges and swings down, lightly landing
on the ground

R'ehn leans forward somewhat to watch the chaos below, muttering.
"Different from up here..."

A'wyn chuckles at R'ehn, "You're telling me."

Asrai heads over to M'kla's side, waving to those she knows. "M'kla.." She
starts right in, "Do the healer's know you are here?"

From the sands below, Heart-catching Olivine Green Hatchling turns slowly
to face the source of the reassurances and is confronted with something
more intriguing than whether she has one or two tails. The golden form in
front of her captures her attention and she stands, enraptured.

From the sands below, Gina nods as Phediath shoves her daughter forward.
"That's it," she breathes. "Find your lifemate, and it'll be all right."

Mani shakes her head to Silora. "I hate hatchings," she admits. "Don't know
why I convince myself I ought to go watch one every once in a while, by the
First Shell."

Faerysa murmurs, "I prefer this vantage."

From the sands below, Kiashi giggles. "Well she's found her momma, at least."

From the sands below, Grego tugs on Kila's hand. "Hey," he stagewhispers,
with a quicksilver grin. "Has a dragon ever Impressed to another dragon?"

M'kla looks up at Asrai, and sticks her tongue out, "No, and they better
not find out either!"

From the sands below, Kaci giggles. "Yeah. Can ya blame her for reacting
like that?"

A'wyn nods to Faerysa, "I agree," he smiles warmly and looks at the green,
trying ot figure who she's chosen.

From the sands below, The Mirthful Elegance Egg wriggles once, then splits
into a pile of shards to reveal a small brown hatching. The dragonet stares
in shocked surprise for a moment, then creels loudly and wanders towards
the candidates, trying to find his lifemate. He succeeds in his quest
rather quickly, spotting Duryala, a young, dark-eyed and dark-haired woman
from Ista Gar, and nuzzling her fondly as she cries out, "Jasleth!"

From the sands below, Tamina makes a tiny awww noise and balls up her hands
into fists. She looks down and forces herself to relax again, watching the
little green.

From the sands below, Polly smiles warmly at the tender moment between
hatchling and mother, "How sweet." She moves closer with the other
candidates trying to get a better look.

From the sands below, Deceptively Plain Egg rocks gently in its sandy
cradle, tapping against an egg next to it. A few cracks begin to appear on
the otherwise unmarred shell.

From the sands below, Speechless, for once, Madalyn's pensive expression
draws faint lines into her forehead. Unblinking, unwavered gaze focuses
onto the green's indesisive movements, while she simply stays quiet;
watching, liearning, waiting.

Silora hmms at Mani, as if she knows better, but she doesn't argue. "Well,
I think they're great. Besides, Merri's got a new dress." She points down
to where her sister can now be seen, though her waving is in vain since
there's far too much other than the ledges for the weyrwoman to be paying
attention to.

From the sands below, Yazric nods, "Good for Duryala, she so hoped for a
brown." he gingerly lifts his feet, wincing as he does.

From the sands below, Elle smiles, and still can't really belive she's
here, and giggles at Grego's remark.

From the sands below, Tothun continues to smile as he watches the green. He
wipes his hands again and fidgets, though, as he watches. "Come on.."

From the sands below, Alexandra stops moving and seems to settle into one
spot on the sands. She looks up at Phediath and then looking back to the
hatchlings she shakes her head. She offers an answer to Grego and says, "I
don't think it has happend or if it can." She eeps and says, "Congrats." to
the girls from Ista Gar.

From the sands below, Dorn snorts softly at Grego before looking back
towards the newly hatched brown, and watches as he impresses.

From the sands below, Merien escorts Duryala to the corner with a few
softly-murmured words.

Verith flies in from the bowl.

Kharisma wriggles a bit in Jh'rin's arms, the better to make herself
comfortable. Her bright eyes are riveted to the colorful moving things on
the Sands below. "Geen," she repeats dutifully, making up in mimicry what
she lacks in comprehension. Looking up at Jh'rin, she helpfully points out,
"Geen, Da."

Catalina suddenly wraps her hand around Maegena's wrist in a death drip as
she watches, not realizing it must feel to the other girl like her
circulation is being cut off.

Telgar Weyr> Teyal grins, "M'kla! :) I'm going to the hatching! :)

From the sands below, Kila looks at Grego wide-eyed, then snorts. "Don't be
so silly, Grego. Surely if ever such a thing happened, there'd be a
Harper's tale." She looks back to the poor, confused green. "Listen to ye
mother, lass, and ye'll be fine."

Telgar Weyr> Teyal figures out how to between again.. Oh yes.. :}

Telgar Weyr> M'kla is already there. Shhh.

From the sands below, Gallant Granite Blue Hatchling snorts quietly as
something doesn't quite work for him with that group, and starts to move on
until a noise catches his ears. He stops short, or part of him stops
short... the rest of him goes tumbling into a little heap of blue just shy
of Tamina.

Asrai's hands go to her hips, glaring as best she can at her
Wingleader/Weyrsecond. Taking one hand off her hips she waggles it at M'kla
sternly before tossing her hands up in the air and plopping down in
frustration.

Telgar Weyr> Asrai caught her, though. ;)

Maegena doesn't even notice that her circulation is being cut off.

From the sands below, Rope Burn Egg starts its wobble-dance, the shaking
drawing your eyes to it. It soon stops, as if resting.

From the sands below, Gina gives Duryala a brillant smile. She stands on
one foot for a mment, then shifts her weight to the other. The blue's
tumble elicits a gasp, and she squeezes Dorn's hand, maybe a bit hard.

M'kla grins at Asrai, and offers her the skin of juice she's sharing with
her boys Medrel and Myklan.

Kharoth flies in from the bowl.

Kassima grins back at Maylia, briefly indeed before she looks back at the
Sands. "Mmm. Y'know, A'wyn might have a point... Grego *is* wicked enough
t'make a fair greenrider." A compliment indeed, coming from her.

Mani shades her eyes as she peers down towards the sands. "Shards, they all
look the same, Silora. Which one is she?"

Jh'rin kisses the top of Kharisma's head and points toward the tumbled
blue. "And blue, love, and blue."

From the sands below, Tamina smiles in suprise then quickly kneels down to
her new lifemate calling out, "His name is Gaudiorth!"

From the sands below, Iriane's mouth drops open into a wide grin as she
looks at the blue pile collapsed before Tamina.

From the sands below, Dorn turns to watch Tamina and the blue with wide
eyes. He smiles for a moment. "Congrats Tamina!" he calls, wincing as Gina
grasps his hand.

Teyal slides down from Kharoth's neck, stepping on his foreleg, and hopping
to the ground.

From the sands below, Kiashi grins broadly. "Congradulations, Tamina," she
says, softly, perhaps too softly to even be heard. But it is said.

From the sands below, Alexandra takes a deep breath and looks from Duryala
and then back to the hatchlings. She smiles more to herself, you would
think, as she takes a careful step to the side. She hops a little and seems
to be the victim of the sands again.

From the sands below, "Congrats," Madalyn stretches towards Duryala,
searching to remember her name, "Ah, Duryala." Eyes suddenly blink
invoilate astonishment to Tamina. "Tamina!" Palm squeezes into Dorn's hand,
"Tamina! Oh!!"

Cygnith gives a hearty bugle for the new Blue pairing.

Glorina waves to Teyal, cheerfully.

From the sands below, Elle smiles at Tamina finds her lifemate.

Catalina half-chokes as she fights back tears of joy for the Can..er.
Weyrling.

From the sands below, Kayala gives Yazric and Churrun on either side of her
a quick, nervous smile and then her full attention focuses on the jeweled
eggh rocking so gently.

From the sands below, Kila beams as more Impressions are made; then waves
her hands a little impatiently to the other Candidates, to close up the
gaps that have been left.

A'wyn grins, "Good for her. He's a beauty."

From the sands below, Kaci beams, calling out congratulations to Tamina.

From the sands below, Polly claps her hands softly and smiles largely at
Tamina, "Oh! How wonderful. Congrats Tamina." A small tear of joy forms in
the corner of her left eye. She beams proudly at the new pair.

From the sands below, Tothun looks quickly to Tamina, and smiles even
wider. He lets out a little cheer for her, and continues to watch for a
moment before looking back to the green, eyes hopeful.

Teyal smiles, waving to the closest riders she knows, then leans against
Kharoth's foreleg, peering down at the sands.

From the sands below, Deceptively Plain Egg gives another shake, a few tiny
flakes of shell starting to fall from its curved surface.

Bhalth bugles for the new blue as he finds a lifemate.

From the sands below, Elle moves into the gap as more of the eggs hatch.

From the sands below, Yazric beams as Tamina Impresses, calling over,
"Congrats Tamina!" he turns his attention first to Kayala with a grin
before watching the eggs again.

Maegena cheers loudly for the girl who impressed.

From the sands below, M'hryn steps towards Tamina with a smile and leans
down next to her. "Tamina," he says quietly, "take Gaudiorth over to G'fen
and other weyrlingmasters where you can tend to him."

From the sands below, Kiashi edges over to close up gaps, staring back at
the eggs, and the hatchlings all ready out, hands shaking slightly at her
sides.

R'ehn acks quietly, covering his ears. "Yes Bhalth, I saw, no honest I
noticed..yes he's small..."

From the sands below, Gaudiorth lifts his muzzle to peer at Tamina and
sounds a quiet warble, almost apologetic in tone, and begins to attempt to
sort limbs from limbs.

From the sands below, Kayala does pull her gaze away long enough to smile
at her friend Tamina. "Oh, Tami..."

From the sands below, Phediath watches the Heart-catching Olivine Green
Hatchling as she stares deeply into her mother's eyes. If encouragement
didn't work, perhaps something more forceful will. Feigning irritability,
the queen lets out a long, loud snort at the little green--loud enough to
force any creature away and into the candidate circle.

From the sands below, Grego flashes a broad grin of congratulations to
Tamina, quite sure that he's oblivious to it.

From the sands below, Gina beams again. So many of her friends are
Impressing! And Gaudiorth is lovely.

From the sands below,  Wiping at a trickle of moisture on her forehead,
Chibi steps closer to her friends. A brief smile is sent towards Tamina and
her new lifemate before her gaze is directed back to the motions in the
center of the sands. A sighs is released as she gazes upon the dimishing
group of eggs..

Faerysa's lip curls, faintly amused. "I find it... strange," she says
musingly. "Watching, after Impressing."

Khari repeats in her piping voice, "Boo?" She leans as far forward as she
can, the better to investigate this 'blue' phenomenon.

From the sands below, Tamina smiles as her eyes fill up with tears and
leads her blue over, helping to get himself situated.

From the sands below, Tamina walks down to the far end of the Cavern.

From the sands below, Mertinel sucks in a breath and lets her gaze dart
around, trying to take in all the hatchlings at once. She shifts, leaning
slightly toward one of her fellow candidates and whispering, "They're so
small!"

Jaegon doesn't listen to Rysa. His eyes are on Grego and Dorn, the ones he
has marks on.

From the sands below, Dorn watches with suprise the mother and baby for a
moment before lifting one foot ontop of the other, brushing some of the
sand off. "It's so incrediably hot" he murmurs to Gina.

From the sands below, Heart-catching Olivine Green Hatchling has been given
direction and she makes progress towards those things in white. Wait, look,
sand. Her nose points down towards the Istan inkiness again for a moment
before a candidate's voice directs her attention back up. She pauses before
a group of candidates and considers them for a moment, confusion still
roaming across her expression.

Silora points Merellia out to Mani with her finger, as if that will help
with the crowd of moving candidates and dragons bursting from their shells
every moment. "Right there, behind...umm..." She watches as others move in
and out of her line of vision to her sister, and she raises her hands in
defeat, grinning at Mani. "I can introduce you later?"

Jh'rin, hearing the Igen weyrwoman's comment, calls over his shoulder,
"It's like reliving it each time, ma'am. Sorta nice t'remember even if our
lifemates can't."

From the sands below, Solarith :rumbles at the little green at the same
time as Phediath gives her snort. One of the two sounds should shake the
hatchling from her reverie.

From the sands below, Alexandra smiles to Tamina and grins to the other
candidates. "Another down." she mutters. She swallows roughly and then
coughs, clearing her throat. She looks around the sands and looks as if she
might be trying to count through the confusion of the goings on.

From the sands below, Kaci giggles. "There's one mother that won't take
'no' for an answer."

From the sands below, Merellia's mouth quirks up slightly at one corner as
she takes note of a blue's impression, murmuring to L'tan, "Good pairing,
I'd say." Phediath's snort catching her attention, she glances over towards
the young gold, a brow arching upwards as she takes in the hatchling green
sprawled before her dam, then move on.

From the sands below, Gaudiorth walks down to the far end of the Cavern.

Kassima remarks thoughtfully, "Gaudiorth... huh. It has an interesting
sound to it, neh?"

Telgar Weyr> Asrai says, "Are we routing for anyone in particular this time?"

From the sands below, Gina nods to Dorn, her eyes on the green now.

From the sands below, Two more eggs crack enough to spill a brown and blue
onto the Sands. The brown Impresses rather quickly to an older boy from
Igen Weyr, letting go the hand of a girl with whom he has become a rather
close friend. The blue, notably more indecisive, eyes the girl as she steps
away and closer to him--and another lifelong pair is made. The two newest
weyrlings grin at each other happily as a weyrlingmaster helps them join
the other weyrlings out of the way.

From the sands below, M'hryn walks with Tamina over to the corner, then
returns to his position, watching the Candidates and hatchlings.

Telgar Weyr> M'kla thinks they only stole Tas this time, Asrai...and we get
him back.

From the sands below, Heart-catching Olivine Green Hatchling takes another
step forward and pauses before the candidate with the jasmine-colored hair.

Telgar Weyr> Asrai says, "Cool. ;)"

From the sands below, Errant strand brushed behind her ear, Madalyn's
curiosity is stolen by the green's hesitant pursuit of a lifemate. "I
wonder why she's waiting.." is asked of the surrounding candidates, free
hand once again brushing that strand from her eyes.

Glorina rests her hand on Verith's neck and chuckles, quietly. "Verith
agrees, she likes the name."

Faerysa's smile's amused, now: "If I relived it every time, I'm not sure
what my condition would be," she tells the Istan rider."Even if she was
more than enough."

From the sands below, Tothun rocks a little faster now, raising his feet up
farther from the sand each time. From the looks of him, he doesn't even
realize he's doing it though, his eyes focused on the little green hatchling.

Maegena whoo hoos!

R'val spots Glorina and flashes her a grin, waving.

A'wyn sighs, "I wonder if Lily's made rings for the new weyrlings.."

M'kla snorts as she hears Glorina's name, "Glori...what blue doesn't Verith
like?"

Mani nods as she winces. "I think later'd be better, yes. Assuming the poor
child doesn't fall asleep on her feet from all the to-do."

E'ryn nods his head and murmurs, mostly to himself. "I thought so.' And
"Yes, I was right," Followed by a "What a surprise, that one."

From the sands below, Kiashi clutches her robe with sweaty, shaking hands.
She watches the little green pause, and smiles a bit.

From the sands below, Rope Burn Egg shakes again, more furiously than
before. The hollow in the sands around this egg widens at the movement. A
small crack appears.

From the sands below, Elle shifts her feet on the hot black sands, waiting
for the olivine green hatchling to make her choice.

From the sands below, Kila jigs from one overheatedfoot to another,
offering encouragement impartially to new hatchlings, otherCandidates, and
Impressed pairs.

Faerysa lifts her shoulders, "Is that more than an Igen phenomenon?"

Glorina waves to R'val with a grin. "I came in when the girl impressed the
blue...did I miss any before that?"

From the sands below, Down, down, down; head cocked towards the green's
sudden proximity, Madalyn's eyes widen wistfully. "Um.." Voice forced to
calmness, she steps forth slightly. "Is she.." backwards glance follows to
Dorn, questioningly.

From the sands below, Polly notices Tothun's rocking and giggles slightly,
cutting it off as she realizes her own feet are /quite/ warm and she starts
rocking in a similar fashion to him.

Faerysa is, however, absently turning her ring.

Catalina winces as her firelizards erupt in happy trills at all the
Impressions. "Cut it out, will ya? Ack! Meg, I'm sorry!" She releases her
hand from Meg's wrist, fighting back a giggle that threatens to come up as
she views her sister's squished wrist.

R'val shakes his head with a smile, "As far as I can tell, that was the
first, GLorina. How're you doing?"

M'kla calls out, "Two little ones...brown an blue...you just made it to the
'meat'."

From the sands below, Kiashi grins. "Go, Madalyn," she whispers. "Oh, I
hope she's yours."

From the sands below, Kaci glances between Madalyn and the green, and
slowly begins to grin.

From the sands below, Alexandra clears her throat and shakes her head.
Blinking a couple of times as if swallowing back something uncomfortable
she steadies herself and looks around again. She watches as another egg
looks ready to give way. She looks toward the hatchlings.

A'wyn shrugs at Faerysa, "I'd like to thing so, but I think other weyrs get
her rings too...but I may be wrong, Rysa."

Asrai keeps an eye on M'kla, looking as if she expects the older woman to
wilt or something.

Maegena flexes her hand absently as the blood rushes back into it.

From the sands below, The Deceptively Plain Egg rumbles internally, the
sound buffeted by the insides of the hatchling's natal armor. Heavily
rocking, shoving aside the ebony sands with heartened and frantic movement,
the dragonet inside barrages to escape. In slow steps he finds his release,
and amidst the popping of the shards, emerges onto the sands.

From the sands below, Heart-catching Olivine Green Hatchling leans a bit
forward to inspect this whatever-it-is in front of her. Then her head tilts
down again, look, sand. Oh, wait, again she looks up into Madalyn's eyes.

From the sands below, Dorn looks at Madalyn and releaces her hand. "Did she
say?" he asks, looking between the green adn his friend.


From the sands below, 

                   Iridial Peacock Ore Bronze Hatchling                    

Not particularly big, this hatchling still manages to convey the ideal of
size and solidity: massive bones, broad shoulders, big wings, but not
outstanding in length nor height. But remarkable in his own way, the skin
spread over most of his body is a deep earthen hue, like freshly hewn ore
but with a cascade of colors that pour over it like oil does water.
Spilling from his crown and back over his shoulders is an uneven mixture of
green and tarnished bronze, picking up more golden hues as it reaches his
breast, becoming an almost fiery molten metal on his belly. By contrast,
the membranes of his wings appear an unusual ianthine-blue bronze, casting
itself first one shade and then another like alternating patterns of light
and shadow. This same mingling of color frosts his headknobs and swirls
around his eyes while near-gold fires across his muzzle-tip, blissfully
bright against dark sails.


R'val's eyes widen as he nudges Glorina, "Ooh! Look! A bronze."

Glorina calls out, "Very well! Oh, look, a green! And she's found her
lifemate." Glorina's voice catches, and it's odd to hear a Rider of her age
sound so touched by an Impression, but...well. She is.

Maegena coos at the sight of the bronze.

From the sands below, Iriane's attention is on Madalyn, holding her breath
as she watches Impression being made.

From the sands below, Body's movements pause, while the sudden reality hit
her: "Vyth?" Madalyn's mouth lies agape. "You want me?" Incredulous, the
girl's form drops to enclose her newfound lifemate's neck. "Oh, my dear.."

From the sands below, Polly stops and look towards Madalyn and the little
green. She crosses her fingers and whispers, "Please! Please! Please!" to
herself softly.

Alania sits Dalia on her knee and points to the Bronze "Look"

Faerysa elbows A'wyn gently. "There you go," she informs him. "Although I
imagine Asaleth is more interested in the females." Irianth warbles, amused.

Catalina gasps. "A bronze!! Oh, he's so handsome.." She stares down, her
own heart pounding, which she finds odd, considering she's not the one down
there!

Verith snorts down at the bronze, friendly-like.

From the sands below, Elle notices that a bronze has hatched. She grins,
"How beautiful." She glances at the boys near her, openly curious as to
which one the newest hatching will choose.

From the sands below, Gina steps back with Dorn as the green looks up at
Madalyn, then lets out a cheer ! "Welcome, Vyth! Oh, Maddy." She squeezes
Dorn's hand again.

From the sands below, Kiashi grins and does speak loudly now. "Madalyn, you
did it! Congrats!"

From the sands below, Kayala sees the movement out of the corner of her
peripheral vision and grins at everyone doing the hotsands dance. She nods
as she sees MAdalyn impress. Her distracted gaze swings back to the
remaining eggs.

Mani asks, "How long till this is finally over?" loud enough only for those
near to hear.

Jesica blinks a little as she peers down at the hatchlings, enjoying this
one unlike the one at Igen, no foster sisters on the sands to confuse her

Catalina hisses at Meg, "Nothings 'for sure'."

From the sands below, Yazric's attention is caught by the bronze, barely
noticing the Impression of the green.

From the sands below, Dorn claps his hands togethe happily at the two.
"There now!" he says in a lour voice. "She's just perfect" he calls,
turning to not at Gina. His eyes fall back however to the bronze hatching
on the sands, little beads of sweat forming on his brow.

A'wyn blinks at the bronze. "Ooooh.." he softens. "What a bronze." he's
nudged by Asaleth who rocks him foreward. "Hey! I was just getting
sentimental. You don't want me tleling everyone here about me keeping your
stitches from your first score, huh?" he grins at Rysa, "Funny."

From the sands below, Merien can't help smiling at the green's Impression,
and she gives the pair a moment before she approaches them. "I'm sure she's
hungry, Madalyn. You need to help her over to the corner so we can get some
meat for her."

From the sands below, Grego rocks from foot to foot, his free hand lifting
in a brief gesture of pleasure at Madalyn's Impression. "Good for you," he
whispers.

K'riana tests the new green's name on her lips..."Vyth..short but sweet.."
and she grins, catching the emergence of the bronze...

From the sands below, "Madalyn, lass!" Kila's delighted whoop it totally
unlike the normally placid woman, as she watches her firend Impress.

From the sands below,  Sliding her hands down her white robe to relieve
herself of some of the sweat, Chibi smiles to Madalyn, then the green as
her friend is captured in the gaze of the hatchling. A merry smile tugs at
her mouth and she claps, just once, before her attention is pulled to the
next to hatch..

From the sands below, Kaci yays, calling out congratulations to Madalyn...
and to Vyth.

From the sands below, Alexandra quickly looks toward Madalyn and the green
hatchling and bites her lower lip. "Oh..." she grins a little and then
adds, "Way to go." to Madalyn. She brushes a little of her hair from her
face as she turns back to the eggs. She shifts a little and again seems to
grow aware of the hot sands below her feet.

Jaegon chuckles softly at the little bronze.

From the sands below, Madalyn, still astonished, casts a beaming smile
towards Dorn, then to Chibi. "Vyth..let's get you some food.." Escorting
the gangly dragonet, she moves towards the corner.

From the sands below, Tothun's smile fades just the tiniest bit as he
watches the impression between the green and Madalyn. He turns back then to
the eggs, and blinks as he sees the bronze, biting his lip once more, as he
continues to rock on his feet.

From the sands below, Madalyn walks down to the far end of the Cavern.

From the sands below, Polly smiles happily clapping her hands and moving
over to join Kiashi, "Congrats Maddie."

Faerysa stifles a choke of laughter at A'wyn. "You did /what/?"

From the sands below, A soft tapping noise sounds loud as the Hatching
Grounds go quiet in one of the brief silences every gathering has. A tiny
splintering sound soon follows and the tip of a green snout pokes from the
Byzantine Opulence Egg near the middle of the clutch. The rest of the
dragonet's body crumbles the shell as she flops out with an indignant
creeling and flapping of damp wings. Against all the weyrlingmasters'
warnings, Kale--son and heir to the Holder of Small Cove Hold--moves from
the circle of candidates to help her to her feet. The hatchling's whirling
red eyes gaze up into the candidate's hazy blue ones, and the young K'al
calls out "Her name is Bavolth!" at the top of his lungs.

From the sands below, Kiashi moves beside Polly, as well.

A'wyn grins at Faerysa, "Asaleth told me to keep his stitches! I didn't
know he was so sentimental."

From the sands below, Mertinel glances over toward Madalyn, and smiles
brightly, breathing out a heartfelt congratulations quickly before turning
her head, feet twisting in the sand as she once more faces the eggs.

From the sands below, Vyth walks down to the far end of the Cavern.

From the sands below, Iridial Peacock Ore Bronze Hatchling pauses as he's
spilled out onto the sands, totally disoriented. He gazes around, trying to
get eyes that are unused to the light focused on something. A tiny snort
issues from his nostrils as the heat starts to register on his shock-numbed
senses., and he scrambles to his feet in a shower of sand.

From the sands below, Melancholy Midnight Egg rocks to and fro, as though
trying to decide which direction to roll in, or whether to hatch or not.
Wobble wobble wobble, on it goes, rolling far enough to bump into other
eggs, as though playing a game.

From the sands below, A large hole opens in the Rope Burn Egg, leaving a
neat fissure for a nose and two foreclaws to peek out. The blue dragonet
inside, struggling a moment to widen the little opening, gives up and
literally snakes through it onto the Sands.

Faerysa shakes her head. "Shards," she says fervently. "If Iria's ever
scored..." Pause, and she continues. "We aren't keeping them."

M'kla comments, "That boy's nearly given his father three heart
attacks...and could've gotten shredded from stem to stern in a heartbeat..."

Asaleth rumbles at his rider and croons sweetly to Iria.

From the sands below, M'hryn eyes K'al darkly. "Could have gotten himself
killed," he mutters as he moves to help the lad and dragonet over to the
corner.

M'kla says "Third one to step out to meet the dragonets too...WHO taught
them?"


From the sands below, 

                    Vitreous Aquamarine Blue Hatchling                     

Swathed in a pale and vitreous blue, the clear coloration of this vibrant
dragonet opposes his otherwise hesitant demeanor on the Hatching Sands.
Despite an awkward gait and the curious tilt of his head, the
almost-translucent sheen of his hide makes up for what this hatchling seems
to lack in sophistication and aplomb. The perfect curve of his spine,
colored an oceanic blue admixed with misty green, travels from tip to tail
like a solemn wave on Ista's sea. Neck long and lithe, trunk smooth and
slender, he tenderly conveys the beauty of a glittering aqueous crystal
embraced by a delicate silver setting.


From the sands below, Elle suddenly realizes that her favorite egge is
rocking. Eagerly, she urges the dragonet to break through the shell,
looking right at the dark egg.

From the sands below, Kiashi takes a half-step forward now. Just a tiny
half-step. Nothing big. She then stops herself with a jerky movement.

From the sands below, Kila flushes at her exuberance, and quickly checks
that the rough semicircle of white robes is still in order.

Asrai pats M'kla on the arm. "M'kla, you are /not/ to get excited over this
or I /will/ tell the Healers."

From the sands below, Solarith rumbles to his newest bronze offspring,
lowering his head to have a closer look.

Glorina shakes her head to M'kla. "Don't know. Too many flits around; I bet
they think it's as easy as a beach hatching, some of 'em."

Catalina smiles absently, though whole-heartedly, as the blue hatches, but
her attention is primarily focused on the bronze.

Irianth mantles her wings up and preens, the flirt. But her whirling gaze
is kept, attentive, on the Sands.

From the sands below, Merellia's features crinkle in a quick grimace as she
notices K'al's impression, her eyes sliding momentarily to take in the
Weyrleader's expression--she'll let him apprise K'al's father of the news.
Excitement for all the Impressions, however, aren't able to extend her
momentary dismay, and she takes note of others approvingly.

From the sands below, Polly smiles softly at Kia and holds out her hand to
the younger girl, both to give and receive support during this exciting and
stressfull event, "How ya holding up?"

From the sands below, Alexandra smiles to K'al and says, "Congradulations."
she looks about and moves over towards the other candidates, trying to
close up the gaps that have been brought about by impressions. She gives a
quick look to the others as she takes re-assurance from their matched
nervousness and enjoyment of this occasion. She looks back at the
hatchlings and looks to do her mental count again.

From the sands below, Kaci oohs, "Check out those little guys."

From the sands below, Tothun's eyes move to the blue as it hatches,
continuing to rock on his feet. He watches it for a moment, then the
bronze, then back to the blue.

From the sands below, Elle nods back to Alexandra, giving her an
encouraging look.

From the sands below, Kayala lets out an excited oooh as the aqua blue
falls to the dark sands. She squeezes Yazric's hand first this time. "Look,
look!" is her excited rejoinder.

From the sands below, Dorn squeezes Gina's hand furiously, watching both
the blue and the bronze with an open mouth. "Oh shards" he mutters again,
eyeing the pair.

From the sands below, Grego's gaze darts rather spastically between
hatchlings, hovering briefly on the newest-hatched. He does not, though,
stop the footshuffling. For an odd moment, his gaze sweeps the sands near
his fellows' feet.

From the sands below, Kiashi squeezes Polly's hand. "I'm fine," she says,
the pitch of her voice high enough to give voice to the lie.

From the sands below, Gina is used to Ista's heat, but now sweat is running
down her cheeks. She stares at the emerging bronze and blue, with bright
eyes sparkling. "Look at the brillance of those hides!"

From the sands below, L'tan's already somber and stern expression turns
down right frightening as he sees K'al's impression. He mummurs to
Merellia, "Think we can send E'ryn on that particular errand?"

M'kla snorts again at Asrai, and repeats the stuck-out-tongue.

Dragon> Telgar dragons sense that Kheveth yawns, and rumbles a greeting to
the Weyr, as he awakens.

From the sands below, Vitreous Aquamarine Blue Hatchling sits among the
shards of his egg, a little dazed at this sudden change of scenery. The
redness in his eyes is tinged with a myriad of colors as different emotions
sweep through him. He wobbles a little unsteadily as he tries to stand and
his gaze is caught by the shards lying around him. He studies them with a
great amount of curiousity.

From the sands below, Melancholy Midnight Egg BUMPS into another one,
causing a large crack in its side, as though the hatchling within has
figured this IS a game! It rolls and wobbles several times, rocking and
shuddering, the cracks in the egg appearing and widening expertly..then it
rolls to a stop. A complete, total stop.

From the sands below, Yazric grins to Kayala, his gaze dragged away from
the bronze, "Oooh."

Maegena gazes intently at the hatchlings and cadidates, biting her lower
lip. She looks between the bronze and blue.

From the sands below, Kiashi squeezes Polly's hand. "I'm fine," she says,
the pitch of her words high enough to give voice to the lie.

From the sands below, Merien glances toward L'tan, attention straying from
the hatchlings for an instant.

Verith croons down to the little blue.

Kassima clicks her tongue faintly at the lad below, too. "Could've been a
close thing," she mutters under her breath. Tipping back the wineskin, she
takes a long drink before opining, "That bronze, now... he's for Grego.
Just watch!"

From the sands below,  Chibi grasps onto Dorn's arm in awe as yet another
hatchling emerges from his shell. She leans over towards his ear to
whisper, "It's going so fast!" She shakes her head in amazement as she
sighs resignedly..

From the sands below, Elle watches the midnight hued egg roll and bump,
then stop. She seems amazed by it.

Asrai humphs, "Or better yet, I'll tell Richenda...so just you remain
calm." she nods decisively and turns back to the hatching. Anyone watching
would see, however, that her eyes come back to M'kla often.

Jesica watches in Silence though she does lean against Dea for a bit of
reassurance at the site of all the hatchlings.

From the sands below, Iridial Peacock Ore Bronze Hatchling turns his head
to look at the remains of his egg, and sees something *much* bigger than he
is staring down at him. He gives a completely undignified creel and,
amazingly, gets all four legs coordinated enough to flee, the movement
taking him towards the circle of white-robed objects shifting about the
clutch.

From the sands below, Kaci grins at the little blue, totally sympathetic.
"Just don't ever let 'em call you nosy," she murmurs.

From the sands below, Tothun continues to rock on his feet as he watches
both blue and bronze dragon. He once again wipes his hands, before risking
a glance to some of the other candidates.

Alania holds onto a wriggleing Dalia "Stay still love"

M'kla pfts at Asrai, "If I dan't go out and ahve fun, how will I
restrengthen my heart?"

From the sands below, Kiashi whispers too loudly to Polly, "I hope
nothing's wrong with that one." She jerks her head towards the
stopped-in-progress egg.

From the sands below, Several eggs crack within moments of each other,
releasing three greens. The trio seems to take their time, plopping
themselves on the sand as they overlook the cluster of white-robed
candidates. Finally, all three sets of draconic eyes meet a like number of
human ones, and almost simultaneously, three more weyrling pairs Impress
and stumble to join the others.

A'wyn raises a brow at Asaleth, "Evidently, Asaleth thinks that person." he
points to Yazric, "Will Impress the bronze."

Silora grins at Mani, shrugging her shoulders upward as her eyes remain
glue to the action below. "It is a large clutch, I think. Phediath must be
very proud."

"Dorn," Cat mutters fiercly..even hypocritically, considering she just told
her older sister nothing's for sure!

From the sands below, Kayala giggles as the little aqua blue inspects his
shattered home. "S'gotta be a surprise, doesn't it little one?"

From the sands below, Merellia shakes her head ruefully at L'tan's
question, a hand lifting to brush hair back from her face. "No; you and I
will both have to go." Tentatively, she adds, "He /was/ somewhat reconciled
to Kale's being Searched, but...That was before K'al Impressed." She
glances speculatively after the pair, then looks towards the new
hatchlings, nudging L'tan's attention towards one. "He looks rather like
Habrith, I think, that little bronze."

From the sands below, Yellow Brick Egg slowly but surely begins to roll
about, making slow circles first this way then that, almost as if surveying
the area. The looping comes to a halt, with the top part of the egg facing
to the side.

From the sands below, Grego's gaze is caught by the fleeing bronze, and he
stifles a laugh. "Can't say as I blame him."

From the sands below, Dorn nods at Gina and then looks over at Chibi,
blinking several times. "Tis going fast" he says, looking back at the
hatchlings.

E'ryn glances over at A'wyn, grinning and remarks, "Who knows. Sometimes,
folks surprise you." He chuckles and pats Parth lightly. "Yazric's a good
lad though Maybe your Asaleth is right."

From the sands below, Gina winces in her turn at the pressure of Dorn's
hand, distracted from the burning of her feet. She prepares to step away
from the wobbly hatchlings if needed, but she seeks out to see if her
favorite egg has cracked.

From the sands below, "Glad ye came?" Kila murmurs to Grego, managing to
get the words out between calls of reassurance and encouragement to
everyone else, humans and hatchlings alike.

Asrai looks back at M'kla, her look rather serious for a moment, "I'm just
making sure you have a heart to restrengthen."

From the sands below, Polly smiles reassuringly at Kia, "I'm sure it will
be fine." She whistles softly at the triple impression, "Most of these
little ones sure know what they're looking for."

Alania waves to Tanon as he slides down from Oerth "Over here" Dalia waves
to her sister.

From the sands below, Elle remains steadfast with the other candidates,
watching the new dragon hatchlings find their way across the sands. Sweat
breaks out on her forehead as the heat starts to take a hold of her.

From the sands below, Alexandra takes a step back and looks at the hot
sands. An almost audible gritting of her teeth occurs as she puts her hands
to her head. She looks as though she might be trying to contain or get a
handle on something. She takes a deep and quick breath. She looks up and
settles her hands down to her sides. She bites her lower lip as she looks
around again. She steps back forward and then looks up at the adult
dragons. Clearing her throat she tries to stand tall again as she once
again lowers her gaze to the myriad of broken shells and dragon hides that
now litter the sands.

M'kla smiles some, and gestures gently, "I'm fine lass..."

Faerysa eyes the bronze critically. "Irianth thinks he'll Impress," she
says, with a roll her her eyes. "So literal," she chides to her mate.

From the sands below, Melancholy Midnight Egg is still dead-still. It
almost looks like the egg isn't going to hatch. Nothing. More nothing.
Then....it heaves and rolls, little shards of egg starting to come, peeling
and chipping like paint. Wiggle wobble wiggle..whatever is in that egg is
either taking periodic rests or is VERY indecisive.

From the sands below, Grego nods quickly to Kila, with a sudden, wide
smile. "Wouldn't have missed it."

Asrai smiles, "Alright, just make sure you stay that way."

Tanon smiles, comming to sit down next to Alania, and then he sits Alison
down in his lap.

A'wyn grins at Faersya and E'ryn. "I don't think he knows anything about
who's going to impress what, I just think he likes making bets."

From the sands below, Kiashi breathes a sigh of relief. "Its okay," she
tells Polly, unnecessarily.

Asaleth rumbles and rocks A'wyn again. "Hey!" he snorts.

From the sands below, Yellow Brick Egg thuds down into the sand, it's side
resting completely in the hot sand. With a short shudder, it rights itself
quickly, standing up straight and tall. With a jolt, it falls over onto
it's other side and rests in a spray of sand.

From the sands below, The Melancholy Midnight Egg, its shudders subsiding
into a perfect stillness, begins to swell outward in a concentrated and
slow effort. Lattice-like, a multitude of cracks appear on the shell, and
with a delicate shatter, a brown hatchling bursts free.

Alania smiles "Hiya Tanon, you brought Alison?"

From the sands below, Iridial Peacock Ore Bronze Hatchling's bolt away from
his sire takes him clear across the sands and near a group of candidates
before his coordination just gives out. Snout gets buried in black sand as
his dash turns into a head first slide towards a knot of three candidates.

From the sands below, L'tan reaches up and rubs at the back of his neck,
"Well, let's hope that he doesn't set the entire guard on me."


From the sands below, 

                     Curious Tantalite Brown Hatchling                     

This hatchling seems to be nothing more than a living shadow, due to the
fact his hide appears a pale, resinous black. However, close observation
reveals there is no aberration. Murky browns, chaotically mottled by a
russet maelstrom, combine to suggest translucent obsidian. His belly flares
with the inner warmth of hardened blood-amber, sending a blush of fine
burgundy up along his throat, jowls, cheekbones, and headknobs,
interrupting the turmoil that ripples across his flanks in ominous and
purposeful lines. But the dragonet's wings--thin, fragile-seeming
membranes--appear the most brilliant portion of him yet. They gleam the
color of reddish-brown rust, streaked below by hints of uncorrupted iron.


From the sands below, Tothun's eyes once again move between hatchlings.
Fidgetting once again, he glances up to the Melancholy Midnight Egg, and
smiles a little wider as he sees the brown appear out of it.

From the sands below, Kiashi grins at the brown's sucess in getting free of
the pesky egg.

Catalina covers her mouth as the bronze trips. "Oh, poor dear.."

K'riana ooohs softly as a brown emerges..." he's so dark!"

A'wyn says "There!! That's one is for Dorn." he says as he spots the brown.
"Perfect."

Glorina murmurs, "Ista needs more browns, I hear."

From the sands below, Vitreous Aquamarine Blue Hatchling shifts one of his
wings, noticing that a shard is moved with it. His head swings back and
forth, looking at all these shards. But his gaze finally trails up and he
notices there is something...many somethings...that are much more
interesting than what's lying around him. Those white things...they're
moving! A few happy sounding bugles accompany his first few awkward steps
toward the white-robed figures.

Alania nudges Dalia "Look another Brown"

From the sands below, Dorn turns his gaze to the eggs now, watching with
slight amusements at their antics. "Look at em go" he muses quietly to
Gina, squeezing her hand yet again, his palm sweaty. Quickly he looks back
to the bronze, and then the brown that's just broken shell.

From the sands below, Elle breaks into a smile. "A brown! I thought that
you might be a brown." She doesn't move toward the hatchling, but remains
with the other candidates, waiting for the hatchling to make his choice.

From the sands below, Kaci breathes out a soft whistle upon sight of the
brown. "Pretty. Handsome, I mean."

Tanon grins, and he nods slightly, bouncing the little girl slightly on one
knee, and nods before he watches the sands quietly.

From the sands below, Yazric laughs, just laughs as his attention is
distracted here and there, his eyes feeding on the sight of so many
hatchlings.

From the sands below, Tothun quickly turns his attention back to the blue,
and he grins.

From the sands below, Kiashi grins. "He's a baby," she says, admiring him.
"Babies can be pretty no matter what their gender."

From the sands below, Iriane shifts on her feet, getting hypnotized by the
intense heat and shifting dragonhide colors.

Belaryth now rumbles ear-splittingly in greeting to the little brown as he
breaks shell, showing a certain preference toward that particular color.

From the sands below, Kayala giggles again at the aqua blue. "Silly thing.
Yes, we're over here. Just a little further, sweetling and you'll find a
lifemate to help you."

Alania smiles at Tanon, giving Alison a sqirmy hug as she plays with her
sister.

Catalina grins at the brown. "Sturdy fellow, he is." She watches the brown
for a bit before returning her encouraging gaze to the bronze.

From the sands below, Grego winces as he catches sight of the bronze's
slide, but his gaze darts away, attracted by the coloring of the brown.
"Pretty. Handsome. Looks good, whatever the word is."

From the sands below, Gina chants, unconscious that she's even speaking,
"Come on. We're here. Come on." She's still ready to dodge the poor
unsteady babies. She's forgotten all about the earthshakes, too.

From the sands below, Alexandra blinks as she watches the actions of the
eggs and the hatchlings. She shivers, but seems to be in control. "It is
all happening so fast." she says aloud, though to who is a good question.
Shifting her look from side to side she seems to take in the remaining
candidates within a moment's time. She smiles and says, "They are all
beautiful."

From the sands below, Elle chuckles and nods to Kiashi. "They are all so
beautiful."

From the sands below, Curious Tantalite Brown Hatchling shakes himself out
delicately--he acts as odd as he looks. Blinking his jeweled little eyes
almost seductively, he sniffs, sliding forward gracefully, to peer at the
pinkthings and fellow hatchlings around them. His tail thumps on the onyx
sands.

Asaleth trumpets encouragingly at the new hatched bronze.

From the sands below, Mertinel can't help but glance over at the two
Weyrleaders with something akin to awe. A nervous giggle bubbles up on her
lips as she shifts her feet again, allieviating the heat on her soles. She
nearly bumps into the candidate she's standing next to when she does and
with another soft giggle she whispers "I'm so sorry."

Deannus folds her arms and just grins brilliantly down at the sands,
murmering to the happily humming Kiryath, "Aye, now /that/ is a brown."

From the sands below, Yellow Brick Egg flips upwards almost too quickly,
the jolt causing several cracks to form on the top portion of the egg.
Quickly the cracks lengthen and a small talon presses out.

From the sands below, Iridial Peacock Ore Bronze Hatchling squeals his pain
at the unexpected belly flop, and raises his head to gaze dazedly up at the
tall, red-haired lad who's feet he's landed at. Maybe Dorn can soothe his
hurts.

From the sands below, Blazing Defiance Egg rocks on its mound of sand in a
fury of eagerness, tapping noises speckling vigorously from within the
shell as the hatchling within batters its way free: lemmego lemmego lemmego!

A'wyn blinks and grins wide as he watches the bronze look at Dorn.

Alania gasps "Look that bronze fell, poor thing" she holds Dalia tightly as
the girl sqirms"

Glorina laughs and wraps her arm through one of the harness loops. "You
both were wrong, he's picked that lad, there," she calls out to the knot of
riders betting on the bronze Impression.

From the sands below, Kiashi grins at the curious brown again, then glances
at Dorn. A hopeful smile appears on her features, then, for him.

From the sands below, A flurry of shards flip in every direction as the
Alchemical Fire Egg bursts open on the far side of the clutch to reveal a
diminutive green who announces her presence with a loud bugling, amazing
for one so small. She peers around with curiosity before taking a step
towards a small knot of candidates all clutching each others' hands. More
steps follow, and she plows directly into a young Trader girl, knocking the
lass down and tearing her grip from her fellows. Instead of pain-filled
screams, a shout of triumph rings through the air. "No, you didn't hurt me,
Ophelath!"

From the sands below, "Well, she's a lovely green," the Weyrwoman replies
to L'tan, mouth quirking up at the corners in a faint reflection of sudden
humor, though she doesn't explain its cause, instead tugging at the
leaf-shaded hem of her lightweight brown tunic to straighten it. Her
green-gray eyes crinkling at their corners, she smiles upon noting another
Impression.

Tanon just watches the sands in silence, holding Alison carefully in his lap.

Lysseth perks up a bit at the presence of all the males on the Sands,
causing Kassi to cast her a decidedly odd look. "It's only been a few
months, beast. Don't get your tail in a knot." Shaking her head, she
squints down at the Sands. "Who's the lad that bronze is eyeing? Hey! Is
that the Dorn lad? A'wyn, you owe me marks!"

From the sands below, Gina lets go of Dorn's hand, openly crying now. She
tries to say several things, but the only thing that comes out is a laugh.
Gina steps back toward Chibi, still laughing.

R'val tsks, "Poor bronze."

Jesica :gives a peircing whistle as the Bronze looks to Dorn, whom she's
met once or twice before when she passed through ista, "Well looks like
thae Weyrwoman twas right."

From the sands below, Nathel watches Dorn and the bronze and a corner of
his mouth grins at the other boy's Impression.

From the sands below, Curious Tantalite Brown Hatchling is moving about in
an impressive, smooth strut--at least for a hatchling. His tail thumping
all the way, he announces his presence further with a hearty trumpet, then
blinks. Trumpeting is more fun than posing! He toddles around trumpeting
now, losing some of his more feminine manner.

Catalina screeches as she jumps to her feet!!! "I -knew- it! I
knewitIknewit!! GO DORN!" All the energy she's been containing is released,
and tears run down her face as she brings shaking hands to her mouth.

From the sands below, D'on stares blandly down into the depths of the
swirling eyes standing in front of him. "Kalameth? Me?" he asks softly,
hesitantly. With a sob of relief and anguish rolled into one he sinks to
his knees and wraps his arms around the bronze. "I don care what me da
thinks" he whispers, tears strolling down his masculan cheaks. "Let's go
get ye fed" he mutters softly.

Jaegon says "Look at that! Dorn! I mean...D'on! I knew you could do it!"

From the sands below, Kaci chuckles softly. "That one's gonna be a handful
for whoever gets him." She nods, indicating the brown. Then her eyes widen,
and inadvertantly she lets out a cheer. "Way to go, Dorn!"

From the sands below, Alexandra gasps aloud as she watches a Bronze
hatchling and DORN! come together. "Oh by Faranth." she nearly yells.
"Dorn, you didn't. Congradulations." she says, calmly. She turns quickly to
watch the Trader girl impress. "Congradulations to you." she adds. She
looks about, a smile on her face.

From the sands below, Rocking perilously to and fro, all at once the Yellow
Brick Egg loses its balance and, cracking into three or four pieces, opens
wide and dumps a crumpled blue hatchling onto the Sands.

From the sands below, Polly nods towards the Curious Tantalite Brown
hatchling and glances over at Kia, "Now that one will take some watching as
he gets older and bigger." She gasps slightly and points over towards Dorn,
"Oh! Dorn!" the mist in her eyes lets free a tear to trickle down her cheek.

From the sands below, Tothun looks to the bronze again, and then he also
smiles wide, looking between it and Dorn. He looks over to the new green
for a moment, then back to Dorn to see. He lets out a cheer as the
Impression happens, and turns his head back to the other hatchlings.

Alania smiles and nudges Tanon "Look it's Dorn, got a Bronze"

Jaegon says "Siara's going to be so sorry she missed this. And I win three
marks!"

Faerysa's smile's terribly amused, "Wrong!" she announces, "Perhaps the
briwn will be for your bronze candidate?"

From the sands below, Blazing Defiance Egg flakes off shards in all
directions as the hatchling within continues its determined struggle to
free itself from the thick enclosure binding it ever-so-uncomfortably. Out.
Out. Outoutoutoutout!


From the sands below, 

                      Shaded Celestite Blue Hatchling                      

Dawn's light washes over sky blue in mottled patches which dance gleefully
over this hatchling's hide, like whispery clouds crossing before a
nonexistant sun. The sunlight shade plays down his flanks, predominantly
cerulean in hue, darkening and brightening in the shadow-fall of light. His
almost overly-wide expanse of wings flare--mirrored pools of water, dimly
reflecting the heavens and capturing the morning star's cobalt twinkling in
their net. Cool, diffuse fog obscures the roundness of his belly, giving it
a cloudy cast, while here and there letting slips of sky-bright azure
through. This misted hue rolls across his stomach until the fog's chill
colors are burnt away by the clear daylight blues suffusing wings and
delicate neck-ridges.


From the sands below, Kiashi grins. "Go Dorn!" She smiles, then turns back
to the curious brown, giggling. "That one's a little performer, isn't he?"

From the sands below, M'hryn laughs quietly as he approaches the new
bronzerider. "Kalameth," he grins. "Nice name. You can get him over to the
corner okay?"

From the sands below, Elle grins at the little brown, "Keep going, boy."

Maegena leans forward in her seat as the bronze flops and Dorn impress. She
gives a loud cheer for Dorn now D'on.

From the sands below, Vitreous Aquamarine Blue Hatchling reaches those
'somethings' and is so happy as he studies the group in front of him. He's
looking for just one of course. And, as he doesn't find that one right
away, his small bugles take on a note of sadness. He hopstumbles to another
small group...and that sad note suddenly becomes a lot happier. He stops
short, wings outstretched for balance as his head turns.

As the watcher's excitement rises, Asrai's eyes go to M'kla..making sure
she behaves herself.

R'val beams, and grins at GLorina, "Look look! Another blue."

From the sands below, Kayala swings her green eyes from the little aqua
blue as Dorn calls out a name. "A bronze! A bronze, Dorn!"

Tanon smiles a bit, nodding slightly. "Yes...never met him though."

From the sands below, Elle grins at Dorn. "Congrats, Dorn!"

A'wyn grins, "Good for him. I'll have to initiate him into the bronzer's
club."

From the sands below, Kiashi squeezes Polly's hand tightly.

M'kla is sitting there, looking vexingly calm with the most
infurinatingly,. maddeningly ZEN expression on her face.

From the sands below, Gina wipes back tears. She turns back to the sands,
not wanting to miss anything, hoping now more than she dared the entire
time since she was searched.

Catalina whoops triumphantly!

From the sands below, D'on walks down to the far end of the Cavern.

From the sands below, Outside the Hatching caverns, the sky grows ominously
dark. Deep shadow is cast across the Sand, punctuated by the many glows
throughout the cavern. Through the entrances some cinders are blown in,
powdery ash that lightly sifts down on the galleries and ledges. Very
little, however, falls towards the Sand itself.

Faerysa mentions, "Several blue3s." And she snorts at A'wyn: "YOu have a
/club/? Why in Faranth's name am I not surprised."

Glorina laughs at R'val. "More competition for you!" she calls out.

From the sands below, Having lost all trace of nervousness, in delight for
her friends, Kila waves congratulations to the new Greenrider; then is
stunned into momentary silence as the bronze Impresses.

From the sands below, Yazric smiles towards Dorn, watching he and the
bronze head off before returning his attention to the sands.

From the sands below, Kaci giggles at the brown's antics. "Don't worry...
we know you're here."

From the sands below, Kalameth rests his head on his lifemate's shoulder
for a moment, still a bit dazed from the fall, then starts scrambling to
his feet.

M'kla's calm expression goes a little less so at the ash that begins to
filter in.

From the sands below, Curious Tantalite Brown Hatchling is trumpeting and
thumping, and almost bounding, clumsy in his infancy, kicking up sand in
the faces of each candidate he looks at, peers at, thumps at, then passes
over. One would think he's too busy having FUN to Impress!

A'wyn grins at Faerysa, "What, and the Goldriders don't? They probably get
together to talk about the bronzeriders."

From the sands below, Merien walks down to the far end of the Cavern.

Torinth lifts her head...and then ROARS warningly at the ash...there are
babies on the sands.

From the sands below, Tothun's eyes move to the blue, hearing the sad
notes. He almost takes a step forward before remembering himself, and again
returns to his place, full attention on it.

"D'on and Kalameth," Cat says, testing the sound. "I like it."

From the sands below, Gina ducks back from the little brown as he passes.

From the sands below, Elle glances up nervously as the ash and cinders
fall, her face takes on a resolute expression as she returns her attention
back to the sands and the task at hand!

Asrai nods, as she ses the calm look about M'kla. She looks back to the
sands long enough to let out a low whistle of appreciation at the new Blue.

From the sands below, Grego flashes a delighted grin after Dorn--D'on--and
Kalameth. "Wait'll his father hears," he murmurs. Then he spots some flying
sand, and squints towards the brown.

Telgar Weyr> Asrai says, "What Ash M'kla?"

Faerysa smiles winsomely at A'wyn. "We have other means of dealing with you."

From the sands below, Iriane giggles at the Curious brown hatchling,
wishing she could be as impervious to the heat as he seems to be.

Telgar Weyr> Maylia says, "The ash that's falling at Ista :)"

Maegena says "Kalameth and D'on."

From the sands below, Mertinel frankly stares at the newest hatchlings as
they break their shells. Her hands clench in her robes again, tightening
with anxieity as her face shows an expression of hope.

Telgar Weyr> M'kla points to the pose on the sands...it's volcanic ash from
the Istan volcano :)

From the sands below, Kayala moves a hand in front of her face to defend
against the flying black flecks from the little brown's tail. "Whoa there,
sweetling,..."

From the sands below, Kaci doesn't even notice the ash and cinders... her
fascinated attention is focused solely on the hatchlings.

A'wyn grins at Faersya, "Uh huh."

Telgar Weyr> Asrai says, "Ooh, that can't be good..."

From the sands below, Kiashi wipes sand out of her face as the brown puts
sand in it, giggling. "Are you going to make a decision, or what?" she asks
him.

From the sands below, Polly raises an eyebrow at the antics of the little
brown, "Yes! That one will need to carefully watched indeed!"

From the sands below, Alexandra watches out for the playful brown
hatchling, trying to keep ash from her, and now sand. She shakes her head
as she watches the antics and goings on. Smiling she takes a relaxing breath.

From the sands below, Elle blocks the flinging sand with her hands, "Hey
you, having too much fun are we?"

M'kla gives her green a good stern look, "Be pleasant ye..." Her expression
is schooled back into the sphynx like quality.

Mani sighs, wringing her hands as she frets.

Asrai blinks, rubbing her fingers together as the ash falls on her hand.
she looks to M'kla, a brow arched in question.

From the sands below, M'hryn glances upward as he returns from escorting
D'on and Kalameth. He grimaces, shaking his head, but then looks back at
the hatchlings and their potential lifemates. He crosses his arms in front
of him.

From the sands below, Merien walks over from the far end of the Hatching
Cavern.

M'kla looks to Asrai, "The Istan volcano...I saw the plume when I came out
of *between*"

From the sands below, Kalameth walks down to the far end of the Cavern.

From the sands below, Shaded Celestite Blue Hatchling startles as the egg
cracks. Not exactly what he had in mind, but interesting none the less. As
the last supporting side of the egg collapses, he does as well, sending a
large spray of sand up into the air! He flops onto the sand, letting out a
loud Whuff!, his muzzle buried in granules of that odd feeling stuff. This
is an egg? Don't think so.

M'kla says "I hope it doesn't decide to rain on the festivities."

A'wyn Grins at Asaleth, "Of course you'll fly faster than him, Asale."

Silora notices Mani's fretting finally, then the ash that falls, getting
lodged in her eyes now and then. She frowns, look upward and then out
toward the bowl. "Now what, by Faranth, is all this?"

From the sands below, Curious Tantalite Brown Hatchling kicks up sand,
whirling around and creating clouds of ash. He is having MUCH fun--until he
starts to breathe in teh stuff he kicks up. Practically choking on it, he
falls forward with a little hack, spilling over the sands, rolling
unctrollably. As he rolls, he lands in front of a few girls who are
watching him.

From the sands below, Vitreous Aquamarine Blue Hatchling's wings droop to
the sands as he stops in front of one of those white-robed 'somethings'.
That happy note in his bugle becomes triumphant at he stares up at a girl
with red hair and contrasting green eyes.

Catalina finally collapses in a heap next to her sister, half-fainting.
"Wow," she says simply.

Faerysa fusses lightly and brushes a cinder or three off her dress.
"Shardit. I don't wantit permanently stained." But it's dismissed quickly:
she turns her attention back to the sands -- but not not before offering to
A'wyn. "I was willed it, after all." Things to deal with him. She finds it
amusing, by the look in her eyes, too.

Asrai blinks again, "Is it...safe?" She asks of M'kla, then looks aorund.
"People don't seem to be too suprised..."

Alania shakes her head "My these hatchlings are clumsy, you were never
clumsy Oerth" she gives her dranon and loving pat.

From the sands below, Gina grins at the blue hatchling. "He's cute,
too..oh!" she gasps as the blue Impresses.

From the sands below, Madelynda carefully looks up from the fray as the sky
darkens outside and ash filters into the cavern, looking warily up at
Phediath as she brushes away dark specks flittering into her face. "'Sall
right, love," she breathes, and the queen croons quietly in response, her
whirling eyes not taking in the sky at all but only the Impressions before
her.

From the sands below, Merellia looks towards the entrance to the hatching
caverns, features turning decidedly unhappy. Striding towards the entrance,
she takes a glance at the sky outside, then returns to mumur to L'tan,
voice pitched low as she speaks with the Weyrleader. She mutters to L'tan,
"Looks... of..." 

From the sands below, Alexandra actually kicks a little sand back at the
Curious Tantalite Brown Hatchling. And seems to smirk a response to his
playfullness. She looks around as if trying to look innocent of her actions.

From the sands below, Kiashi gasps. "Don't inhale the stuff, guy." Another
half-step forward. Restrains herself again.

M'kla says "Less toxic than firestone ash, I wager...."

From the sands below, Tothun turns his attention back to the brown as it
starts having trouble. This time he does take a couple of steps before
remembering. Biting his lip, he just stands where he ended up, watching.

From the sands below, Elemental Mists Egg stats to tremble and shift within
the depression of dark sand. Droplets of sand cascading down the small
hillock.

From the sands below, Gina grabs Kiashi. "Don't..remember what they told us."

From the sands below, Elle nods at Gina. "Yeah, he is." Then she notices
the blue as he seems to come to a decision. She turns to see who it could be.

From the sands below, Kaci laughs softly. "They're all cute. Or handsome.
Or pretty. Just all around /beautiful/."

From the sands below, Kayala can't decide which hatchling to watch and her
gaze swings from one to the other and she takes another steadying breath.

Glorina frowns at the ash. "Less toxic, but still caustic, I reckon."

From the sands below, Merien coughs and reaches up to cover her mouth and
nose. She squints to try to keep the hatchlings in focus.

Alania glances warily out the cavern entrence "sharding volacanos"

From the sands below, Kiashi nods and takes a half-step back, chewing her
lower lip.

From the sands below, Elle says "Careful, Kiashi!"

Asrai hmms, "Well, I was more thinking of the fact that it was coming out
of the volcano at all. Doesn't that speak of activity?"

From the sands below, The Sands' shards now competing in number with the
still-intact eggs, the Blithe Felicity Egg and the Shabby Velveteen Egg
both shudder for a moment, then split into myriad tiny pieces, releasing
twin greens to stumble from their shells. One of the hatchlings heads for a
boy from the Healer Hall, and the other moves off towards a girl from
Greystones Hold. Both new pairs are helped to the corner of the Sands.

Mani hmmphs. "You think they could've had decent weather for the hatching.
Or held off the hatching till it was over."

Tanon smiles quietly to himself, watching Alania with Oerth for a moment
before looking back down at the sands.

A'wyn raises a brow at the ash, "How strange."

From the sands below, Polly looks up, eyes full of surprise and joy, "His
name is Ylorth!" She looks back down at the most beautiful blue, "Of
course, I'll feed you silly."

From the sands below, Grego attempts to tuck his thumbs in his belt, and
blinks as, instead, his hands slide down his waist. His gaze dips, as if to
assure himself that, no, he didn't miss, that the belt isn't actually
there. Then, shaking his head, he lifts his gaze to grin towards Polly.

From the sands below, Curious Tantalite Brown Hatchling sputters he he gets
sand kicked at him, and TRUMPETS at the girl who did it, clearly indignant.
Just as he is about to extend a claw to bat at the girl...his head turns,
as though something caught his eye. With the utmost grace and obvious
curiosity, he cocks his head politely and sweetly at Elle.

From the sands below,  Chibi takes a few steps back, perhaps to get a
better view. She wipes at the tickling sweat trickling down the sides of
her face, and flips her long blonde runner tail to the front. She pulls at
the white robe, tenting it out to let cooler gusts of air caress her heated
body. She sighs and shakes her head, eyes centered on the tumolt of activity..

M'kla nods to Asrai, "Aye...but it's a ways off the main island...I saww
the reports that came into Telgar, lass...should be just fine."

From the sands below, Kila watches, a little concerned, as the playful
brown's antics lead him into trouble.

From the sands below, Kiashi smiles. "Hey, congrats, Polly." She moves back
the rest of the way.

From the sands below, L'tan doesn't have the same sense of decorum as the
Weyrwoman. He speaks in his normal tone of voice, loud and somewhat sullen,
"Well, if the whole island blows up we at least won't have to train this lot."

From the sands below, Elle grins. "Congrats, Polly!"

"But who'd allow a bit of ash t'deny them a chance at Impression?" Kassi
asks rhetorically; there can only be one answer to that question. "Wait,
wait--that green that just Impressed... methinks I know that girl! She's
from back home, I'll wager a pretty mark on it."

R'val frowns at the ash, "This stuff..is disquieting."

From the sands below, Blazing Defiance Egg mmmmmph. Mmmmmmph. Pock pock
pock pock pock. More and more flakes of the shell drop to the sands with
each minute that passes as the egg's insistent occupant batters its way
towards freedom. A tip of the dragonet's muzzle finds its way through,
though so damp and slimed with egg fluids that its color is unidentifiable.

Glorina says over to Mani, "Well, not like a Hatching's going to wait for a
smoking mountain to fall to rest."

From the sands below, Alexandra starts coughing as the ash get a little
thicker. She blinks back a little and runs her hands over her outfit,
trying to clean herself off a little. She looks up again just in time to
see Polly impress. "Congradulation." she says loudly.

From the sands below, Gina beams at Elle. "Someone's watching you! Elle,
look!"

Silora frowns continually, though she's still watching the Sands and
keeping track of the hatchlings as she responds to Mani. "Perhaps there
wasn't any warning? And how do you hold off a hatching, exactly?" She
points as if to indicate the readiness of the whole clutch. "No holding
these back."

From the sands below, Iriane ooos and grins at Elle, watching her
congratulate another while she's her own dragon in front of her feet.

From the sands below, Shaded Celestite Blue Hatchling manages somehow to
get those long things tucked under him, managing to raise himself up. His
heas spins about, much like he tried to do inside that egg.. curious as
always. What's all this white about and why won't anyone let him in on the
big secret? Maybe if he looks a little closer, he can find out what they
are. Don't look like him. Nope.

Asrai nods, her curiosity satisfied.

E'ryn must of overheard L'tan, because he groans in dismay and just shakes
his head. "That L'tan.." But that is all he says, letting the rest fade off.

From the sands below, Kiashi giggles at Shaded Blue, shifting from foot to
foot.

R'val smiles, 'Ah, that blue Impressed.'

From the sands below, Tothun grins as he looks between Elle and the brown,
then looks towards the Shaded Celestine Blue, watching it now as he
continues to rock on his feet. He doesn't move back into his position,
staying where he is.

From the sands below, Yazric calls out his congratulations to new
Impressions, giving Kayala a flushed grin as he watches the blue.

From the sands below, Merien smiles to Polly and says, "Congratulations,
Polly. You need to help him to the corner now so he can eat." She begins to
lead in the appropriate direction.

From the sands below, M'hryn smiles at Polly. "Talibenth actually made a
good choice," he grins. "I was afraid you wouldn't Impress because he
Searched you. Congratulations."

From the sands below, Elle freezes as the playful brown looks into her
eyes. Her knees buckle, but she remains standing. "Oh Trinoth. Don't fret.
Of course, I'll find you food." Her face is a wide grin and she seems lost
to the world.

From the sands below, Skin tightening at the corners of her eyes, Merellia
responds firmly, "It's not going to happen. Please Faranth," the Weyrwoman
mutters underneat her breath, then gives L'tan an edged smile. "I think
you'd do an /excellent/ job of teaching this class protocol again. I really
do." Her words might have more impact if her features hadn't assumed their
greenish cast from earlier in the evening.

From the sands below, Alexandra actually sticks her tongue out at the
little brown and then changes her expression. "Congradulations Elle and to
your brown." she smiles. Looking around again she seems to take a mental
count. She continues her look, raising her head up into the sky, watching
as the ash seems to become somehow thicker. "This is gettin bad." she utters.

Telgar Weyr> M'kla acks. Another Elle? What ever shall we do with Sionelle?

Mani waves her hands. "Must be some sort of way. Thought dragons had an
eighth sense to know not to have hatchings in bad weather."

Jaegon is oblivious to the weather. He has his eyes on Grego.

From the sands below, Mertinel breathes out a soft sigh and smiles over at
her candidate friends and nods her head as she notices the Impressions. Her
face becomes a little tense then as she glances back out amongst the
hatchlings and eggs, realizing there are so few left.

From the sands below, Kaci grins, congratulating Polly and and Elle both
before her eyes return to the other hatchlings and the rocking eggs.

From the sands below, The Large Plain White and Raven-Black eggs clack
against each other, fractures spreading across both surfaces and allowing
chips of shell to flake away like the whiteness of the worst High Reaches
snowstorm. Soon a brown and a green stand where the eggs were, flipping
shards from their hides and looking about. The brown hatchling practically
rushes towards an older boy from the Healer Hall, while the green takes her
time in choosing her lifemate. Finally she stops in front of a quiet young
man, the clumsy and fire-haired Ardel, and nudges him softly. "Aye, I will,
Calisath," he says, nodding as A'del starts to help her to where the other
weyrlings wait.

From the sands below, Polly's still dazed and full of joy, heads over to
the corner with her wonderful lifemate to feed his tummy.

From the sands below, Elemental Mists Egg trembles stop, taking carefully
consideration of this situation. With a vilent twisting, shards around the
egg go flying. None from the egg trying to hatch however.

From the sands below, Polly walks down to the far end of the Cavern.

From the sands below, Kiashi grins softly. "Congradulations Elle." She
ignores the ash, casting a longing look back out at the hatchlings.

From the sands below, Ylorth walks down to the far end of the Cavern.

From the sands below, Kila stifles a cough, glancing towards the entrances
with mild concern, distracted from the Impressions for a moment. Then she
turns out, and calls out her own congratulations with those of the
remaining Candidates on the Sands.

From the sands below, Shaded Celestite Blue Hatchling blinks his great eyes
at the one who just giggled. Who'll tell him about that one? and what sound
was that she made? didn't sound like anything he'd heard before.

From the sands below, Trinoth nuzzles against Elle gently, then trumpets at
her. He can't seem to make up his mind about attitude...

From the sands below, Gina makes her way closer to Kiashia. Four
Impressions right on top of her. Maybe?

From the sands below, L'tan notices Merellia's greenish tinge, perhaps for
the first time. He says, "You're sick. One of the sharding candidates gave
you a cold. Or one of the Lord Holders here for the hatching. Some of those
people are downright dirty."

Silora hmms at that, shrugging again. She mutters under her breath.
"Sometimes dragons have no sense about anything." She reaches out a hand to
connect herself more physically with her lifemate, smile tugging up at the
corners of her mouth.

Glorina shrugs at Mani. "Dragonets also don't have a sense to wait a Turn
before they can hatch, either." She shrugs. "Ash's been at Ista for
sevendays, now. More."

Catalina smiles as she watches the rest of the Impressions, though it's
obvious she's not as on edge as she was previously.

From the sands below, The Blazing Defiance Egg's rotations, accompanied
with several random shakes, sling sand from the base of its dramatic curve.
Gradually, gyrations slow, and a mysterious webworking films itself upon
the delicate shell. Seemingly in slow motion, the orb splits in half and a
bronze dragonet slides forward.

R'val nods his head in agreement with Glorina, eyes on the Sands.

From the sands below, Kiashi giggles at the blue again. "Hi," she says,
realizing she's being watched.

From the sands below, Merien walks down to the far end of the Cavern.

Catalina wows. "Another bronze."

From the sands below, M'hryn looks over at L'tan and shakes his head, his
face tightening. He returns his attention back to the Candidates.

A'wyn hmms. "I wonder if there'll be any hatchlings with their names
starting wtih A."


From the sands below, 

                  Loose-limbed Sandstone Bronze Hatchling                  

A golden-brown shade imbues this hatchling from headknobs to forked tail,
enwrapping awkward pinions with the sunwarmed pale ochres and
metallic-tinted tans of windswept rock heated by Rukbat's light. As if
brushed by the fronds of flora stubbornly clinging to the stone of this
dragonet's hide, touches of bronzey green feather his neckridges and splash
down bulky shoulders which bear the promise of strength and endurance to
come. His age and the growth ahead of him lend this hatchling nearly an
attenuated look now, however, with a neck seemingly too overlong, a whippy
tail stretching out forever, and long, tangling wings like sun-bronzed damp
sails of resilient wind-smoothed stone caught in the fury of the
hatchling's uncertainty; clumsiness notwithstanding, however, he carries
himself with a charismatic, expectant air.


Faerysa grins to A'wyn. "Or I?"

From the sands below, Kayala grins at the girls, looking excited for
everyone of them. Her hand pulses in Yazric's with every "OOO ooo ooo," she
makes.

From the sands below, Elle reaches over to her new lifemate and says,
"C'mon, you. I know where the food is. And watch that sand kicking!" She is
all smiles, though. She wouldn't mind it if he kicked over a thousand
pounds of sand!

Jesica gives a faint gasp at the sight of the newest bronze, "he's handsome."

R'val whistles softly, "That's another fine bronze."

From the sands below, Gina pauses and backs off as Kiashi speaks to the
blue. Maybe that's five. She looks out toward the sands and tries to
tighten up the semicircle.

From the sands below, Shaded Celestite Blue Hatchling blinks again at those
giggles. Somehow, he kinda likes that sound. Better get closer to hear it
again. You got another?

From the sands below, Tothun moves his attention once more to the bronze
hatchling. He bites his lip as he starts to watch it, rocking still from
foot to foot.

Kassima repeats with a bright smile, "Trinoth... now *there's* a bonny name
for you. Nay half so fine as Lysseth, a'course, but what name is? Oh... a
lovely bronze lad there. Looks as though Solarith's doing his bloodline
proud." She flashes Mart a grin at that.

From the sands below, Trinoth slides along, his rump skidding, making a
track on the sands, as he gazes lovingly at his new lifemate.

Teyal frowns, glancing out toward the bowl as she brushes ash off her
tunic, then looks back to the sands with a slightly worried expression.

From the sands below, Kiashi just laughs, now, happily. One of them is
paying attention to her! Her laugh is rich, bubbling out of her. Maybe.
Just maybe...

From the sands below, Grego gives Elle and her lifemate a broad grin, then
turns to murmur to Tothun, "Don't forget to breathe, kiddo. I don't think
you can Impress if you pass out on the sands." He winks, then turns to
squint at the newest arrivals.

From the sands below, Elle laughs. "Okay, Okay. This way." She heads toward
the side of the cavern.

From the sands below, A popping noise heralds the arrival of a blue
hatchling from his Scholarly Pride Egg near the center of the clutch. After
giving a loud snuffling to the air, he weaves his way around his fellows
and their eggs, very controlled in his movements. Tollot, a large-eyed lad
Searched from the Smithcraft, appears to be his goal, and the boy is
showered with black sand as the dragonet suddenly loses his control and
flops to the ground just in front of the lad, creeling painfully as a
wingtip is crumpled in the process. "It's okay, Turlenth. Here, let me help
you," T'lot murmurs, totally oblivious to anything but the blue at his feet.

From the sands below, Trinoth walks down to the far end of the Cavern.

A'wyn grins at Rysa and nods, "Or I."

From the sands below, Elle heads out towards the entrance.

From the sands below, Loose-limbed Sandstone Bronze Hatchling is /free/.
Free. And my, these things sure are interesting, these sticky grain things
plastering all over...Mmmph. They don't do much for the hunger, though--and
the little bronze wobbles his way to a more upright position, gazing about
expectantly.

From the sands below, Elle walks onto the sands from the entrance to the
Hatching Grounds.

From the sands below, Alexandra looks along the line of candidates and then
to the eggs and hatchlings. She smiles as she watches the hatchlings
pairing off with candidates, she dances a little as the heat of the sand
gets to her once more, or is it the heated ash. She takes a deep breath,
after putting a hand up to try and keep from inhaling too much ash. She
looks around and says, "I hope the hatchlings are not affected by the ash."

From the sands below, Tothun looks back to Grego, and grins a bit. He
swallows, and looks back to the bronze.

From the sands below,  Curling her hands into little fists full of robe,
Chibi peers out over the shard filled sand with increasing concern. Her
attention is divided many times over as her eyes try to see everything at
once. Reaching her hands to her head and rubbing her temple, she lets out a
small sigh, eyes still lit upon the scene..

From the sands below, Kaci holds her breath, watching the blue. "C'mon, go
for it..."

From the sands below, Grego's jaw drops. "Tollot?" he blurts, stunned. "Oh,
dear Faranth, the poor weyrlingmasters!"

From the sands below, Kila stifles a laugh, and she points out the blue to
Grego and Tothun. "Like rider, like dragon."

Asrai nods in agreement with Kassi's comment. "Aye, Tas and Sol have every
right to be proud of this group."

From the sands below, Elemental Mists Egg's vilent movements cause the egg
to roll down from the depression, sliding down the mound to lay still and
silent again.

From the sands below, Elle walks down to the far end of the Cavern.

From the sands below, Yazric gapes as Tollot Impresses to a blue, "Well
I'll be.. something. Wow."

From the sands below, Shaded Celestite Blue Hatchling lets out a whuff and
blows warm air on that one! Ooooo! That was a little different, but who
cares! Waddling over to get closer, he gazes deeply into her eyes, seeing
what he's never seen before. His heart beats more quickly. Do it again?
He's happy! Is she?

Alania finally settles Dalia in her lap as the girl tires from wriggling
and now concentrates on what's going on, on the sands.

From the sands below, Merellia shakes her head sharply in response to
L'tan's comment. "I've not caught anything. From the candidates," she
amends after a moment, straightening herself determinedly as she takes note
of the candidates as Impression whittles away their numbers. "Just look,"
she adds, trying to redirect the Weyrleader's attention back towards the
hatchlings.

From the sands below, Kiashi stares up into his eyes, as well, letting out
another laugh as she's whuffed! "Hi," she says again, very, very softly.

Alison just looks at her mother and her sister quietly, smiling, flailing
her hands up and down.

From the sands below, Kayala oooos, watching the hatchlings shuffling
inelegantly through the sand and she grins, shaking her head. "Wow, Yazric..."

From the sands below, A light tremor ripples through the rock beneath the
galleries and ledges, barely perceptible at first. A mound of sand on the
Hatching ground shifts abruptly, collapsing, and the remaining eggs rock
even harder. The tremor strengthens, vibrating strongly beneath the feet of
spectators, the hatching sands flowing as if alive. The walls of the cavern
themselves begin to rumble, the sound of tortured stone echoing throughout
the cavern as the ground beneath oscillates violently. After a few,
terrifying heartbeats, the rumbling abates, fading away as the earthquake
weakens and ends.

From the sands below, Kaci eeps, then frowns down at the ground. "Your
timing's bad."

From the sands below, Tothun looks to the Elemental Mists egg as it
tumbles. He risks a quick glance to Grego, then back as he watches it, then
the bronze. He once more wipes his hands. His eyes widen at the tremors,
and he freezes mid-movement.

M'kla goes very very pale.

From the sands below, The cracking of more eggs is lost in the general
noise of creeling dragonets, shouts of congratulations, and the usual
hubbub of a hatching, keeping the arrival of a pair of green hatchlings
from being heard by any but the ones nearest them. The two dragonets go off
in arcs to either side, moving towards the candidates completely intent on
their goals. One stops before she's gone a dozen paces, picking a lad from
Bitra, but the second completes almost a full circle before coming to rest
with her head in the arms of a girl from Keroon.

Alania gasps softly, eyes turning to Tanon "Shards" she says quietly.

A'wyn blinks, "What the..." he grabs Asaleth.

Maegena startles at the tremor. "Ohshellsshardsandthread!"

Teyal grabs hold of the nearest rock face as Kharoth half unfurls his wings
for balance, bugling in alarm.

Torinth stops her humming immediately....and turns her suddenly red-eyed
attention on M'kla.

From the sands below, Loose-limbed Sandstone Bronze Hatchling takes a step.
Hmm. Wasn't so hard, especially since no-one seems especially obliging
enough to head his way. And another. Definitely not difficult at all. One
more and one more and one and one and one and one and one and--well in time
with the earth's quaking, the bronze's limbs tangle with tail and wings and
he plunges into the sands once more, letting out an unhappy, miserable squall.

From the sands below, L'tan isn't all that interested in candidates or
their dragons, "I'm going to get you a Healer when this is over. You're sick."

Catalina grips the edge of the ledge she's on, teeth chattering as she's
shaken, her heart pounding even after it's stopped. "Shards.."

Deannus's eyes widen as both hands fly out to steady herself, seated or
not, against Kiryath. "What on--" Her words cut off as she looks around.

From the sands below, Iriane yelps and nearly loses her balance with the
sudden rumble. "My goodness... that wasn't a -dragon- was it?" she whispers.

Silora's dark eyes widen so that they appear to pop out of her head, and
she reaches out to wrap an arm around Belaryth's near foreleg, feet working
to steady her. Alarm spreads as she watches the Sands shift below.

Verith rumbles alarmedly, but Glorina pats her on the neck quickly, talking
to her in rapid, incomprehensible tones.

From the sands below, The creature confined within the Elemental Mists Egg
struggles to break free: the egg itself shifts to the right, sways to the
left, then quivers violently. After a pregnant pause, the smooth contours
of the egg crackle, gleefully presenting a green dragonet atop the shards.

The shaking interrupts Bhalth's warble, ending it in near a sqeak.

Faerysa's fingers grap the strap around Irianth's neck tightly. "/Shards/.
Is the weyr goign to explode?" Irianth snarls.

From the sands below, Gina falls to her knees, face as white as her robe as
the shake hits. "Great Faranth!" she gasps, knees burning in the heat of
the sands. Are they warmer than they were?

Asrai grabs onto the ledge she sits on. "what was..M'kla...I thought you
said it was well off the coast? M'kla..M'kla, "She adds more urgently,
seeing M'kla go pale, "You alright?"


From the sands below, 

                         Delectable Dioptase Green                         

She appears as if drawn delicately from the chaotic sub-Pernian depths into
the dim light of the Istan Sands. Sleek, delicate, and wholly female in her
trappings, she gracefully emerges in all her draconic grandeur. Her slender
frame dazzles with innumerable flecks of effulgent silver, dappling her
lithe neck and cradling her torso with brilliant caresses. Her hide, a rich
and abstruse green, appears otherwise perfect in its uniformity from the
slim barrel of her chest to the spicular tips of her forestay. Her carriage
is light and spare, lean muscles undulating with keen ministrations,
reflecting the cavern's light and allowing it free reign upon lush
hide--the hue of which seems to call challenge to the peerlessness of the
emerald.


Tanon nods slightly in agreement twith Alania, but he doesn't say anything
himself. He does, however, scoot up next to Oerth.

From the sands below, Grego's breath catches at the rumble. "Not -now-," he
hisses. His voice drops to a whisper, a droning litany to Pern, requesting
her to hold off on another shake, just for a -little- longer.

Tierth spreads her wings, crouching low over her lifemate and trumpeting.
As the tremors cease, Maylia crawls from beneath the silvery green belly,
eyes wide.

From the sands below, Alexandra looks at Kiashi and says,
"Congradulations." as a wide grin crosses her face. She turns from the new
couple and looks at the ground. She stumbles and leans forward, putting her
hands out a little as if preparing to fall over. She looks around, as if
looking for re-assurance. She tries to steady herself even though the very
ground they stand upon is not as such. She takes a breath and tries to
steady. Looking to Gina she calls. "Are you okay?"

From the sands below, Yazric catches himself as the earth moves, caught
unawares by the earth tremour while he watches the hatchlings running here
and there, his gaze caught again by the bronze.

From the sands below, Kiashi does loose her balance, and plops right into
the sand on her bottom, right in front of the blue. She gazes into his eyes
as soon as she's steady again, though, letting out another giggle. "Oops."

From the sands below, Kila takes a few quick steps away from Grego,
grabbing at the hand of a blond girl who seems about to take flight in
panic, as the rumblings shake the ground. Arm about her, she leads her back
into line beside Grego and Tothun. Her expression, as she seeks out her
friends, reflects her concern.

A'wyn glances at Faerysa. "You okay Rysa?"

Jaegon flicks Faerysa a glance. "This..is not good. Not at all."

Alania tucks Dalia into Oerth riding straps "I'm going to set her in here,
just in case we have to get out fast"

M'kla nods very slowly to Asrai, not regaining her color. Torinth rumbles
more urgently...then cuts off sharply and goes back to humming reluctantly.

"What in the name of Faranth's gall bladder...?" Kassi yelps as the ledge
beneath her shakes, causing her to spill the wine she was holding. Lysseth
actually pauses her humming for a moment in amazement, then resumes in a
slightly more quiet note... as though perhaps afraid the humming might be
what's causing the earth to shake. Dragons; go figure.

From the sands below, Tothun loses his interest in the tremors as soon as
the green hatches. He again wows softly as he watches it, but he manages to
keep both feet on the sand for a bit longer than before.

From the sands below, Kaci shakes her head to Iriane, and glances around at
the others, moving a few steps closer to those who seem more shaken up than
the others.

From the sands below,  Chibi peers around in surprise, her eyes going wide
as she turns in a circle, frantically trying to remain standing. She gasps
as it's over as quick as it began and sifts her attention back to what's at
hand. She grasps at her robe again, peering at the shardfilled sands
solemnly..

From the sands below, L'tan amends, "I'll find you a healer if the island's
still here when this is over."

Teyal looks a bit pale herself, staring down at the sands, eyes roaming as
if to search for any casualties, "What is this! A hatching in an active
volcano?!"

From the sands below, Nathel flails about, sharp contrast to his sister who
seemed to be using him for balance. Amazing the two of them are still up.

From the sands below, Leuth lowers his great head to peer at Kiashi, eyes
rolling, heart throbbing.

From the sands below, Mertinel looks a little startled as the earthquake
shakes through her entire body and then subsides. She reaches over to a
fellow candidate through the ordeal, each supporting the other. She slowly
straightens when it is over, and looks worriedly at the remaining eggs and
then over at the Weyrleaders.

Jh'rin holds his daughter close to his check with one arm, holding the
other around Kassima tightly until the ground has settled.
"'Salright...just another shake..."

From the sands below, Kiashi grins broadly. "Leuth," she says, reverently.
"Hungry? Well lets go! Lets get you something to eat!" She scrambles to her
feet. "You're beautiful."

Catalina clearly looks shaken...literally.

Faerysa informs Jaegon and A'wyn. "We're leaving. As soon as it's over."

From the sands below, Gina is still on her knees, her ocean-sicknes
activated by the quake. She shakes her head to the other candidates calling
to her, but manages to regain her balance and stand.

Asrai keeps a hand on M'kla's arm, not liking the situation one bit.
"M'kla, perhaps we should go back to the weyr..."

From the sands below, Alexandra nods to Gina and says, "Good."

Faerysa says "Or before.""

From the sands below, M'hryn looks towards the Weyrleaders as the ground
settles down, then he hears the call of a dragon's name. He turns and moves
quickly over to Kiashi. "You can get over to the corner, right?" he asks
quietly.

Telgar Weyr> Asrai says, "Ooo, as acting Wingleader..do I get to pull rank
on M'kla? ;)"

From the sands below, Solarith throws up his head at the tremor and hisses
angrily. It takes him a long moment to settle down again, despite the
reassuring hand of T'saren on his flank.

From the sands below, Delectable Dioptase Green picks herself slowly from
the shards. Delicatly extending her wings to either side, she shakes the
remaining shards off her body. Lifting her head, eyes whirling with brilant
reds, she peers around the sands.

A'wyn grins at Faersya, "I think I'll come with you when it's over."

Jaegon nods. "Fine with me. Whenever you're ready. We may need to help get
people out, though."

From the sands below, Leuth scoops up some of the sand and whuffs it
playfully as he raises his head high. My Kiashi!

Belaryth gives a great throbbing rumble, as if ready to stand up to the
moving ground, wrapping his neck and tail as best he can maneuver them
around his lifemate, wings spread slightly.

Tanon nods slightly to Alania, holding Alison close to him. "Should we do
Alison too?"

From the sands below, Madelynda steadies herself by reaching out a hand to
Phediath, who snorts irritably as Pern disrupts her Hatching. Head bucking,
tail swishing up black sand to join the ash hanging in the air, the queen
gets distracted by the elements for a moment until the Grounds settle
beneath them; but eyes whirl quickly back to the Impressions once more.

From the sands below, Kiashi says, "To the corner? I can get anywhere. Me
and Leuth can, together."

From the sands below, Kiashi walks down to the far end of the Cavern.

Mani frowns. "She asks Silora," Do you think we should go home now?"

Maegena bites her lower lip even harder, nearly drawing blood and wringes
her hands. "Ohshellshardsandthread..." The rumblings of the ground are NOT
good...

Deannus clears her throat nervously, a sound almost oddly repeated in the
stuttering hum of the brown hovering over her. Suddenly the sands just
aren't capturing her attention as they were a moment or three ago.

From the sands below, Chips of shell peel away from the Magnificent Host
Egg like the rind of a redfruit, revealing a large cobalt blue hatchling
who gives forth a tiny trumpet as his body is unveiled for all to see. He
preens for a moment, totally intent on making himself respectable before
stepping daintily from the splinters of his egg. As he passes each
candidate, he stares up into their eyes, trying to find the one who calls
to the fine figure he presents. 'Ahh, this one looks right' his whole body
seems to say as he blinks three sets of eyelids up at Churrun, a very young
lad from the Weyr's lower caverns, who seems shocked. "Are you sure,
Ianith?" Ch'run queries hesitantly, then bursts into tears as the blue
places his delicate head against the hem of his robe with a snort.

Alania nods to Tanon "Put her in her straps, she'll be alright there"

From the sands below, Grego's head lifts quickly as Kila leaves, his manner
that of a startled runner--or a startled Candidate. As she returns to her
spot in line, he relaxes, and looks to see how the others fared during the
shake.

From the sands below, Leuth walks down to the far end of the Cavern.

Bhalth looks up worriedly, with a questioning croon to Belaryth.

From the sands below, Merellia's head snaps up towards the ceiling of the
cavern as the quake rumbles its way through the Weyr, greenish cast more
apparent again as she pales. "Sharding volcano. Now of all times--," she
swears under her breath, her usual composure on the ebb. Glance flicking to
the galleries and the ledges, she calls out loudly enough--with a little
luck--to be heard by at least some of the folks close enough by. "It's been
happening for the past few sevendays, and not very near to the Weyr...Don't
let it alarm you unduly." With a quick smile, she adds, "Just the island
heralding the hatchings, shall we say," before her attention returns to the
candidates and L'tan once more, a shake of her head rejecting L'tan's
remark about a healer.

Germaine glances around a bit irritatedly, distracted from the Hatching by
the assorted gasps and shouts of visitors unaccustomed to the volcanoe's
effects. Quietly, though in a voice that seems to carry even over the hubub
of the Sands, "Please don't be concerned." She gestures with her chin
toward the arching stone structure of the cavern, "It's not about to crash
around our ears at this late date."

From the sands below, Alexandra looks at the hatchlings and as if it were
normal asks, "Are you all okay?" She smiles and then giggles as she
realizes she just asked a bunch of dragons if they were well. She grins
sheepishly and shakes her head, ash falling from her hair.

Dragon> Cygnith bespoke Telgar dragons with << My rider is afraid for her.
This moving ground is not good for any of them... >>

Jh'rin looks gratefully at Germaine as the Istan goldrider asserts her
authority with quiet grace. He nods to her, appreciation in his gaze, and
just cuddles Khari close.

Silora looks a bit panicked, yes, but she answers Mani by looking around
her at the others. Everyone seems alarmed, but no one's leaving just yet.
"Perhaps that was the only tremor? I'm sure it's all finished."

From the sands below, Tothun smiles as he continues to watch the green. He
doesn't say anything this time, but his eyes focus on it as it rises.

From the sands below, Kayala blows loose ash from her face, scrubbing at a
cheek with her free hand.

From the sands below, Kaci grins over at Alexandra. "Took the words right
out of my mouth." She gives the girl an encouraging wink.

Tanon nods slightly, and does so, giving her a little kiss after he does,
and then he sits back down behind Alania, close to Oerth.

M'kla leans back very slowly against Torinth's foreleg, and closes her
eyes...when the ground stops spinning, she'll open them again.

From the sands below, A weyrlingmaster gently takes Ch'run by the arm,
urging him and Ianith into the corner.

From the sands below, Alexandra looks back to Kaci and giggles. "It only
seemed natural." she smiles and turns back to the hatchlings.

From the sands below, Gina's joy has been effectively dampened by the
volcano's antics. Her expression shows she's still feeling a bit ill, but
she's come this far and she'll stay the course.

Faerysa folds her arms, irritation apparent in her gaze; Irianth enfolds
her in a bright-taloned foreleg. And the two of them watch and listen.

Zyrieth flies in from the bowl.

From the sands below, Kila looks over the Sands with serious eyes, watching
for others unnerved by the quake, or hurt in a stumble. She relaxes a
fraction as she sees none that have obviously come to harm.

From the sands below, A loud shriek of indignation echoes across the
Hatching Grounds as a green dragonet clambers out of her shattered Prunes
and Prisms Egg. She turns around and hisses at the shards before turning
her red-eyed gaze to the candidates and making a dash for them. The bolt
ends as she trips over a bit of scuffed sand, and she tumbles into an
ungainly heap actually past the first ranks of candidates. She gets slowly
to her feet, looking dazedly up at two boys who have turned around. The
first lad looks at the other, nods, and steps back, allowing the first to
go help her to her feet while muttering, "Calm down, Beoth."

A'wyn smiles at Faerysa, "You okay?"

Asrai continues to pat M'kla's arm. Occasionally she glances up towards
Torinth, as if gauging the situation by her reactions.

From the sands below, Loose-limbed Sandstone Bronze Hatchling sets up a
high-pitched, demanding creel. He hatches, and gets thrown to the ground.
The earth shakes, and he gets thrown to the ground. And on top of
everything else, he's /hungry/. Determined in the face of this new world's
inhospitability, the bronze picks himself up from the tangle of legs and
wings and tail, eyes whirling red as he half charges the nearest group of
Candidates. Find someone /now/ and let /him/ take care of everything else.

Alania glances back at Tanon and nods to him "they'll be alright maybe even
fall asleep?.

Kassima holds tightly to Jhor, glancing worriedly at Khari... but the baby
seems more startled than upset. With a fretful, unhappy murmur, the child
snuggles up close to her father. "Does it do that often?" Kassi wants to know.

Faerysa gives A'wyn a faint smile. "Fine," she tells him. "I don't break."
She's still irritated, though.

From the sands below, Nathel takes a look over the sands, realizing it's
getting awfully empty out here. He absently wipes a palm gingerly against
one side of his robe, hoping it doesn't fall apart out here and well, ah...

Telgar Weyr> Teyal says, "Are they actually saying that the bowl of the
volcano that Ista is built in is active?"

From the sands below, Kayala brushes away another shower of ash, feeling
sorry for the poor hatchlings and their unfortunate welcome to the world.

Telgar Weyr> Asrai says, "No, but one off the coast is."

A'wyn nods to Rysa, concern still evident in his eyes and knitted brows.

From the sands below, M'hryn looks over at the creeling, charging bronze
and moves towards the group of Candidates it moves to, watching the
white-robed people carefully to make sure they don't get in the bronze's way.

Telgar Weyr> M'kla says, "No."

Tanon nods slightly, smiling, to Alania. "They should be, I think...don't
know why they wouldn't. They're playing one of thier little games though,
so I don't think they'll fall asleep."

"Not often," Jh'rin answers quietly, "but enough that we're a bit less
frightened by it. Germaine's right, dearest...it'll be fine. The island's
not gonna go away anytime soon."

Telgar Weyr> M'kla says, "One several miles off the coast is."

From the sands below,  Wiping at her warm brow, and smearing her face with
blackish ash, Chibi inchs a bit forward. As she catches sight of the
hissing green, her inches are reduced, then taken back as she notices a
particularly unhappy green, warning her of still others to come. She
stands, or, well, dances, a bit further away then she was before..

From the sands below, Kaci's eyebrows arch as she eyes the little bronze.
"/He's/ in a hurry," she murmurs.

From the sands below, Grego's nerves, worn to a thread, are not at all
helped by the near-charging bronzeling. He inhales sharply, and balances on
the balls of his feet, looking ready to duck out of the way should the
bronze head towards him.

Germaine gives Jh'rin a sidelong wink, the gesture seeming to articulate
some shared amusement.

From the sands below, Delectable Dioptase Green lifts one foot, then the
other. Steping away from her shards with lady like dignity. Turning her
head to look back at her trailing wings, she stops to study them, to study
herself. At that instiant, you see this little green admiring herself for
the first time, oh isn't she so pretty. Pleased with her beauty, she croons.

From the sands below, Yazric tugs Kayala's hand a bit, pulling her back a
bit from the bronze of doom.

From the sands below, One of the few eggs on the Grounds without fissures,
the Frightful Mouth Egg, suddenly cracks directly down the center,
appearing to gape between the two scarlet lines on it surface. From this
opening steps a green hatchling, all her dignity gathered about her like a
cape. She practically flows across the sands, staring with a hypnotic gaze
at each candidate before crossing to a blonde lass from Nerat and making
her choice. The newest dragon pair is escorted to the quiet corner where
the other new weyrlings wait.

R'lym lovingly pats Zyrieth's neck, swings his leg over the bronze's neck
and hops to the ground.

From the sands below, Kayala shuffles out of the way with Yaz, her face
furrowed with concern.

R'lym waves to a few people he knows and leans against Zyrieth to watch.

Silora turns dark eyes on Germaine, looking quite relieved after the
goldrider speaks. She turns her attention back to the Sands, but every once
in a while flickers a nervous glance at the cavern's upper rock.

Telgar Weyr> Teyal says, "Okay :)"

From the sands below, "'Sokay, it's okay," Kila murmurs, struggling not to
betray nervousness herself, trying to keep those around her calm.

Torinth breaks her humming on occasion to nuzzle the rider clasped between
her forelegs.

K'riana leans back against Marth, as if unconcerned and she grins at the
antics of some of the newly hatched dragonets

From the sands below, Kaci giggles at the little green, though her eyes
flick back to the charging bronze occasionally. "Somebody get that green a
mirror."

Telgar Weyr> M'kla says, "IE...the earthquake epicenters are far away...but
we'd feel the shocks anyway."

A'wyn grins at Asaleth, "Look someone as vain as you are, Asale."

From the sands below, Loose-limbed Sandstone Bronze Hatchling never claimed
yet to have learned more than simple charging and falling down--stopping is
another matter. Having spotted his target, however, he lets the boy do that
for him as he barrels, sandy limbs and all, right into the candidate of his
choice. Ha! Found 'im.

From the sands below, Kayala chuckles at Kaci's irreverent comment. "She'll
like the water for all its reflections, that one will."

From the sands below, Tothun uickly jumps back with the others, movbing
back into the group again as he watches the bronze. He then glances up the
the Delectable green again, with a grin.

Telgar Weyr> M'kla takes a vote...should M'kla's ticker give out again due
to the undue stress of an earthquake, which she's NEVER experienced.

After a while, Catalina begins to look overwhelmed at all of this shaking
and hatching and Impressing... She closes her eyes and continues to be
silent, doing her best to pretend her clostrophobia is non-existant.

From the sands below, A sudden scattering of dust announces the arrival of
a slim green hatchling from the Sandy Scarred Egg, marked with lighter,
almost yellow, shades on her head and neck. She tumbles from her shell in
an almost graceful fall, then gathers her dignity and steps from the circle
of eggs, making her way to a young man who cries out, "Oh yes, Tadanth! You
are perfect!"

Telgar Weyr> Maylia chuckles, and thinks so, M'kla ;)

Cygnith rumbles softly to Torinth as he too takes up a 'watch' over the
Telgar Werysecond. Asrai seems to have completely forgotten about the
hatching going on, her worry clear on her face.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "I dunno, M'kla. In the middle of a Hatching?"

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "As in permanently??"

Telgar Weyr> M'kla laughs. No. Just another 'aftershock'.

Telgar Weyr> Asrai says, "M'kla, would you reallly want to do that to poor
Asrai?"

From the sands below, Alexandra quickly shakes out her hair, and wipes at
her obviously sweaty forhead, the heat from the sands and the heat in the
air finally getting to her. She coughs a little and picks at her robe,
trying to pull the wet cloth off of her for even a moment. She gives a
disgusted look as she realizes that nothing will stop the feeling of the
sweaty outfit sticking to herself. She shakes her head and look around
again, to the sands and to the hatchlings. She smiles and seems to resign
herself to her sticky situation.

Germaine glances up, sparing a bit of her attention from the Sands to give
R'lym a nod in greeting, then turning her gaze upon Silora before resuming
her survey of the shell-strewn black Istan sands.

Telgar Weyr> Maylia eeps.... not perman... ohhhhh, good.

Tanon leans his head lightly on Oerth's side.

Telgar Weyr> M'kla grins. It's their fault. Having an earthquake in the
middle of a hatching ;) Pfts.

Kassima nods mutely after a moment, accepting this. "Remind me t'be glad
'twas Telgar we were asked t'move to," she says with a faint chuckle after
a moment. "Eh, look... methinks the bronze has found someone."

Telgar Weyr> Asrai says, "Kassi, if they can have the nearby volcano
threatening to go off, M'kla can have an attack if she wants."

From the sands below, G'har comes very close to losing his footing as the
bronzeling tumbles into him. "Falsanath," he gasps.

From the sands below, Gina is sand-speckled, her white robe greyed with
ash, sweat, and black sand. She shifts her weight over and over, casting a
glance back toward the weyrlings, then out to sands..and the new bronze
pairing.

From the sands below, Kayala stumbles slightly on an uneven furrow of sand
and she steadys herself against YAz just in time to see the bronze impress.

From the sands below, Mertinel shifts from side to side, a solemn sands
dance to keep her feet cool. She looks back and forth from people to eggs
to hatchlings. She bursts into a grin, giggling softly as another dragon
Impresses.

From the sands below, Delectable Dioptase Green lifts her head up to croon
again, can she stand here on these nice warm sands and admire herself
forever? With slow steps, she moves farther from her shards, it seems she
has decided not, her croon lowering into a more plantive tone.

Telgar Weyr> Asrai thinks it would be perfectly IC...couse, Asrai will kill
her if the heart doesn't ;)

Telgar Weyr> Kassima snorts at Asrai. Wasna saying she couldna. I
personally wouldn't, but... it's not like I could tell her what to do, or
would try if I could. :)

From the sands below, Madelynda watches with a slight, amused smile; eyes
drifting to the sand under her feet, she spies a shard nearby and bends
quickly to pick it up, turning it over like a jem in her hands. After a
moment, feeling its surface, the weyrwoman's brow furrows as she says
quietly, "That's strange..."

From the sands below, A crackling sound echoes across the Hatching Grounds
from the Shimmery Silver Egg, pieces of its shell appearing to darken
before flaking off. A dark blue hatchling flops from its confines,
wallowing briefly in the sands before getting to his feet and creeling his
hunger. He continues to vocalize as he ambles towards the candidates,
sniffing each one before settling eyes on Yulis, a lad from a tiny cothold
outside Ruatha. The two blink at each other for a few moments, as if in
silent negotiation, before Yulis finally reaches out to smooth the blue's
eyeridge as he grins, "I hear you, Aetoth." Y'lis' tone growing sheepish,
he adds, "And I love you too."

From the sands below, Falsanath seems even more insistent now than before,
butting egg-damp head against G'har--liberally smearing sand dampened and
sticky by egg fluids--onto the boy and setting to that high-pitched creel
once more with a will.

From the sands below, M'hryn shakes his head and smiles at G'har. "It's a
good name, Grego," he says. "Now, can you two make it over to the corner
where you can tend to him?"

Jaegon says "Hah! Neither of us win that one, A'wyn. I think I'm glad to
lose, though."

From the sands below, Kila gasps as the bronze rushes right between her and
Tothun, bowling her friend over. "Grego!" she shrieks, before realising
that he's safe after all. "Ach... Grego lad! Well done! Falasanth's
beautiful!"

From the sands below, G'har nods quickly, his expression still quite
stunned. "Food," he manages. Then he bobs his head to M'hryn. "Yes, sir.
Yes, yes, yessir. Right now. He's -hungry-!"

Tanon smiles and cheers when Grego Impresses. "Yah Grego!"

A'wyn smiles, "Falsanath, "Beautiful name."

From the sands below, G'har walks down to the far end of the Cavern.

From the sands below, Tothun looks over, and grins wide, as he sees G'har
impress. He cheers a litle again, not uite the exuberance of the other
times, before looking back to the green.

From the sands below, Kaci cheers for Grego. "Bet you're glad you came
now!" she grins.

From the sands below, Yazric beams, "Good." is his emphatic comment.

Catalina smiles as she catches the sight of the Impression. "Well done,"
she murmurs.

From the sands below, Little cracklings come from one corner of the clutch,
and a tiny green hatchling steps from the shell of the Silent Wind Egg. She
hesitates for a long moment, then flounders through the sands to a small
group of candidates standing together. One lad seems to be singled out by
the green's questing snout, and he bends to put his arms around her neck,
giving her a hug that needs no words to express his newly-found affection.

Alania grins "Friend of your Tanon?"

From the sands below, M'hryn nods. "I can imagine," he says, grinning after
G'har, then turns and looks back to see what and who is left.

From the sands below,  A smile alights her solemn face, then turns into a
giggle as Chibi's bouyant personality rears its head. She watches the
preeing green with a quiet amusement, her eyes flicking from her to the
other hatchlings and eggs.

From the sands below, Alexandra smiles and congradulates Grego with a meer
nod and a smile. She turns and looks again at the remaining eggs and
hatchlings. She covers her mouth and takes another deep inhalation. She
blinks and wipes grey ash and sweat from her face.

From the sands below, Gina looks at the greens now, longing in her eyes. As
one finds her match, she sighs but smiles weakly. It's about all she can
manage right now.

Tanon nods slightly, smiling. "He is...or was a Senior Apprentice in the
Smithcraft."

From the sands below, Falsanath bleats in sudden surprise as G'har heads
away. Galvanized, the bronze manages limbs into action once more and
charges after.

From the sands below, Falsanath walks down to the far end of the Cavern.

From the sands below, Delectable Dioptase Green seems to relise that
admiring herself isn't the best thing to do for the pain in her tummy.
Seeing the row of white, she moves towards them, her movments slow, she
must not charge, that would not be lady like. She approaches no one but
stops suddenly to look at something.

Kassima blinks once, twice--and then positively whoops with glee. "Grego!
All *right*! I knew that lad was stubborn and sadistic enough t'make a fine
bronzerider!" Realizing that she's probably sitting within earshot of
several bronzeriders, she hastens to add, "Ah, present company excepted,
a'course."

Alania blinks in surprise "Oh, I didn't know what, Sr, I'm surprised"

A'wyn glances at the green again, as intent as Asaleth.

Tanon smiles a bit. "Well, he was..."

From the sands below, Kayala's gaze follows G'har and his new companion
from the sands. Her young face is a smeared mess of sand and emotions as
she looks back to the remaining hatchlings and eggs.

Germaine eyes Kassima, a wry smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

Asrai's hand clenches M'kla's for a moment. "M'kla..talk to me. Are you
alright? I think we should go back to the Weyr...you don't look so good."
Mother hen...why yes.

From the sands below, Mertinel breathes out another breathy little sigh and
clutches her hands together in front of her nervously. She maintains her
smile though as her eyes shift and fixate on the green.

Alania chuckles and nods to Tanon "yes, I'm sure the craftmaster will just
love to loose another Sr smith."

From the sands below, Kaci chuckles softly, watching the green. "Isn't she
just a darling?"

From the sands below, Alexandra watches as the green hatchling approaches.
She smiles and shakes her head. Her expression is one of mock amazement.

M'kla chuckles and waves her hand again, shooing Asrai away. She's STILL
not looking out over the ledge, "I'm fine lass...jsut a bit seasick."

From the sands below, Kayala lets out a soft snort at the delectable
green's actions. "My, what a vain little thing. But she -is- beautiful."

From the sands below, Iriane awkwardly tucks a strand of hair back,
skimming the sands, over the shards and gooey stuffs.

From the sands below, Tothun's eyes stay focused on the Delectable green.
In fact, he turns a bit towards it while watching it, still rocking a bit,
a hopeful look on his face.

Tanon chuckles, and he nods slightly. "Of course he will...but then again,
it's still good for the 'Craft...might attract some new Apprentices.

From the sands below, Still a little stunned, Kila manages to grin at
Tothun, closing the gap, waving those on the other side to close in as well
on the decreasing cluster of eggs left on the sands.

Mani grumbles. "Shaffit, is it over /yet/?"

Asrai hmms, "Alright...but if you feel so much as a /twitch/ we are going
right back to the weyr."

From the sands below, Phediath, looking for all of Pern like the proudest
of queens, lets out a quiet croon toward Solarith as she surveys the
Grounds a-littered with bits of shells, eyes resting on the small number of
hatchlings still stumbling about. Lowering her head, she pushes at one with
her muzzle, giving it a sound sniffing.

From the sands below, Delectable Dioptase Green looks up at the young boy,
her creel changing into that of a soft croon as her eyes take in the the
appearance of one of the younger candidates. Slowly, she takes the
remaining steps to him and croons again.

M'kla chuckles, "Of course, lass. Of course."

Alania nods to Tanon "Yes, that's true too"

From the sands below, In the relative quiet of the Sands, a flicker of
movement becomes a rolling shudder across the shell of the Cursed Landscape
Egg. With a clap like thunder, the egg shatters into thousands of tiny
shards, giving birth to a green dragonet who stares around before walking
directly to a black-haired woman from Plains Hold. The two gaze into each
other's eyes, then the woman gasps and falls to her knees. "Oh, Yvalith! I
never thought..." The rest of her words are lost in the shouts of
"Congrats, Tiala!" coming from her fellow candidates.

From the sands below,  Giving her sweaty scalp a scratch, Chibi's eyes
flicker with emotion as she peers across the emptying sands. Her face falls
slightly as the young green finds her lifemate, but her eyes quickly return
to the sands, searching.

From the sands below, T'thun's eyes widen, and he falls to his knees to
reach out and wrap his arms around her neck. "Her name's Aradith!" he calls
out, in a voice filled with joy.

From the sands below, Kila blinks, as she seek that Tothun is unlikely to
look her way after all. "Oh my!" is her whispered comment.

Tanon smiles a bit, giving Alania a kiss on the back of the head before he
leans his head against Oerth's side again. He smiles as he notices the new
Impression.

A'wyn sighs softly, "What a beautiful name. Aradith. A green after my own
Asaleth's heart." he grins at Asa.

Faerysa tells A'wyn, amused, "there's your A name.

From the sands below, Kaci applauds, grinning at Tothun and his new
lifemate. "Alright!"

From the sands below, Kayala grins to the newest to impress.
"Congratulations T'thun!"

From the sands below, Yazric smiles, "Congrats Tothun."

From the sands below, Mertinel's face lights up as she stares at T'thun,
smiling at him warmly and calling out "Good for you T'thun." But then her
face falls just a little as her eyes find the nearly vacant sands once more.

From the sands below, M'hryn murmers quietly to Tiala and Yvalith as he
escorts them to the corner, then returns to hear T'thun's cry. He hurries
over to the lad and smiles. "A pretty name for a pretty green. She's
probably starved. G'fen and Merien can help you feed over in the corner."

From the sands below, Alexandra smiles and says, "Congradulations Tothun."
she looks at the happy couple and giggles a little. She looks at the
remaining candidates, and smiles encouragingly.

Alania blinks in surprise, glancing back at Tanon, then points down to the
sands..

Catalina smiles down at the Candidates and new Weyrlings, eyes full of hope
and encouragement for them all.

From the sands below, Solarith croons back to Phediath, looking over the
last few hatchlings. At his side, T'saren suddenly perks up and stares out
at one of the candidates. He shakes his head as something dawns on his,
then sighs. "I should have known, since she never was happy back home.
Congrats, Tiala!"

Jaegon chuckles softly. He looks up to the darkened entrance occasionally,
though.

From the sands below,  Her lips lifting in a smile, Chibi peers over at
little Tothun, "Way to go T'thun!" Her eyes don't seem to want to stay in
one place, however, and her gaze flicks back to the shard strewn sands.

From the sands below, T'thun looks up to M'hryn, nodding quickly and wipes
the new tears off his face as he stands, starting to lead the green
quickly, "Come on..food's over here."

Tanon smiles a bit, and he nods slightly, smiling down at T'thun

Pryth lets out one lone, but loud, bugle as he watches whiterobed
candidates Impresse. Sonya chuckles. "Yes, it looks to be almost over." she
says in a soft tone to her lifemate.

From the sands below, A silence hangs palpably above the Hatching Grounds
as the last green dragonet finds her lifemate. And yet, small cluster of
women hanging about the golden egg remain hopeful. Still standing bright
and intact upon the obsidian sand, it is the only one left. Not a crack
mars its shell, not a motion rocks the golden orb.

From the sands below, T'thun walks down to the far end of the Cavern.

From the sands below, Nathel kicks at the sand and blinks at the sudden
silence. Wow.

From the sands below, Aradith walks down to the far end of the Cavern.

From the sands below, Kaci frowns slightly, noting the still golden egg.
"Oh no..."

From the sands below, Gina looks back toward the weyrlings. Then to the
silent gold egg. She bites her lip.

Germaine's eyes stray to the as yet unhatched gold egg, a small frown of
concern creasing her features.

Letting her gaze drift lazily around the sands, Cat suddenly spots the gold
egg. She sits straight up again, looking nearly as rigid with excitement as
she did before her friend Impressed.

Asrai is among many that looks on to the motionless Golden Egg below.

From the sands below, Kila blinks at the sole remaining egg, and reaches
out, offering her hands to those beside her.

From the sands below, Kayala looks curiously at Kaci. "Oh no?" A question
rather than Kaci's exclamation.

Sonya stops and looks down to the sands though. Pryth's eyes whirl quicker.
"What's wrong with it?" she is talkng about the egg that is not moveing.
Her question if for anyone listening/

From the sands below,  Her brow furrowing, Chibi grasps tightly at her ash
riddled robe. Her eyes rest upon the unmoving egg, flicking worriedly
towards the golden mother..

Maegena watches the still golden egg, the silence grating on her tender
nerves. "Hatch? Please?"

Germaine shakes her head at Sonya's question. "I'm not sure," she answers
shortly.

From the sands below, Merellia's attention flickers from the hatchlings
still scattered across the sand, to Madelynda and her gold lifemate. Skirts
swirling purposefully about her ankles, the Weyrwoman picks her way through
the shards towards the pair, brows drawing together.

From the sands below, Alexandra looks about and shakes her head. She looks
a little confused as she takes in the egg that has caught everyone's
attention. She smiles a little and takes a couple of quick breathes.

E'ryn's concern is evident on his face. It furrows his brow and narrows his
eyes as he stares down at the sands. "Strange." He murmurs as if talking to
himself.

Mani grimaces.

From the sands below, Kaci nods slowly, glancing toward Phediath
sympathetically.

Faerth starts humming, a deep and low throbbing hum of encouragement.

From the sands below, Iriane offers a smile, perhaps showing a bigger grin
than what she's feeling, and reaches out a free hand to Kila.

From the sands below, Yazric smiles to Kila, turning his attention to the
weyrleaders.

From the sands below, Kayala looks to Yazric.

Catalina realizes the air's changed, something's wrong. "What the.." Her
brow furrows with concern.

From the sands below, T'saren notices where the others are looking and
peers at the gold egg which Phediath has so lovingly taken care of these
past sevendays. "Shells," he mutters, tearing his gaze away to look over at
Maddy with a deepening frown. "Doesn't look like it's going to hatch, does
it?"

Faerysa's lips purse. She flickers a gaze towards Germain, then towards the
Sands: the eggs, the candidates, the weyrwomen.

From the sands below, L'tan notices the lack of activing from the gold egg.
A bereft expression crosses his face quickly and he turns away from the scene.

Tanon looks to the still gold egg as he hears comments about it, and frowns
quietly, looking concerened for the egg.

Maegena bites her lip as tears well up in her eyes.

M'kla open her eyes as the quietness begins to sink in, and she looks down.

Alania just watches quietly, biting her lip tensely.

Kassima frowns in concern, leaning forward a bit. "Has it moved at all?"
she murmurs, more to herself than anyone in particular.

"C'mon, -hatch-," Cat says fiercly, fighting back tears.

From the sands below, Gina sees the weyrleaders' expressions and lets out a
long, slow breath.

From the sands below, Kayala slowly releases Yazric's hand, moving to join
the other girls.

Glorina murmurs, "A bad omen for Ista," and her voice carries across the
silent ledges.

From the sands below, Merellia gestures to L'tan as she passes the
Weyrleader, voice too low to be overheard as she murmurs a few words to
him, and gestures towards the still egg. Her expression otherwise
controlled, one eyebrow arches slightly, and she tilts her head towards it.

Sonya glances towards Germaine, then back down to the sands again. "It
doesn't look to be hatching." she comments needlessly. "Malformed maybe?"

From the sands below, M'hryn purses his lips as he looks at the last egg.
He shakes his head and starts escorting the last of the dragonets and their
new lifemates towards the far corner of the hatching grounds.

From the sands below, Kila squeezes Iriane's hand, closes the other over
Reesa's, and lets out a slow breath.

Silora looks like she doesn't understand, strange in one who has seen so
many hatchings, from so many different viewpoints. "Oh, surely it's just
waiting."

A'wyn sighs, his brows knit in concern as he watches the egg.

From the sands below, M'hryn walks down to the far end of the Cavern.

M'kla offers in a quiet, sick sounding voice, "Or the groundquakes..."

Asrai bites at her lower lip, grasping at M'kla's hand again. "Oh, poor
thing."

R'ehn gives Silora a doubtful look, "It's waiting -really- quietly then,
ma'am..."

Tears now run freely down Maegena's face as she watches the queen egg with
concern.

From the sands below, Kayala moves up between Danela and Cupenda, trying
her best to brush off the robe before taking their hands.

E'ryn looks as if he feels quite sick himself. Hearing M'kla he glances
over at the older woman with a torn look. "But the other eggs.. they were
fine." He points out. "They were fine." His voice drops to a low whisper.

Silora casts a stubborn glance at R'ehn, shaking her head. Her big sister
can fix anything, really, and she's down there on the Sands, so...She
watches Merellia closely.

Mani hmmphs. But it's a sad-sounding hmmph.

From the sands below, Gina looks torn between staying where she is and
moving into the semicircle.

From the sands below, Alexandra looks at the few remaining candidates and
then she brushes herself off. Taking a breath she smiles to the others.
"Good luck." she says to them all.

R'lym climbs up and settles himself comfortable on Zyrieth's neck. His
loving pat is greeted with a quiet rumbling from Zyrieth.

Zyrieth croons to R'lym as he settles himself on his neck.

Catalina fumbles for Meg's hand, grabbing it, her eyes still on the gold
egg. "Hatch," she hisses defiantly.

From the sands below, Habrith lumbers onto the sands from the passageway
leading to the southwest.

Zyrieth launches from the ledge and into the air.

Faerth goes at it again, perhaps in vain, but he hums for all his
thirty-two metres is worth. Rykel sits next to him, stony faced.

Germaine nods, a shadow passing across her face for a moment before she
straightens and replies to Sonya and Silora, "I think not. Golds usually
hatch somewhere in the middle of a clutch, frankly, and this one hasn't."
She shakes her head, then leans back against Isadith, suddenly looking
quite tired.

From the sands below,  Chibi stands stock still, either not feeling or not
caring about the heat. Her eyes wander aimlessly about the shard-strewn
cavern, returning again and again to the unmoving queen egg.

From the sands below, Madelynda, eyes resting on the final weyrling pair to
depart, is distracted as focus is drawn to the queen egg, seemingly
fogotten in all the fuss and noise. Looking up worriedly at Phediath, who
hovers over her with a markedly unconcerned air, the young weyrwoman walks
carefully walks toward the gold oval and stretches out both hands to
tentatively touch it. After a moment, looking up to Merellia, she says
softly. "Nothing." Her aqua eyes move to Phediath as she seems to bespeak
the queen; eventually, she adds slowly, "Phediath says 'It is quiet.'"

Maegena leans her head on Lina's shoulder, griping her hand and watching
the still golden egg.

Jaegon shakes his head. "It's over, Rysa."

Jh'rin reluctantly offers Kharisma back to her mother, murmuring, "I'd
better get down there, love. Take care of her, OK?" before giving Kassima a
kiss on the forehead.

From the sands below, Habrith crosses the sands slowly, somberly, coming to
stop near the gold egg and his rider. L'tan stares down at the sands. He
mummurs, "Oh, bloody ..."

From the sands below, Kaci glances toward Habrith, and takes a few hasty
steps back. Don't want to get in his way, nope.

A'wyn shakes hs head at Jaegon, "No..it isn't.." the ever optimistic
bronzerider says.

Silora's face droops into a totally uncharacteristic look, eyes unable to
move from the golden egg's form. "No."

Alania sighs softly as she stands "I really don't want to see this part"

From the sands below, Kila turns her head to look at the huge golden queen.
"Sorry, lass," she says, quietly.

From the sands below, Iriane shifts on the sands, watching the solemn
announcement from Madelynda.

Kassima sits back as the egg continues its motionless, just staring down at
it along with so many others. "I would never have thought...." She trails
off and nods to Jh'rin, taking the girl back in her arms and hugging her
close. "Always, Jhor-love. Always."

From the sands below, Mertinel stands, transfixed, pale. She watches the
gold egg's unmoving form with a stricken face.

Tanon frowns deeply, biting his lower lip, and he even has tears in his
eyes. He too, sighs, and stands, looking away. "Let's go..."

Catalina gulps audibly. "Nonono..." she wimpers, shoulders slumping. "No..."

Maegena is silent as the tears run in rivers down her face. "Why?" she
murmurs, "why?..."

From the sands below, Alexandra shakes her head slowly and takes another
breath. She looks up at the gathered people and lowers her eyes to the
sands. She shrugs softly to herself and then lets a few tears fall from her
eyes.

Jh'rin whispers words of adoration to both Khari and Kassima, gives each
one last kiss, and hurries off, eyes brimming.

From the sands below, As if waiting to hear Phediath's pronouncement, and
soon as Madelynda reports to the Weyrwoman, Solarith stretches his neck to
the skies and lets loose with a keen that could rattle teeth and probably
break glass.

From the sands below, Kayala drops the hands in hers and looks to the sand
below the golden egg.

Jh'rin uses the azure riding straps to pull himself astride Siaroth.

From the sands below, Gina backs up. She gives the fullgrown dragons plenty
of room, but takes in the words of the weyrwoman. Then she takes a deep
breath and curtseys to the grieving parents.

Siaroth launches from the ledge and into the air.

R'ehn shakes his head resignedly, "Poor thing..."

Faerysa nods, eyeing the sands a moment longer, then turning. "It is," she
says to Jaegon. "It's not so uncommon, though," she says, lower. "For eggs
not to hatch. Shall we?"

Alania groans and covers her ears..

Cygnith lifts his head to add to his clutchmate's. the keen vibrating
through the very rock as he marks the passing of the unborn Queen.

K'riana jumps as first her Marth and then other dragons around pick up the
keening ....

From the sands below, Yazric nods at Madalynda's words, as if some question
in his mind has been answered.

Jaegon nods to Faerysa. "Who knows with the earthshaking what could have
happened."

Faerth lets his hum pittle out into nothing.

Teyal sighs, "It's uncommon for the golds. Perhaps the earthquakes..."

Rykel climbs up onto Faerth, settling into his neckridges comfortably.

Faerth launches from the ledge and into the air.

From the sands below, T'saren closes his eyes and shakes his head sadly at
Maddy's words, then steps to her side. "I can dispose of it," he offers
quietly, his throat tightening around the words.

Teyal shakes her head and turns to Kharoth.

A few tears roll down Tanon's cheeks, and he lays his forehead against Oerth.

Pryth sits on his haunches and lets loose his own keen.

Mani mutters. "Shells. Don't know why I come to these things."

Alania glances around, trying to see where that comment came from then nods
to Tanon "Let's go"

Alania reaches up to hold the riding straps firmly. With a gentle nudge
from Oerth, Alania swings up to sit comfortably on her back.

Kiryath lifts his head, his sorrowful keen mingling with the others. Dirge
for the unhatched queen.

Torinth adds her high, scratchy voice to the rest of the keening, but only
briefly, because her attention goes back to M'kla, nuzzling her concernedly.

From the sands below, If his attention had been distracted before, Nathel
gives a soft yelp at the sudden keening and blinks at the sudden atmosphere
that has befallen the Grounds.

Tanon nods slightly to Alania, mounting Oerth as well.

Tanon reaches up to hold the riding straps firmly. With a gentle nudge from
Oerth, Tanon swings up to sit comfortably on her back.

Cat's fair croons softly, the sound eventually dying down to nothing. She
rises to her feet, looking around for Deannus and Kiryath, her face the
quintessence of devistation. "C'mon, let's go," she says in a dull, empty
voice.

Oerth keens loudly as she hurries out of the cavern.

Asaleth lifts his own muzzle and adds his brassy baritone to the keening, sad.

E'ryn just sags against Parth, a sigh emerging from barely parted lips. His
hand comes up to cup his forehead as if the omen this means has hit him
hard. He quickly straightens though, as if concious of appearances. His
face maintains a stoney appearance as he says sadly, "Thats that I
suppose." Parth's head extends out over the sands as his keening cry joins
in the sad ululation.

Faerysa's brisk. "Time to go. Need a ride back?" she asks of the Igen
contingent.

From the sands below, Kayala's miserable gaze swings to T'saren. Dispose is
such a bad word.

Oerth launches from the ledge and into the air.

From the sands below, Kaci looks toward Solarith sorrowfully, that keen
bringing tears to her eyes.

From the sands below, L'tan takes a step forward, "Ista takes care of it's
own. And Habrith and I will give the little queen the peace she requires.
If you'll excuse me?" His eyes rest of Merellia, perhaps for permission.

Deannus climbs to her feet, tears streaking unnoticed down her face as she
takes hold of Kiryath's straps.

R'val smiles towards Glorina, rising, "I guess that's that, hm?"

Kiryath launches from the ledge and into the air.

Maegena stands up slowly and follows her sister, crying all the while.

From the sands below, Merellia's features tighten, tanned skin almost gray
with its pallor of dismay. "It happens sometimes," she says shortly, glance
flickering to the broad head of Neith, the queen peering out of the tunnel
nearby leading to her own weyr. "And Neith agrees. It happened probably
some time ago, I'm afraid. L'tan--" she looks up from the egg and
Madelynda, glance seeking out the Weyrleader. "You and Habrith will have to
take care of this," with an inclination of her head towards the keening
Solarith. "Madelynda..." With a wordless shake of her head, she squeezes
the hand of the younger weyrwoman, then turns back to the candidates left
standing amongst the shards. Lifting her voice, "If you'd all come here a
moment."

A'wyn looks downcast, "I'll see you at Igen, Rysa.."

Kiryath flies in from the bowl.

Kassima holds Khari tightly, her eyes suspiciously wet as Lysseth adds her
own high-pitched keen to the reverbating cries of mourning.

Deannus steps up on Kiryath's extended foreleg and grabs for the straps,
barely managing to get them in her hands before she is 'boosted' the last
few feet. With tolerance and agility born of long practice, she manages to
land herself between the brown's neckridges, rather than go flying over his
neck.

From the sands below, Phediath sways her head to watch the fuss about the
gold egg, her tail flicking idly in the sand, muscles relaxed and
shadowy-golden hide smooth. After a moment of watching, her blue-green gaze
moves to Solarith, and she lets out a solemn and respectful croon to the
bronze--seemingly intended more to comfort him and signify the loss, not
plead for comfort.

Asrai wipes the tears from her eyes, looking to M'kla. "Come M'kla..we're
going back to the weyr now. You have had way too much excitement."

From the sands below, Alexandra stands dumbfounded.

Glorina murmurs, "Bad eggs run in Ista's bloodline. Look at that
Zaerith...most of the dragons here are from that line."

From the sands below, Gina looks up at Solarith and Phediath, then obeys
the Weyrwoman's summons.

Sonya leands against Pryth's her arms around his muzzle and face burried
into uit.

Faerysa climbs nimbly up to fondly proferred foreleg, fingers gripping the
straps as she pulls herself to her seat on Irianth's gilted neck, right at
the shoulders.

The queen shifts gently beneath her, muscles rippling beneath her hide.

Germaine nods curtly at E'ryn's words, then rises and approaches Isadith's
side. The gold rumbles faintly, the sound more felt than heard as a
tremblor in the stone beneath her.

Jaegon climbs up onto Irianth's offered foreleg, grasping the riding straps
to pull himself up to a seat between two neckridges.

From the sands below, L'tan jumps up and grabs a strap before agilely
climbing up onto Habrith's neck.

From the sands below, Kayala forces one foot obediantly in front of the
other on a path toward Merellia.

From the sands below, Iriane dutifully follows the other candidates,
trudging over the sand.

From the sands below,  Rubbing her hands along her dirty, wet robe, Chibi
peers down at the sands solemnly. She raises it and walks slowly towards
the Weyrwoman.

From the sands below, Yazric nods, moving over to Merri.

Catalina silently ushers Maegena towards Kiryath, looking with expectant
eyes at Deannus. "We're still going with you, right?"

From the sands below, Kaci bows deeply to Phediath, then to Solarith,
before slowly moving toward Merellia.

Jesica shakes her head and heads for Kryath, "Come on Dea, we should go now."

R'val smiles gently at Glorina, nodding in reply to her.

From the sands below, Alexandra snaps out of it, and then responds to the
Weyrwoman's summon.

From the sands below, Nathel gets tugged along with Iriane, walking with
the others to Merellia.

Teyal gives Glorina a shocked look, frowning, then turns to mount Kharoth.

Between Irianth's sun-bright ridges, Jaegon muters "I hope the others don't
let this spoil their day."

From the sands below, Kila tugs gently at Reesa's hand, leading her over to
Merellia.

M'kla shakes her head quietly at Asrai, "Lass." Her voice is quiet, "I'm
not quite ready to go yet. Bear with."

From the sands below, Mertinel's face is wet with unashamed tears. AT the
Weyrwoman's prompting, she advances, face twisting as her urge to cry
overwhelms. She bows her head and looks down at her hands.

From the sands below, Habrith rises to his haunches and then lifts the gold
egg with his forelimbs. He balances for a moment and then jumps into the
air, going between only a downsweep off the sands.

Germaine darts a narrowed glance toward Glorina before vaulting atop
Isadith's neckridges, though she says not a single word.

Germaine steps on Isadith's foreleg and scrambles up onto her back.

From the sands below, Habrith leaps into the air above the hatching sands,
and wings out through the aerial entrance.

Astride Kiryath, Deannus nods, leaning down to offer those she brought here
a hand up.

Kassima turns her head to remark mildly to Glorina, "Zaerith was
Benden-blooded, and her clutchsiblings and relatives there and at Telgar
are fine, strong dragons. 'Twas one of those fluke things, I would wager."
She gets to her feet, going back to where her cousin, elder daughter, and
dragon are clustered together.

K'riana reaches Marth's side. He rubs her shoulder gently before stepping
onto her forearm and springing with practiced ease onto her back.

Isadith launches from the ledge and into the air.

Mounted on Marth, K'riana buckles herself into the riding straps.

Jesica steps onto Kiryath's extended foreleg and settles between the
brown's neckridges and into the riding straps. Any 'boosting' mischief is
prevented by an amused murmer from Deannus.

Asrai remains seated next to M'kjla, nodding her head in understanding.
"Alright, M'kla..whenever you're ready."

Catalina stumbles clumsily as she first tries to get up behind Deannus, and
she curses and tries again.

Marth launches from the ledge and into the air.

A'wyn nods to M'kla and winces as he listens.

Sonya climbs up Pryth slowly, helped by Pryth's foreleg.

Pryth launches from the ledge and into the air.

Between Irianth's sun-bright ridges, Faerysa nods, fingers tightening her
straps efficiently. And Irianth leaps aloft -- quickly.

Catalina steps onto Kiryath's extended foreleg and settles between the
brown's neckridges and into the riding straps. Any 'boosting' mischief is
prevented by an amused murmer from Deannus.

Maegena steps onto Kiryath's extended foreleg and settles between the
brown's neckridges and into the riding straps. Any 'boosting' mischief is
prevented by an amused murmer from Deannus.

Irianth launches from the ledge and into the air.

Astride Kiryath, Catalina slides in behind Jesica, her body shaking lightly
as she sobs.

Astride Kiryath, Maegena settles down behind her sister. "Do tears freeze
between?" she murmurs.

Glorina shrugs at another Rider nearby. "They never like to talk about it,"
she says quietly, and then pats Verith's neck gently.

Astride Kiryath, Catalina shrugs. "Guess we'll find out," she says in that
same dull tone.

R'val smiles at Glorina, "Want to get a drink?" He inquires.

From the sands below, Gina mutters to herself, "... lives. Don't dwell...
the deaths.... was... today,..."

Astride Kiryath, Deannus waits till her passengers are settled, still
saying nothing, then murmers a few words to Kiryath.

From the sands below, Kaci nods, catching some of Gina's words. "That's
exactly right."

Kiryath launches from the ledge and into the air.

E'ryn strokes his dragon's neck gently, rubbing the brown affectionately.

Kassima murmurs a few words to Simaeva, reaching out to take Kaylira's
hand. "C'mon, m'loves. Show's over for the night." Glancing back towards
the Sands with a sigh and a faint, sorrow-tinged smile, she pulls herself
and her children up onto Lysseth's neck.

You place one hand on Lysseth's neck and she warbles down at you fondly.
You grin and scratch her eyeridges once before climbing up onto her lower
neckridges, using the riding straps and Lysseth's thoughtfully offered
foreleg.

<*> Lysseth springs from the ground, the air from her wings churning up
dust as she takes to the skies.

You launch yourself from the ledge and into the air.