The Hatching (Happy Holidays Clutch)

[brete]

Brete was in happy tears with Cleissa squeezing tight to her as well. It seemed they were both chanting the same thing. They were both worried that the little dragon would go between. Thank Faranth she had found Zyika, and it was Zyika a girl Brete just knew would find a little green. Something about Zyika screamed that. She was so happy and yet sad, she hadn't seen a dragon of her own yet, and there was Cleissa and Filonna still waiting as well. She hoped they would all three impress together. It would be so sad to not be dragon riders with the few girls she had found and liked so far.

"Come on little grey beauty you've almost got your darling shell off. There is bound to be a girl here who will love you more than life itself. Come you beautiful strong thing. Show us that lovely face." she said in encouragement to the shell that was still breaking. She hoped all the eggs would hatch sucessfully and without too much trouble. IT would be so sad if they had to struggle to long. Brete wondered what her dragon would looke like if she impressed. Would she ride gold or grey? Burgundy or green? The suspense was deafening and she was in tears out of shear fear of hopes dashed and lifted. Zyika had impressed so there was hope.

Chewing her lower lip she looked around to see if any other eggs were rocking. What would she do if she wasn't facing the right way? Would her dragon find her? She didn't know how all this really worked and she didn't want to miss her's because of ingnorance. Looking at Cleissa she smiled encouragingly. "Don't worry Cleissa I feel you will impress there is a beauty in here calling to you, just wait a little longer. We will all find out heart mate I just know it!" she was still trying to uplift her candidate friends. IF the mood was calm and confident she hoped it would help to calm the little dragonets.

Salar looked around a bit disappointed, the big beautiful brown had nuzzled him but found him lacking. Was he lacking? He had felt so pulled to that egg, was his life mate here or would he have to wait till another hatching, or maybe never impress? Salar was normally confident but the fear of first sands was in him and he was anxious to see what happened. He smiled nervously at Lellen and said a silent prayer to Faranth that Lellen would impress next. Their father would lose it if they didn't impress this time and Salar didn't want to disappoint him nor have to defend his brother against something he should never be exposed to in the first place. Some parents just expected to much of their children. At least mother was understanding. She was the jewel in the family that tied everything together. Without her things would have fallen apart years ago.

"We can do it. Come, break those shells little ones. There are many people anxious to meet you here and take care of you. We are here, we are desperate to meet you all." he said staring at the eggs equally.

Running a hand reflexively through his hair he took a few deep breaths and then beamed as Zyika impressed. He had told her she would. He had that feeling it was her time after all. "That a girl Zyika! What did I tell you? I knew you would you adorable thing." he beamed brighter for her. Looking over he saw Cleissa and smiled at her and winked. She would impress to he felt it. It seemed her and Brete were comforting each other, which was great. They would make a great team he thought. Seeing another dragon burst forth he held his breath hoping the blue would run to Lellen but it found another boy instead. It was okay though Salar had a feeling it would be a green for Lellen. "Come on come on..."

OOC: I also did color for now to make it show up better...will change it after impression of course.

[lyonza]

Kolinar watched as two more Impressed. He wasn't sure how he felt about it - he had been standing for too many times already. He was happy for them, but he was also envious. It wasn't a feeling he enjoyed and he ruthlessly pushed it away. They all deserved a lifemate to love them, no matter what.

He glanced over his shoulder at the Weyrwoman and the riders nearby - he wondered what was going through their minds. Were they remembering their own Impressions? He noticed one of the riders looking down at him and frowned. The man looked sort of familiar, but he had no idea why. He didn't know anybody at Western, how could someone look familiar to him?

Kolinar turned his attention to the eggs again. It was a bit strange to him to stand on the Sands, not having touched the eggs. Some said it made no difference, others insisted that touching the eggs was a requirement. But if that was the case, why hadn't he Impressed the first time. Why did he have to endure the repeated humiliation of not Impressing?

Again he ruthlessly pushed the doubt to the back of his mind. He really didn't need to be negative. He needed to be open and receptive and hopefully one of these hatchlings would deem him worthy of their lifetime of love.

Kolinar squared his shoulders, cleared his mind of doubts and paid attention to the eggs that were hatching. That was easy enough since the excitement was high and the dragons were humming louder than before.

[tealah]

Falynn's eyes widened in delight when the small egg revealed a small green. Such an adorable, slim little thing. And that wonderfully bright coloration. It seemed for a moment that she wouldn't Impress, but Falynn wasn't worried. Of course she'd figure out who she was supposed to Impress to, and even more people were trickling in the whole time. Nothing to worry about.

And he was proven right when the green suddenly bounded toward the entrance, where a girl and a boy had just entered. They were brother and sister, he remembered, though he couldn't recall their names right now. The green Impressed to the girl, and the new pair made their way off the sands.

He grinned at the candidate next to him. "Great, huh?" He focused on the gray egg again. Was it ever going to crack? Instead, one of the other eggs spilled out a dark blue hatchling who immediately Impressed to a lanky boy whose name, unsurprisingly, Falynn couldn't remember.

[Zen]

The Right Egg seemed to be having some trouble hatching, it is a tiring situation, after all, and it stopped moving all together as if taking a rest. As the Right Egg was resting, the Grey Egg cracked down the middle and the lithe Grey hatchling pulled herself from the remains of her shell. She stood blinking and contemplating those around her, her wings folded neatly over her back. She lifted one front leg, and then the other, examining herself in a distinctly displeased manner. There was a pain in her stomach that was very unwelcome and she wanted it to go away at once. And look at all those curious upright creatures gawking at her.

She shuffled her wings and held her head high as if posing for the onlookers even as she surveyed the ranks of white robed candidates before her. There was something pulling her toward them, something…. One of them… she needed one of them… and one of them needed her as well. She stepped forward, toward the girls, peering carefully at each one of them even as the Right Egg began to shake again, and a blue foot appeared out the side, and then a pale nose, and finally the whole Blue hatchling tumbled from his shell and lay on his side, breath heaving from the effort of hatching.

The Grey turned to look at the Blue curiously, Why do you lay there like that? Surely you’re hungry, and you need a… a… something. You look very unseemly, do get up. She huffed disdainfully and turned back to the girls, making her way closer, quite deliberate in her actions, her whirling crimson gaze sweeping over them once, twice. She huffed again and pushed between two girls that were holding hands, shoving Cleissa away from her Bretella, I am sorry, my Bretella, but she was very much in my way and I found it quite rude! And your Tinsith needs you much more than she does. I am very hungry and would like it seen to, please!

Grey Tinsith – Looks to Bretella

Tinsith is skinny, even for a Grey, and on the smaller end for her color. She is pale and silvery with a little more shimmer to her hide than her older Grey sister Iroth. She has a delicate appearance and moves with a lithe grace that no Gold ever could. She is very deliberate and in control of her actions, even at hatching she does not stumble or wobble and is efficient in her movements.

Abilities
Agility: 7
Speed: 7
Endurance: 6
Sensitivity: 2

Clever, Manipulative, Pleasant, Aristocratic
Tinsith is generally a very polite and very ‘lady-like’ dragon, sweet and pleasant to be around. She is a very quick study and catches on to things easily, learning new things faster than most of her siblings. Unlike her golden sister, who has no qualms about using her power as a Gold to boss others around, Tinsith finds such a thing crude and unnecessary. She uses a much more subtle way to control others, manipulating with words, playing to another’s weaknesses in order to get them to do what she wants. She does not do this to be bossy or cruel and is hardly aware she even does it most of the time, but when she does want something of another she is a master manipulator, even able to get her golden sister under control with her clever words. She is generally very polite but can get a little snobbish when she thinks a certain task is beneath her, at which point she will turn to her manipulation and try to get another to do it for her.

Size At Hatching: 7.9 feet
Size At Full Growth: 113 feet
Speaking Color: B2B2B2

The Blue shifted his head in the sand to better look at his larger sister as she spoke to him. She was right, he was hungry and he did need… something… but he was so tired…. I am sorry… I don’t mean to… I’m so tired and just needed a rest…. But now he didn’t really want to get up again. He looked pleadingly toward the boys, something there drawing his attention, and maybe one of them could help him find his something. That one… that one was perfect and oh! He felt so horrible… he’d kept him waiting so long….

K’nar… my K’nar… I am your Rudoth and I am very sorry. So sorry. You have been waiting so long for me…. He worked to his feet and stumbled forward a few steps, his eyes whirling with love as he gazed at Kolinar. I am so tired and so hungry… please help me, K’nar.

Blue Rudoth – Looks to Kolinar

Rudoth, like his smaller sister Imanith, has oversized headnobs, though not quite as pronounced as his sister’s. He might show promise as a Searchdragon if he can come out of his shell (no pun intended). He is thicker set than most Blues, slightly more muscular, and just might be able to last a full Threadfall despite his smaller overall size.

Abilities
Agility: 8
Speed: 7
Endurance: 6
Sensitivity: 4

Needy, Shy, Kind, Helpful
Rudoth has a driving need for someone to be paying attention to him at all times, but he’s too shy and quiet to demand it and is likely to sulk on his own rather than try and get the attention he longs for. He needs to be reassured by his rider often that he is wanted and loved and can be quite affectionate. He is an incredibly kind dragon and never has a bad word to say about anyone, even if they’ve ignored him or annoyed his rider. He is quick to offer helpful solutions to his rider and to other dragons when either are having problems of any sort and does not like to see others unhappy. He can be a little emotional for a dragon and he’s unlikely to take part in many mating flights unless his rider has some sort of emotional attachment with the rider of the rising dragon, or if he himself has some sort of attachment to the rising dragon.

Size At Hatching: 4.7 feet
Size At Full Growth: 67 feet
Speaking Color: 3150B1

Talaria hardly registered the Impression of the Blue, for indeed the hatchling had yet to really approach his bonded and to anyone watching remained unImpressed. She was more interested in the girl the Grey had chosen. She was interesting in her looks, to say the least. She wondered how she would handle the responsibility of a clutching dragon.

“Pretty little Grey, that one…,” M’kal murmured, glancing up to where Sabath watched eagerly, his gaze trained on the little Grey. Behave yourself.

Sabath, in turn, glanced down at his lifemate, Already she is too much like Orlaith. I hardly think she’ll be worth chasing… not like my Iroth….

M’kal rolled his eyes and shook his head. He could almost claim that Sabath was in love with Iroth, but he knew better. He definitely liked her, but love for anyone other than perhaps himself (simply because he was the Black’s rider) was definitely beyond Sabath. He turned back to the sands to see that the North Egg was shaking visibly now, and the Guardian Egg as well.

[brete]

Brete watched as the eggs continued to shake and rock, only half noticing some of the farther off ones. The Grey had split and the most beautiful creature she had ever seen stepped out regally. She was better than a gold she was a Queen all her own. Brete watched her shakily as she slowly examined herself. "Please don't go between, please come here we are good girls we will love you." she said under her breath. She still held Cleissa's hand and shook and sweat. She was sure that beauty would choose Cleissa. Why would something so lovely want Bretella? So when the shimmery wonder made it's way over to them deliberately pushing between Cleissa and herself she was nearly forced to the edge of a faint. The dragonet was speaking to her. HER!!! "I am sorry, my Bretella, but she was very much in my way and I found it quite rude! And your Tinsith needs you much more than she does. I am very hungry and would like it seen to, please!" Tinsith her name was Tinsith!! "It's alright darling she will forgive you she knows you need me. You are so beautiful little one and I love you so. Let us go get you something yummy. You will never suffer this again I promise you." she said beaming at the beauty. Lifting her face to Cleissa briefly. "You're next!" then lifting her head to the stands she yelled joyously with tears streaming down her soft cheeks from brimming dark eyes. "Her name is Tinsith. Mother her name is Tinsith!" The joy was more than Brete had ever felt. She clear forgot about everyone else as she put her arm over her beautiful new bonded and led her over to where the others were feeding theirs. They would have to make way for her queen to eat. It never even occurred to her that there would be anyone who would bar their way. Tinsith was the most important thing in the world after all! "Mine I am so glad you made it safely to me. I have dreamed of you everyday! You are perfect. Now let us feed that beautiful belly of yours before it hurts you more." she said as she found her way to the meat. "Now eat slowly dear I know you hunger but I would not have you choke and leave me. You must set a perfect example for the others. You are a leader after all they will look to you for the way to do things." she held meat out for her dragon and slowly fed her, making sure to check her pace when needed. Brete was going to take better care of her dragon than anyone, this was her heart's own and she would know how perfect she was.

"I know I am perfect Mine. You are perfect as well. You are by far the best there is, and you are so beautiful, different from the rest. As it should be you will be noticed first. IF not then they will be beneath notice." said her little dragon as she continued to eat quickly but daintily.

[Alyx]

Cleissa smiled, bouncing a little on the balls of her bare feet as they waited. Already so many had picked, so many new Weyrlings to join the ranks of the Wings. She could feel the excitement in the air, watching as the Grey joined the world. She was beautiful - but Cleissa didn't feel the draw to call to her. Brete's words were a murmur next to her - the Grey seemed to hear them and moved toward them.

She didn't resist as the Hatchling pushed between her and Brete, letting the other girl's hand go. Holding her breath, she waited - then the words spilled over the other girl's lips. Cleissa burst into laughter. Part of her wanted to be jealous, to have been the one the Grey had picked, but the joy on Brete's face wouldn't let her be upset. "Congratulations Brete! You two are a perfect pair!"

'You're Next.' Brete's words rang in Cleissa's head as the other girl joyfully moved off with the Grey hatchling. Cleissa hoped so... she didn't want to be left on the sands this year. She had made so many new friends in this Hatching's group; Zyika again, Brete, Salar, Viktor... she didn't want to be left behind.

Without Brete next to her, Cleissa laced her fingers together and tried to breath. She could feel herself shaking a little, but managed not to show it. Eyes focused on the remaining eggs as they shook, hoping with everything that she had Brete as had been right.

[tealah]

Mya drummed her fingers nervously against her leg. Two more dragonets had safely hatched and Impressed, one a green and one a blue. No one hurt so far, and no hatchlings gone between for lack of a partner, even though many of the candidates had yet to arrive. The grey egg was still cracking, and the right egg had started it's wobbling as well.

This whole thing was more nerve-racking than she'd thought possible. Injuries she could deal with, but standing here and just waiting and waiting with no idea what would happen or when, that was torture. She found herself wishing for someone to at least cut themselves on an egg shell so that she'd have something to do.

Instead, the grey egg hatched.

The silvery hatchling seemed to look them over quite deliberately - Mya found herself shifting her feet uncomfortably at the measuring stare - before the right egg hatched to reveal a thick-set and tired looking blue. The grey finally approached one of the girl candidates, shoving another away from her. Brete was the girl, the newly impressed grey weyrling. The blue stumbled towards the boys, but Mya couldn't see who he was intending to Impress to.

The girl who'd been pushed away looked a little shaky. The healer in Mya went immediately on alert - the girl might have gotten hurt when the grey shoved her. She moved closer to her - Cleissa was her name and come to think of it Mya thought she might be older than her - and put her hand on her shoulder.

"All right, take it easy, just breath," she murmured. "Are you all right?"

***

D'ak, from his spot not far from Talaria and her growing entourage, watched carefully as each dragon hatched. The brown he sized up as a sturdy enough fellow, but that green was rather on the small size (adorable was Rayth's comment, causing D'ak to sigh) but that one blue looked like he'd be able to possibly last a full Fall.

When the grey hatched, he could feel Rayth hum even more in appreciation. He stifled a groan when she moved to Impress Brete, and Rayth "grinned" in his mind.

Was I not right, my D'ak? I said she would Impress well, and she did, Rayth gloated. You must congratulate her for me. Rayth, of course, would never be rude enough to intrude by speaking to a rider directly without their dragon's permission.

D'ak clapped politely, and really he was glad for her. She'd mentioned that she'd always dreamed of riding gold and grey, and she'd gotten her wish. He just wished that Rayth wasn't watching that grey with such interest. She's a baby, Rayth. Exhibit a little self-restraint if you please.

I know that. Indignation coloured every nuance of his rumbling mind voice. But she won't always be, and she is quite a lovely color. And such grace.

D'ak just sighed.

[missing]

Pala watched in wonder as the Grey burst from her shell. The Blue had seemed confused or too tired to find his partner but she, she had strolled right up to Brete knowing just who had been meant for her. There must be truth to what they say then, a dragon impresses only to it's proper partner...

She looked around at the other candidates, Alex was here but... Kyika... There was no way he would have come without her and that must mean that... She must have impressed! Pala smiled, trying to see to the feeding area, but unable to with all the commotion on the sands, two more eggs now rocked there. Would the North egg be another Blue like it's sibling? She wondered to herself as the eggs began to crack.

Midnael was also watching the eggs shake and crack on the sands, with one difference. He kept looking over to the buried egg, sending silent encouragements for it to hatch. Somehow, it being noticed at the egg touching was no longer enough, it HAD to hatch! He stared at it so hard his gaze alone could have cracked the shell, Please... come out someone here loves you and they'll never let you be buried away out of sight again...

[kyra]

Zyika watched her green eat. She was so excited and happy. “Her name is Imanith.” She replied to Viktor with a smile. Well of course my name is Imanith what else could it be. There is no other name for me my Zyika. Do you not like my name? The dragon’s constant chatter made Zyika laugh slightly, “Of course I love your name, my love.” She told her dragon with a smile. It seemed that even though Imanith was eating she could still talk constantly. Zyika tilted her head slightly as she continued to feed her Imanith.

Alexander stood watching as the grey and blue dragons hatched. He nodded his congrats to the other two new weyrlings, but that was about it. Sighing he watched the other eggs as they slowly began to shake. Which eggs were going to be next? He thought out of curiousity. Would he join his little sister in the ranks of dragon riders? Yes, he would there was no doubt to it. Closing his eyes for a moment he just shook his head. He still stood away from the other candidates.

[jassen]

Jassen watched excitedly as the dragonets burst forth and went to find their lifemates. The hatching! He'd gotten hardly any sleep, up late as he often was with his work, but now the tiredness was utterly forgotten in the rush of adrenaline that came with the event. It was fascinating to watch, and he grinned in delight as each of the baby dragons found someone among the recruits to be theirs, surprised at how steady they seemed and how stately they appeared even this young in life, intelligence shining in their eyes...

He still didn't really expect to Impress tonight, although seeing the marvelous sight, he felt a twinge of hope... his eyes scanned the remaining eggs, watching them wobble and topple, crack and break, and in a sudden rush of eagerness, he stepped forward - just a bit, enough to counteract his usual habit of hanging back at the edge of the group - and moved a bit away from the others, as if to distinguish himself from them for whoever might, even now, be coming to meet him...

[brete]

Salar watched as Brete and Zyika impressed and felt a bit worried. What if he didn't impress? No! He wouldn't think like that. He had to stay strong, the little dragons didn't want a wishy washy partner they wanted someone willing to fight for them and he would fight!. Looking at Brete he smiled happily for her, seeing Cleissa he gave her a thumbs up as if to say hang in there. They were going to impress they were, there was no other option. His Bonded was in there and he would be out soon and needing Salar to feed him and love him. Throwing his head up a notch higher he to stepped foward onto the sands a bit more, looking at the smudged egg and all the others. Where was he? He needed to come out soon and eat, he wasn't allowed to go between!

"Where are you little one show me that strong head. You are a powerful, beautiful, intelligent dragon that needs to come see me so I can show you the amazing things you are missing in that egg. If you could send your siblings out to us to that would be much appreciated. Everyone is waiting so anxiously to see you." he said mentally and under his breath. What would the next dragon be? Who would it go to? Was there one for him?

[lyonza]

Kolinar watched as the one egg stopped moving for a while, like the poor darling inside tried to get out and was tired, stopping for a rest. Then the Grey emerged from her shell and he couldn't help but watch her with a tinge of envy. She was beautiful, but he knew she wasn't for him. There were too many girls around and well, he wasn't all that girly to begin with, so he turned his attention to the blue that hatched at that moment. He looked exhausted as he lay there after the ordeal of hatching. The grey looked at the blue and he imagined that she gave him some encouragement.

The grey Impressed like she knew who she was looking for and his attention was more on her than the blue until the voice spoke in his head. K’nar… my K’nar… I am your Rudoth and I am very sorry. So sorry. You have been waiting so long for me… I am so tired and so hungry… please help me, K’nar.

It took Kolinar a moment to realize that Rudoth was talking to him and he stumbled the few steps that separated them. "Oh, Rudoth, I didn't know you wanted help, I'm sorry I didn't come help you immediately." He was stroking the little dragon's headknobs and neck, tears running down his face. "You must be starving, come lets get you something to eat." He helped Rudoth to his feet and led him to where the others were also feeding their dragons. "Come, there is meat here and I'm right here to give you some." He grabbed a bowl off the table and immediately offered Rudoth a piece to eat.

Oh, Rudoth exclaimed as he started eating. This is meat? K'nar, you are the best rider ever. The boy laughed and turned to the others feeding their dragons. "Congratulations, all of you," he said with a big grin on his face. Finally he had a dragon of his own! "Now, don't eat too fast," he said. But I'm so hungry! Rudoth told him.

------------------------------------------

Z'mer watched as the grey hatched and immediately made her choice, silently encouraging the little blue to get up and make his choice too. When the boy he thought he recognized Impressed, he cheered with the rest of the crowd. He felt he had to since he had arrived so precipitously, he probably didn't have anybody in the crowd cheering for him. Why do you have such interest in this boy? Amoneth asked.

I don't know, I just think I've seen him somewhere before. But he arrived moments after the hatching started, I saw him stashing his pack over by the entrance from the ledge. Maybe from Telgar? Z'mer sounded puzzled to himself. Something just looks familiar about him. I don't know and I mean to find out, somehow.

Maybe, Amoneth said. His dragon is called Rudoth. The grey is Tinsith.

[Zen]

Orlaith watched her Grey daughter closely as she hatched, rumbling approvingly at her manner, her gaze following as her bonded led her away to be fed. She shifted on the sands, closer to her precious Gold Egg. Tinsith is a fine Grey… she will give Iroth some competition. There was a lightly amused tone to the Gold’s voice.

Talaria glanced over to where she lay curled slightly around the Gold Egg, I’m sure she is a wonderful dragon, she is yours, after all… what about her rider?

Orlaith huffed lightly and turned to look over her remaining eggs, You doubt the choices my children make?

Talaria sighed and gave up. She would just have to get to know the girl, it seemed. M’kal touched her arm lightly then, “Look, another Brown’s hatched.”

A paler Brown, possibly larger than the first, but slimmer, so it was hard to tell, had emerged from the Guardian Egg and staggered toward the boys, shoving one down into the sand quite roughly to get a boy at the back instead, a heavyset boy named Urrek.

The North Egg was still trembling, the hatchling within slowly chipping away at the shell in attempt to free itself. Across the sands, another egg was stirring, though no one in the stands could ever tell for it was buried too far beneath the sand. Only when the shell cracked open on the top and sand spilled into the egg, causing the hatchling within to shriek with shock, was the crowd alerted to the fact that it was hatching at all.

A pale claw appeared, clutching at its shell and the sand around it, and then another as it attempted to pull itself free of its Buried Egg. A white head emerged as the hatchling scrabbled and heaved itself up, but its hind quarters seemed caught within the egg that had just about filled with sand by this point. It shrieked fearfully once more and struggled to no avail. Midnael! Midnael! Please help me! Help your Norpoth! I am stuck and cannot get out, I’m trying and trying but I can’t get out! The White hatchling’s fear was so strong that even some of the people in the stands were affected by it, feeling strangely fearful themselves without really knowing why.

White Norpoth – Looks to Midnael

If you look closely, like with most Whites, Norpoth has pale patches of color over her skin and is not pure white, but this is not generally noticeable. He is of course smaller than any other dragon at Western. Her headnobs are large, but not quite as much as those of her brother Rudoth or sister Imanith. Despite his empathic sensitivity he will never be sensitive in the way of Searchdragons.

Abilities
Agility: 9
Speed: 9
Endurance: 2
Sensitivity: 3

Friendly, Humble, Sensitive, Influential
Norpoth is excessively friendly and will happily chat with anyone around if they’re willing to listen. He may be the first White dragon Western has seen and one of probably about a dozen of his kind on Pern as a whole, but he doesn’t think much of it. She just wants to be treated like all the other dragons and doesn’t think herself above anyone at all, and will often overtly deny compliments and praise aimed at her. He is sensitive by way of his telepathy, rather than emotionally, in that he has a strange empathy with those around him and can often tell what humans and dragons are feeling despite any efforts to conceal their emotions. She also has a strange ability to project her own feelings onto others in the immediate area, if she is feeling particularly strongly about something, though she is never really aware she is doing so, which can become quite annoying to those being influenced if they realize what’s happening.

Size At Hatching: 2.5 feet
Size At Full Growth: 35 feet
Speaking Color: FFFFFF

*The male and female pronouns are both used, every other sentence because Norpoth does not actually have a gender and his/her player can decide which the White decides on identifying as on their own. Though it would most likely be the gender of his/her rider, that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case.

Talaria stared at the newest hatchling with wide eyes. “A White…? I was sure it would be a dud….” She wasn’t sure how to feel about a White hatchling. Nearly every other Weyr on Pern had at least one White in their ranks, but it was still something of a shock to see one hatch, especially from her own dragon’s clutch.

Lellen’s gaze widened at the White as well and he silently willed it to him. How amazing would it be to Impress to Western’s first White dragon? But it seemed like something was wrong… was it stuck? He looked around, wondering if anyone was going to go help it. Whether it Impressed him or not, he didn’t want to stand around without helping it, if it needed someone…. It seemed to be staring at a long-haired boy, however, and he figured he might be the one it had chosen, so he waited, watching.

[missing]

Midnael watched as the sand around the buried egg suddenly collapsed in, his heart wrenched as he heard the shriek sound through the hatching grounds. He took a step forward but then remembered his place and stayed put.

Pala jumped visibly at the shriek, looking to where a white head was now emerging from the sands, would it be able to pull itself out? Fear struck her as she looked to Midnael. The boy looked as if it pained him to stay where he was, his eyes riveted on the White as it tried to free itself from the sands.

Midnael was suddenly very angry at Orlaith for burying the egg as he watched the White try in vain to free itself. And he, just as suddenly, no longer cared what she did to him. He ran out onto the sands as the fear-filled shriek echoed in his head and was already halfway across the sands when words echoed through his head.

Midnael! Midnael! Please help me! Help your Norpoth! I am stuck and cannot get out, I’m trying and trying but I can’t get out!



He ran faster, fear coursing through his veins. He collapsed to his knees near the White and began to dig, "I'm here! Don't worry I'll get you out!" He pushed sands out of the way as the heat of the deeper grains burned his hands uncomfortably, but he didn't even notice.

My legs are stuck! Norpoth's eyes whirled with agitation as he wiggled her body against the sands.

"Hold still!" Midnael plunged his hands into the sands, pulling the sands back out of the way with each scoop. He was not going to let his dragon be buried any longer! After what seemed an eternity, he could see the top of one of the legs that was stuck. He pushed the sands back enough for Norpoth to pull the leg free and that seemed to be just what the White needed to get the other free as well.

Norpoth squirmed and scrambled up out of the egg and sands that had nearly been his tomb. She looked up at a tired, sweaty, dirty Midnael eyes whirling with the joy of impression as a wave of happiness went out across the crowd I heard you Midnael! I heard you telling me to come out, you said that someone would love me but I only want you! Do you love me Midnael? Am I what you wanted?

"You're... perfect..." he panted as he scratched an eye ridge, joy showing on his face and filling up his entire being for the first time since his mother had died, "And I... will always love you..."

So I can eat now then?

He laughed and pushed up to his feet, "Of course you can, come on." He lead the tiny dragon over to the feeding area.

Pala found her eyes watering at the feelings of happiness that overwhelmed her. Both from the dragon's strong emotions and also from the joy of seeing her friend impress. In the stands however was a grown man with silver-streaked dark hair reduced to sobs at the sight of his son and only child finally getting the love that he deserved. Without a word to anyone he slipped from the stands and out of the hatching grounds. His son would be happy now, and he could sleep easy for the first time in turns.

[Alyx]

Cleissa was trying to hard to focus on the eggs that Mya's arrival at her side nearly made her jump out of her skin. Bottomless, dark eyes turned on the girl next to her as Mya's hand touched her shoulder, Cleissa trying to smile. Was she alright? Cleissa gave a little laugh and a gentle nod.

"Yea, I'm okay. Just a little nervous, I guess. Was better when Brete was here... just don't want to be left on the Sands in the end, you know?" Her voice was just a whisper to the other girl as she looked back at the eggs, then glanced over at the boys. Already several were gone - Salar and his brother tho were still on the Sands. She saw him give her a thumbs up. Untangling her fingers, she returned the gesture and tried to smile, taking comfort in the fact that for all his normal bravado, Salar looked as strained as her.

The blue moved with his new partner across the sand and out of the room; following the others. Cleissa bit her lips gently - the bad habit would make them bleed if she kept at it, but right now she really didn't think about it. Her thoughts were totally focused on the eggs rocking in front of them. 'Come out come out little ones... we have waited so long for you. Please don't take too long...'

The shrill scream shocked her, Cleissa nearly sidestepping into Mya in surprise. All attention seemed focused on the edge of the clutch, a sudden rush of fear lancing her heart from nowhere. What was... the buried egg? Cleissa had forgotten about it till now. Now tho, she could only gasp at the white shape of the hatchling. She had only heard of them, but never thought to see one.

"Its so pretty..." Her voice was breathy and soft, watching in a transfixed focus at the scene as it played out. The struggle to free itself was so heartbreaking - but something told her that it wasn't her place to get involved. If it was meant to be, its Bondmate would help it.

And he did. It almost seemed a given as Midnael would be the one. She remembered him clearly, the image of the boy at the Touching crouched next to the egg buried in the Sands away from the others.... she smiled as he all but pulled the Hatchling from its shell. She could hear him talking, but not the words he said. It didn't matter tho - she was just happy to see that he had been right. It hadn't been a dud, and the fearful feeling faded from her thoughts.