Meet the Menagerie [British Wildlife Hatching] Open!

[TawnyAngel]

It was mid morning when the time came, and it was raining. Outside the hatching cavern fat droplets struck the ground in a heavy soothing susurrus that had lulled Lithustoth and V' - sprawled gracelessly across her back - into a doze. The pair could probably have slept together contentedly until the rain stopped, extended sleep had been hard to come by over the last couple of days, but the eggs were having none of that.

A sudden, violent, almost desperate twitch from the Leaping egg sent it tipping over and rolling a few yards until it bumped against Lithustoth's muzzle. The boldly-marked green started upright with a cry of surprise, which was echoed by V' who suddenly found herself wide awake and sprawled on the sand.

It is time!

"Ow. Fek." V' quickly scrambled upright, lying on the hot sand wasn't comfortable at all, and brushed sand off herself. "Right, call them in then!" Feeling very glad that nobody else had been there to see her flat on her back V' gave Lith a quick kiss on the muzzle and hastened over to take her place of honour as the clutchmother's rider, right beside the Weyrleaders.

Other eggs were moving now, Heart in particular was shifting and rocking with great determination; Lithustoth raised her head and began to hum as she reached out to the minds of the Weyr. My clutch hatches! Come to the sands, they will not wait!

The Eggs

Heart Egg: Bronze Antolith of Telleara
Sun’s Ray Egg: Bronze Cervath of Siv
Babbling Egg: Bronze Lutrath of a candidate
Prowling Egg: Brown Ardnamuth of Varella
Apex Egg: Green Falxath of a candidate
Leaping Egg: Green Ostarath of Kiliran
Basking Egg: Green Beruth of Gwyn
Burrowing Egg: Green Meleth of a candidate
Fantastic Egg: Green Lowrenth of Avali
Homely Egg: Green Musculuth of Lunathor
Hoarding Egg: Green Leucorth of Kakar  

[Revel1984]

Kakar had been busy with chores, more than he'd needed to do, to keep his mind off the clutch almost ready to hatch when he heard the green in his head. He dropped what he was doing and went to get his candidate robes, he did NOT want a certain brown weyrling dragon looking for him and forcing him onto the sands, so he went by himself. He nodded respectfully to the candidatemaster... (again... sigh) before moving out onto the sands, Bowing to Lithustoth and V', "thank you for letting me attend your clutch" he said, almost robotically and filed out onto the Sands. Watching the eggs shiver and move with a deep black pit feeling heavy in his stomach.  

[TawnyAngel]

As the humming spread throughout the Weyr Lunathor's mouth went dry and his heart started to beat faster, too fast. He raced to the barracks to change into his robes, and his thoughts raced with him. Which would hatch first? Would this be the time? Should he want it to be? Homely's kindness had soothed that worry a little but couldn't erase it completely. Raith had wanted this though and surely that made it alright? Surely? But if it did, why did he have to keep telling himself that. Perhaps he was just selfish.

Selfish or not he was ready in good time and he walked quickly alongside the other candidates, the fingers of his left hand tapping nervously on his leg, until they reached the entrance to the Sands. Bow to the clutchmother, bow to her rider in the Stands that were starting to fill up already. As he walked out onto the Sands themselves dragons swooped overhead, scattering droplets of the heavy rainfall here and there. They would soon dry on the heat of the sands but he was grateful for the few cool drops that struck his face, it was somehow calming and grounding to be reminded that the world outside carried out without a care of the business of men and dragons.

Whatever happened here today, the world would go on.  

[Ryala]

Gwyn

Ah, so it was time again! Putting down the task that she had been working on, Gwyn excused herself and went off to change. Perhaps this time, she would find herself leaving the hot Sands with a dragon!

But she still wasn't going to show up looking like a wreck.

Stopping long enough to wash up, she then proceeded to her room for the white robe. Donning it took no time at all, and shortly she was on her way to the Hatching Cavern. With a bow for Lithustoth and V', Gwyn assumed her place on the Sands.

----------

Avali

... whoa, what was that? She knew, with absolute certainty, that she'd heard a voice, but it had been in her head. Stunned, it took Avali a moment to process the fact that she'd legit heard a dragon, before the message sank in. Now?!

Dashing back to her room, the girl snatched up the robe she'd been given and pulled it on. She was glad now that she'd taken the time to do as she'd promised, and straitened up... the robe had been neatly hung up, so there were no creases or spills to mar it's appearance. Appropriately attired, the girl hurried back out and dashed across the bowl to the Sands. Seeing the older girl in front of her bow to the green mother and her rider, she decided that it would be best to do the same, and so offered a bow of her own.  

[The_Muffin_Puppy]

Kesarin
Wide awake seemed to be the order of the day. Unable to sleep, even with the help of wine, Kesarin had been wandering the halls since the early candlemarks. Dark circles made her pale face look even more gaunt than normal. The former rider wasn't a good sight that morning as she drifted through corridors. When the hum began her heart nearly stopped. Unlike many in the Weyr the sound sent fear running through her. She had avoided the hatching cavern. Found excuses. It had been almost two turns. Almost two turns to the day. This was Lithustoth's second clutch. V' had been supportive in their scattered interactions over the turns.

Still it wasn't really the green pair that encouraged her feet towards the cavern. Lunathor would be standing. He had stood before. She had failed him that time. Told herself she would be there for him, and ended up unable to get close to the cavern when the time came. This time, in an effort to spur herself on, Kesarin had promised. Told her friend that she would be there for him. Someone who understood something of what he did. He may look for her if things grew difficult. That was the thought that drove the young woman towards the cavern. The echoes of keens already starting in her mind as entrance came into view.

Jitter appeared as her nerves grew. Unusually he didn't complain. Alighting on her shoulder he pressed close and cheeped encouragement even as he shook. The little blue could sense this was important to his person. So even though there were far too many people and he absolutely hated it, he would be here for her. The reassuring feel of his vibrating body against her face, Kesarin was able to take a step inside the cavern.

She wasn't prepared for the sensations. Sight, sounds, heat, even the smell of the cavern swarmed her. Squeezing her eyes shut she put out her hand against the wall. The memories of keening grew louder, what felt like it might be a sob welled up in her throat. That or it was vomit. Leaning against the weyrfolk entryway wall the former rider fought to push back the memories. Thoughts of Malsalth. She was sure she could smell the bitter stench of medication still, even though logically the smell had long faded. There was no keening, only humming, yet the keens were all she could hear. She couldn't see a beautiful green and her healthy eggs. Only a sickly gold, clutching her dead egg, looking down at her. Guilt, heartbreak, anger. It was all too much. She couldn't do it.

Telleara
This close to a hatching it always did well to be prepared. Telleara had learned that the dragons could summon candidates at any time. She had to appear impeccable at every hatching. Sure the dragons might appreciate it, but it wasn't really for them. Not only did her preparedness make her dedication seem more genuine, but there were often high ranking guests at hatchings. Those individuals had the potential to be allies. It was best to make a good impression. Telleara did like the idea of using hatchings to make impressions of her own. It wasn't unusual for her to be offered a dance or five in the celebration after the hatching.

When the voice of the clutchmother crackled into her mind, a shiver went through her. The spark of the green was a bizarre sensation, always so much life in it. The candidate walked briskly back to the barracks. Changing into her robe, lacing her sandals, Telleara was meticulous in her appearance. Her last detail was to reach up to her hair. Almost always the length was restrained. Long hair was problematic when she was expected to work, but hatchings were one of the few occasions she would put it down. Unpinning the long braid, the young woman deftly set about separating the long strands. The long blonde waves, distinctly kinked from her tight braid, framed Telleara's body. Making her look more like the polite Lord's daughter, rather than the ruthless creature she actually was.

Once on the sands she curtsied to Lithustoth, and to V' in turn. As she looked at the greenrider she made a mental note. There were avenues to be pursued there. Looking across the line of candidates, a smile flickered across Telleara's face as she spotted a familiar and rather unhappy looking face on the sands. Weaving through the candidates she came to a stop beside Kakar. At first the young woman didn't say anything. Looking out across the clutch she was pleased to see Heart determined on making their entrance into the world. At least that mystery would be answered soon.

"Here we are again," she said finally. The smile she turned to the other candidate would seem friendly from a distance, but as close as Kakar was, it would be easy to see that this friendly mask held no emotion to it. Telleara's face shifted to one of mocking concern. "Oh, but, it seems you're missing something."

Revel1984

Don't hate me, Kakar, I love you really.

Kiliran
Well, today was the day it seemed. Kiliran had been attending morning chores when the summons went out. Fortunately washing pots and pans in the kitchen wasn't one of the filthier jobs he had been tasked with since coming to the Weyr, so getting ready wasn't a complete nightmare. It was early enough that his hair was still clean from his morning bathing, and a brief scrub up to the elbows made him presentable.

The white robe wasn't really his style. White was impractical at the best of times, too easy to ruin. He avoided working with white whenever possible. The robe itself was hardly robust or durable. Unfortunately Kiliran had learned that traditional garb was rarely the most practical. For a hatching it wouldn't be too bad. They were supposed to just stand there and wait to be approached. Although he wondered just how much fabric was lost to bloodstains from feeding dragons; or bloodstains from candidates. There weren't many ways to get dirty on the sands, but they seemed to all be ways that would ruin a garment of this material.

Later it would probably strike the young man as bizarre that those were the thoughts that ran through his head as he entered the hatching cavern. Maybe it was just his way of coping with his nerves. Either way, the young man was remarkable calm for his first hatching. Bowing to Lithustoth, he took his place among the other candidates.  

[Revel1984]

Kakar was waiting for the first egg to hatch when he was aware of someone moving to get towards him. When he saw who it was he rolled his eyes and sighed, really?.... "Go away Telleara, i don't have time for your crap today" he said bitterly.

The_Muffin_Puppy

 

[Ryala]

Standing next to the boy who had been so addressed by the other girl, Avali at first thought that the two were simply speaking, until she heard the boy telling the girl to let him be.

Moving over, not even consciously considering what she was doing, she moved around to stand between him and the girl, appearing the whole time to be focused on the eggs so as not to embarrass either of them. It would be best not to have this wonderful, exciting moment start off with an argument.

Revel1984

Kakar

The_Muffin_Puppy

Telleara

 

[TawnyAngel]

As the little knot of candidates muttered, smirked, and berated one another Leaping rolled once more before coming to a halt near Kakar and Telleara. Now deceptively still it seemed to wait for another moment, for two moments, and then all at once the shell collapsed and a beautiful vibrant green with abnormally long legs and headknobs clambered to her feet with a chirp and a shake of her head to dislodge a shard of shell. After a glance around she gave another high call and pranced awkwardly on the spot; she was the first!

Across the sands came a heavy crack from the Heart egg, and eyes turning that way would see two clean halves of it forced apart by the subtly shimmering bronze's wings. His eyes flashed orange and he bellowed his fury at Leaping; he was the Leader, he was the First! How dare she hatch before him? With another bellow the Heart bronze lowered his head and started to jog purposefully towards the Leaping green.

 

[magnadearel]

Candidate Verria

Verria was happy to be indoors on this rainy morning; even if she had to do chores. The candidate was waiting on pins and needles for the next clutch. Lith’s clutch could be hatching any time, and today seemed to be the day. The dragons started to hum as Lith informed everyone that her clutch was hatching.

Which mean she got out of chores to go stand on the hot Sands. Verria let out a whoop as she pelted off to clean up and change into her robe and race over to the Sands. Verria bowed to Lith and V’ with a big grin. They had just been here a bare few weeks ago. Yet she was eager to be back. Surely her dragon was among these eggs.

Her eyes scanned the clutch to see who would hatch first. It turned out to be a green from the Leaping Egg. Quickly followed by a bronze hatching from Heart Egg. Her lips made an ‘o’ as she eagerly watched the young dragons. She gasped as the bronze took offense to hatching second. Oh she hoped he wouldn’t hurt her!


Candidate Varella

Varella was loafing. She didn’t particularly feel like doing anything after breakfast. It was just as well, for all plans for the day were put on hold. Young dragons were to enter the world today instead. She made her way to the barracks to fetch her robe and off to the hatching sands she went. Varella strolled in leisurely.

She picked her spot on the sands and waited. It didn’t take long. Two dragons broke shell nearly together. Varella grinned as she nodded to bronze. Now there was a handsome boy! She could easily see herself the new rider of a nice bronze dragon.  

[The_Muffin_Puppy]

"From what I hear you never have time for much of anything these days," She replied conversationaly. Honestly the way the other candidate moped around you'd swear his brother had died, not just moved into a separate barracks. Telleara found the whole thing very dramatic. Had the two planned to be attached at the hip forever? Would Kakar be doing this if his brother had gotten a wife? Had children? The candidate needed to get an identity. If Telleara were a nicer person maybe she'd help him find it, but she wasn't a nicer person.

Another candidate entered their sphere and placed herself between the two. Telleara looked at the new arrival briefly. Either she was a bit dim and just wandering around, or that had been a deliberate motion. Considering the short distance and where she had stopped, Telleara was inclined to think it was the second. Leaning forward she looked around the girl and at Kakar, demonstrating her ability to still see things that had another human in front of them. "Does it ever bother you that people seem to think you need defending all the time? With your brother it made sense at least." This was the second time an unaffiliated candidate had decided to use themselves as a human shield to block her needling of Kakar. Did he give off some aura to people that he was a damsel in need of rescue? Personally Telleara didn't see it. She enjoyed poking the other candidate because he would bite back. It was no fun with people who just got all snivelling about it.

Her needling however had to come to a pause when an egg rolled right up to the group. She wasn't familiar with the vibrant egg. It had been too small really for her to give any more than a passing interest to. Still Telleara had been to enough hatchings now to know not to ignore an egg near you. The shell collapsed and an equally vibrant green began prancing in front of them. She seemed pleasant enough, not what Telleara was looking for, but she was sure the dragon would make someone happy.

A cracking shifted her attention once again. This time to Heart. Telleara had to admit there was a pang of disappointment as a clearly bronze dragon hatched out. He had been such a dear thing and a part of her had hoped. Still he was a handsome fellow and she was intrigued to see who he chose, and possibly get to know whoever the bronze thought good enough. His determined jog didn't phase her much. He was clearly irritated at the green, but Telleara had seen dragons charge and this didn't seem to hold the same rage in her opinion. The bronze had been intent on leading, perhaps he just wanted to make a point that he should be first and the green should have waited.

Revel1984

Kakar

Ryala

Avali

 

[Ryala]

Gwyn

Watching as an egg in front rolled, Gwyn saw it stop near a small cluster of Candidates who had been talking. At least in doing so, it managed to grab their attention enough to make them shut up. Pausing for a few heartbeats, the thing suddenly fell in on itself, and a lovely green hatchling emerged from the wreckage. She seemed pretty happy, too, as she called out and danced in place.

When the largest egg also broke, Gwyn looked to see the shell being forced open from within, and the dark, handsome bronze who emerged clearly was NOT happy. In fact, judging by the color of his eyes and the way he instantly started hurrying towards the green, there might well be trouble.


----------

Avali

When the other girl leaned over to continue being rude, Avali continued to stare at the eggs. She would not budge, no matter how hateful the other person insisted on being. It did surprise her, though, when she saw one of the eggs roll over to where they were. And when it broke, the green hatchling that arose from the pieces seemed delighted. The tall, plain girl heard another egg crack, but she didn't dare take her eyes from this one. The green was so close to them!

The_Muffin_Puppy

 

[TawnyAngel]

Heart's bellow made Leaping jump and wheel around as he jogged purposefully towards her and for a moment her eyes flickered yellow; he was a sore loser and much bigger than she was, time to escape! But which direction? There were people right behind her, and she definitely didn't want to plough through them! The lanky green warbled beseechingly at her incensed brother but he didn't stop his approach. Leaping hesitated for a moment longer, two moments, three, and then she wheeled around and bounded away at a speedy, if slightly awkward, baby bound along the line of candidates.

As Leaping took off Heart gave another bellow of annoyance but he didn't pursue and his eyes started to shift back to green, dominance had been established and he couldn't waste his precious time on chasing his sister down for an apology. Instead he slowed to a walk and approached the same group of candidates as Leaping had burst out of her shell in front of, head held high and chest puffed up as much as a hatchling could puff - he was here now, they were welcome to admire him.

A little way down the rank of candidates Leaping slowed, her brother's attention had clearly moved on and so now so could she! Letting out a soft hum she approached Verria and gave her leg a friendly nudge, perhaps thanks for her hope that Heart wouldn't hurt Leaping? A moment later however she was trotting onward again, her eyes whirling between a happy blue and a hungry red as she sought her rider.

Several of the other eggs were growing more active now, Babbling in particular was beginning to show some large cracks whilst the Fantastic egg jerking around as though its occupant was giving the inside of the shell a really good bashing.