A Dismal Touching of the Eggs

[Spirithawk]

Kaith seemed almost bored as she glanced over the Candidate. He was male. He had not stolen her egg. She glanced at her rider.

How many more of these are there? I grow weary of this.

"It will be over soon Kaith." Christae said soothingly. The gold flicked her tail dismissively and curled up on the scorching sand. Christae turned to Valkoran and nodded. "Touch the eggs Valkoran." She said gently, trying to make up for her dragon's lack of interest.

[maira]

Jessa was glad for the comfort of Valkoran's arm as it slipped around her. After the rush of standing before Kaith and touching her eggs, she was feeling a little wobbly. Nothing serious, just the adrenaline was leaving her system. The fact that she was still giddy was clear on her face, she was grinning like a fool.

Not wanting to spoil the experience for Valkoran, Jessa didn't describe anything to him so the pair just stood in silence waiting and watching as their fellow candidates got selected to present themselves to Kaith. When the little green flitt came back yet again and went to one of the other female candidates, Jessa held her breath as she had each time before. This time the other woman announced that it was Valkoran's turn and Jessa's heart stopped momentarily. Whether from excitement for him or nerves she wasn't quite sure though...

She watched him leave for the hatching ground and her nerves were for mixed reasons. She worried about him, Kaith was not a happy gold at the moment after all, and because she knew just what he would find. She couldn't wait for him to return and they could talk quietly a little bit away from the others about what they'd seen. If she could muster up the self discipline, she might be able to wait until later that evening at dinner but as excited as she was she knew that wasn't likely.

[Kandarra]

Valkoran nodded to Christae. "Thank you, Queen Kaith." He moved among the eggs, and as he touched each one, careful to keep an eye on Kaith, he felt the absence of the deeper-than-black egg. How ironic, the void-like egg is the one missing, he thought. He stopped at a fairly large egg, the red one he had eyed at the Clutching, and splayed his palm against it. It was so warm, and much harder than he'd expected. He then moved to the last egg, the one Jessa had said she'd liked. It was several shades of blue, and almost superstitiously, Valkoran didn't touch it; he willed it to be for Jess.

Finished, he looked up at the queen, bowed to her, and silently backed out of the cavern. When he had passed the bronzes, he turned around and walked forward to find Jessa among the other Candidates. He smiled and sat down next to her quietly, not sure what to say.

[Torva Anian]

Sorcha wanted to sigh, fidget, and chat as the other Candidates did but she didn't know any of them and couldn't really afford to bring undue attention to herself. On top of that it was hard to talk of mundane things when you feared you would be chomped to bits by a mammoth queen in a few minutes. Of course her name wasn't in the hat so she really couldn't be called up there now could she? That would probably make her last to see the queen which was a good thing. She glanced at the others anxiously waiting to go see the eggs. Her wants and desires had almost lost them this opportunity; she wouldn’t begrudge them these precious few moments with the eggs because she wished to get this over with.

She slid down the wall to sit and try to block out images of going down the throat of an angry monster. Then again, she wasn't being all that fair to the queen, it was her own fault that Kaith would be angry at her when she found out. If she really was a monster she wouldn't be capable of thought or counting and wouldn't care of the fate of that one egg. Sorcha shook her head slightly and leaned her head back against the slightly warm wall. Even out here it was warmed from the sands though not as much as in the Hatching Cavern. She closed her eyes and willed herself to calm. Getting all agitated wouldn’t help her case at all. She took a deep breath and started replacing the images of the queen with lakes and forests but that didn’t quite calm her so she just replaced everything with a small little cave she had come to love. Not because it got her out of the Weyr but because it held Dicer. A small smile started to take hold as she began to daydream of spending more time with Dicer and perhaps their two dragons if they were lucky enough to Impress.

Her eyes opened as she heard people move again. One of the girls took the slip from the flitt and read the next name. One more down ‘til she must go. She folded her arms forgetting that she had thought the walls warm a few minutes ago. She pulled her knees close and laid her head down upon her knees watching the boy go towards the bronzes and queen.

~~~~~~~~

Kinest’s eyes stayed moving as he watched everyone gather into small groups and start whispering of what they had seen in the Hatching Cavern or what they hoped to see when they were called. Every time the flitt came forward again he waited with breathe held like all the rest hoping it was his name and hoping it wasn’t for as much as he wanted his name called he didn’t want to deal with the queen’s anger. Again his face turned slightly sour as he thought of the idiot who stole the egg…didn’t she know that the queen would notice the egg gone and rip the weyr apart looking for it?

He wondered what would happen once the egg hatched, far away from its’ siblings creeling for meat. Would the thief feed it and be worthy enough to Impress the dragonet so it might not go Between

---

Admin's Note:[/hr] His mind conjured up some gray misty area that was cold, raining, and dismal. He pitied the poor creature for the thief surely wouldn’t stay around for the queen to find her and kill her for that would be the height of stupidity. He sighed silently and once more pushed such thoughts from his mind. He had no way to find the dragonet or thief so it was useless for him to keep thinking on it. Instead he should be thinking of what he should say so he might not anger the queen and lose his chance at touching the eggs.

He looked around wishing, for a fleeting instant, that he was like that Jakel boy who didn’t seem to have any problems talking with people and making friends. Then again he would have to always be around people. He wrinkled his nose, he preferred a quiet forest to a big Gathering any day. He stretched his back a little before leaning back against the wall staring towards the Sands wishing he could get a glimpse of it. He hated how it felt so slow, each person seemed to take forever. He didn’t want anyone rushing him so he didn’t say anything or really begrudge them. He was sure that when it came to his turn he would take his time savoring the moment. For touching those eggs might be the closest he’ll get to a dragonet if one didn’t hold his Bonded.

[Spirithawk]

Gylfie appeared again. She held two slips of parchment in her claws and a scroll was tied to her leg. She flitted in front of the Harper girl that had stepped forward before. She dropped the parchment into her hand and then moved away to flitt in front of Kalor. She dropped the other slip of parchment in front of him. She imperiously held her arm out so that someone would take the scroll from her arm.

Anassa read her name on the slip of parchment and steeled herself. This was it, the moment of truth, well, the first moment of truth anyway. The real moment of truth would come when she stood on the Hatching Sands with eggs splitting all around her. Would she Impress or would she be left standing while the rest of the Candidates walked off with their bondmates?

She was puzzled that the flitt had brought two slips. She figured that the Queen was becoming agitated. She couldn't blame the golden creature for being agitated but she remembered that they had to go one by one into the cavern.

"Kalor, read what the scroll says."

The scroll read.

Kaith is becoming restless. We do not want you to lose your chance to touch the eggs. The same rules apply but you will be coming in twos from now on. Gylfie will notify you on who is coming.

~Candidate Master Rhia~

[Tenma]

Hali watched as Gylfie brought two slips of paper. The first went to Anassa and the second to herself. She read it once. "It says that we are going in two now. Since you have the other slip, I believe we are both going at the same time." She said, making sure to lower her voice.

She took a deep breath and made her way onto the sands. She clenched her teeth as the hot sands easily peirced the soles of her shoes. Nevertheless, she kept walking. She stopped a bit away from the great gold. She opened her mouth to speak and choked.

She just then realized that dragons are not as easily fooled as humans. What if the gold realized that she was a girl. That would just make her seem that much more suspicious. Hali took another deep breath, standing here like an idiot made her seem that much more suspicious.

She bowed like a boy and lowered her voice. "Hello, queen Kaith. How are you and your rider?" She questioned as she had been instructed.

[Spirithawk]

Anassa nodded to Kalor and followed the boy as he walked into the Hatching Cavern. She gulped, trying to swallow the lump that anxiety created in her throat. She bowed to the bronzes as she entered the cavern, wondering if dragons could sense fear like runners could.

She ignored the heat rising up from the volcanic lava deep under the earth that had been tapped to keep the sands warm enough for dragon eggs to hatch. She had worn thick boots in anticipation of walking across the heated sand. She joined Kalor and bowed as well. She wore leggings because they were more practical than skirts and she had not wanted to have her skirts tangled in her legs if she had to run from the Queen.

Anassa bowed low before the Queen and the Weyleaders before calling out the formal greeting she had been taught as a Harper. "Good day to you great Queen. I send my respects to you and your rider. It is an honor to be a Candidate in your weyr and to be allowed into your presence. I would be honored if you allowed me to touch your eggs this day." Her Harper-trained voice held none of the nervousness she felt. Her voice was lilting, muscal. Anassa felt relieved that her voice did not tremble or crack.

~~~~~~~

Kaith had been a bit reluctant to agree to allowing more than one Candidate into the cavern at once but she was also beyond annoyed with the whole procedure and had agreed only because the younglings would be in and out faster than with them coming one by one. She looked down at the boy and girl before her and snorted.

Harper-trained you are. She told Anassa bluntly. Touch the eggs Harper girl but remember that we respect Harpers don't give us reason to hate them. Anassa bowed. "I thank you Queen."

The large gold turned to Kalor. Your name boy? Her voice was curt.

[Tenma]

Hali looked straight at the gold, supressing her fear. She had been adressed as boy, so everything seemed to be okay. "I appolagize for forgetting. My name is Kalor. I would also like to touch your marvelous eggs." She explained, hoping that she hadn't missed anything else. She stood straight as she waited for Kaith's reply.

((Sorry it is so short.))

[Spirithawk]

Anassa bowed again and then moved off to touch the eggs. She marveled at the smooth hardness of the jewel colored eggs. She couldn't help but linger near one of the blue-tinged eggs. She had always loved blue. She was a Harper after all and Harper blue was famous. She ran her hands over each of the eggs, keeping an eye out to make sure she wasn't being signaled to leave by the Candidate Master or the Weyrleaders. She looked up to see how Kalor was doing and stiffened. The Queen didn't seem to happy.

Kaith stretched her neck out as Anassa stepped away towards the eggs and Kalor introduced himself. She snaked her head around the boy and sniffed.

Something smells wrong about you. You hide something Her eyes flashed with agitation. Yellow began to be flecked with orange. Christae quickly stepped foward, ready to intervene if the Queen began to rage or panic. What was the problem? The Candidate was a boy, the Queen had stated that a girl had stolen the egg.

[Tenma]

~Shards!~ Hali curses loudly in her head. The queen was on to her and she didn't seem to happy about it either. "I...uh..." Hali stuttered, trying to keep her voice deep, though she was beginning to panic. She looked around at Anassa and the Weyrwoman. Her eyes turned back to bronzes that were gaurding the entrance, then back at the queen.

She realized how suspicious she looked and stood straight and cleared her throat. "I do not wish to cause problems, If you don't mind, Weyrwoman, I think I won't partake in the touching of the eggs." She said. Hali tried to sound respectful, but truth was she was fearing for herself. She had feared that the queen would be able to tell that she was not a boy. Hali bowed again to show respect. "I do not mind. Anything to keep the queen at ease." She explained.

[Spirithawk]

Kaith reared up in front of her rider. He will not touch my eggs while he hides something. The gold snapped in her rider's mind.

"I think that would be best Kalor. I will try to reason with her. Perhaps another day we will be able to convince her to let you touch the eggs. I am sorry. Kalor, come to me after the Candidate lesson is done." The Weyrwoman's brown eyes were dark with concern. She went to her dragon and soothed her.

Anassa stood rooted to the spot as the Queen obviously refused to allow Kalor to touch the eggs. She glanced at the lad and then at the Queen and her rider. She wasn't sure if she should leave or just remain still or what. After Kalor had left the Cavern she caught the Candidate Master's eye and continued touching the eggs.

That is enough Harper-girl. Send the next ones in. Kaith 's voice made it obvious that she was not going to tolerate much more of the event. Anassa bowed and then left the room.

Gylfie followed her soon after carrying two slips of parchment. The names were Kira and Malenie.

[Tenma]

Hali's eyes grew wide as the great gold reared. She took a few steps back. Assured she was safe enough, Hali bowed. "Thank you for at least letting me see your wonderful eggs Kaith." She stood up straight and headed back to the others.

Hali thought she was going to feint. Right now, she could care less if she was found out. Seeing such a large animal rear up angrily like that had scared her half to death. She seriously thought she was going to get mauled. Hali looked at the others before leaning against a wall and sighing.

*************************

Jakel noticed that Kalor had come back looking quite pale. He walked over to his friend. "What happened?" He questioned curiously, wondering why he looked so afraid.

*************************

"It's nothing. I just got a little spooked. To tell you the truth, a creature that large is very big." Hali sighed again. "But it's fine. She didn't kill me, if you can't tell, and she is still allowing more candidates to touch the eggs. See?" Hali pointed to Gylfie who was holding more pieces of parchment.

Hali decided not to tell Jakel that she wasn't allowed to touch the eggs. Knowing him, he would become very interested and start bombarding her with questions. She really didn't need that. Besides, she also had to meet with the Weyrwoman after everyone had touched the eggs. No doubt she would be bombarded with questions then.

[Spirithawk]

Anassa emerged from the Cavern not long after Kalor. She hoped that her face had regained some color. She had been terrified for Kalor when Kaith started becoming angry. She watched as Jakel went over and decided that if anyone could cheer the Candidate up, it was Jakel. She walked by and gently squeezed Kalor's shoulder as she passed, giving a mute apology for his not being able to touch the eggs.

Inside the cavern, Kaith began to calm down but she still grumbled about untrustworthy people. Christae stood there scratching her eye ridges and reminding her that not all humans were untrustworthy.

"Kaith not all humans are bad."

You aren't a normal human. You are my soulmate. The Queen said in an argumentive tone. Christae sighed, she was tired of always having to soothe the prickly Queen and would be glad when the eggs had hatched and the dragonets Impressed and under the care of their bondmates. The Queen's temper would lessen then.

[Tenma]

Hali had been looking down, thinking. She felt someone's hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Anassa. Hali was relieved that the girl had not been harmed. She had been touching the eggs and much closer to the angered Kaith. Hali smiled in return, to let Anassa know that all was okay.

[Akki]

Hasima watched as Kalor came in, and as Anassa squeezed his shoulder. Something must have happened she realized mutely, but there was no scratches, no blood, no torn clothes to show any swipes made by the Queen. She listened as he explained to Jakel that he got spooked. Hasima nodded absent mindedly, she could understand. She was very scared herself when her turn came around, and the Queen was oversized and looked very intimidating.

Hasima felt bad that Kalor was scared when he went to touch the eggs, and admired him slightly for admitting he was scared. She watched as Gylfie fluttered in, looking for more candidates who would go touch the eggs. That is, of course, if Kaith decided to continue on with the egg touching and didn't become bored and annoyed with it.

Ooc|| My bad x) Fixeded

[Dragon]

Kira watched as more flooded in and out of the hatching grounds. Soon it was her turn. She stood up and prepared herself to enter before the massive queen. A bit sure of herself yet at the same time a hint of nervousness was still there. She stood before the entrance and peered in at first. She was a new comer here, arriving right when this was going on. She knew no one and a hint of lonliness and discomfort was in her from this new place and experience, though to any normal human being she could easily mask this well. She wondered about taking a step in. Should she wait for the other person or not? They were going in pairs of two and to be honest another candidate feeling the same as she would ease things a little. She crept in a little farther before composing herself and deciding to walk in gracefully before the queen and the weyrleards, giving a bow to each. She cleared her throat and spoke to the gold, "Good day to you great Queen. My humble respects to you and your rider. It is an honor to be in your presence and to have the opportunity to stand for your magnificent clutch. Please allow me the opportunity and great honor to touch your gorgeous eggs today". She gave another bow to the queen and hoped she was respectful enough.

(bleh its late and i didnt know what else to put, hope its decent enough, otherwise im sure hawk will make sure that i know every little detail of whats wrong with it. lol, gnite all)

[Spirithawk]

((No one but those in the cavern, Anassa and Kalor know that he didn't touch the eggs))

[Tenma]

((And Hali didn't tell anyone that she didn't get to touch the eggs. She only said that she was a bit afraid. That was all she told Jakel when he asked what happened.))

[Wolf]

Wolf watched as Kalor and Anassa came from the hatching grounds. She didn't say anything, although she studied there expressions very carefully. From what she could tell Kalor was being comforted... what had happened? Oh well, it was none of her business, although it may be if the same thing would end-up happening to her. Perhaps Queen Kaith had become angered? 'I'll make sure I'm polite...' she thought to herself. Gazing at Jakel she wondered if she should talk to him before touching the eggs. For some reason she could feel herself becoming dizzy. 'Am I actually nervous? This is supposed to be exciting...' She forced a smile up on her face and waited for the flitt to present a skin to her. If Kaith was so up set then that would mean she was dreading the event and that it may be cut-short. Her lips parted and she called out, "Hey Jakel." She waved a hand comically.

Roxis' head turned to Jakel as he heard the boy's name spoken by Wolf. His face went blank, wondering when Wolf would realize he was there too. He wasn't jealous or anything...'of course not...' He stood up tall, his hands at his sides, trying not to fidget while he also waited for his own turn to be present. 'I've never seen Kaith,' he thought, wishing that he had previously had some-sort of interaction with the Queen so she would know he was a trustworthy person. From what she knew of him he could be a selfish, evil, deceiving guy. The total opposite of who he was. Dragons were very intelligent creatures, wouldn't she be able to figure that out on her own?

[Tenma]

Jakel turned around when he heard his name called. He had a questioning look on his face until he realized that it was Wolf whom had called out. A big smile appeared on his face as he walked back over to her. "Hey. You didn't go yet, did you?" He asked, wondering if he had missed it.