Nayarath's Clutch - Egg Touching [Candidates/Open]

[Sparrow]

Nayarath wasn’t, as usual, in the mood to share her eggs with anyone. They were hers and Kayth’s; their riders could admire them, but she didn’t want a bunch of unruly Candidates wandering amid her precious clutch. It didn’t matter much what the Gold thought though, as had become apparent from the Touchings and Hatchings that had happened very much against her will.

Kora rubbed Nayarath’s eyeridge fondly, knowing there was little else that would put her in a better mood. Nayarath liked attention, of any sort. But she was protective too, and her first experience with them left her not like Candidates. Egg Touchings were irritating happenings, too many people just staring and bowing and asking questions, then tripping over her eggs and burning themselves, arguing, whining, looking scared, or just being around. Nayarath hated it.

But it was time for that period of torture anyways, the eggs were hardening and it was just sort of tradition to let the Candidates come visit them halfway through. Whoever had serious plans to Impress a dragon would show up, and Nayarath would just have to stand it.

At least Squeak wasn’t present, the Kagen didn’t like the hot sands. Nayarath didn’t like Her’s ‘rat’ either, and lately had taken to complaining about him when she wasn’t complaining about Candidates or how dull sitting around guarding twenty-two eggs that weren’t due to do anything for some time still. There wasn’t even a queen egg to hoard this time around.

The Eggs:

Desert Egg: A sandy brown, this egg lives quite easily up to its calling. It’s speckled with dark browns, blacks, and whites, and has a somewhat grainy surface. Although definitely a large egg, it blends in pretty well with its surroundings.
Oasis Egg: This egg, although smaller than its neighbor, is about the same color. The main difference is the spot of green-lined blue that sits quick prominently on the eggshell.
Breeze Egg: Light blue with wisps of white, this egg looks is just a little on the small side.
Brush Egg: This egg is shades of dry greens, with dashes of brown in random places across the surface. It is middle sized.
Bramble Egg: Although exactly the same size as its neighbor, the Bramble egg has had its colors swapped. It’s brown with a few mossy green splotches running across the shell.Lunar Egg: This egg is mostly plain, a dark gray-black and on the large side. It’s only marking is the crescent of more silver gray on a less-shown side of the egg.
Magma Egg: This egg is a mix of dark reds and browns, and a little larger than the Lunar egg next to it.
Earth Egg: A cool, loamy brown dyes this eggshell, with a few green marks dribbling through. It is a small egg.
Root Egg: Also brown, the Root egg is darker than its neighbor, and has lines of lighter browns and black spider-webbing across it. Although larger than the Earth egg, it is still fairly small.
Sprout Egg: The last of the current brown trio, this egg is lighter brown with a bright strand of green running up one side. It is middle sized, although also a bit small.
Torrent Egg: A great mixture of blues clash on this eggshell, and they all look sort of like the wind decided to blow all the color in one direction so it circles in a wave-like fashion around the egg. It is a larger egg.
Reflection Egg: A very calm opposite of its neighbor, the Reflection egg is a cool, plain silver-blue, its surface is kind of slick. It is also the smallest egg in the clutch.
Marble Egg: This smooth eggshell is colored with a mix of grays and browns, and this one is obviously the largest in the clutch, made to seem even more ominous by the small Reflection egg beside t.
Cloud Egg: This egg looks like how maybe it would look if you were standing inside a cloud: white with a few shadowy grays mixed in. It is small.
Foam Egg: A blue base and a patch of white at the tip mark this large egg.
Dust Egg: Light brown with a thin stripe of blended black going around it, this egg almost has the markings of a Tan. It’s a middle-sized egg.
Tropic Egg: This egg is a mixture of light green, red, blue, and yellow; all seem to be fighting their way to the very outside of the shell or trying to ‘hide’ behind other colors. It is a middle sized egg, but on the small side.
Grayscale Egg: This egg looks like someone made a black-and-white copy of the Tropic egg next to it, with alternating colors all in the same place, but also all in shades of white, gray, and black.
Green Egg: This egg is just what its name implies: green. It is middle sized.
Dusk Egg: A large egg, the Dusk egg is overall colored with blues that are darker towards the base and lighter towards the tip, this egg also sports a faded line of yellow near its tip and black at the base.
Fog Egg: Although this egg looks like it could be blue, its color is masked by a layer of dark gray that just seems to hint at a better background. It is a middle-sized egg.
Festival Egg: This egg has a deep night-sky blue background, but seems to have fireworks in a variety of colors exploding in random places across the eggshell. For all its exciting color, it is of average size.

[Jenth]

Kayth had looked in on his Queen many times since she lain the first egg, crooning incouragement but giving her privacy and space. Infact he had even chased off a curious green poking her nose in where she had not been wanted. Clumsy greens should not be allowed near fragile, hardening eggs. Kayth rested on a ledge, neck hanging down to look at at dam of his clutch at eye level. The bronze was so proud of his queen and their 22 eggs, their children.

D'mas sat in the tirers of stairs, watching the brooding dragon but he wasn't going anywhere near without Kora's ok first. He remembered what Nayarath had been like at his egg touching, and the pressure of that time had been more then enough to scare him off messing with clutching dragons. Only 22 eggs, a good clutch but smaller then Adulth. Could be because of inbreeding between mother and son but no one had ever been able to confirm if that affected dragons in anyway. No queen egg either, but no one was expecting one. It would make Nayarath's third in a row and Nyocia was nearly at full capacity for queens.

[Sparrow]

((I'm pretty-sure the Touching comes some time after the eggs are laid. XD Nayarath most definitely wouldn't let the Candidates (or anyone other than Kora, Kayth, and D'mas) in to see freshly-laid eggs.))

Nayarath crooned softly up at Kayth. Do you suppose they're not coming? He should know who she was talking about. Sitting over eggs was dull, Candidates were at least a change of pace, even if she didn't like them much. Where were they anyways? Slow today? Apparently not sending out a call was a setback. But the CandidateMaster should be in charge of getting them here, not the Senior Queen. Nayarath could care less.

Kora turned and rested her back against Nayarath's shoulder, content to wait to sit on the dragon's leg and wait to stand on the hot sands until someone else showed up. It was kind of odd to see D'mas watching from the stands, and his dragon perching on a ledge nearby, when only a few Turns ago it had been him asking Nayarath if he could visit the eggs. It felt like it had been forever since she had done that herself, although of course with a different Gold.

"Gonna stay and watch?" She glanced up at D'mas. Maybe he could give the Candidates a little advice, seeing as he had experience doing the same thing with the same queen.

[Jenth]

((well I didn't see this was supposed to be the egg touching already ^^; I don't think anyone else has noticed yet either. You didn't exactly give anyone any warning, just "BAM! Touch them, i dare you!" ))

They will come, they should know better then to keep you waiting Kayth rumbled in annoiance that the candidates would keep them waiting. Oh they would come, even if he had to dig them out of the caverns but it would be more affective sending D'mas to get them personally should it come to it.

Candidates! Report to the Hatching grounds It might be odd for a bronze to call to attention, but it saved Nayarath the trouble.

"Kayth wanted to be here, so I thought to watch too and keep you company. As long as Nayarath doesn't object of course." It was some spare time he had, but it seemed Kett had her timing a little wrong. Surely she had known it would be today. And having faced a broody Nayarath before, and as Weyleader, D'mas could tell the young folk a thing or two about how it was done. He had afterall Impressed a Bronze

[Minajerie]

Kuroi walked carefully into the hatching grounds. Thankfully, since the entrances were meant to accomadate dragons too, he did not hit his head this time. However, that is not why he was being careful. Having grown up away from the influence of the weyr, he was unsure of what to do, and so waited.

Kuroh was not that far behind his brother. He didn't like to rush things. After coming up to his twin, he touched Kuroi's shoulder then they moved together, practically as one, toward the queen and her new clutch.

Kuroh gave a deep bow, and after a moment, Kuroi followed his lead and bowed as well.

((blah))

[Sparrow]

((Yeah, pretty-much. xP *brick'd* Like I think I've been saying, my brain has been failing lately.))

Nayarath snorted. I don't think they know much at all. She had a low opinion of Candidates. They could Impress, and that would promptly change, but the title just gave her an immediate bias. Did they seriously think they could Impress her young? It was Blues and Greens that had picked them out anyways, and who could trust them? ((I love Nayarath's many stereotypes. xP))

Kora smiled. "Of course not." Nayarath would definitely appreciate having Kayth around to talk to; she did already, really. Kora didn't mind having D'mas around either. Company was never a bad thing, especially when Nayarath was broody.

Nayarath was actually surprisingly relieved when a pair of Candidates finally showed up, although no one but Kora would probably have been let on to that. She watched them bow, snorted soflty, and glanced at Kora.

"Guess she says go ahead." The Weyrwoman shrugged and smiled at the pair. Nayarath wasn't biting anyone's head off, this was a good start.

[Minajerie]

Kuroh smiled and inclined his head. "Thank you." He then began to carefully weave around the eggs, lightly touching each one.

Kuroi ran a hand through his spiky hair and shrugged. Was that really what they were supposed to do? Kuroi would have to be extra careful. He didn't trust himself with things so fragile and precious. After giving the queen and her rider another half bow he followed his twin's example and began to touch eggs, always hyper aware of himself while doing so.

~~
Andilay walked onto the sands with a confidence that she didn't feel. It was hard to go out of habit, and a swordswoman's walk was definately habit. After she had watched the two twins bow to the queen, she figured that would be what she was supposed to do. After all, she was so green, her father hadn't said much about weyr life, especially hatching things. Too much pain from the sad memories. Besides, back then, dragons were dying out. Who knew they would be brought back like some out of style clothing?

After she bowed to the queen, she looked up at them feeling a little sheepish. "Um, what exactly am I supposed to be doing?"

[Sparrow]

Nayarath watched the first boys, decided that they were being passably careful, and quickly swung her head back around when another Candidate showed up. A girl this time, and she did well enough until she asked what she was supposed to be doing here.

What?! The Gold spoke only to Kora, but lowered her head to peer at the female. Humph. This was what she had expected.

It's alright Nayarath. Kora gave the dragon a stern look, the last thing they needed was her frightening the Candidates away. Her head was a big as a human, and Nayarath was plenty good at making herself extra scary looking. Nayarath relaxed slightly, and Kora returned her attention to the girl.

"You just go... touch the eggs. We've found it tends to help with Impression if the hatchlings have had a chance to already become a little familiar with those who'll be standing for them." Kora smiled slightly. "Some people will pick particular eggs and try to get that hatchling to Impress, but, of course, you can't know for sure what will be in it so that doesn't always work. The best method is to just visit them all." And she has the go ahead, right dear heart?

You'll let her go whatever I say, Nayarath replied begrudgingly.

"You can go ahead if you want."

[Minajerie]

Andilay stood her ground when the gold got up in her personal space. It was a reflex thing, to always stand her ground and never give her opponent her back. Though, if the queen really wanted to, there was nothing stopping her from making Andilay a small snack. However, if such a thing happened Andilay was sure she would have her revenge by getting stuck in the queen's teeth.

After listening to what the weyrwoman said she nodded. "Oh, well, that makes sense. Sorry for being a wherryhead." Andilay rapped her skull with a fist for emphasis. "And thanks."

Andilay then turned on her heel and began to touch the eggs. One in particular caught her attention, so she decided to give a few extra caresses to the lunar egg.

~~~

Kuroi had paused to hear what the weyrwoman had to say in explanation. It did make sense, and he was glad he had followed his brother, instead of asking and then being scrutinized by the giant queen.

[Missa]

"You're so pretty Ilyna, yes you are." Cooing to her flitter as she gently stroked the small creature, Robin was very careful about spreading the oil over her soft hide, ignoring the half hearted growl that the green gave off. Like most children, Robin was accepting of alot of things, including her beloved bonded's temper. Sure, Ilyna wasn't what her mother had been, but she was more like Sparrow. Sparrow had been a right grumpy... Person, sometimes, and even a little bit of a reminder was nice.
"I'll call the next one, Sparrow. What do you think Ilyna?" She posed the question thoughtfully, even stopping in chatter to think about it until D'nor glanced over at her,
"Aren't you supposed to be at a touching?"

If nothing else, Robin didn't want to mess this chance up, and those words were enough to have her leaping to her feet, Ilyna forgotten as she raced away. Touching... She actually got to touch the eggs! Not for once did she think that because D'nor had Impressed meant she would too, nor did she entertain the thought that she would be popular because she was so young. Quite the contrary; she didn't care. She could be left on the sands and the girl wouldn't care less, not one bit.

She wasn't weyrbred, but she'd moved to the weyr in a time when it was probably easiest to adjust. Sure, she still missed her parents with an ache akin to a physical wound... Maybe not as bad as breaking her arm and having it splinted... Now that had hurt, but still, she missed mama's cuddles and papa's kisses... And the idea of Standing was one that had quickly been taken too, even if she was the youngest there.

"Hi! Good morning, afternoon, evening... Which ever it is! I hope you're having a pleasant day Nayarath, 'cept with having th-us all coming in to touch your eggs, which are lovely by the way... May I please, please go touch them now your splendidness?"

[Lysita]

Candidate Alazne
Alazne had been sitting in her room, drawing a little picture of the room that she was in. It was certainly a contrast to what she'd had at home. Although she had lived in the wher with her parents, her room had been more decorated and had more furniture then this one. She knew that candidates weren't required to have much and once they gratuated weyrlinghood, if they managed to impress, they would have better rooms.

Right now she was startled by the booming voice of a bronze, ordering the candidates to the hatching grounds. After giving it some thought, she realized it can't be the hatching yet and therefore it was only a touching. It was for this very reason that she didn't put on her robe before she headed out of her room. It took her only moments to reach the hatching grounds and she confidently stepped onto the sands to stop a few feet away from the eggs, facing the great golden queen.

"A marvelous day for an egg touching." She commented as she curtseyed to the queen and the weyrwoman.
"Might I have the honour of walking amongst your eggs, wonderful queen?" She asked the golden dragon, respect colouring her voice. She stood with her head held high with confidence yet her body was straight but relaxed as she waited for her answer.

[Sparrow]

"It's alright, and you're welcome." Kora and Nayarath exchanged glances as the girl walked away.

Odd. Neither had much time to contemplate it though, as a couple more girls showed up then. The first Nayarath rather liked, well, except for that she didn't know what time it was. Nayarath didn't really either, but she had never paid much attention to time anyways, not while watching eggs anyways. It didn't make much difference. Early noon-ish though, Kora was assuring her. I really don't mind the time Mine. I like being referred to as 'splendidness' though. Nayarath rumbled softly.

Kora nodded to both girls. "Go ahead." She wasn't a big fan of what felt like excessive respect- what the second girl had lavished them with- and neither was Nayarath, but she didn't lose anything for it. It was just kind of... annoying. Both had definitely heard the same lines and tones, seen the same actions, and grown bored with it, plenty of times.

Yours was just as silly too, Nayarath told Kayth cheerfully, even though she wasn't quite now that there were Candidates traveling amongst her eggs. I wish I knew what Mine had done. But she had been stuck in an egg then, and Kora always seemed relieved by that.

[Jenth]

Really? He doesn't seem like that... At Impression that was one of the things that had drawn the bronze to the man. He was different and strong, though he was once a lot bigger in comparison. I'm sure Yours did beautifully, you did choose her

With the candidates working their way amoung the eggs, D'mas had taken the oppertunity to come down of the seating and down besides Kora. "I would feel better if we had more boys..." Bronzes and tans only Impressed to boys, at least so far, while brown and blue preffered males. With no queen to impress these girls could only hope for a green or barred, one of them maybe a blue or brown.

[Missa]

"Yay! Thankyou!"

Robin's excitement was obvious as she took several steps back, turning towards the eggs before seeing another girl bowing and blinking in confusion. Should she bow again too? Glancing towards Nayarath curiously, the girl then decided - obviously - that the eggs were more important after her gaze had darted between them a couple of times before weaving among them. She wasn't really sure which ones she wanted to touch, they were all so absolutely pretty!

It didn't annoy Robin that she was probably easily the smallest there, both in stature and height, her attention was fully focused on the eggs, only the precious, precious eggs mattered at all. The first egg that caught her attention was the Breeze Egg the wisps of white across a pretty blue shell... So lovely, and it drew Robin in. Lightly, she ran her fingers across the shell, then, unable to resist, she lightly let her cheek rest against it.
"Hullo little egg... Is it nice and warm in there? I'll bet it is... I mean the sands are so hot... Isn't it nice you have such a nice mama? She's looking after you and your siblings very well... You're so warm... I'll bet you can't wait to get out, right? Yeah, I dunno if I'd be okay in there, I like running around... I think I have to go see other eggies now, byebye little egg, I'll see you when you hatch!"

She wasn't sure if she was supposed to talk to the eggs, but Robin had never been one to think about what she should and shouldn't talk to. She had a childs gift of talking to things that wouldn't talk back, hoping the sound of her voice would reach the dragons inside. Maybe they'd remember that, when they hatched, more than fleeting contact. The next egg she touched - and rested her cheek against - was the Tropic Egg. The bright colours were attractive to her mind, and she was happy to let her cheek touch it - in no way putting any weight on the eggs.
"Hullo to you too... You're so pretty... Did you know, I'll bet you'll be stunning when you hatch, I bet you will. You're nice and warm, do you know that little egg? Is it nice to be able to curl up? I hope everyone's being nice to you, it wouldn't be nice if they weren't... You'd probably be very upset, even if you can't tell us that yet... RIght? I don't ever want to move, everything's so calm and pretty here... Nothing can go wrong, you know? I suppose I have to move, but I'll see you on hatching day, little egg! Bye!"

The next was the Greyscale Egg, so like the Tropic Egg, only... Grey. It was nice, to rest beside, keeping her voice quiet as she chattered away to the egg in the same manner she'd spoken to the other eggs.

{O.O v.v why do I have strange characters?}

[Lysita]

Candidate Alazne
Alazne dipped another curtsey to the queen before she moved to walked slowly among the eggs. Her hands lightly brushed against them as she went past, making sure to go among all of them. She wasn't going to limit herself to liking just one or two eggs, that wasn't her way. As she walked, she talked softly in a low tone, as if talking to the dragonets inside the eggs.

She wondered what it might feel like cramped inside one of the eggs, how the dragonet might feel. Where they scared, or did they feel safe? Did they already know how their rider was, or did they not know until they hatched? She could go on for hours, wondering about different things that the unborn dragonets might feel or know. She went round the eggs twice, all the while murmuring to the dragonets.