Golden Sparks (Clutching)

[Spirithawk]

OOC: Yes, I'm rushing this. The hatching was supposed to be in December. We can have some threads set before this with the Weyr getting used to its new Weyrleader, or we can just play them afterwards. You can include your ideas of the new Weyrleader here or in any of the threads that start after the flight.

IC:

Kaith was never an easy Queen to deal with when she was brooding. She was grumpy, temperamental, and got on the nerves of her rider. Christae was glad when she felt her Queen become secretive. She knew what that meant!

You're clutching aren't you love?

Yes. It was reluctant. Kaith was always VERY protective over her eggs, especially after one of them had been stolen in a previous clutching.

She would allow Kegrith near her eggs, and her rider, because they both had the eggs' welfare at heart, but she wasn't sure about anyone else, including R'kohl.

Christae ran to the heights where R'kohl was working on drills with some of the wings. "She's clutching! Dismiss them. We can work later!"

She ran back to the bowl and entered the Hatching Grounds, glad that she hadn't taken off her riding boots from earlier. She had flown with Rhia while watching the drills under the supervision of the new Weyrleader and hadn't changed.

Kaith already had an egg on the sands when she arrived.

The egg was small, probably a green or a blue, but with Kaith's clutches, it would be hard to tell. The egg was a deep, crystalline blue of even shade until the top of the egg was reached. There was a blindingly contrasting circle of white at the very tip of the egg that drew the eye immediately.

[Spirithawk]

This egg was mottled, like most Terran reptile eggs, and the majority of the eggs that other Queens laid. However, the mottling was strangely colored. Bright greens, blues, pinks, reds, and yellows made up the myriad of flecks of color that broke up the ivory shell of the egg. It was one of the largest eggs on the sand.

This black egg was a bit on the larger size, but it was nowhere near as big as one of those that would hold a metallic dragon. Swirls of red and glints of silver made this egg stand out from the white sands of the Hatching Ground.

[Spirithawk]

This egg was almost blindingly white. Ice blue cracks littered the shell, almost as if the egg was hatching. This would make it hard for the watchers to know if the egg was hatching or not.

[Kandarra]

Uslanee noticed the Weyrwoman crossing the Bowl hurriedly into the Hatching Grounds and knew from experience that Kaith had decided to start clutching. With a deep breath, preparing for hours of supplying hungry riders and weyrfolk while they watched, she started around the kitchens, telling this drudge to clean this pot out and start the stew, telling that other drudge to put the bread on, and scolding idle workers into motion. She poured a pot of klah, grabbed two plates and three cups, and set them on a tray. She piled meatrolls and sliced bread onto the plates and hurried to the Sands, leaving her Second in charge of the kitchens. She was not going to miss this!

She skirted around the edge of the Sands and made her way up to Christae and the new Weyrleader. "I've brought supplies," she said with a grin and made a flourish with her hand. "I know how you are, Christae, you'll be here the whole time and not eat a thing if no one puts it in your mouth for you," she half-scolded, half-teased, setting the tray down and pouring klah for them all. Handing a cup to the Weyrwoman, she gazed at the eggs for the first time.

"My goodness, Kaith has really outdone herself with the colors this time, hasn't she?" she said in wonder, her eyes drawn to the large mottled one. So many different colors! There was simply no guessing what that egg might hatch out.

[Spirithawk]

After a brief rest, Kaith laid another egg. This small egg was a silvery green, like the underside of a pale leaf. The difference in this egg compared to the others is that the base color of the egg was lighter than the markings. Deep Purple zig-zags were stretched crazily along the shell. This egg seemed energetic with it's markings and the feeling that emanated from the egg.

[catilena1890]

The Queen lays.[/color] Soranith said. Relina's head snapped to look at her dragon as Rhythm and Mosaic ganged up on Zorn and chased him around the ceiling. Catilena broke off the attention she was giving their game to stare at her sister.

"What is wrong, sister? Something troubles you?" She asked. Relina looked at Catilena and smirked.

"Not at all. Soranith tells me the queen is clutching. Perhaps you would like to see them and guess which egg contains your potential life partner?" She said, standing up. Catilena grew excited and stood up abruptly.

"Really!

---

Admin's Note:[/hr] We can go see them!

---

Admin's Note:[/hr] Right now!

---

Admin's Note:[/hr] Let`s go! Oh Mosaic dear!" She chattered quickly. The little brown gave up the chase and flew to his master, who promptly snatched him out of the air and clutched him to her chest. Relina chuckled at her sister's endless energy and mentally called Zorn and Rhythm who appeared on either side of her shoulder.

"Come along then." Was all she said as she placed a hand on her dragon and they walked to the sands, her sister skipping happily behind her. Just before they reached the sands, Catilena spotted a small boy who seemed to be lost, and she promptly called out to him.

"Hey there! Come along! The queen is clutching! Come see the eggs!" She piped up at the boy, who jumped at her addressing him.

"M-me? Th-the queen is clutching? Are we allowed to see them? I mean, she won`t be mad?" He whimpered.

He seems to be frightened by your hatchmates actions. Mine will correct this. He seems to need companionship. Show him understanding.[/color]Relina rolled her eyes and, without even bothering to argue, turned around to face them.

"My sister is being stupid, please forgive her. I am Relina, the loudmouth is Catilena." Catilena promptly jumped into the conversation

"This is my sister's dragon Soranith! The blue fire-lizard on her left shoulder is Zorn, the green one on her right shoulder is Rhythm, and the brown one here in my arms is Mosaic! What is your name?" She piped. Relina sighed and held her head with one hand, while the boy slunk over to them.

"M-My name is Daelan. I`m trying for a d-dragon." He muttered. Relina crossed her arms and looked at Rhythm.

Play. She commanded. Both Rhythm and Zorn flew off her shoulder and started to chase each other in the air. Their antics had the exact effect Relina wanted as the shy candidate relaxed a little on concentraited on the fire-lizards. Relina uncrossed her arms and reached out for Catilena, grabbing her shoulder and pulling her away.

"You`re scaring him, stop it! I know you are excited but if you don`t calm down, I won't take you to the eggs!" She whispered. Catilena pouted and nodded.

"Sorry." She replied. Both girls stood up straighter and touched Daelan's shoulder, who broke out of his flit-induced trance and shrank at their touch. Relina breathed deeply and tried her best to smiled at him, with some success.

"Come on, let's go see the eggs, one of them might have your dragon in it." She said, letting go of him and walking forward, reuniting with her dragon. Rhythm and Zorn flew back to her and landed on her shoulders as Soranith entered her mind.

I am proud of you, mine. You are becoming nicer to others, and in that you are becoming happier yourself. I am glad.[/color] Soranith told her, her eyes a deep blue. Relina closed her eyes and smirked as Catilena tried to engage Daelan in conversation.

I am happy you approve. It seems we are stuck with him. Our family just keeps growing Soranith, and you know what?

What is it mine?[/color]

It pleases me. I quite enjoy the company of my sister, the compassion of Rhythm and Zorn, the warm advice from you, and I can see I have much to teach this young lad. One thing is for sure, my sweet, you were the best thing that has ever happened to me, I would be so lost without you. Relina said, stroking her dragon. Soranith moved her head to lean against Relina and her eyes whirled faster.

And I you.[/color] Was all she said as the group finally made it to the sands with the clutching queen.

[Minajerie]

R'khol had no problem dismissing the wings. It had been stiff between them, and he was sure they were all to glad to get away from this outsider who was their new weyrleader. He suppressed a sigh as Kegrith landed on one of the landings for the hatching grounds, wanting to be near Kaith.

Of course, he understood he was not welcome near the eggs. In fact, he planned to give the queen no reason to dislike him- therefore giving them both space. An angry queen was not something he wanted on his hands.

He thanked the headwoman for the snacks and retired into the watching stands. He wasn't needed on the sands. He could give his moral support from here... he hoped. R'khol was certain Christae had been through several clutches before, and therefore wouldn't need anything from him. But still, R'khol was ever the gentleman and wanted to stay nearby. Just in case she might... need anything.

Your fussing over her.

Oh, like your one to talk!

Just saying.

[Minajerie]

R'khol sat entranced as the golden queen laid yet another egg. Carefully situating it into the hot sands.

This egg was a deep chocolate, the color of dark chocolate. Lighter flecks of milky chocolate coloring made the actual color of the egg appear a shade or two lighter than the base color of the eggs. The flecks were tiny, and almost unnoticeable until the viewer took a closer look at the eggshell. The egg was on the larger size of the medium range.



((Hawk gave me permission to post an egg- She was far too tired to do so herself the poor dear. ))

[Kandarra]

Jerodyn dropped from the back of the green dragon that had conveyed her to Dark Moon Weyr. She thanked the NPC dragonrider and moved quickly away from the dragon, who was already making to launch into the air. She turned just in time to see them wing away, presumably to a weyr. Watching them until her eyes hurt from the sun, she sighed. This was a great opportunity, and her parents were incredibly supportive and happy for her, but.. as she looked around at the busy people-- all people she didn't know-- she longed for the familiarity and comfort of her hold. It was all she had ever known, and she knew nothing about her current surroundings.

Cautiously, she made her way towards what seemed to be the center of the activity, a doorway. She ducked inside, her eyes adjusting to the dimmer light, and saw what was unmistakably the kitchen area. People were hurrying around, a tall, thin woman giving the orders. Surely the weyr wasn't always this busy! If it was, Jerodyn decided, she might just ask to go back home. There were far too many people.

She slipped in sideways along the wall until she found a spot where she could stand and see everything for a moment. She took a breath, and began the process of figuring out where to go. That tall woman seemed to be in charge. Just as she moved from her spot to go talk to her, the woman walked quickly out of the kitchens.

Jerodyn gave an exasperated sigh and followed her. Exasperation turned to awe as she came out onto the Hatching Sands, observed the great queen dragon, and caught sight of her eggs. She had inadvertently walked in on the Clutching!

Unsure how close she was supposed to get, and noticing that the woman who was unmistakably the Headwoman had gone to talk to a woman by the queen, she found a spot on the stands, heaving her pack, which had suddenly become very heavy, beside her. She would watch, and wait for an opportunity to talk to her.

[Spirithawk]

Christae grinned and gave Uslanee a grateful smile. "I can always count on you to keep me fed Uslanee. R'khol, our Headwoman Uslanee. You didn't get a chance to meet her yet. She did do well this time didn't she?" She responded to Uslanee's question with happy and contented excitement.

"Look, she's laying another one."

[catilena1890]

(C)

Upon entering the sands, the three humans and their creatures had made it just in time to see the queen lay yet another egg.

"It is so beautiful don`t you think sister? I think it`s beautiful, Daelan, look look! See how that one looks?" Catilena said, grabbing Daelan`s shoulder and pointing to the sands.

One of the medium sized eggs rested on its side on the sands. It was a pale, pastel orange, almost like that of sherbert, with faint lime and pastel pink whorls along it's length. It looked rather tasty. ((With Hawk's permission))

(D)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Daelan said nothing as the strange girl grabbed him and shook him, pointing to one of the eggs on the sands. He grew nervous from the actions but was able to relax as Catilena's sister pulled her off of him, giving him the chance to truly appreciate the sands and the dragon on them.

He watched the magnificant queen lay the eggs, wondering which one contains his dragon, if any of them do. Sighing, his head drooped downward as he wondered whether or not he was truly worthy of becoming a rider.

"What if they were right? What if I`m not dragon-rider material?" He muttered to himself, unaware of the two girls listening.

(R)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Relina frowned as she finished scolding her big-mouthed sister and turned her attention to Daelan. slowly, she walked up to him and stood next to him, looking toward the sands.

"I wondered the same thing myself. I came to this weyr fully confident I would Impress a dragon right away. From the moment I stepped on the sands during the Hatching I felt I was destined to be riding through the skies, searing thread." She explained. Daelan turned his head to her and listened, and even her sister stopped chattering and paid attention.

"One by one, the candidates around me found their dragon. Their beasts eyes whirled the colors of the rainbow as rider and dragon were joined for the first time and together, they all walked off the sands. It seemed to me everyone was getting a dragon but me, even this redheaded, hyperactive girl who dared try to befriend me locked eyes with a hatchling, and I had given up. I felt I had no right to come into a weyr and expect a dragon to accept me. I started to walk away, when suddenly, I was knocked over from behind by Soranith, who demanded I take her to get food." Relina stopped talking and looked Daelan in the eye.

"Even if a dragon does not Impress to you this time around, do not give up, it only means your dragon was not in this clutch. Do not think you are unworthy of the dragons, for if someone like me can Impress, then you can too. It`s only a matter of time." She finished, turning her attention back to the sands as Daelan and Catilena contemplated her words.

Well said mine. I did not even have to tell you to say that.[/color] Soranith told Relina, who smirked at her dragon.

I truly did feel unworthy of dragons that day, and I still feel like I don`t deserve to be your rider. The boy has not had the life I did, so he does not deserve to feel the way I do.

Dragons know best, we do not make mistakes. I would tolerate none but you, you are my rider, I am your Soranith, that is how things are, and that is how things must always be.[/color] She said, touching Relina's side with her nose. Relina smiled and rested her hand on her dragon, grateful to have someone as kind as her Soranith.

[Minajerie]

R'khol nodded to Uslanee. "Pleasure to meet you, Ma'am.... er... Uslanee." He gave the woman one of his frequent half smiles. He would always feel the need to give others respect. He still would... but the fact that he no longer had to use titles since he was now a 'higher up'... well, it made him feel weird, lets leave it at that.

"I don't think I've ever seen eggs with so vibrant of colors... or patterns... or really much variation of the creamy white/ tan variety. Surely Kaith is a wonder."

That... we can agree on. My love is a wonderful golden being.

Glad to hear it, old friend. R'khol placed his elbows on his knees. He would be watching the sands for a tad bit more... at least, until he was dragged away for some different new duty he didn't know existed. Being weyrleader was... different.

[Minajerie]

As R'khol watched intently, the queen laid yet more eggs.

One of the last eggs clutched as an enormous egg. No egg had ever been that large, but it was not the same color as any Queen egg that had ever graced the Hatching Sands of Pern's weyrs. The egg was a deep, burnished silver, with a dark golden spiral that circled completely around the egg. From the side, the egg looked like it had curving horizontal stripes of gold. It had taken Kaith several hours to lay this one. She fussed over it, like she had fussed over all the eggs, but no one could tell if this was a Queen egg or not because the giant Queen had made a mound for each of her eggs with enough room for two people to walk abreast of each other between the mounds.



R'khol could speculate that this particular large egg was going to be important. If nothing else, it's size seemed promising.

After the large egg had been laid, another large egg, but this one a fraction of the size of the giant egg, was laid. The egg was maroon with ice blue strips slashed across the surface of the egg haphazardly.



He thought this egg to be definitely different. Like a giant blue was trying to get out... but only time could tell.

[Spirithawk]

It was like Kaith no longer had to make much of an effort to lay the remaining eggs after the large egg had been laid. She only took the time to build up a mound before she laid the next one.

Another egg was on the smaller side of the medium scale. It was a bright sunshine yellow that was happy and light-hearted with paler streaks branching out from the center of the egg in a sunburst pattern.



Kaith fussed happily over the eggs but showed no sign of laying anymore. It was by far the smallest clutch, but as far as shell colors went, the most spectacular. It was also very soon after her last flight so it was no surprise that it was a little less than half the size of her other clutches.

The one before last egg was a good-sized egg, on the larger side of medium. It was a dark red color, almost bloodred, but not quite. There were large round spots, almost like polka dots, but not even in size scattered all over the egg's surface. The spots were coyote brown.



The final egg that was laid was jet black, like polished ebony. The egg had thick teal and blue swirls over its surface. The strange thing was that the whorls themselves had what looked like black tiger strips along their lengths.

[Spirithawk]

"Oh my, is that what I think it is?" Christae grabbed R'khol's arm as she saw the golden swirled silver egg. She tried to touch her Queen's mind but Kaith was being entirely too secretive, either that, or she wasn't sure herself! She stepped closer to the eggs to take a look. She wouldn't touch, because they were still soft right now, but she knew her queen wouldn't say anything about her stepping closer to look. She turned back, speaking louder to be heard over the hum of excited speculation.

"It's hard to tell because it isn't separated. She separated all of them. It certainly is bigger than even the egg Kaith hatched from those Turns back." Either way, Christae was happy. These few dragons would help, any number would!

[Minajerie]

R'khol was startled for a moment. His muscles tense- but soon relaxed at the excitement radiating off of Christae. He felt his expression soften and his eyes crinkle in an unseen smile. But then they were moving... and the soft crunch of sand made him go pale as Christae unwittingly dragged him onto the sands. He couldn't help but feel tense... and half feared to even glance in the gold dragon's direction, afraid of the possible glare of promised blood that she may be fixing on him as Christae dragged him closer to the hardening eggs.

You may ask, why didn't he simply pull away in a show of force? Well, that just wasn't R'khol. He would never lay a forceful hand on a woman. Plus... he simply thought it bad manners.

"It is indeed very big... and special. And I agree that the fact that she did not separate it when it has such a metallic sheen to it is a tad puzzling... but... uh... Christae? I do not think Kaith likes me so close to her eggs..." If he wasn't already slightly sweating from the heat coming off the sands, he would be from the stress of his current predicament.

[Marnark’tranarprol]

News traveled like wildfire within a Weyr, Orena had quickly realized. It was almost as bad as being in a Hold. There just really was no such thing as 'secret'. If two people knew it, the whole place knew it. And in a Weyr? Something as big as a Clutching was a really hard secret to keep. Actually, the place was acting like a hornet nest that had been whacked with a rock.

So it was with great curiosity eating her up from the inside out that Orena made her way to the sands, and then snuck into the stands from there. Must not get noticed .... but oh how she wanted to see!!! For a moment she just stood there and oogled the eggs, before realizing she wasn't the only one around. Grinning fit to split her face in two, she danced through the ranks of stone risers until she reached where another girl was sitting. Plopping down next to her, Orena leaned toward her.

"Hi!"

[Kandarra]

Jerodyn was roused from her watching by a draft of air and a greeting coming from very close to her. Startled, she turned her head to see another girl, who looked about her age, sitting right next to her.

"Hello," she said slowly, wondering if maybe she had met this girl before and just didn't remember. No, she thought after a second's consideration, I don't know her. So why on Pern did she just come over here and sit? At her hold, one didn't just walk up to strangers and say hello-- at least, her parents had taught her that way. You waited for a moment when you had a message to convey, or business to conduct, or something. She wondered if maybe this girl had a secret agenda, but quickly scolded herself for such a ridiculous thought.

Banishing it from her mind, she plowed on ahead with the social niceties, something she had never really been comfortable with or good at. "My name is Jerodyn. It's nice to meet you." Nervously, she added, "I've just arrived."

[Marnark’tranarprol]

Orena grinned, and looked over at the girl, tearing her eyes off the lovely eggs that were gracing the sands before them. "Jerodyn? Really? How interesting! I'm Orena." She reached over and patted Jerodyn on the shoulder in a friendly fashion of welcome and greeting. "Welcome to Darkmoon! I'm sort of new here, myself... though I've been around a few months. I actually got here right after the last hatching they had. But it's been interesting, to be sure! Nice to meet you, too, by the way. Pardon me!"

Plainly, she was bubbling over with excitement and energy, barely containing a flood under the surface. But how could one not be? Her future was possibly sitting out there on those very sands! The candles were now burning down to the hour when all would tell!

[Spirithawk]

Kaith lifted her head idly from turning one of her eggs. Her rider had dragged her mate's chosen across the sands. There was a hint of amusement in her whirling blue and green faceted eyes when she realized that the man was nervous.

Mine, he is nervous.

"Oh! R'khol, I'm sorry. I didn't realize I had dragged you along with me. She won't do anything to you with me here." She glanced at the gold. The queen was being unusually accepting of the man's presence here, but she knew that could change in a moment. She released him. "Just walk away slowly and you'll be fine." Her eyes crinkled with amusement.