Valentine's Clutch Part I - Miracath's Eggs

[Pi]

A thrumming ran throughout the Weyr, as the dragons announced that hatching of the eggs.

People gathered in the Stands, the Candidates clustered onto the Sands, spreading out into a semi-circle around the eggs, each white-clad lad or lass holding hands with those beside them. Yawns could be heard left, right and centre, as it would seem that purple Miracath's eggs, the only ones rocking, had chosen the middle of the night to hatch.

First to crack was a smallish egg, tiny striations appearing across it's shell before a muzzle poked through.

The bright azure blue hatchling that emerged from the egg drew a sigh of relief from those watching - he, at least, was normal-coloured! Creeling hungrily, he took a few hesitant, wobbly steps before falling over, his nose planted into the sand before him. Creeling again, he managed to get himself up, and made a line right to where he wanted to go - right to his Keizo. K'zo! I am yours... I am Ratumaith![/b]

Did anyone see this egg hatch? No? Were all eyes on the blue, or was it just too cunning, too quick, to be seen? Whatever the reason, one more egg cracked, leaving a tiny, ashy-coloured black dragonet, who suddenly made his appearance around the back of a cluster of eggs. Wings spread, he crossed the sands agilely, going up and down the ranks of Candidates before settling on one, his one, his Contorick. Mine... I am Stealth. You are C'rick. Please, feed me now.[/b][/color]

What happened next caused plenty of gasps - especially amongst the candidates.

The dragonet was unlike any colour they'd ever seen before; a pale, creamy colour, with a definite hint of rosiness to him. He emerged slowly from his egg, gradually unfurling himself from his cramped position, until he was sitting quite comfortably on the Sands, looking about him with brightly whirling red eyes. Then, following a huge, lazy yawn, he stood up, did a feline-esque stretch with wings wide and rump in the air. Straight away he knew where he wanted to go, he know who he should strike with his arrow of love. Devona, my Devona. I shall call you Dev, and you shall call me Cupith. You're mine now.[/b][/color]

Two eggs hatched almost at the same time, one of which contained a delicate, pale-coloured purple dragon. She lay quietly for a while, getting the energy back that was expended in breaking through her shell, with her wings hanging limply by her sides and her head on the ground, eyes half-closed. Eventually, she struggled to her feet, and made unsteady steps towards the Candidates before lurching forwards, her head butting into Nayza's legs. I was clumsy... Did I hurt you? I didn't mean to hurt you. Maryth will never hurt her Nayza.[/b]

The other purple which hatched took longer to get to her feet than Nayza's Maryth. She was still sitting there while her sister impressed, a shard of eggshell on her nose, like a pale, glistening butterfly. Myr motioned for a group of Candidates to move forward towards the little one, and once they were near, the rich amethyst coloured dragon struggled to her feet, taking a few steps towards Zenniel before falling at her feet. Zen! This world is very bright! I am Lupercaliath, and I am very tired, and very hungry![/b][/color]

Pi and Miracath stood watching excitedly, wondering, among many others, what the last three eggs would hold. And it wouldn't be much longer until they found out...

While it may have taken a while for Lupercaliath to find hers, the little black which hatched after her didn't have much trouble at all. Sprightly and lively on his feet, his jet black hide shimmering with egg-goo beneath the light of the glowbaskets, as he sought out his partner. Cinteoth![/b] He announced to Oisin, stopping before the lad. You are my O'in![/color]

Not wanting to be the last, the penultimate egg burst open quickly, leaving tiny fragments of shell surrounding the royal purple dragon that was left sitting on her backside, staring at the world. Leisurely, she got to her feet, taking a tentative step forward as if to test her limbs. Finding that they worked perfectly well, the little lady took a few more steps forward, and then a few more, followed by a few more... until she found herself beside Ahiru. My Ahiru. I am your Antheiath. We shall rule the skies together, yes?[/b][/color]

And last, but not least, the last of the eggs laid by Miracath cracked, leaving another of the unusual coloured dragonets in its place. This one, like the third to hatch, was a pale, creamy colour, though rather than have a rosy tint he was nearly white, with darker patches. He got awkwardly to his feet, and, once he had himself properly co-ordinated, set off at a staggering, jerky trot to the Candidates. No... no... no... he bounced past them, one by one, occasionally stopping to sniff. *sniff... sniff... snort!* Yes! You're the one! Z'war! I am Muzith![/b][/color]

Pi couldn't believe it. Her dragon's eggs had hatched... and there were two strangely coloured hatchlings from them, not to mention more blacks and purples. Grinning, she mounted Miracath and the pair joined the rest of the Weyr in making their way to the lower caverns for a drink, then to bed.

The new Weyrlings, however, were being called over to feed their lifemates, to begin their new life.

[.::.Shrimp.::.]

.::.Amir.::.

They had been rose in the middle of the night, simply because Miracath’s egg ad decided hatching at midnight would be fun. As each candidate was ushered to get ready Amir sighed, slipping the candidate robe over her frame. Chast was at the rail of her bed, humming already.

”Now, stay here. I’ll be back.”

Though it was hard to stay, the Blue did so, the female going out and into the Hatching Sands. She took her place, greeting Capricath – even if the queen wasn’t the mother of the eggs.

.::.Keizo.::.

He’d been around the feeding tables, bringing the meat candidates would use to feed their bonds, the drudge sighing as he placed down the last of his load. Only eight eggs rocked, it seemed Capricath’s clutch still had a little more to go. Done with his task, the male had leaned against the stand wall, watching the hatching. The firs to hatch was a Blue, azure hide and all. The people present seemed to sigh in relief, and Ratumaith would be the only normal colored hatchling of this clutch- Wait, how did he know the Blue’s name?

K'zo! I am yours... I am Ratumaith!
”Ratumaith?”

The male blinked, having watched the Blue face plant himself to the sand, before making a bee-line to himself. He smiled, brushing off the grains attached to the muzzle of his beloved, before leading him off to be fed. He needed to feed his Ratumaith so he would grow big and strong.

.::.Nayza.::.

A Blue was the first to hatch, impressing the albino drudge. Nayza grinned, pleased for the male, before watching a Black and a new colored dragon, a Cream, hatch and impress themselves. Only one normal color – would the others all be odd? Or would there be more Blues and maybe Greens? Soon two more had hatched, revealing purple, opposite, dragonets. One was a rich amethyst, while the other was a light lilac, much like her mother's belly and wing membranes. Both laid there, struggling to regain themselves, before the lighter of the two stood. And, while the others were ushered closer to the darker one, her Maryth had already found her.

I was clumsy... Did I hurt you? I didn't mean to hurt you. Maryth will never hurt her Nayza.
{It’s ok, Loved, I’m alright. Come on, Maryth, you must be hungry.}

Smiling softly the lass stroke the hatchling who had managed to bump into her leg, before noticing the darker pick Zen. She nodded to the other in congratulations, before leading her Maryth off to be fed.

.::.Ketoh & Hinuk.::.

They had both been there, both watching each dragonet hatch. And, colors after color, both males were simply ignored, without being given at least a second glance. Still, Ketoh wasn’t downright bothered by this, though Hinuk watched from the stands as he growled lightly. How was he supposed to prove he was better than Ketoh if he wasn’t allowed to stand?!

Still, the clutch was a good one, only one normal colored dragonet – while the rest were Black, Purples – and some cream shaded dragonets. Still, there was Capricath’s clutch, so those still unimpressed would get a second chance – hopefully soon enough.

[shadowreine]

Awakened at the dead of night, Zorowar was embarrassed by the state in which he walked out onto the Sands. He had barely had time to pull on his robes and sandals. His hair was awful. How could he be seen for the first time by his dragon looking like *this*? He had to tell himself over and over. Dragons looked at your mind and heart. His dragon would not care about his scars...and even less about his rather bad case of bedhead.

He stepped out onto the Sands and...not all of the eggs were rocking. Apparently, Miracath's clutch was 'ready' a little sooner than Capricath's. Some people had already lost marks...there had been some quiet betting in the lower caverns that the purple dragon's clutch would not Hatch. Or would produce nothing but greens...that was another favorite. Then again...greens were valuable.

Crack. And that bet too was lost. The first egg to hatch was a normal, healthy looking blue. So much for all greens and so much for all weird colors. Zorowar watched the blue intently. He liked blues. He watched it until it chose, feeling a little disappointed. Only then did he notice the black. More blacks...but the two they had were healthy...and that one too had already chosen.

Out came two purples and both chose girls. He wondered if purples were like golds in that way too. They clutched, they didn't chew firestone, they only picked women. Only three eggs left. He fidgeted, ignoring the other Candidates. Not that they held his former status against him, exactly. He just didn't *know* any of them yet. He would have to focus on that if he Impressed.

He told himself firmly...Capricath's clutch was still to come...and there were no weird eggs in it this time. Lots of pretty blues...assuming the color ratios were normal. Lots of healthy dragons. And one of them might be for him. Another egg cracked, producing a white...no, pinkish...ivory? Cream? It was gorgeous, but how many new dragon colors would there be.

Two more purples, and both Impressed girls. Purples clutched, didn't chew firestone. They were mini-golds...it was not surprising they'd pick only girls.

Mostly, he ignored the other candidates. But each Impression got the same expression from him...a mix of frank jealousy with a congratulatory smile. He was being nice. He was really trying to be nice. Another black, another purple, one egg left and his shoulders slumped. Capricath's clutch, he told himself. Despite all the humming, they hadn't moved or rocked.

One egg left and out came another...cream, he decided. Or ivory. It would be up to the Weyrleaders what to call them. It picked itself up, picked up its wings and started past the candidates at a bouncy trot. Somebody had Hatched with plenty of energy, even if with not much grace. It was...actually, it was the best looking dragon in the clutch. Sure he was a weird color...he? The cream dragon was at his feet, and the voice in his head was definitely male, despite the other cream's choice of a female rider. It was *his* dragon. His Muzith. And who *cared* if he was a weird mutant. "Well, hey, Muzith. You must be starving hungry." Muzith was perfect...but under that was a riot of questions. Would he be healthy? How big would he grow? He barely remembered the first blacks and purple Hatch, but he did remember those questions being asked. Now...now it was happening over again.

OOC: Pi! He's gorgeous! *hoards him* Thank you!

[Dimma og Ljós]

<sup>The Sands were hot beneath his feet, but excitement seemed to drown out the feeling of burning. The eggs were hatching! He stood on the Sands, alone with the other Candidates, having had to leave Brun back in his rooms. The little Brown flitt hadn't liked the idea of being left behind, so he was probably destorying his things at the moment. The idea didn't bother Oisin one bit.

The first egg to hatch was a Blue. The only normal color dragonet of the Hatchlings. After a bit of unsteadiliness on newly used legs, the dragonet found his Rider. Three more eggs hatched; a Black, a Purple, and a Cream. The Cream had been the most surprising, seeing as the entire Stands and Sands gasped at the sight of the little dragonet.

The fifth egg to hatch was a Black. He was covered in egg-goo, but it couldn't hide the jet black color of his hide, nor could it hold the lively little Black down. Cinteoth!</sup>

[/b][/i] Oisin heard in his mind, almost keen to glance around but kept his eyes on the Black dragonet before him. You are my O'in![/b][/i]

Cinteoth? Oisin questioned, his hand reaching out, as if his body accepted the dragonet while his mind worked to catch up. My Cinteoth, he thought, resting his hand on the dragonet's gooy head. Come, my love. You must be starved.

The rest of the Hatchling happened so fast, to the point where Oisin didn't even know the remaining colors of the dragonets. He had eyes only for his gooy, jet black, dragonet.[/center][/sup]

OOC: Thank you, Pi!!!

[Pi]

OOC: You can see a little bit of information on your dragons listed here, like where the names came from and so on.

[Kirin]

Ahiru was not best pleased. Within moments of the dragons announcing the imminent hatching, she was rudely awoken by a couple of the other drudges who were highly excited. Their voices penetrated deep into her head and left her to get up with a scowl on her face. In the kitchens there was utter chaos as meat was prepared and hurried over to the hatching grounds. Initially she was given the task to clean the meat which she did in a steely silence until one of the older drudges remembered that Ahiru had been told that she would make a good candidate and that she should go to the grounds post haste!

Ahiru stood stock still for a fraction of a second before having meat thrust in her direction and the her being pushed out. She had forgotten... How on Pern had she managed to forget! What kind of sharding idiot forgot that they could become one of the famed Dragonriders! She continuously berated herself as she rushed to the hatching, scowl lifting somewhat as she went.

She slowed down and made sure that she entered the cavern in a most dignified manner. Ahiru dumped the meat with the rest and sidled over to the rest of the candidates, paying her respects to the clutch-mother and her rider. Only now did the drudge-turn-candidate have a chance to assess the situation. Firstly, she stood out like a sore thumb on the sands as she never had a chance to put on her robes and now the heat of the sands was slowly warming up her feet through those nice, thin sandles she had put on with out thinking. This caused her to fidget and to shift her weight from one foot to the other to prevent it getting too uncomfortable.

The second thing was she had missed the beginning of this small clutch hatching. Her stomach gave a small lurch as noted that three had already hatched and impressed; a little Blue, a stealthy Black and a most unusual cream coloured dragonet. Ahiru held her head high as she fought down her nerves as the next two hatched, two little Purples who were both at different ends of the purple spectrum. She watched silently as both of them struggled to their feet and found their riders, as well as the following Black.

That left two eggs left. Nothing to worry about, right? Before her thoughts could proceed any more, the penultimate egg burst open with a fair bit of force for such a small creature. She had to smile at the little purple who was both Royal in colour and in attitude. This one seemed more confident than her sisters. And much to her surprise (although she wont admit it) this little beauty had stopped beside her

My Ahiru. I am your Antheiath. We shall rule the skies together, yes?
Ahiru blinked for a moment while it sunk in that she had impressed and the words her dragonet had said. A wide and gleeful smile spread across her face as she looked down into those red and blue multi-faceted eyes.

'Yes... yes that sounds like a most excellent plan Antheiath dear. Although food at this present time may be a better one.'
The small dragon consented most assuredly and held no complaints to be lead off for feeding.

OOC: Ohhh Thank you muchly ^_^

[devona]

Devona, her dark hair tied back for once, entered, highly uncomfortable in her distinctive white robes. Her olive eyes were nervy, and so was her body. For once, all of her emotion was easily seen, a strange, new sort of thing, something almost no one had ever seen. She had herself under tight control, her jaw knotting how and again to suppress yawns. She had only been asleep for about an hour and a half at this moment, and she was a bit annoyed at not getting more sleep before the humming started. Apparently some of the candidates had.

Well more power to them she though sourly as she watched the rocking eggs.

However, at the breaking open of the first of the eggs, her foul mood almost vanished. She was just as eager as those she stood by, holding their hands lightly. Blue, and he made his way quickly, and fairly straightly toward one of the boys.

Just after he had obviously picked his, another dragonet appeared, a black one she hadn't even seen hatch. How was that? She'd been watching the eggs closely, and she had not seen this one leave his! He made his quick way to another boy. But as soon as he closed in with the other candidate, he almost might have ceased to exist in Devonas mind, as she had dismissed him so completely.

Next, a new dragonet emerged slowly, lazily from his egg. His hide was a soft ivory, creamy color, touched with a rosy shade. His eyes were bright and seemed curious, and his actions had a feline-esque look to them she had never seen in a dragon before. Finished stretching, he made his straight, arrow straight even, path. Straight towards her.

Devona, my Devona. I shall call you Dev, and you shall call me Cupith. You're mine now.

Dev gasped, not questioning anything, simply overwhelmed with the pure rightness of Cupiths voice in her mind. "All right Cupith. But that also works in the reverse. You are mine." Her reply was more of the cool, confident, distainful person she normally was, than the shellshocked, shaken, elated girl inside her.

Of course I am. So it will always be.[/i][/b] Cupiths reply was almost distainful, and it brought a small smile to Dev's lips.

Just making sure.

[Midnight]

Sydiana

Sydiana watched in amazement as all of Miracath's eggs hatched into Purples, Blacks, and a new color she had never seen before. It was a little disappointing to see all of the hatchlings pass her by, but she knew that she would have a second try very soon, so she didn't mind too much. But she couldn't wait to find out more about that new color!

Jewel joined as she left the sands, yawning, and Sydiana grinned. She was tired too, and decided she would go right back to bed.

Velain

Velain's scowl was cut off by a yawn of his own as he left the sands. He had dragged himself out of bed, and he didn't even Impress! Well, he guessed it was worth it just to see the cool new colors. If only it had happened later in the day, it would have been much more enjoyable.

[nick]

[glow=red,2,300]Draym[/glow]

Draym was awakened in the middle of the night, Miracath's eggs were Hatching!!! He quickly dressed in his all white and sped towards the Sands.

When they were all on there he watched as the eggs hatched, as Oisin Impressed and so did Nayza. Good! She finally had Hers! And good for Oisin too...but as the eggs hatched, he gasped as a new creamy color emerged, and the dragonets chose...he knew that he wasn't going to Impress tonight. He was happy for his friends, but at the same time sad, like a part of him was missing.

As he filed off of the Sands with the remaining Candidates to await the Hatching of the other clutch, he knew that he still had Krian. His face was lit up with a little smile at that thought of his Fire-Lizard, still asleep in his bunk, and sent him some loving thoughts.

[Sparrow]

Tarin yawned, still only half awake despite the importance of the current occurances. Many of his thoughts were currently concentrated on keeping Rhani in his room, the Brown didn't like being left behind at anything and especially not when his cousins would be hatching! But with the small part of his mind that was awake and aware of what was going on, he watched the hatching. Apparently only the Purple dragon's eggs had hatched... he still had a chance. Capricath had laid a lot of eggs anyways... hopefully he would impress one of those hatchlings. But what a disappointment to not impress here! Tarin's sleep-glazed eyes were finally beginning to notice the odd colors, more purples and blacks and an all new color! The single blue probably felt lonely as the only 'normal' hatchling in the clutch.
Well, I suppose that's that for now, Tarin mused. I can go back to bed. As he turned away again, he hoped that Capricath's eggs would hatch just after breakfast so he wouldn't have to do chores...

[Zenniel]

| Contorick |

Well, this was... not all that odd, but.. really, still odd. Contorick was now very tired. Yet very alert as he watched with awe as the dragons hatched. He'd woken up in the middle of the night, it seemed, to be started into wakefulness by the Hatching. In all reality, he had woken up just because he had to go to the bathroom. But, really, begars can't be choosers. Contorick had thrown on his robe, and had quickly made his way to the sands.

Aaaaaand:

Almost as soon as he'd set foot upon the sands, a black dragonet had almost flown to him. Mine, I am Stealth. Wait, WHAT!? Had he Impressed? Contorick -- no, he supposed it was C'rick now -- felt his jaw drop. C'rick, are you--? Stealth nudged the boy, who dropped to one knee, and hugged his dragonet rather hard. Stealth looked at the boy quizically, but said nothing. "Oh, my great FARANTH!" C'rick whispered loudly, "you are a dragon!"

I am a dragon, mine. What else would I be? Stealth asked critically, but with laughter in his mind-voice. C'rick laughed, and picked up his charge, to go off the sands.

| Zenniel |

It was her fire-lizards that startled her awake. They were, of course, humming right in her ear. Zenniel shushed the two away, the Blue zoomed around her head, while the Bronze watched patiently as she got into her candidate robes. Put it simply: she looked like crap. 'Ugh!' She thought as she stumbled out of the barracks, two bright things flitting around her.

On the sands it wasn't much better, that was, until a purple-thing split itself from its egg, and didn't make a move to get up. The girl was ushered forward, along with the other candidates. The purple seemed to find hers, and start toward her. Zenniel was amazed, and even more so when this small, almost light voice entered her mind. Zen! This world is very bright! I am Lupercaliath, and I am very tired, and very hungry! Zenniel felt tears spring to her eyes. "Oh, wow! Lupercaliath! You are so... so... beautiful!"

The girl picked up the small purple, and walked over to where the food was given. You are nice, Zen. Do you think you could shut out the lights?

| Akkika and Malin |

Well, its safe to say they didn't Impress, which was fine by Malin. She liked the pretty colors and all, but wanted to stay, as she said it, 'mateless' for at least an hour or two longer. Akkika, on the other hand, was sad that there had been no browns or bronzes, but she knew there wouldn't have been a bronze anyway. What was that girl thinking? Oh well, there'd always be later. Akkika left, while Malin stayed to watch. Malin was weird like that.