[Wher Touching] The Shadow Knows

[The_Muffin_Puppy]

None had taken up the offer to try and remove her eggs from her and Mezask was content with that. The green much preferred the idea of having her eggs bond and grow under her watchful eyes. What if someone had managed to fool her into letting them take an egg, but then turned out to be dreadful? No, she much preferred it this way. Over a month the candidates would have to stand before her, plenty of time to judge them and remove anyone that was unworthy of her brood.

The time had come for them to meet her eggs for the first time. Mezask had spent a lot of time getting it right. Wher eggs needed to be kept warm by the pack and they weren't as big as dragon eggs. Only a few of her clutchsisters were left, the rest having to leave so that the candidates could actually get inside the den. Handlers had placed up dim glows for their benefit. Naturally the pack didn't need them, but the hopefuls would. They should enjoy it while they can, once the hatching was imminent all sources of light would be removed to protect her pup's delicate eyes.

The dim light showed how small the cavern was. In total there were less than a score of candidates. Wher clutches didn't draw as many and the pups were rarely as picky. The Whermaster had approved them all and Mezask was their next trial. The green had arranged her eggs so there was a little more space for the candidates to interact with them, but it would still be a rather intimate affair. A few eggs she kept close, they would need to be moved around to ensure that all the eggs stayed warm enough.

Rules
- Egg responses will be made to posts up until 12 noon GMT on 15th May. Posts can be made after this, but they will not receive egg responses.
- Egg responses will begin from 12 noon GMT 10th May. Posts may be made before this and will be responded to when egg responses begin.
- Members of Fort Weyr wherpack may be present in the hatching den.
- Handlers of the wherpack and candidates are the only humans allowed within the wher den.
- Firelizards are not allowed in the wherden.
- Candidates may now enter the den after dark as often as they desire or Mezask will tolerate them.
- Candidates should show ample respect to Mezask as she can throw them out whenever she wants.
- The cavern is small and dim, candidates will have little space and should move with caution.
- Wher eggs are roughly circular, lumpy, and between five and eight inches in diameter. They are on the ground so your candidate will have to crouch.
- If wanting a response from an egg or Mezask please bold the name.
- Candidates may interact as much or as little as they want with each egg.

The Eggs


Water Egg - Quietly off to the side Water doesn’t call out like some of their siblings. The swirling dark blues and greens gained this egg their name, along with the calmness of their mind. Water doesn’t rebuff visitors immediately, instead preferring to calmly observe them. There is an air of pleasant curiosity about them, they care about these visitors and are watching them closely, but Water has no intention of calling out.

Blood Egg - One of the medium sized eggs in the clutch Blood is striking for the bright red of its shell. The egg seeks interaction but doesn’t give much upon meeting. Outwardly welcoming and charming, Blood seems to enjoy company, but there is a barrier between them and their visitor. While Blood may ask the visitor to stay, even seeming to become irritable when they think of leaving, the egg doesn’t give away much about themselves.

Dyad Egg - The best word to describe Dyad is contemplative. The egg always appears to be in some deep thought. Sometimes guests can be present for a length of time and be completely ignored. Dyad has a lot to think about you see, not enough time. They can be distracted by all these silly pleasantries. The egg was named for the equal parts of black and white on the shell. An almost fifty-fifty split.

Music Egg - A mix of red, white, and black this egg likes to be noticed. It earned the name Music because it seems to enjoy rhythm. As time has gone on the egg sometimes hums with tunes of its own. Music is eager to meet guests, so long as they treat it with the proper respect. The proper respect being a lot. Music likes to be admired, and it doesn’t mind much what for, so long as they know how great it is.

Moonlight Egg - A dark blue that has light streaks of silver-blue, this egg gained the name Moonlight. Arguably the most active of the clutch, Moonlight is a bright member of the clutch, eager to greet and interact with virtually anyone. At times however the egg’s thoughts can become just a touch too hectic and loud, often causing others to shy away. Moonlight didn’t mean to do this and will always radiate guilt when someone gets chased off by their behaviour.

Ancient Egg - One of the largest eggs in the clutch Ancient is a rich bronze colour, usually liking to be in the centre of the clutch when possible. Surrounded, but not obstructed by their siblings. The name Ancient becomes clear when interacting with the egg, it gives the strong impression of age. The smell of dust and stale air seem to emanate from it. The mind inside is clearly alert and doesn’t appreciate those kinds of thoughts.

Misshapen Egg - Shy and hidden at the back, this egg likes to stay out of the way. From the initial meeting it is clear what this egg thinks: ‘You wouldn’t like them. They don’t blame you either.’ Indeed, Misshapen radiates a sad energy. The name stems from the fact that there’s a large indentation on the egg, giving it an awkward squashed appearance. Even among wher eggs this one looks ugly and not quiet right.

Hidden Egg - The smallest egg of the clutch, Hidden is named because it does just that. Often found in the back or in the shadow of one of their siblings, Hidden doesn’t like being centre of attention. If anything, it helps that the egg is almost the exact shade of the sand that it likes to be buried in. The egg shies away from contact, wanting to blend into the background as much as it possibly can.

Grave Egg - A dull gray egg, many have thought this one to be a dud. They’re not uncommon among wher clutches, but Mezask is adamant that inside this egg is a living wher. Even if they don’t make a sound or move at all. The name Grave came about because this egg is as silent as the grave. They don’t respond to anyone or anything. They just lie there in their wallow, almost unnervingly unresponsive.

 

[Revel1984]

Bekah was nervous, this was a big chance for her, for her ideas for Healers advancing, everything relied on a wher, well.. maybe not everything but if she wanted to see her ideas out, it was extremely important. She had a lot of respect for Whers and have Mezask the proper respect, bowing to her "Thank you Pack Leader Mezask for allowing us to be here today so that your babies can get to know us a little before they hatch, i wish you and them, great health" she said carefully, knowing that at any moment a mother wher could lose patience and seriously injure anyone near her clutch if she so wished so it was important to show her the absolute respect she deserved, that ANY wher deserved for that matter. She would wait for Mezask's say so before daring to approach the eggs whatsoever.  

[Earisa]

It had only taken a few days after the eggs had been lain that Jelric had come to a firm decision. He had lived his entire life on this mountain, and if the dragons had not wanted him maybe he wasn't needed at Fort Weyr. Not really having a craft or any particular skills to boast of this almost felt like his last chance to achieve something. With a wher in tow there would at least be something he could be useful for. What if he bonded with a green? Well that was why he had not chosen to take an egg, there had to be at least a few males in those eggs and you could not tell from the shell. Not to mention more chances should he find himself incompatible with one.

There would not be another attempt for Turns, this was his only shot.

The first hurdle was winning over the whers, not too different from dragons. If he couldn't win their approval first then he would be rejected from the caves and kept away from the hatchlings. In fact most of the rules were very similar to those from his dragon candidacy, step one should be simple enough...right?

Entering the cave with a few of the others, one of the women seemed happy to speak for all of them. Not much of a speaker himself he hung mostly to the back and up against the walls. Though some very faint light was offered his eyes had not yet adjusted to the gloom. He did not trust himself just yet to move, not when he didn't know how many adult greens were hiding in the dark corners or near their matriarch. Stepping on one, even by accident, seemed a very fast way to get thrown out.

It was his first chance to get a 'good' look at a Wher, though he had heard the huffs and snorts outside of those whom must have been unhappy of being forced out of the den. Mezask was much bigger then he expected, she was sitting but looked taller then him at full height and she was only a green. It seemed much safer to go slow and steady, earn their trust and act only when he noticed a signal of acceptance. He was not one of them, not yet so at best he was the lower then the lowest member. They would not go easy on him for not being able to learn fast enough.  

[The_Muffin_Puppy]

The gloom didn't bother her much. Mines were dark, as a miner you got used to it. The whers though, they were new. Their sounds in the darkness were the kind of things that miner stories were made of. The type that were told to little children so they wouldn't go into the mines alone. Thasne felt a shiver run up her spine at the thought. The idea of encountering a wild wher was bad enough, but in the enclosed space of a mine. It was hardly a fun idea. Luckily it had never happened at Green Rock. Maybe they were too populated. Whatever the reason, as Thasne walked deeper into Fort's wherden she was thankful it had never happened.

They all entered together and Thasne found herself at the front and slightly to the side of the cluster of candidates. Looking at the wher she was amazed at how big she was. Even sitting the green was taller than her. Would she fit in a mine? The ceilings were usually low, and some halls were narrow. This was the closest Thasne had ever been to a wher and she had to stop and consider for a moment. The colour of the wher she approached had never really bothered her, but a male was necessary so she could return to Green Rock. Now Thasne was considering their size. Odds meant it would be a better idea to go for a blue, they were on average the smallest males. Still there was plenty of overlap with browns. Thasne would just have to find the smallest male and attempt to bond to him.

A younger woman at the front bowed and thanked the wher rather eloquently. Thasne wondered how much the words really meant to a wher. Were they the type to be won over by pretty statements. The miner hoped not, because that was certainly not her strong suit. Thasne bent in a rather stiff bow. It wasn't a motion she had to do often and it felt unnatural. "Thank you," she said shortly. It wasn't disrespectful, just short. Anything else would have sounded wrong coming from her. Why use eight words when two would suffice?  

[The_Muffin_Puppy]

So these were the hopefuls for her eggs? Mezask looked the group over critically. Her own handler had once stood in a group like this. They were good to her, so Mezask had to consider that these people would be good to her eggs. She could chase them out right now, but the green knew what happened to unbonded wher pups. Even if she wanted to chase all these people away from her clutch, as instinct instructed, Mezask knew it was for the best of her progeny not to.

One spoke up and Mezask's eyes whirled to her in the gloom. In the darkness the whers eyes seemed to glow as she stared down at the healer. Confident enough it seemed. Determined. It was a good start, so long as it didn't turn to arrogance. Whers weren't as good at reading human emotions as dragons. Mainly Mezask had to go with body language, tone of voice and scent. The groups nervousness permeated the den, and Mezask idly hoped the smell would lessen as time went on. Still the first to speak had made a good impression so Mezask allowed her gaze to move on.

Glowing blue eyes fell onto a male candidate. Uncertain, but careful. His body language seemed measured, cautious. It was a reasonable response given the situation. Any that didn't treat her eggs as the fragile things they were would not be staying in the cavern for long at all. Her eyes moved on as another candidate spoke. It was a short statement. This one seemed uncertain too. Mezask wondered if that would be commonplace. It made sense, there were no real guarantees here. The candidate's stiff bow indicated she didn't do that much. Stubborn perhaps, or wilful? Either trait could be a good or bad match for her eggs depending on which was approached.

The green's eyes roamed over the group. Some bowed, some didn't. Some spoke, some didn't. Others did neither and avoided her gaze entirely. Whether they met her look with determination or fear didn't mean a lot to Mezask. None had done anything to earn her ire yet. Her thick tail shifted, it would have been almost unnoticeable not for the sound of its weight dragging on stone. Finally Mezask slowly dipped her head. Her permission was given. The group may approach. Around her the packsisters that had stayed shifted, many visibly relaxing as their matriarch passed judgement.  

[Revel1984]

Phew... Bekah was relieved when the green indicated her acceptance of letting them approach the clutch. She felt like she'd been holding in a breath as Mezask's gaze moved over her, as the other whers around relaxed, so did Bekah, but not too much, Whers were creatures to be respected. Carefully she approached the first egg, the Water Egg as it seemed to sit to one side "Hello there, i'm Bekah" she whispered to it  

[The_Muffin_Puppy]

Revel1984

The Water Egg gave the distinct impression that is was watching Bekah. Hovering just out of sight in the dark. Sizing her up? Maybe. They were certainly curious about her, that much was certain. This one wasn't like the others that had come through the den so far. Ignoring the obvious that she wasn't a wher. Bekah didn't think about the same things that the people who came with their whers did. Gradually the feeling of a somewhat hesitant greeting drifted forward. They were... Someone... They weren't certain who yet.  

[Revel1984]

Bekah listened, both with her mind and her feelings at what the egg seemed to be giving out, being watchful wasn't a bad thing, she didn't expect anyone to come bouncing over at the first meeting, though she knew some people that would. "it's ok, in your own time, there's no rush" she gave it a smile and lingered as it seemed to greet her and she was taken aback a little "Of course you're someone" she said, not realising it was out loud. "You've got plenty of time to figure out who that is" she encouraged the Water Egg  

[The_Muffin_Puppy]

Revel1984

The egg turned over her response carefully. Yes, they supposed there was time. Their time had really only just started. So, who was Bekah then? Water wanted to know who she really is. Maybe it would help Water decide who they were going to be one day, or who they weren't going to be. The egg settled into a comfortable openness. Bekah had shown a willingness to listen and receptive to their attempts to communicate. For now Water was willing to trust her, at least until their curiosity was sated. Maybe for longer, but who could say. They and the other candidates would be together for some time at least. They had time.  

[Revel1984]

Who was she? Well, she was a healer, but that was what she was rather than who right? then again she didn't know who she would be if she wasn't a healer, it's all she'd ever wanted to be. She was glad of the feelings of trust though "Thank you, i hope you find your bond" she whispered to the Water Egg before caressing it's shell once more and moving to another egg, it wouldn't do to linger too much, give the egg chance to meet others and make it's mind up about them too.


Bekah moved on, the next egg in her route was the Dyad Egg, harder to see in parts in the dim cavern, she reached out to gently touch it's shell "hello there" she mumured  

[The_Muffin_Puppy]

Revel1984

Dyad didn't react to Bekah's touch. It wasn't silent, far from it in fact. Touching the egg let the young woman into a whirling mass of thoughts. They were however distinctly not human thoughts, and following any of them was virtually impossible. It was just noise. Noise with purpose, but still just noise to the mind of a human. It took a long time for Dyad to even realise Bekah was there. How long had she been there? Oh well, it didn't matter. That wasn't really important to Dyad and they had a lot of important things to think about. Well, what did she want? There must be a good reason for the interruption, if there wasn't then this one could just move along. Dyad was busy.  

[The_Muffin_Puppy]

Thasne didn't rush forward to greet the clutch. In fact she barely moved at all. Candidates shuffled forward to greet the eggs and yet the woman held back. She was looking over the eggs with a critical eye. As though she would be able to discern the gender of the whers inside. The one she bonded to needed to be male. Staying at the Weyr wasn't an option and the mine wasn't big enough to warrant starting a female pack. It was a tricky business. The larger eggs weren't especially appealing, a large bronze or brown might struggle to manoeuvre inside the tunnels at home. Who knew how big they would be if they took after their mother. A blue would be ideal, but blues and greens were generally the same size, so picking from the smaller eggs was a risky business. It wasn't immensely important. There was plenty of time to foster a relationship after the eggs hatched, but Thasne didn't like to waste time if she could avoid it.

One of the smaller medium sized ones she decided. If she was unlucky it would be a green. If she was lucky and ideal sized blue. Then there was the option of a small brown. That could work. Moving through the clutch the miner made her way to the Blood Egg. Squatting down she lay her hand on the red shell. It didn't feel like she had expected, the warmth for one thing. Uncertain of how to Thasne tried to think a greeting. Even if it was just the word 'hello' hovering in her mind.  

[Revel1984]

Bekah almost let go of the egg at the swirl of thoughts she felt, it was confusing and almost gave her a headache as she tried, and failed, to pick anything out specifically, this was definitely a busy egg. She decided to give it some space, it clearly had it's own things going on. "Sorry to have bothered you" she said, and moved on.

Carefully she moved among the clutch to reach the Misshapen Egg and put a hand on it's shell  

[The_Muffin_Puppy]

The_Muffin_Puppy

A pleasant greeting floated out to Thasne the moment her hand touched the shell. Greetings, pleasure to make your acquaintance. Blood reached out pleasantly to the woman. How was Thasne fairing today? Blood hoped she was doing well. Despite how welcoming the egg was to their new visitor they decidedly didn't give away anything about themselves, just presenting a pleasing and welcoming aura.

Revel1984

The initial feeling from Misshapen was surprise. Oh, hello. They hadn't been expecting visitors. Not that you aren't welcome! Misshapen is always happy to receive guests, they just didn't expect them was all. Unless Bekah was just visiting to be polite. That was nice, but she really didn't have to. There were a lot of them, Misshapen knew that, they understood if she wanted to go and visit the others. No hard feelings, really, Misshapen understood. They weren't the best company after all.  

[Earisa]

Others moved forwards, obviously more confident or reckless then himself. Not until he was comfortable that his eyes had adjusted and that he believed her knew where all the whers were did he move forwards to join the other examining the eggs.

They were much smaller then he expected, but dragon eggs and hatchlings were smaller then most would expect. It wouldn't do to crowd, still wary of the green mother wher looming over them. Jelric turned his attention to the Ancient Egg, no particular reason really other then that it had received no attention yet. To colour of the shell often gave no clues as to what rested inside, and size was often misleading. He was aiming for a male, so it made sense to aim for the larger ones if he wanted to increase his odds.