Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained [Hatching]

IC Time: Late Spring
IC Setting: Mid morning with clear blue skies and very warm temperatures. The warmest day on record in spring.

The Geneticists had a one up on the eggs this time and had cordoned off the Hatching Sands and had taken a greater watch over things. So when they finally began to rock and crack the Geneticists called everyone. Those who previously impressed were allowed on the sands with the candidates, however everyone else would have to go stand on the stands which had been reinforced with security. They were sure those they had chosen would be right this time, they were completely sure. Those who attempted to rebel against their removal from candidacy and try to enter as one were almost certainly sure to suffer expulsion from the sands. This was how it was to be this time, they were very sure.

So as cracks began to appear in the shells the Geneticists were ready with their security detail at the entrance with a list of those who were allowed on the sands to be check off. Today security was tight and no one was going to be in a place they were not supposed to be, today would be perfect.


[keep in mind there are conditions to the hatching. I would like to see activity in other threads too not just this one before I hatch the babies. And until I have found a better way to colour these babies I'm using generic coloured hatching pictures.]

Kaimry was quickly ushered into the Sands. She though to herself" I really hope I impress this time. But it doesn't matter if I don't" She quickly ran over to a perfect spot to sit down.She plunks down, really excited and hoping for a dragon.she mutters to herself" I have to be really good, otherwise I could get kicked out of the Candidates." She looks up to the Geneticists, thinking they were very creepy. She then turned her attention back to the eggs.

Ashern Korran wiped a bead of sweat from his brow as he considered his outfit. He really needed to get a new pair of work clothes... These were his last pair and were wearing out quick. He shucked the shirt, careful not to let it land on anything uncleanable, and noticed the tear in the side. He sighed. He really needed a new set. He gingerly felt his side and winced. His fingers were clean, though, so the scratches from that dog had already closed up. Quite a strong leg on that one, that was for sure. He soaked a clean cloth with his canteen and pressed it to the scabs. That was better. He'd better give it a properly cleaning in the evening.

A humming grew, rose to a peak, and quickly faded. He frowned. "What was that?" he muttered. Still holding the cloth to his side, he popped his door open slightly and peered out. Someone was just vanishing around the corner. Strange. He closed the door and shrugged. Someone was in a hurry. He found a cleaner pair of pants and a shirt that could each stand up to a bit of work. Unfortunately, he had nothing due to be retired...

There were footsteps outside his door again. He was close enough to stick his head out before they were too far gone - it was one of the many female candidates - and yell "What's going on?" She barely paused, merely yelling back that the eggs were hatching. She yelled it a few times, actually, and then disappeared around the corner. "Ah, the eggs are hatching. That would explain it." He returned to dressing. "The eggs are hatching," he repeated. He blinked.

He shoved his feet into the nearest pair of suitable footwear and tore out of his room. He didn't bother locking it after him. "The eggs are hatching," he muttered to himself. As he hurried, he made sure that his shirt was properly buttoned and tucked in neatly. His pants were secured well, so he was good to go. He slowed as he approached his possible future. This was it. He stopped in front of the geneticists at the entrance. "Ashern Korran," he said. One of them marked him off on a list and waved him through. He grinned, just a touch nervous, and hurried in. The eggs were hatching!

As usual, Rowan was up early; Swirl had given her customary chirp at dawn and Rowan had managed to get an early start, like she liked to. Today it had been a quick breakfast of redfruit and juice, and down to the lake for that pastel sketch she'd been wanting to do. Today was the perfect day for it; the sun was shining brightly, the sky was blue, the day was warm. It was another beautiful day.

After a while of sketching, when her fingers were getting sore from holding the pastels, Rowan laid back, letting the sticks of chalklike material fall from her hands and looking up at the clear sky. She let her mind wander as she basked in the warmth ,and as usual it settled on the hatching. She felt so sorry for the candidates that had been expelled, but she was unutterably relieved she wasn't one of them; she still wanted a dragon, very badly.

She let herself be taken away by the fantasy, of the shells cracking, the dragons hatching, the crowd all watching as everyone Impressed.....all the olde rdragons humming and the dragonets and firelizards too...a humming ,a deep chested thrumming, one she could almost imagine she could hear right now.

Wait.....her eyes flew open. That wasn't her imagination! Swirl was on her chest, thrumming strongly and looking at her bonded expectantly. Rowan shot up. "Swirl! Is it time?" The green paused in her humming long enough to chirp affirmitively, adding in a nudge for emphasis. At once Rowan scrambled up; her green had to flutter wildly for a moment before regaining balance in the air. She then looked around wildly, before realizing Hers was already sprinting in the direction of the Hatching Sands, long red hair flying out behind her, and zoomed after her.

The hatching! Rowan had been dreaming about it for months...she couldn't believe it was finally time! Pastels and artwork totally forgotten (to her consternation later, but unthought of for now)she rushed off to the Sands. A small part of her mind was dismayed at the fact that she didn't have time to change; she was only wearing casual, hardy clothes of light tans and earthy browns, nothing even remotely fancy, and the knees eve nahd some grass stains on them. But there was no time, and it didn't matter overmuch anyway.

She arrived at the Sands, and, after being thoroughly checked by the Geneticists, stepped inside. Her eyes immediately fell on the shaking eggs with wonder and something just shy of glee. Wow, iut was finally time! Now she knew what to expect, her imagination was on overdrive, images fleeting through her head of her with every known dragon color and then some. She couldn't wait to see what happened!



Tylar lounged in her new quarters in the living quarters - well, sulked more than lounge. It still stung. She couldn't believe those damned Geneticists had expelled her from candidacy. As much as she tried to act as if she didn't care around others ,she most certainly did care. Aria was in there as a candidate....And she wasn't. It sucked! They were supposed to Impress together. Yes, it had been nearly a month and she should have gotten over it by now,. But it stung fresh every time she saw Aria over with the other candidates.

For a while she'd entertained ideas of sneaking onto the Sands for the hatching anyway, but she'd realized the Geneticists (or, as she called them in her mind now, the dumb evil dudes,) would see right through that. Then she'd debated sleeping in the Stands until the Hatching, so she could be first-row should any dragons choose her after all, but she'd looked around and they weren't letting anybody in before the hatching, no way no how. So she was now sulking because she really wanted in on the dragon action and she couldn't do it her way.

And now Cody was being all annoying by humming in her ear.

Wait.

Humming?

Tylar looked around at her blue dragonet so fast she hurt her neck. Rubbing it, she stared at her blue. "Is it the hatching, Cody?" she asked urgently; the dragonet fluttered his wings in a way Tylar took as an assent. She jumped up. "I gotta go and get to the Stands! They can stop me from Standing but they can't stop me from being as close as possible!"

She made her way as quickly as possible to she Stands, almost all-out sprinting, with Cody trying to keep up. Already people were gathering, but she ducked and dodged and weaved and in some cases pushed until she managed to get a seat right in the front, overlooking the Stands, and beamed with pride, sulkiness forgotten. Instead a new hope filled her; it wasn't those dumb Geneticists that told the dragons who to choose after all, right? She still had a chance...

Gonneth had been ushered out to the sands, and Asdra, hiding his hurt as well as he had hidden all the others he remembered, stood as close to the sands as he could, watching. Every time he saw a geneticist he had to resist the urge to tear a piece of something out of where it was rooted and hurl it at them as hard as he could...he would surely render the target unconscious if he hit, and he did have fairly decent aim...but...

He settled the turmoil in his mind by staring at the eggs. Occasionally his thoughts strayed to Aria, but he shook that out of his head. He had started thinking about her more and more lately, and he wasn't quite sure why...he shook that thought out of his head as well and stared, his face completely unreadable, at the eggs that were cracking and beginning to burst open.

Arturius

He had taken time to visit his new niece and nephew before being called back here for more work. He had classes to teach and he couldn't ignore them much longer, so he returned much to his dislike, it was lonely without his sisters antics and the twins there, in fact he had spent much of his time visiting his sister and even was there for the birth of his new niece and nephew. Today as he was about to head out to visit them again he soon found he couldn't as the irresistible rise of humming lured him to the sands where he was promptly sat in the Stands to watch.

Alicia

Alicia had been thinking of sleeping in. It had been her day off; but it seemed her body just would not let her. She was wound up and in need of something to do, anything. But, first she realized that meant she had to get out of bed.

With a groan the young girl dragged herself out of bed. With difficulty for her tiredness she began to get dressed. She figured something nice today, a skirt. There was that boy she had seen out at the lake two days ago, maybe he would be there again and she could impress him by looking cute. So she pulled on a green sundress, sleeveless, with a yellow flower pattern around the hem of the short skirt that stopped halfway down her thighs. It was short, who cared? At least it was comfy. It was hot outside too!

She reached for her hand mirror and a brush and began to comb out the tangles in her hair. Her mind wandered as it often did to the eggs waiting to hatch. She was sure she was going to impress, at least she told herself that. But a little voice inside kept arguing with her not to get her hopes up. Odd how that voice took on Harriet's tone, her boss... but she resolutely pushed the thought away. Lack of confidence was not what she needed! She brushed with a bit more vigor, and finally noticed Leaf was absent.

Whom suddenly was not. The little flit appeared from between right over her bed, squeaking eagerly. She landed on the strap of the dress and tried tugging it, but only succeeded in causing it to slip down her shoulder and Leaf to make a tumble. Ali laughed at her antics, until she made sense of the humming and the jumbled mind image of eggs being sent to her.

The hairbrush clattered to the floor, she scooped up her flit, and was out the door in a heartbeat, tugging the strap of her sundress up.

It did not take long for her to make it to the sands. She was out of breath and holding a squeaking Leaf, but with only a moment to straighten herself out, she walked towards the sands and was let on. Now that she was there, she looked eagerly at the eggs present, and the other candidates. What would happen now? Which of them would be the lucky ones? That little voice in the back of her head sounded louder than ever to not get her hopes up.

----

CJ

CJ had been walking towards the dining caverns for an early breakfast when he heard the ruckus. Several people were moving towards the hatching sands area, and with them were a number of people he recognized as candidates. His ears even picked up faint humming, and it took him a moment to realize it was Yeller. He glanced at the brown flit on his shoulder.

"Well, should we follow?" He asked quietly, looking around. He didn't want to go alone, but that doctor Jase should be there, he figured, and could at least say hi and mention how work on the 'Medi-sled' was going.

With a nod, Yeller turned and looked towards where the hatching sands were. CJ picked up a quick walk, and made his way gradually further inwards towards them. Finally he saw them, and began to look around for the doctor Jase, and a seat.

Emiline stood on the stands, trying hard not to sway in the heat. Her white nurses scrubs gleamed cleanly against the heat shimmer in an unconscious foreshadowing of the white-clad candidates on future hatching sands. As a weyrling, Deran would be standing somewhere behind her and for his benefit if for no one else's she would not falter. Too much was riding on today. Her future, her family's future...

Her son was not here at the hatching. At only a few weeks old, he was far too young to experience this kind of dramatic climate change. He was with her friend from the nurse's station. Keran had been so supportive during this whole thing, kind and nonjudgmental about her choice to try to impress despite her new child. Yes, Emiline regretted not being able to breastfeed her son and the time restraints a young dragonet would put on his time with her... but he was flourishing on the diet of formula Dr. john had given her and being passed from person to person had already made him a personable baby, not prone to separation anxiety. No, she did not regret her decision. Should she be successful today, hers would be a new kind of family. A dragon riding family.

Jase

Jase stood leaning up against the barrier Rikath sat proudly by his side her chest puffed out in pride at seeing her new soon to be friends. She was humming as loudly as she could and Jase reckoned she would hum herself hoarse if she kept it up. Looking up into the stands behind him he caught sight of CJ and lifted his arm in a welcome wave to the young Mechanic he had come to know fairly well.

Kazuya carefully stretched his left calf. Nope. No twinges today. That was good. He gave it a quick rub and slipped his boot back on. He should be able to dance again soon, perhaps next week. There was no point in stressing the muscle early and risk damaging it further, for all it would achieve would be less dancing on his part. He stood and rolled his shoulders. He supposed riding a dragon would also cut into his dancing time. He was willing to give up at least some of his performances, but it seemed that he hadn't quite made the geneticist's list. He sighed.

Midori chirped sleepily from her place between Ao and Shinchu. The three dragonets were nestled amongst the tumbled covers on his bed, the blue nearly completely covered. She tilted her head and looked at her owner, a faint hum growing. Shinchu slowly lifted his head and yawned. He peered at the green and stretched a possessive wing over her before joining the soft hum.

Kazuya slowly turned and stared at them. Yes, his dragonets were humming. He was sure it was them because their chests were visibly vibrating. "What is it?" he asked softly. They hummed when things hatched or were born... Was someone nearby in labour? No, he didn't think so. His eyes widened slightly. "Is it the dragon eggs? Is the second clutch hatching?" Shinchu just blinked, not breaking his humming stride. Kazuya sighed. "I suppose I can at least go watch." He glanced over himself. "This won't do, though... I probably won't have a lot of time to come back here and get changed before the celebrations after, and even if I'm not performing I should still look nice." He shuffled around through his clothes until he found something suitable. He quickly changed and then stooped to poke Ao. "Wake up, sleepy head. Do you want to see some big eggs hatch?"

The blue squirmed at his touch and hissed quietly. He stared pointedly at his owner until Kazuya sighed and tossed him a rather old, dry bit of meat. He sniffed it, glared at Kazuya, and snapped it down before Midori, who was eyeing it, could beat him to it. He worked his way out from beneath the blankets and his sister and settled his wings.

Kazuya laughed. "Come on, then. I'll meet you two there, if Ao wants a ride." The blue fluttered onto the dancer's shoulders, cheerfully taking up every bit of space available and then some. Shinchu and Midori just continued humming and watching as Kazuya let himself out, closed the door firmly, and headed off towards the eggs. There was a bounce in his step even though he hadn't made the list - the geneticists might choose candidates, but they clearly didn't choose riders. That much was obvious from the last hatching. He would just make sure he was at the very edge of the stands.

Indeed, when he finally made it in, the grounds rapidly filling with spectators and the sands below filling with hopeful candidates, he just made it to an empty spot at the front. He slid in before some other person, a girl perhaps a few years older, arrived, and gave an aggrieved shrug. "Sorry," he apologized, "but I think I saw another empty space just down that way." He gestured and she hurried off in that direction. He glanced about and sent an image of his location to Shinchu and Midori. Moments later they appeared above his head, chittering when not humming and humming when not chittering. They settled near him and Ao slid down to join him. Now to wait!

The eggs rocked a little more, cracks running quickly down a few of them, for one egg in particular it seemed now was as good as any to make it's entrance as a clear ocean blue tail smashed through the egg shell, followed by two ocean blue, teal and dark blue wings and then and ocean blue head. This was one of the most interesting dragonets to hatch in terms of his colouring. He quickly proceeded to brush over himself in what seemed to be a pre-rehearsed action, like he would do this every day of his life and nothing could ever change that. Even the way he moved suggested he much preferred order over the chaos that would soon begin to ensue around him.

His eyes swung around the sands before finally finding purchase on that one who seem at first glance somewhat like him. Or so he thought as he marched towards the stands and stopped staring the young man in the eyes.

'I am Cylferth. I have chosen you to be my rider. Now we must be quick and get me some food or I shall miss my bathing time.'

He spoke with pride and was very assured in his voice as to what he had to do, as if he could not break this schedule of his, he had laid out in his mind.






[Please note again that until I've figured a new way to colour these pixel 'o mine I'm using generic hatching pictures.]

CJ

CJ spotted Jase, and wormed his way over to see him. He carefully wormed his way past people moving about, and as he did so a 'pop' appeared over his head. His younger brown, Josiah, had finally joined in. The younger flit had been playing with some of the others his hatching age at the lake, and was still dripping when he landed on the mechanics shoulder.

"Hey Jase... I see the hatching has started. Where are all the candidates? And the work is going well on your medical sled; it should be finished in a few days."

He leaned on the barrier, and smiled with a nod to Rikath. Yeller and Josiah chirped at her through their humming.

Kira
Kira had been up at dawn. The three of them, her, Ryoushi, and Kagemusha had already done their daily hunt and Kira had finished with her drills. She had been able to learn a few moves of that hand-to-hand combat style from Morgen before she had to move to the Candidate Quarters. When she was done with her practice, the three of them hiked back to Kira's quarters. She had been just about to change her sweaty clothes but then, Kagemusha started to hum. The humming was rather soothing if not for the fact that it was gradually increasing in volume. Kira stopped what she was about to do and said to her firelizard, "Kage, much as I like your humming, would you please keep it down?" In reply, Kagemusha just hummed a tad louder. Kira was about to tell Kage to shut up when she heard people running past her door. Curious, she opened her door and when she saw them running, something clicked in her brain. With a smack on her forehead for her denseness, she exclaimed, "Oh! The hatching! The hatching is starting!"

In a way, it was fortunate that Kira hadn't decided to go for a bath or she might have missed the Hatching altogether. Although she wasn't dressed in her best, at least, what she wore were suitable for the outside. And, best of all, she still had her thick-soled knee-high brown boots. She had a pair of dark brown pants and a beige tank top. Her hair as usually was left to fall down her back and with a quick brush of her fingers through her hair, she sprinted down the Candidates' Quarters and hoped that she wasn't late for the Hatching.

Near the entrance, she saw the Geneticists blocking the way in. They were surely more tight on security than they had been before. Kira told Ryoushi to stay put near the entrance. Or if the wolf wanted to, Ryoushi could go and stay with Morgen if the wolf can find the man in the crowd. Approaching the Geneticists, Kira told her name. She did idly wonder if she would be let in, but as Kira hadn't done anything troublesome the past month, Kira was betting that she would be able to stand in the Sands. The Geneticist looked down on his list and checking off her name let her in to take her place in the Hatching Sands.

As she entered, she saw that a hatchling had already hatched. It was nice blue ocean color who seemed to have already Impressed on his chosen rider. A wistful smile broke out of her face as she looked at the two. Then, with a shake of her head, she told herself, "Get your head out of the clouds and in the game." With a purpose Kira walked determinedly to a spot near the eggs and silently prayed that this time, a hatchling would think her worthy to be her or his Rider.

Kagemusha after seeing that Kira was let inside the Hatching Sands, flew to perch on a ledge above where he could see a good view of the rocking eggs. He was still humming as he and the other flits hummed a welcome to the hatchlings that were trying their best to hatch out of their confined space within the rocking and shaking eggs.

Asdra was watching the eggs, when one egg finally broke open, and a sea-colored dragon came onto the sands, looking around a bit, searching for who it would bond with.

Then it took one glance right at him...

I am Cylferth. I have chosen you to be my rider. Now we must be quick and get me some food or I will miss my bathing time.

"Wha..." Asdra stopped midsentence. A dragon had chosen him! He had Impressed! He shot as smug a look as he could at the nearest Geneticist he could find, who looked absolutely...something. He couldn't tell what, but it seemed like a form of anger, making Asdra's smirk that much wider.

"Come on, little one," Asdra said loudly. "I'll go grab you some food."

Hurry up, then. We have to stay on schedule.

Asdra snorted. Schedule? "Cylferth, not everything needs to be planned out. I know the value of a strategy, but everyday life should be taken-"
What's wrong with you, mine? You don't seem to see how very important this is! If we don't keep on schedule...

"Yeah, sure, whatever..."

Why did I ever think you were a good choice...?

"Well, here's some food." Asdra grabbed a bucket of meat and held out a scrap for his dragon. HIS dragon. Though I wonder how well we'll get along and all that...he seems to hate everything I am so far...like a grandfather, almost...


Gonneth watched as Asdra Impressed to the blue that first hatched. Apparently, the dragons had no concern for what the geneticists wanted in terms of candidates. He turned his attention back to the eggs, hoping one of them would let him be a rider.

The next thing was a surprise as it seem two eggs at opposite ends of the clutch broke open at the same time. One was clearly a green by her grass green colouring and mint coloured mask on her face, the other clearly blue by his sapphire hide and cloud swirled wing sails. Their eyes met for some brief moment and it was like they conversed before crossing past each other as they switched sides, each finding theirs on the other side of the railing that split the sands from the stands. It seemed so far that everything the Geneticists had worked hard to prevent was happening right before their eyes and there was nothing they could do about it.

The green after crossing to the opposite side of the sands and sat down staring into the crowd. She would be a good girl and sit right here, then no one could scold her for being bad, and she never wanted to be a bad girl. Staying where she was she reached for the mind that was hers and hers alone, touching it and embracing it in what seemed to be nothing pure pure love.

'I'm going to sit here like a good girl and wait for you to come get me Emiline. Is your Delyth a good girl?'

The young greens tail swayed back and forth intently waiting for some kind of approval from her chosen.



###

The other, the blue having crossed the sands to the opposite side, passing the green he hatched with on the way there in what seemed like some sort of dance though his movements were keen and curious as he studied this older green in front of him. Well she did have a certain something which drew him in, but it wasn't her. His eyes slid to the man beside her, well yes he was interesting too, but he belonged to the green. That much he could tell and then it caught his eye, the young man behind him. Yes he was the one that drew him there and pushing himself between the green and her rider he reared and placed his forepaws on the barrier and reached up to the boy with his nose.

'Forever mine and mine alone. You destiny and mine are one Cecil. I am your Jareth, yours alone.'

His words were concise, too the point and full of a great depth of meaning for one so young as he reached up to his chosen.

CJ

The young man watched the eggs hatching... and hatching they were. Rocking and at first he saw a blue come out and go to the stands, after a young lad. He smiled a bit and whispered to Jase, "It looks wonderful. They seem so cute this little." He glanced at Rikath, whom both Josiah and Yeller had settled beside.

But then the next two broke open. His eyes had been on the green, whom had been closest and he watched her walk away to a woman on the other side of the sands. It totally missed his attention of the blue in striking sapphire colors had moved his way, and it was not in fact until Jase and Rikath had been shoved aside and a slightly damp little snout was inches from his nose that he realized the blue was there.

Then he heard the words spoken inside his head.

'Forever mine and mine alone. You destiny and mine are one Cecil. I am your Jareth, yours alone.'

The little blue look expectantly at CJ, their eyes locked together. The young man found it hard to breathe; his brain turned to sludge. No, wait, this couldn't be happening... There must be some mistake, he was no candidate. But the little blue would have none of it. 'Of course there is no mistake, I did not choose wrong Cecil mine. We are meant for one another because that is how it should be.' Yeller and Josiah apparently agreed, walking along the railing to sit right next to Jareth and look expectantly at CJ.

CJ finally got control of his throat. He gulped and looked over at Rikath and Jase, and finally said, "Well, uh... I think this means you'll have to find another mechanic to fix the medi-sled."

'What's a medi-sled Cecil?' asked the newhatched blue with interest, his little tail wagging more.

-----

Deran

Deran had done his best to arrive on time when both his flit and his dragon reported the imminent hatching. He had quickly changed into something more presentable than the clothes he had been wearing while washing Tarath, and then the three of them bundled themselves off to the sands with great haste. August eagerly chittered at Tarath and Deran, sending them both mental images of the eggs and the people gathering.

The place was already filling when he arrived. He spotted several other riders in their area with their partners standing beside them, all watching the rocking eggs. Tarath nosed his way towards the front, eager to see, and Deran was lucky enough to get a spot on the edge right behind him. August, being herself, settled right down on the blue's head. Although with how much they both were humming, it looked like she could slip right off his dainty little head.

'Do not fall August, we do not want to interrupt this pretty event!' Deran heard him say to the little flit, his tail tip twitching with excitement. 'Chosen, was it like this when I hatched?' Tarath asked curiously, twisting his head so one eye looked upon his rider.

"It was, much like this. I hope all goes well, I know Emi wants to impress. We will have to see what happens. Speaking of..." He turned and looked. It did not take much for him to spot her, as accustomed to her appeal as he was. He smiled just as the gasp from the first egg hatching was heard. He quickly turned, spotting that blue make a beeline for a young man. Then, as he watched, two more hatched, another blue and a green.

'Look Deran! They are such amazing colors, and so artistic! Oh, it is wonderful!' Tarath squealed in his rider's mind, and then they saw it. The little green made her way over to the stands and sat down, looking up. That gaze pointed at someone there...

His eyes fell upon Emi's face, and the look of shock and delight spreading across it, he knew.

All at once August, Deran, and Tarath were all bolting from their spots over to the stands, each of them in their own way expressing their joy she had just impressed. "Emi!" Deran cried as he ran up, and Tarath echoing with 'You Impressed, you Impressed!' in both their heads.

Rowan waited on the Sands with the others who had been proclaimed as candidates; she watched both Sands and Stands slowly fill. She was so excited her body seemed to thrum with the motion of the hums filling and reverberating through the air. Swirl was perched on her shoulder, also staring at the eggs; she knew Hers wanted one of the bigger cousins, and she did not mind sharing her Pet, so she hoped for one as well.

The first egg cracked, and Rowan watched the hatchling avidly. It was a beautiful blue, hide full of ocean and teal colors, and she wondered with interest who it would Impress. Of course the hope was there, filling her chest, but she knew that if this beauty did not Impress her another could; there were plenty of eggs. And it didn't - in fact, it didn't Impress to any of the candidates.

It Impressed to an ex-candidate.

Rowan stared in startled amazement, watching the smug smile spread over the man's face as he threw a pointed glance at the Geneticists. Rowan had to grin; she was happy for him, and she remembered how this one had been so angry when he'd been expelled. He'd deserved that dragon. She was glad that, despite the Geneticists cruel ways, he'd still Impressed.

But in fact, as two more hatched - a blue and a green - and Impressed to two in the Stands - one another ex-candidate - she began to wonder if the Geneticists had just gotten it completely wrong, and all of them were going to Impress to spectators, and not candidates! That would shock them so. Rowan found herself smiling at the idea; of course it would mean she didn't Impress, which would be sad, but it would still give every one of those Geneticists heart attacks. She glanced at them, and saw the looks of mingled shock and almost anger on some of their faces.

Well, she was truly glad that those two had Impressed eve nthough they'd not been allowed to stand.



Tylar watched the eggs with greedy eyes, waiting for them to hatch. The first did, a beautiful blue that seemed to hold the colors of the ocean in him. Tylar waited for him to go to one of the candidates, but to her surprise and delight, he did not Instead he wandered to the Stands - and Impressed to Asdra! She and Asdra both had been barred from the Sands, but he'd still Impress!

A look of glee filled her face, one only intensified by the next hatchling, a green, Impressing to another ex-candidate. And then the blue choosing one who was never a candidate at all as his own. That'll shock those dumb Geneticists! she thought gleefully, sending a smug grin in their dirtection. They looked like they'd fall over and die right now. Serves you right! They couldn't do anything about it, eithwer; this was the dragons' choice.

This meant she had a fair chance of Impressing, too - more than fair. She knew it!

It didn't take long for Jase to realize just who the little blue was after and he moved aside at it pushed between Rikath and himself to lean up for CJ. At the comment he was given Jase merely laughed somewhat and reached up to ruffle his hair in and uncharacteristically affectionate manner.

"I don't think that's you're biggest concern right now. I'm pretty sure Mik won't mind helping me out till you get your head around this."

Rikath crooned greeting to the blue who currently was quite a bit smaller than herself, and quite like herself she was unable to contain her glee at CJ impressing. Her tail twitching back and forth in excitement.

For several heartbeats, all Emiline could do was blink at the little hatching before her, gazing up so earnestly with those disconcertingly active eyes. Emiline had made the conscious decision to stop breastfeeding to allow her own candidacy, but according to the geneticists that wouldn't be possible for this hatching. Her best hope had been the next. Sure there had been some talk of rebellious feelings against their heavy handed measures... but was this really possible? Could there be some kind of mistake?

Her dumbfounded silence dragged on just long enough that the little hatchling began to grow uneasy. She emitted a soft but worried keen. Perhaps the good thing to do was to go to her Chosen. She wanted so badly to be a good girl... Tentatively, she put one foot on the stands as she started to speak again in Emiline's head.
Mine... I don't understand... Delyth's mental voice cut off suddenly when her paw slipped on one of 'steps' of the spectator stands. Without hesitation Emiline swooped down the rest of the distance between them and grabbed for her and steadied the little body, surprisingly delicate and slim for such a large newborn creature. The gesture turned fluidly into an embrace as Emiline gathered the little creature up into her arms as much as she could and the joyful, incredulous expression that Deran saw spread across her features. Delyth brightened, her mental voice taking on a cheerful ringing like a little bell. I am good, aren't I? You want me, don't you? I promise I'll behave.

A tiny tear squeezed itself out of Emiline's eyes. Ironically, her gray eyes appeared particularly green on this day, and to the observer their light coloring could be said to mirror the delicately hued tones of her dragon's face.

"Ja, of course I vant you..." she said, righting herself and caressing the delicate, pointed head. "You are die most amazing t'ing I haff ever seen. Haff you hunger?" Deryth sat for a moment, the wheels in her head obviously turning as she digested her rider's accent.

Ja. She said after a moment of deep thought. Emiline laughed and stepped the rest of the way on the sands as she began to lead her way to the meat station with the food for the new dragonets.

"Herzliche Wilkommen, Delyth... Herzliche Wilkommen..."

Malcolm didn't waste any time when he heard that the eggs were hatching. Though not as excited as he had been for the first hatching, serious things had made him into a more sober man, he still felt his heart jump into his throat. He got to the grounds as fast as he could and once ushered in by the geneticists, he stood with the other candidates.

Again he was in awe as a blue hatched first, just like at the first hatching. Malcolm didn't think he would ever get tired of seeing the baby dragons hatch from their shells. After the blue a green hatched and shortly after another blue. They all found their partners very quickly. A short sigh escaped his lips thinking that perhaps he would not get to impress this time either. Something told him that he needed to impress though, to make things...better. Of course there was still a good amount of eggs left rocking.
____________________________________________________________

Tabitha made it to the hatching sands in good time. She waited for the geneticist to allow her in. She stood next to the others and watched in awe as the eggs rocked. Soon one cracked and a beautiful blue came out of the egg. Such a handsome thing he was and found his quickly.

After that a green hatched and impressed to a lovely young lady, then another blue. Oh things were going so splendidly, Tabitha was almost to tears. Hatchings were such wonderful moments, a part of her wished there could be more of them. Her thumbs twiddled of their own accord as her mind drifted to thoughts of what would happen should she impress this time around.

Kira
No sooner had the first hatchling found his rider than two more eggs hatched. One egg hatched a blue and another egg hatched a green. Though they had hatched from opposing ends of the sands, they each seemed to have who their intended riders were and crossed each other's path. The green hatchling seemed to be waiting for someone from somewhere up in the Stands, and the blue hatchling seemed to have Impressed to a man also in the Stands who as far as Kira knew was not even a Candidate at all.

With the way the hatchlings had Impressed so far, Kira thought if all the hatchlings would be choosing riders from the Stands and not those Candidates who were waiting in the Sands. It would surely serve to make Geneticists stop meddling with the Candidates. She had been almost barred from attending since she had been in the Warning List but thankfully, she hadn't done anything that would make herself be expelled. But still, she did hope that the next hatchling would choose to Impress from someone who was actually a Candidate waiting in the Sands.

Zander
Zander stretch on his bed. He was lazing about and he knew it. It was probably because his newest green firelizard who was such a lazy little thing was rubbing off on him. He scowled at himself but then again, he had been doing a late night singing gig last night so waking up rather late was a bit justifiable. Still, he really didn't like to just laze about. He had decided to call his second flit Majesty. Maybe the name will rub off on her and make her more productive, not that he can actually see Majesty doing anything out of her own volition. Zander had always tried to coax and persuade the little green into performing especially at night with Elegance. At least Majesty does hum right on cue it not in perfect pitch like Elegance does. His dream of having a Firelizard Duet with elegance and Majesty was still far from being realized and still just a dream.

However, today, the two flits were actually humming in perfect harmony. Zander smiled at them as he got out of bed and did his morning ablutions. As the humming got louder, Zander was reminded of that night that Elegance had been humming and then with a startled oath, "Shards! They're hatching!" he exclaimed as he quickly dressed and put his shoes on. He didn't bother dressing too warmly for it was already mid spring and had decided to wear his sandals instead of the work boots that he had earned through his performances. Checking to make sure he was presentable, he ran for the Stands, he surely didn't want to miss any of the hatchlings choosing their riders.

Alternately running and walking briskly, since Zander didn't want to arrive with a stitch on his side, he finally arrived and squeezed his way in the Stands. The place was already packed what with three hatchlings already hatched and seeming to have chosen their riders. With another silent oath at himself, Zander made his way to pick a seat as close to the Sands as possible. He wasn't really hoping to be chosen, he just liked being able to see all the action as near as possible.

Elegance and Majesty both perched on the railing in front of Zander. They were both humming and in the back of Zander's mind, he wondered how he could make Majesty hum like she was now in tune and in harmony with Elegance. But, for now, his attention was focused on the rocking eggs. He wondered which color would hatch next for he had seen that there were already two blues and a green.

It was quite some time before the next egg showed any sign of hatching rocking softly at first before a powerful wing smashed through the shell there seemed to be a green tint to this coppery bronze hide as he burst from his shell, rather small but no less proud of who he was. In fact his entrance could be described as crude and uncivilized by the way everything was thrown in all different directions around him. He was however very decisive in who he chose as his partner calling for him in a loud voice from where he was.

'Ashern, we get food now. Balanath is starving'

His voice was commanding, harsh and not at all very nice in it's tone in addressing the young man whom he had chosen to be his.




###

Now the arrival of the first bronze seemed to stir some of the other eggs into motion and it didn't take long for two eggs one closer to the middle than the other to split open. No one could make tails of which one would hatch first as it seemed, first their was a glimpse of green and then gold flashed by. No one could really make heads or tails of who was who, it just seemed as finally the little green rolled free, to date she was the smallest ever seen as she sat a little bewildered at her upside down entrance to the world.

However it was the one who hatched after her who seemed to steal all the spotlight from her. Her hide was a dark metallic sort of brassy gold, but her head, tail and wing sails were clear indicators she was gold with their true golden hue. She proudly and sensually displayed herself giving a come hither look to all those males around her. She was finally here and everyone had been waiting for HER.

The tiny green however deciding she was not to be outdone, rather insensitively pushed her way past the gold. The size difference was obvious but the strength in the little green was another thing as she knocked the gold off her high horse and into the sands. Stalking towards the female candidates she pushed them out of the way with loud remarks like.

'No.. too fat... too skinny.. not pretty enough.. too stupid'

Finally she stopped with one girl and stared up at her twining herself around the girl's legs not caring if she tripped her up.

'Hello Kaimry.. My name is Syllath, looks like you'll have to do.'





###


The Gold needless to say way outraged at the greens behaviour and getting herself on her feet again and shaking the sand from her hide she stuck her nose in the air and stalked straight towards one of the other female candidate. Jealous rage clear in her whirling eyes, she would NOT be outdone. Never she was the best after all, and she wanted the best. And the best was... She looked around until her eyes fell on one young teen. Yes her, she had the attitude she wanted, she was the one, at least she thought she was till she got closer.

'Tylar....Tylar.... no.. You are not worthy of one such as me, you will never be worthy, so stop pretending you are.'

She turned with a look of disdain and with an arrogant flick of her tail which pronounced the judgement she had passed on the girl she turned away. Turning she saw the one she had been looking for, ah yes now that was the girl. Stalking up to her she flaunted her best stuff coming to a stunning posing halt in front of her she announced herself.

'You are better than any girl around here Alicia. You are the only one good enough for me. I am Lisbeth, not Lissy or any other silly nickname you might be thinking. My name is Lisbeth and only Lisbeth'

That was her choice and she had made it, together they would shine brighter than any other dragon here.

The hatching was well and truly on its way now; eggs were hatching more and more quickly. The next to break its shell was a handsome dark bronze, small but obviously healthy. He had a rather messy hatching, but he still looked strong and full of promise, even if he was rather small. Rowan wondered what lucky man would get him.

It turned out he was the first to Impress an actual candidate; he didn't move, but he was looking straight at one boy on the Sands. Rowan clapped for him quietly, though the sound was lost in the cheers of the audience. The clutch;s first bronze!

Then two eggs were suddenly vying for attention, both rocking hard, and Rowan stared at them along with everyone else. Finally they came apart; the first to an absolutely tiny green, dark green and adorable. But Rowan got only a glimpse of her before a dark gold flash tore her eyes away; a gold had hatched! A brassy color except for her head and tail and wings, she was a beauty for sure; Rowan had to stare, enraptured, along with everyone.

That was, until the feisty little green managed to knock the gold off her feet. Rowan immediately took a step forward as if to help, but anchored herself to the ground; it was only sands, the gold was sure to be fine. The green was now well on her way to the candidates; Rowan felt the tingle of a mind against her own and grew excited, only to deflate when she realized it was only the green proclaiming her too skinny to impress to. Well....that was interesting.

But by now the gold was back on her feet, and was looking around for her Lifemate. Of course Rowan hgoped she would be picked, but she knew she couldn't possibly be worthy of such a beautiful queen. Surely not. And she wasn't; at first it looked like she was going to Impress one of the spectators like her siblings - wouldn't that give the geneticists a heart attack, the gold Impressing to a on-candidate? - but she turned away after a moment, and instead struck a pose in front of another candidate. The choice was made.

Rowan was happy for the girl, though she couldn't deny the small twinge of disappointment in her gut. But there were more eggs....plenty of time for her to Impress. Or maybe she just wasn't cut out for it. And that would be devastating, but if it was true, she'd have to deal with it.



Another egg hatched, a bronze. Tylar payed little attention to it; only boys Impressed bronzes, so it seemed, so it wouldn't be interested in her .And it waasn't, Impressing instead to a candidate. But the next two that hatched - a green, and...and a gold! Tylar stared hopefully. They were both beauties, but....a gold! Wow! She had to giggle when the green knocked the queen over, though; feisty little thing, it was. But after that she couldn't care less about the green, who was sniffing around th e3candidates; her attention was on the gold.

Tylar....Tylar....

Tylar's heart lurched; she stared at the gold in stunned believe as the sound of her own name rippled through her consciousness, spoken by an alien voice. She.....the gold was Impressing to....her No Way. Elation filled her, until.....

...no.. You are not worthy of one such as me, you will never be worthy, so stop pretending you are.'

The dancer stared in shock and disbelieve at the haughty queen, jaw dropping in uncharacteristic outrage. Wait....what? She couldn't believe this! That.....No way! She'd just been played again! First those evil Geneticists making her a candidate then telling her later she couldn't be....and now this haughty know-it-all gold making her think she'd been chosen before telling her she'd never be worthy Why that - "Excuse me?" she shouted angrily at the little thing; it was so rare that Tylar ever got angry, but being played like that was horrible. She'd actually thought she was going to Impress to the queen......

Stupid queen. She pouted, glaring after the gold as it turned and promptly chose its true Lifemate. That just.... wasn't fair. She sighed, trying to push away the hot feelings. No stupid gold was going to rui her day; she'd show her! She was worthy. She was!

((heheh....that was fun....thanks Iski ^_^))

Well hatching day had finally arrived and all those that had passed the geneticits exam or whatever it was they called it had arrived. Aria had walked onto these sands with her head held high, knowing that the only two people she'd wanted to see here were banished from the sands. Still the hatching started well enough, a little blue first out of the shell and it Impressed to Asdra! Elation swept the young woman's form as she saw the young man with his new lifemate. Her cousin still sat in the stands though and Aria found that she hoped yet another dragon defied the odds and chose Tylar as well. Despite her shortcomings, Tylar would make an excellent dragonrider in Aria's opinion. As for she herself, that she didn't know. She was happy to see the dragons hatching healthy and picking their lifemates and even smiled at the golden beauty that came and chose. These were truely amazing creatures; though it did appear that the gold had angered Tylar somehow. Whatever the case, Aria turned to watch the hatching with excited eyes and wandered if this day would change herself like it would those of so many others.

--

Reivyn boucned from foot to foot on the hot sands and she waited excitedly to see if she'd Impress along with the others that had been chosen. She didn't know what to expect, and couldn't hold still to watch any one thing happen. So many different colors had come. Blues, Greens, Bronzes, even a Golden beauty had hatched. This reminded Reivyn strongly of the fantasy stories her mother used to read to her as a child. It was like a dream come true for the young performer, being here in this place at this time with so much happening. She was elated for those that Impressed and made a mental note to congradulate the lot of them regaurdless of the outcome for she herself this day. A bright smile appeared on her face as she realized truely what was happening. Hatching day had come, and with it; the ever growing winds of change.

'Hello Kaimry.. My name is Syllath, looks like you'll have to do.'
She heard the voice in her head, suprised. She acually got a dragon, and what a beautiful green she was too.
"So your Syllath, are you? What a beauty you are." she said quietly.
Kaimry was Amazed at this. She thought since she was on warning, she might not have had what it takes to get a dragon, but here she was, a small but very interesting Green.She almost lost her balance as Syllath twined her self around her legs.
"hey watch it your going to make me fall on my face ." she said a little bit annoyed. This Dragon was a little Careless but that suited her just fine, as she was a bit careless herself.She wondered what life as a Drogonrider would be like and smiled. She was very happy.