Libertas Weyr

[Kaedryn]

Tongue flickering out of her mouth as she tasted the air, Eris headed toward where she felt the heat, the warmth soaking into her little bones as she wiggled her way this way and that, sometimes going up walls as she sensed the presence of too many two-leggeds. Once she crawled over one of the big things that smelt like smoke and big-wing-Kin, but all Kin were useless, not understanding her Kind, and so she continued on, tasting the air again and again as she headed ever forward, though her bulging sides made her awkward and slow.

Finally she reached an area she felt was good, ducking in and slithering past another one of the Kin, one with many eggs surrounding her, and for a moment Eris paused and looked at the big black and colored big-wing-Kin, eyes rolling brightly with color before a movement of the two leg beside the Kin had her skittering forward, the flash of gold hide hidden among the sands as moved. A side cavern, smaller than the room she had just been in, smaller even than most of the larger ground-Kin would use to lay their eggs, and she knew it was perfect. Instantly she moved to the center, digging with three legs a deep depression, and smoothing the sides somewhat before the contractions of her labor began to take her over, and her body began to smoothly deposit egg after egg onto the sands.

It only took less than an hour before she shivered abruptly, sending a bit of the sand that had fallen back onto her head flying with the motion, some of it spraying onto her still-wet eggs as she carefully drew back. Though her first clutch, she knew as had any gold, rainbow, obsidian, etc had known that her eggs were fragile now, and after she had moved away a bit, began to pack some of the warm sand every so gently around the many eggs, shoveling sand in with her nose so that it could reach every one of them, leaving mostly only the tops uncovered, though a few were a bit more visible. Once done, Eris carefully curled herself around the top most visible of the eggs, nuzzled one delicately, then sighed to herself and closed her eyes, dreaming of sun and water and many fish for her mouth to catch.

---

Nyx Egg
Probably one of the oddest eggs in the clutch, the Nyx Egg is, without a doubt, simply stunning in its beauty and grandeur. Presiding over the clutch as the largest egg, this orb rests in a cradle of sand with quiet dignity. The shell is a bronze gold when viewed straight on but once you turn your eyes away, it fades in your sight like nightfall creeping across the sky, and you'd swear it was black. There is a stillness to this egg, one of waiting, of intense knowledge and darkness, just waiting for one false step or thought. It waits for that misstep on your part before swallowing your mind whole, but not because it is evil, no... This egg does not truly understand what is evil, or good, it is beyond such things and thus those who might perchance touch it are treated to a mind that is alien to their own thinking. It is definitely a Queen in this egg by its presence alone, but when the shell breaks and spills forth its cargo, it will be a Queen unlike those before her that come out.

Erebus Egg
Despite being second largest egg in the clutch, the Erebos Egg often goes unnoticed, especially since it sits in the shadow of its brighter and more interesting sister. A pure black, the shade of this egg leaves much to be desired, and except for a bright glossy sheen, is not marked by any color or stand-out attributes. In fact, its coloring helps it blend in even further, like one shadow melting into another. But there is power coming from this egg that, once noticed, is hard to forget, and one should always remember that just because something is hidden doesn't mean that it is weak. In fact, were one to touch the Erebos Egg, they would feel a moment of weightlessness, of a vast mind swiftly peeking through their brains and riffling through their memories while they hang suspended in a place time forgot, where dark things stir in the shadows, before you a deposited back in the real world, wondering... Just what happened...

Apate Egg
Seemingly the smallest of the eggs in the clutch, for some reason, the real size of the Apate Egg remains unknown, constantly appearing to grow and shrink, then grow again even as you are staring at it. Go ahead and put your hands on this egg, you still won't know for sure if its truly as small as you think it is, or if its larger, even smaller... Maybe its just a trick of the light which causes that, but then why would you seem to feel the egg grow or shrink in your hands? Even its color lends to its odd appearance, a milky silver-blue, reflective in some lights, dull and matte in others. Not particularly beautiful, the interest this egg holds in many people is the fact that it seems so facile, changing every time they look at it, and even its personality does the same, jumping so quickly between every emotion, never settling down, that no one can quite pinpoint exactly what this Hatchling is like.

Momos Egg
This egg is laughing at you, simply put. Come near it and you will hear the mocking chuckle of someone who knows something you don't, the sarcastic little titter of the old lady in the corner as she watches you stumble, even the deep-chested guffaws of the highschool quarterback as your puny self tries out for the football team. Its all there, making this egg not the friendliest, or the easiest to be around. Not to mention its rather ugly besides all that a dull greyish orange like a desert sunset gone terribly wrong, with too much dust and not enough of that pretty sun. And then, on the top, its a horrible, eye blinding splotch of green that really doesn't have much of a point for being there except that... its there... In fact, this poor egg doesn't really have much at all going for it, except that its one of the larger eggs in the clutch, and that alone would have it drawing some eyes and a few of the more inquisitive (or desperate) of seekers.

Moros Egg
If this egg was one of the kids in highschool, it would be that emo dude hanging out in the corner, dressed all in black and staring at you, making you shiver and turn around... But still you have that feeling on the back of your neck like he's cursing you, or something, and you can't quite shake that gloom and doom he causes. That emo is this egg, sitting all off in one corner, somewhat a part of the clutch, and yet somewhat... Not... deep grey fading to even darker in some places, almost black, the Moros Egg looks rather like a gloomy storm cloud in the evening, without that much light to really tint it blue, and those who come near enough to touch it are instantly driven into a darker, deeper mood, though oddly enough, the hatchling inside of the egg doesn't seem at all willing to really share its feelings of doom and gloom, often breaking contact as quickly as possible in its own little way.

Geras Egg
This is easily the most tired egg in the clutch. Other eggs make observers tired, but this one is itself tired. It is so clearly obvious just looking at the stooped little egg. It is bending over, quite literally, just under its own weight, and has a great store of time under its shell that doesn't quite seem right for something so new to the world. It is a nice enough egg, though. Quite comforting after all the others of its clutch. There's a familiarity to it, from the smell of pipesmoke that lingers around it to the rough, weathered shell. It is kind, but not very gentle, and quite frankly not pretty. It just couldn't be, with its gray-brown shell covered with the dark outlines of wrinkles and cracks as if the egg is sagging into the sand, held up only by the wise old mind within and pure stubbornness.

Nemesis Egg
Nearly indistinguishable from a carved marble rock, the Nemesis Egg is a smooth, almost chalky appearing white, striated ever so slightly with gold and silver, appearing weathered in some places while still perfect in others. But this is only the face, for on the side of this egg not facing out towards those coming towards is it is a splash of bright, dripping crimson, falling down and pooling at the bottom of the egg as if it has been stabbed, or perhaps... it has stabbed someone else and gotten the spray on themselves. Some might be afraid to touch this egg, wondering if such an appearance could mean anything could, and most would be startled by the overwhelming sense of righteously vindication, and there is no sorrow, no guilt for that spray of blood, enough to ensure that anyone its size would most assuredly be dead... There is no remorse for the perhaps-death, leading some to believe this egg is calluous, but... is that really the case?

Thanatos Egg
While most of the eggs are clustered in rings around the Nyx Egg, the Thanatos Egg is set to the far edge of the clutch, tilted outwards and away from its siblings,, except for the Hypnos egg, a silent sentinel on guard. Barely smaller than the two largest eggs in the clutch it resembles both in a way, having a shadowy quality that makes its true appearance hard to guess... Is it really black, or is it a red/blue/purple so dark that it simply cannot be made out? And why, if it is truly black, are the occasional flickers of pure color seen in it, flashes of white and gold, as if one has died and reached another plane of existence. Warm arms enfold and protect you should you touch this egg, a siren's call to stay there and keep touching it, never letting go and never leaving its embrace... Will you be able to resist the call of such a warm mind, especially when it seems too much like the perfect ideal of home, if you knew you'd never be able to escape again? Combined with the Hypnos Egg's odd power, these two create a powerful lure.

Hypnos Egg
A first glance over the clutch often has people making the mistake that there's one egg fewer than actually exist. While looking wide-eyed at the bright and colorful display, it is often missed that there is more than one egg that is dark and hard to decipher. But there are. The two eggs on the outskirts of the clutch are perfect matches. All that can distinguish this egg separate is how it seems smaller, and is leaning against the larger Thanatos Egg to support it, and how it is without flashes of pure color. It is nevertheless mesmerizing, trying to discern the true colors of this egg, and many have fallen prey to its appearance alone before its other powers take hold. To be near this egg is to be put to rest. Not to relax, but to fall asleep. People have been seen nearly falling over as the egg takes its toll on their consciousness, and it is impossible to avoid nodding with this egg's influence hanging over you.

Oneiroi Egg
This egg is a fluffy confection, formed from bits of cloud dyed green and mixed with blue cotton candy spun into the shape of a small egg. The top of the egg fades to white as the dye seems to sink toward the bottom of the egg, but in sharp contrast to the dreamy appearance of the majority of the egg are slashes of black upon the egg's back. The black forms the appearance of wings, and are the only worrying feature of this egg. Surely wings are fitting, but must they be black? The feeling of the egg tends to put people to ease, though. It has several quite strange properties. The first is that its presence makes the forgotten remnants of dreams once again be remembered. The second is that if this egg is touched after the Hypnos Egg, any dreams induced by the latter shall be pleasant. Any creature from within this egg must be a dreamer, but one must remember. Not all dreams are real.

Ponos Egg
As far as eggs go, this one is not that much fun. It's nice enough, but it isn't very pretty, and it doesn't quite have a personality to make up for it. But don't take my word for it. Take a look yourself. About the only thing that distinguishes the orb as an egg is its shape, because otherwise it looks exactly like a rock. Not even a stone. A rock. With all the rough, inconsistent surface you'd expect. And in addition, it is a dirty rock. Which just doesn't help it any. As for personality, it is a friendly egg, but with a kind of cavalier attitude. It is eager to work, and even in its current useless state it is obviously a good worker. It does whatever it takes to get the job done, regardless of the mess it might cause as its grubby, rugged shell suggests. Oftentimes this egg is forgone in favor of the more enticing, engaging shells the clutch has to offer.

Discordia Egg
This egg is bright. But any egg can be bright. This egg is more so. Some eggs are blinding. This egg is more so. Some are chaotic. This is more so. Some cause headaches, but this egg is much more so. Some enjoy causing pain and confusion, but this one loves it more so. It is a clashing battle between orange, purple, red, lime, and any other color it could dredge up to glare into peoples' eyes and blind them. It is anything at all but natural, and finds a sadistic glee in the confusion it causes. To help along this guilty pleasure, it is an all out mess to the mind, sending out a mass of nonsensical sounds, thoughts, and words spinning out at a rate too fast to understand even if it did make sense. And it just sits back and enjoys the show.

Oizys Egg
This egg looks simply miserable, huddling in not quite the center of the clutch, and touching no eggs on any side of it, the Oizys' Egg's coloring and general gloominess of its nature combine to make yet another unappealing egg. Taken from afar, its not that ugly an egg, and certainly doesn't pop out as unattractive, but as one gets closer, they begin to see the general dreariness of its colors, drab, almost bland grey-blues and greens, like the color of the sea when clouds are drifting overhead, turning it from sun-sparkling aquamarine and turquoise to slate blue and mossy green, not exactly happy colors. Its personality is much the same, a bland, almost depressive mind greets any who touch it, though there are occasional flickers of interest, and for the very rare person, true happiness... The rarity of these feelings make them all the more special, and those graced with a flicker of happiness from this egg will carry it with them for quite some time, and find it hard to get rid of their cheerful demeanor, though those who remain untouched by said happiness generally have a gloomier outlook on life for days.

[Bookworm]

Neriath was always "in" with the gossip around Libertas, and it didn't take her long to find out about the crawler eggs. In turn, she informed her rider. There are eggs on the side sands. Why don't we have any pets? You should get one, she said cheerfully. They were swimming together in the lake, and P'nuk splashed her playfully. She had never mentioned pets before! If he had to guess, he would say that she had gotten the idea from M'kal's tunnelcat.

I guess I can go check it out, he decided, giving Neriath a pat on the nose before swimming back to shore. Yay! Get a cute little egg for us! P'nuk shook his head, smiling. Neriath was simply impossible to resist.

He dried himself off and changed in his weyr, then headed to the Hatching Grounds. There, he found a gold crawler, but no owner, and no eggs in sight. Then, he got closer and saw the tips of the eggs poking out of the sand. P'nuk wasn't sure what to do now, since he had never been to a crawler hatching. He waited, deciding to see what others did when they arrived.

[Onwingsofsilver]

V'kail passed by the larger hatching sands, rubbing a hand absentmindedly across the bandages beneath his shirt. The pain was merely a dull ache, the numbweed just beginning to wear off. After training we will have a Healer look at your wounds again. We cannot have you getting infected. The black hatchling beside him walked with fluid strength, looking more like a male dragon than female. Most would have mistaken her if not for her voice.

The two were headed toward the smaller hatchings sands since no dragons or whers were using it and the day was too hot to practice swordsmanship outside. Despite his wounds, Hurriyyahth wasn't going to have him slack. He could still do stretches and legwork. She was going to make sure her rider was the fittest around and few would be able to stand up to what she thought was the best male around.

Someone is here, V'kailMine. The weyrling looked up from adjusting his sword to see other people gathered around a small area. "It seems this place isn't deserted," V'kail said. Hurriyyahth nodded and ruffled her wings in agitation. They seem to have found a clutch of some sort.

"Of what, I wonder?" V'kail headed toward the area, trying to get a better look. Riya snorted and tried to block him from advancing. We can train somewhere else, Mine. Who cares about stupid eggs. V'kail waved her off. "I want to see," he said, and looked down to see a clutch of crawler eggs. Fascinated, he wondered what the little creatures would look like. Hurriyyahth huffed and sat down beside her rider, miffed that she hadn't succeeded in making him leave.

[Alrekair]

A'vayal and Brown Kaivalth

Kaivalth was curious over the mutterings he had heard from the other dragons. Crawlers? What exactly were these things they spoke of? Well, the others were saying something about eggs on the side sands, so he decided to prod his rider with a reddish-brown tail tip. A'vayal, what are you doing staring at the sky again? The other dragons are saying something about crawler eggs on the side sands.

"Huh? What's a crawler?" A'vayal had heard of a kind of crawler, but he was unsure if this was the same manner of creature he had seen in his past. "Never mind, you mentioned the eggs. That usually means you want me to investigate." The man chuckled when his dragon gave him an indignant snort, standing to glance around the Weyr Bowl. The dragon/rider pair often lazed about in the Bowl, with Kaivalth talking with his fellow dragons and A'vayal watching the sky. "I'll go check it out. You stay out here and talk."

Yes, my dear rider, Kaivalth muttered, a hint of disappointment in his voice as he lowered himself onto his stomach. Tell me what it was like when you're done.

"As always, Kai love," the man responded with a reassuring thump to the dragon's shoulder before walking through the Weyr Bowl and into the side Hatching Cavern. He saw the golden creature guarding...what appeared to be nothing. There were absolutely no eggs in sight, which confused the brownrider thoroughly. Since he had never attended a crawler hatching before, he decided to stay near the entrance and wait for others to arrive. There were already some others there, but he wanted to wait a little longer, to see what everyone did first.

---

S'rin and Brown Arelath

S'rin, there are...crawler eggs that have been laid, Arelath informed his rider, the dragon's bronzey-brown head glancing back at the young man standing behind him. What exactly is a 'crawler'?

"A crawler is a kind of creature...kind of like you, but decidedly not your kin," S'rin responded, glancing around the Weyr Bowl. "Have you heard where this is taking place?"

The side sands. And are you going to try for one?

S'rin shrugged, really unsure of what to do. "I suppose I could. Will you come with me, Are?" He didn't like the thought of going where there was likely to be a fairly large group of people, and had had to force himself to go to the Hatchings that he had gone to in the past, including the one that brought him Arelath. He didn't mind going so long as his dragon was there with him. Arelath boosted his confidence greatly, and the brown dragon was, in his opinion, the best thing that could have happened to him.

Of course I will, silly boy, Arelath answered, taking his triangular head and pushing the young man in the right direction. Now let's get going.

"All right, Are!" S'rin couldn't help but laugh and be in a better mood with the brown acting like he was, and he was actually curious about the crawler eggs himself. "What do you think is going to happen? You think we'll get an egg?"

Of course we will, Arelath said, a tone of finality leaking through as they stepped onto the warm sands of the side Hatching Cavern. The brown crooned a greeting when he recognized one of his siblings already there. Hurriyyahth, my sister! He plodded over to the black, slowing down a bit as he neared the female dragon. How are you today?

Hurriyyahth is here? S'rin's head snapped around, and the young man groaned to himself when he caught sight of V'kail. The two hadn't had a very pleasant introduction on the night he arrived at the Weyr, and he had done everything possible to avoid another such occurrence. Well, I'd better at least talk with him, he decided as he followed his dragon. "Good day, V'kail," he began, holding out a hand for the black weyrling to shake. "I trust your arm is feeling better?" he asked, his own eyes glancing to the bandages still wrapped around his left forearm. He had injured himself a while back, and the wound just kept re-opening itself.

[Twilight]

There are eggs on the side sands. Why don't we have any pets? You should get one -- Yay! Get a cute little egg for us!
After training we will have a Healer look at your wounds again. We cannot have you getting infected. Someone is here, V'kailMine. They seem to have found a clutch of some sort. We can train somewhere else, Mine. Who cares about stupid eggs.
A'vayal, what are you doing staring at the sky again? The other dragons are saying something about crawler eggs on the side sands. Yes, my dear rider -- Tell me what it was like when you're done.
S'rin, there are...crawler eggs that have been laid--

What is a crawler? "A little lizard-like creature with six legs," Oh, why do you want one? "Because I do, who else would be a better owner?" No one, of course. All should love you, because you are very kind even if you do not show it too often, Angeth rubbed against Tyzana's leg as they walked to the Sands. The red had been asking questions ever since Tyzana said she wanted a crawler, she wanted to know everything there was to know about Tyzana before the red hatched. Normally no one heard Angeth talk so much, but Tyzana was a HAD kind of girl, she could hear the dragon even if it was keeping a secret. Either way, her voice was a relief when you hear other voices all day. Angeth walked beside Tyzana till they reached the Sands where the clutch was supposed to be. Once again, there was a crowd of people who didn't seem to want to accept they may not get an egg. Oh well, their problems were not her's or Angeth's.

Suddenly the word of the clutch on the Sands got out to spread through the Weyr, and the voices of dragons exploded through Tyzana's mind. Mine, eggs on the sands! Sahara, the crawling things, like Markle, are being given out -- Mine? -- Sands! Sands, sands, sands! Iarahath land at the sands, Iarahath folds wings! TyzanaMine! Stop that! You are turning blue, breathe! Tyzana inhaled deeply, trying to be silent, unlike the voices in her head. Honestly, Tyzana had no clue how these people didn't hear it, but the weyrling decided it was best not to complain. She was special, and that meant these other people of course didn't have this neat, annoying, gift. Still, not everyone has the gift and that was that, Tyzana focused on the clutch of eggs and bowing to the clutch mother; Angeth glanced once at Tyzana before lowering her head and forelegs in her own little bow.

Tyzana was sure it was impulse, but of all the eggs she kept glancing at the Nyx Egg, being that it was the biggest and most obviously a Queen crawler; and.. it was very shiny. Shards, what was she thinking!? Tyzana closed her eyes and took a deep breath, before opening them and focusing on the much darker Thanatos Egg. Dark colors were more to her liking anyway.

[Deryn]

The hot sands were burning his feet even through the thick boots, but that wasn’t what he was bothered about right now. The hatching sands were not what you call… a quick route to the infirmary, but in the increasingly cold weather, S’aarik much preferred it to the cold stairways, which always left his hands fumbling and numb from the cold. He had no idea what type of winter they could expect, with such a frigid pre-autumn already upon them, but he was not going to speculate. Especially when there was such a little wonder before him on the sands now.

He had spotted the clutch as he made his slow and easy progress across the hatching sands, and had detoured around to look at the clutch, even crouching down to touch a few of the very exquisite eggs. He had no desire for a crawler of his own, but he could certainly give them away to others.

Ometh?

Already ahead of you there, Mine. I sent the call out. Expect people to be arriving any moment. Crawlers are always such a big deal… such silly little things…

Humming, the great brown dragon had settled back down into a stupor, gaining as much sunlight as the weakening rays would allow for.

As S’aarik took off his coat –for he didn’t need it anyways within the hatching sands, and he certainly was not going to pick up the eggs and hold them all by himself. He’d drop one and it would smash and then he’d never forgive himself. He didn’t want that. So, carefully he placed each egg in the coat and bundled them up so that he could hold all of them in one arm, leaving his other hand free to hand them out to whomever wanted one.

Standing up and turning around, S’aarik was startled to see that there were people around him already, looking eager and expectantly at the eggs in his arms.

“Um… Hello?”

You really are pathetic in these types of situations, Mine. Here. Let me come and help you give them out. I, at least, have a much better sense of who should get an egg and who should not.

It took only a few moments more for Ometh to arrive on the sands, settling behind S’aarik instead of on one of the ledges, tilting his head down so that he could peer inquisitively at the people who had begun to gather round.


((I'll post my dear Rue, Nor, and A'sael in a moment. xD Or maybe tomorrow...))

[Eyota]

(LAME POST BUT SHE'S HERE and being Ms. Confidence and Demanding. xD)

Sure that Thowrsk can go? came the question from the black female, facets whirling brightly and slowly neon yellow. "Yes, I am sure. Go, you wild thing!" the man responded to his wher, his voice soft and fond of her. Thowrsk's really sure? she asked, facets still whirling that worried color as her concern for him was apparent. "I will be just. Go already! Don't let me hold you back," the wherhandler told Thowrsk, a little bit more aggravated from the amount of concern the wher was showing him. He didn't feel up to dealing with any of the crowds that would surely be at the clutch of crawler eggs' hatching. Thowra wasn't ready to deal with that many people again so soon after...Thowrsk then go get what Thowrsk deserve! she exclaimed excitedly, facets whirling a fast and excited light green in anticipation. Yes, yes, yes! Ever since she had seen the one Swornsk had had, she had wanted one for her very own. Something to call hers and have no one else lie claim to it! It would be the most perfect one there because it would choose her and no one else!

Thowrsk showed up sometime after a few people and dragons had already shown up. Silly hatchlings! Dragons had only one use to her: fighting Thread. Otherwise, they were only overgrown flitters in her opinion. Showing up with more diginity than what would happen if Eyotalsk showed up excited, Thowrsk walked in with her own grace, no one else's. It was hers and hers alone. And a proper warrior would cut straight to the chase. There would be time for thinking and planning later. Broadcasting to all those there, she asked, Who decide who get egg? Thowrsk want egg, please if can get one. Her facets continued to whirl a light green, only it was a slower whirlpool compared to the ones showed to Thowra earlier. The wher was trying to be as polite as she possibly could be without going against her nature. She wanted to know as soon as possible and only quickness would suit her expectation. Though, it was highly unlikely that her standards would be met. Most likely, the humans and dragons would take it slow and she would have to wait. Patience, she had very little of compared to Hers. Waiting games..... Thowrsk would have to master them if she wanted a crawler egg. And she had very little doubt that she would get one, sheer confidence blaring through her demeanor at the moment. Any crawler that chose her would be the equal to Swornsk's for sure! Tail twitching from more than slight impatience....she waited and waited.... and waited and kept waiting...

[Wolf Tears]

"EGGS!"

Had Myserikordask been awake, she would have winced theatrically to point out how annoying Hers; as it was, she stirred briefly and then dropped back off into deep sleep. As a matter of fact, they all did that; Erik was the only one in the room who was still awake at this time of day, even including the naturally diurnal canine and fire-lizards.

So she was very careful, after that initial shout of excitement, to be quiet as she closed the book she was reading and slipped into shoes. Once she was out of the room however, she didn't bother to step carefully; she flew down the halls at top speed, knowing that she didn't have long before all the eggs were given away.

They were still there when she got there, although a large crowd was already gathering. The teenager considered flashing rank to get through to the middle of the crowd, but decided she was too tired to deal with the arguing involved- and besides, she didn't want to getanyone riled, not around eggs. However, she did push in far enough to be able to see them- which, really, was all she wanted. Eggs weren't as interesting as babies, but they were still fun to look at.



Tsiaai! Where do you think you’re going?

Merasanth’s attempt at controlling her pet was promptly blown over; the gold, refusing to be cowed even by the dragon that she was bonded to, simply skittered ahead, easily making her way over or under the people that Merasanth had to pause and make way for. Had they been out in the open, it would have been a different story- even if the crawler could mentally boss her owner-pet around, Mera was faster and bigger and could take charge when she needed to- but here in the halls of the Weyr, Tsiaai had a definite advantage.

Sorry! Excuse me! Please, I need to get to that crawler! Merasanth’s wings stayed pressed against her back, all the better to make herself as small as possible as she squeezed through the halls, but if she’d had room, she probably would have rustled them in agitation. This was not amusing, not in the slightest.

Tsiaai, meanwhile, rushed forward toward the place where the people talking about the eggs were; dragon-kin were hard to find sometimes, but they were being very loud just now, so it was easy to find her way to the Sands. Unfortunately, she was met with a new obstacle: lots and lots of people. Hissing in frustration, the gold darted forward, stomping on the toes of everyone she could reach as she made her way toward the eggs and biting anyone who tried to pet her or pick her up. By the time Merasanth arrived on the Sands, Tsiaai was emerging from the other side of the crowd and climbing up to where she could peer delightedly down at the eggs. New minions, a large number of them- this was good, good indeed! She would have to make sure her owner-pet remembered who got these; she wanted to keep track of her subjects. They might be useful someday.

Excuse me? Please, I’m sorry- that’s my gold. I’m sorry if she’s getting in the way... oh dear... Tsiaai, come over here this instant!

The gold raised her head, the red undertone in her proud green eyes becoming more and more prominent until they were completely red; the queen hissed loudly and climbed a little higher up the wall, so that no person would be able to reach her.

Merasanth sighed mentally, and Tsiaai snorted. That would show her owner-pet to try and tell her what to do!

(OOC- Fail, but I wanted to get it up.)

[Ricci]

((So uh, here's the thing: I don't know if Liera will Impress this Hatching or not, I doubt it since B'rodan Impressed. But just in case, her section will be a LITTLE ambiguous... And...I'm so glad I made Que'rix and Seventh. Seventh is funcute!))

--

B'rodan gave his napping Platinum a few good eye-ridge rubs before he started towards the Side Hatching Caverns. As any good Candidate would, B'rodan knew exactly what was on ANY of the Sands at ANY time. Now as a Weyrling, he also knew that there were still Crawler eggs out there.

/Should I eat them?/ Oh, so the Platinum had woken up. He was following a few paces behind B'rodan, who slowed and let the young dragon catch up with him.

Uh, no. You most certainly should not, B'rodan told Anahirath with one brow raised.

/So long as you say so,/ Anahirath responded. He yawned slightly and they made their way to the Sands. Now, where were they to go again? They pondered over this question as they walked absently. B'rodan would have never believed just how relaxed he would feel with a Platinum by his side. Anahirath was so mellow that B'rodan's naturally relaxed personality had become all the more laid back.

He was still as mischievous as ever, but he was quieter about it... At least for now. Anahirath had no doubt that His would eventually go back to being the energetic scamp he always had been. This early in their bond, however, B'rodan was inexorably attached to Anahirath in ways that no one could properly explain, so that his mood was Anahirath's mood, and Anahirath's mood was B'rodan's.

If he could see the eggs as he walked in, B'rodan didn't particularly care for any single one from this distance. If he could touch them, though, he would probably feel the most connected to the Momos egg, laughing and sarcastic, with a rather strange splotch of GREEN (for nothing that random could simply be tame little 'green'). He had no cares for the size of it, he cared only because Ricci really liked the Momos egg, because Momos is her favourite Greek God, but back to B'rodan. He rather fit with it, he would have thought, could he see it or feel it, et cetera.

--

Liera hadn't intended on going to this little "give-away" any more than she ever planned to go any, but as usual, T'ere had goaded her on. This time, he had told her he wouldn't show until after Liera left, if at all ((ooc:hewon't)). Maybe she could just peek her head in and then go away. Except, she thought that she might actually want a Crawler. Well, shells. Liera sighed as she showed up to the Sands, ignoring those around her shyly. She didn't want to admit she was shy, but she was.

Today, she was not wearing anything more interesting than a pair of trousers and a top made of wispy materials. She didn't feel pretty, today. She felt a little sheepish and foolish for actually wanting a pet. But these little guys just seemed... well. Endearing. And of lower maintenance than a kitten or a fire-lizard, perhaps. Though she had a sneaking suspicion that T'ere would force her to every fire-lizard Hatching at the Weyr until one of them either bonded to her or bit her nose off.

She rolled her eyes inwardly at the thought before she stepped onto the Sands, avoiding eye-contact with those around her as she peered at the Clutch from afar, a little uncertain of herself. Unlike the others (read: B'rodan), Liera did not have any particular egg that she WOULD have thought fit to her (read: Ricci got her Momos-obsession over with). She simply thought that she would like a Crawler, and hoped for the best.

--

Last but not least, Que'rix and Seventh. Que'rix lightly pranced onto the sands, because that is what Que'rix did. Prance. Not walk. Seventh tip-toed in after him, looking very much like a pixi-princess. It was a little absurd. While Seventh was a small green, she was also still a dragon, and thus a large creature. With her enormous hips, Seventh just... well... It was absolutely insane looking. The pale green crooned at the eggs.

/Queeeeer-Mine?/

Love, don't call me Queer.

/Oh but that is who you are!/

"No no, honey," Que'rix paused as they walked onto the Sands, waiting for the green to catch up to him and then lightly pressing his hand against her side emphatically, "That's what I am/ I am Que'rix, not Queerix!"

/Well, if you say so, QueerMine! So um. Uhh. Ohhh.. Uhhhhh.../

"Yes, sweetiepie?"

/Uhh, errmmm... OH RIGHT! What are we doing again?/

"We're going to see if we can get ourself a Crawler, of course, honeycakes," Que'rix told Seventh as they drew near. He laid a hand on S'aarik's shoulder lightly more out of the desire to touch anybody as opposed to S'aarik specifically. Unfortunately for everyone, Que'rix was a bit touchy-feely.

/OOOH! CRAWLERS? I would LOVE a Crawler! Do they taste of sugar!? I love sugar! And sex! Sex is good! That's why I Rise! But this isn't Rising Time! I just want a Crawler right now! Oh QueerMine, can I have a Crawler? Oh, hello! Who's giving out Crawlers? I should love a Crawler! May I? May I please? Hello everybody! Do you know who's giving out Crawlers? Or will they simply Hatch right here for me, just like I did for Queerie-Mine, like he told me?/

A new nickname every day, Que'rix sighed, backing off slightly and folding his arms. He would let Seventh get a Crawler, if one of them were to go to them; after all Crawlers were pets that could bond to more than just humans themselves. He gave everyone else a flashing smile.

[Thalia]

Crawler eggs in the Sands, DanjaMine.

Danja looked up, heedless that she couldn't actually see her wher. The gold was in the cool twilight of their underground rooms, while the handler had spent a few candlemarks helping tidy up the Infirmary. Lately, she had been missing her craft, and though she knew now, her first duty would always be to Danjask and the responsibilities expected of queenhandlers, it was nice to be in the familiar surroundings.

You actually consider trying for another one, dearheart? Danja grinned to herself. Legend, fortunately, had settled down after a careful inspection of the immediate area, and, at the moment, was coiled innocently over Danja's neck. The tiny green couldn't quite reach around, but her sharp eyes glinted as she kept watch over the room.

Despite the abundance of crawlers throughout the Weyr, Legend's distinct, rather ominous markings and partiality to venomous hissing often made others around Danja take a little more care with their fingers.

Why not? Lore and Legend are not impositions.

If you say so, Danja teased lightly, rising from her seat and pushing a pile of freshly rolled bandages toward the Healer. She nodded and took her leave. I would like to see the eggs, anyway. I'll meet you there.

The tall handler set an easy, loping pace down to the Sands, and caught the most familiar glitter of yellow-gold hide glinting from the entrances shadows. Fully mature, and nearly ready for her first Run, Danjask stood well above her willowy handler, and the pair moved easily into the side cavern where a crowd was already gathering. They didn't push through, but Danja traced the sides of the group, until she found a place she could see over a young candidates head. Danjask had no trouble.

((blah...at least they're here))

[Keeley]

“Zyanyath - wait -- ”

Alesantra appeared in a less dignified manner than usual, trying desperately to catch up and reason with her queenling. They really didn’t need a crawler. It was chaos already with Zyanyath and Aether, and adding another creature to the mix didn’t seem like the most intelligent of ideas. Unfortunately, her bonded disagreed with her entirely - and had in fact walked out of the weyrbowl without Hers as soon as she‘d gotten word of the crawlers. There was really nothing left for the blonde to do but follow the weyrling dragon and hope for the best.

The antiquated gold wove elegantly through the others gathered, clearly looking for a spot that suited her. She glanced around at the others with interest, eyes resting briefly on the whers before her attention turned to the other dragons. One of the reds was from the recent hatching, She looked away when Santra finally caught up with her, sitting down in her usual regal fashion. Don’t even start, Santramine, she warned calmly. You insist we keep that horrible bird creature, so I say we will have a better pet. Her tail twitched excitedly at the thought of a crawler, and a soft hum emanated from her chest.

We may not get one, you know, Alesantra informed her hopefully. Zyanyath ignored the comment, and the young woman smiled. Ah, Zyanyath was every inch a queen. Instead of arguing the point any further, she moved to stroke velvet soft hide. The humming increased, and Zy leaned carefully against her petite rider. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to have a crawler… if Zyanyath was happy, perhaps she would stop complaining about Aether. Almost reluctantly, Alesa leaned to see the eggs, pursing her lips.

Which one do you like, my love?

All of them. Zyanyath turned her head to look at Alesantra. I would be pleased with any of them, Mine. Is there one you like? Santra blinked in surprise, frowning slightly.

I told you I didn’t -

Zyanyath hummed knowingly, gently nuzzling the girl she now dwarfed more than ever. Mine, I know you can’t resist eggs. You want one as much as I do. I knew you would, after we arrived. Alesantra started to protest, but smiled instead. Yes, the queenling knew her too well. Having a crawler might not be so bad, if they ended up with one, anyway. No sense in leaving, or anything now…

((it's not great but.. finally! *kicks internet* Evil!))

[Onwingsofsilver]

While she would have preferred to be outside, Raysa found herself being nosed bodily into the side hatching sands. Lixetrath had it set in her mind to get Hers a pet and she wasn't taking no for an answer. "What would I do with a crawler, Lixie? I barely kept my mother's potted plants alive." The pale red only snorted and continued to herd her rider toward the sands. She'd heard the other dragons speaking about the eggs and thought a little crawler would be just the thing for Raysa.

This will be a good experience for you, said the halfgrown red as they neared the growing group of people. Besides, a crawler should be fun, don't you think? Raysa sighed but smiled brightly at her dragon. "If you say so." Despite her initial reserves, the weyrling was growing excited.

Lixetrath put her head down near Raysa's shoulder and hummed loudly. Look, Mine. Another red. She is very small, must be a hatchling from Kyzrayeth's clutch. Raysa spotted the new red, Angeth, and her rider Tyzana. She is very cute, she thought to Lixie.

The older red nodded and set her whirling eyes on the clutch. I love babies, The girl stroked her dragon's muzzle. "I know, love. Too bad you can't have any. You'd be a good mother."

[Deryn]

((Eh. I'll just stick in A'sael. xD Cause we have so many people.))

Crawlers, Mine! Oooh! Oooh! Oooh! Please? Please? Can we go? Please? I wanna go! Please, Mine? PLEASE?

It was really hard to deal with a dragon that never shut up. Of course, if she was ever quite, A'sael would fret and worry until she started talking again. He didn't like it when he couldn't tell where she was or how she was. He could, of course, tell, because of the ever important bond that he touched more than a few times a minute, just to reassure himself that she was still there, but it was different from actually hearing her. He liked to hear her, even if it was sharding annoying most of the time.

So it's settled, Mine! We're going! I want a crawler! Yay, crawler! Weeee!

"Wait, wha-?"

It only took a moment for Adaezeth to pick up A'sael, because that was how they always seemed to travel, and jump off of the ledge. The pair of them had been using the highest uninhabited weyr in the Weyr, which was right at the top of the Weyrbowl, and which was just large enough for a brown to make his way through without trouble. Adaezeth, who was hardly the size of a gre- blue, could easily squeeze through the passageways and into A'sael's room.

This meant that she could pick up A'sael any time and go where she wanted.

Today, that was the Hatching sands for the crawler clutch, and A'sael had no say in this what so ever.

((Fail, but I want food. <3 Foooood.))

[kusuri]

Talosk yawned and blinked. Such a racket! Didn't those dithering flitters know it was daytime! Whers were trying to sleep! He tried to doze off again and closed his enormous eyes. The firelizards however, seemed to grow louder in their humming and the blue lept from his nest with a growl. The large blue shouldered his way through the door, snapping it shut with an irate crack of his tail. He would find those annoying little snacks and teach them a lesson! His mind was bombarded with the same message over and over: Eggs! Birth! Side Cavarns!

The wher paused as he actually considered what the little dragon look a likes were saying.Eggs? He knew there was a dragon clutch, but if those were hatching, the whole place would would be vibrating. And dragons didn't clutch in the side caverns. There hadn't been a Run for a long time either.The blue whimpered pitifully at that. But then it clicked as a purple-blue flitter whizzed by his nose,screeching: Crawlers!

Oh! Talosk had always secretly desired a little creature of his own. Most of the higher ranking whers had one, maybe if he had one he could impress Saliyask...He followed the flitter, galloping to keep up and weaving through the day staff. Many seemed bewildered to see a wher running around without his Handler, but Talosk just snorted at the dumb humans. He squawked in surprise as the flitter whirled around, baring an obnoxious turquoise marking on its face. The dumb creature blinked once, as if realizing something, and then went between. He roared angrily after the little winged lizard. Why did it have to disappear now! He didn't know the way to the Hatching Caverns! The blue then came to a realization. He shook his head and growled at his own stupidity before leaping into between.

Arriving at the back of the pack of humans and dragons, he had to blink his sensitive eyes to adjust them to the brightness of the room Damn dragon and their need for light. He stumbled his way through the crowd, growling and shoving any who got in the way.Finally, he was near the front and saw a man holding the eggs.Straining, he reached S'aarik with his mind.

Talosk here for egg too. Do not disregard because Talosk a wher

Talosk knew most Riders respected the whers that guarded them at night, but he still felt the need to assert that he was an intelligent being and that he deserved a fair chance.

[Twilight]

Keeping close to the darkness, Talon and Talosk crept into the Sands almost unnoticed. If Talosk had not grown so big so quickly, it was likely they would have been unnoticed; but the iolite was keen to find a good place to sit and watch, and had chosen that place to be right next to Myserikordask. Talosk wiggled and shoved her way to the obsidian and sat down beside her, Myserikordask here for a crawler egg? Mine is, maybe we can all get one? Talosk not mind not getting egg, as long as Danjask's and Zyanyath's not get one either... since her hatching day, Talosk has been set in the thought that golds were no better the greens, and lower than whites and her opalite sister. All golds had in their favor was their size, and that was only because they got fatter after each Run. Well, Talon couldn't disagree with the fact that gold whers were the only rank guaranteed to get bigger after a Run, he did find it unnecessary that his wher always pointed out how unnecessary she thought the golds were. But we have dark clutching mothers like Myserikordask. Why do we need golds? Talosk asked, sensing Talon's disagreeing thoughts, but the handler just sighed and stood beside his wher, watching the clutch and the person who was giving them out.

[Failpost...]