Ill-timed Arrival

[Flamewolf]

Keldara had gotten the trick of balancing on one foot to almost an art, and lightly allowered her injured one to rest on the floor of the Hatching Sands. Meanwhile, her eyes were wide with amazement at the the eggs hatching, spilling dragonets onto the sands. Though it killed her to see them so scared and unsure, she couldn't do anything; and if she'd tried to, she'd probably make it worse, because she doubted she could move without any help with one leg hurt.

But as these dragonets forced themselves to ignore the storm, scared out of their wits as they scrambled to their bondeds, she had already braced the fact that she may not impress, and wasn't terrified of the thought. In fact, the whole incident at the Analyzation earlier on had made her doubt her ability to impress. What if her past from her family prevented a dragonet from impressing her? What if it came in her way during threadfall, and she failed the wing? Her eyes became slightly troubled as she stood on the sands, waiting, wondering what will happen at the next moment, the next breath...

[M'kel]

As soon as the green dragonet had left the Sands, M'kel had stood, following her path with worried eyes. Was the little one destined for between? However, it did not seem like this was the green's destination at all, for she was instead attempting to brave the storm. The Weyrleader began to stride forward, prepared to herd the dragonet back to the candidates. If they had to, they would even scour the Sands for a proper match. Araelen could not lose a single dragon.

Before he had even left the Stands, though, a girl appeared out of the curtain of hail, collapsing on the stone. The green dragonet promptly Impressed to her, and the bronzerider wondered if a candidate had merely arrived late. If so, he was prepared to deliver a thorough lecture to that foolish child, but M'kel soon recognized the girl as one dismissed at the Analysis. It seemed that, despite the Weyrwoman's wishes...the dragons had the final choice.



Accompanying a flash of lightning, one of the larger eggs shattered. The shards were still falling to the sand as the bronze stepped forward, shaking himself vigorously to remove the final clinging remnants. He was a fairly light-coloured bronze, with a dark stripe down his spine. Although he had initially emerged with great confidence, the bronze dragonet now crouched upon the sand, staring at the whole eggs still around him. After a few moments, he stood hesitantly and made his way forward to another egg. This one had a hole in it, but it's occupant had yet to emerge.

Curious, the bronze dragonet poked his nose into the hole. The occupant seemed reluctant to leave the safety of the shell, so the bronze began to croon softly, withdrawing his snout. Finally, claws scrabbled at the hole to widen it, and a green dragonet clambered out. Her fiercely whirling eyes upon her trembling head revealed her fear, but the bronze dragonet's presence seemed to aid her. Coated in spring green with an ivy green head, the rather small green crouched where she was. The bronze seemed to understand, giving her a gentle nudge and proceeding towards the girls. The highly relieved green eagerly followed him.

Another egg split down the middle, some distance from the bronze and green, and a blue dragonet stepped out of the halves of his shell. The navy coloured dragonet did not seem as frightened by the storm as most did, for he merely listened for a moment before tentatively beginning to walk towards the boys. Although he was not afraid, he certainly appeared confused. His large head swung from side to side, threatening to tip his small form over.

Upon reaching the edge of the eggs, the bronze stopped. The green dragonet edged forward on her own, her eyes still whirling at a near-panic speed. Suddenly, they fixed upon Anah, and the green dragonet gave a slight screech. She darted forward, bowling over another girl, Myra, in her frenzy. Either unaware of this or unconcerned, the green dragonet clambered over this final hurdle, burrowing her face into Anah's stomach. Anah! Your Iseulth was so afraid. She was trembling, and it showed in the colours of her voice. She is safe now, though. You will not leave her...

Something seemed to have caught the blue dragonet's attention, for he had frozen at the other side of the sand. His head was tilted as if listening to something, and, suddenly, he spun on the spot. Without warning, the blue dragonet was bounding across the sand in the opposite direction. He didn't stop until he had reached Myra's side. There, he began to nudge her insistently, crooning and trying to raise her up with his head. Myra! You are hurt! Your Aglovth must help. He should have been here sooner; then you would not have been hurt.

Another egg was rocking violently. The occupant seemd to be pounding fiercely at the inside of the shell, but it must have been especially thick, because very few cracks were appearing. Claws could be heard scrabbling at the inside of the shell until a hole finally formed. The brown dragonet forced his way out and stood stock still upon the sand, breathing rather hard. His umber hide glistened, and his tan wing membranes were visible when he raised his wings.

While the large brown dragonet remained where he was, the bronze had begun his journey back across the sand. He paused upon reaching the brown, and they regarded each other for a moment. An almost imperceptible nod passed between the pair, and they departed in opposite directions. The bronze reached the lads quickly, and he strode forward without pause to reach Degellin's side. What an adventure your Lancetoth has had, mine! But he is glad to be here at last, for his journey has made him ravenous.

The brown dragonet proceeded to the edge of the sand closest to the girls. He eyed them all appraisingly, but his decision was not long in the making. His manner changed abruptly, for his wings drooped and the colours of his eyes shifted to a yellow of alarm, as the brown hurried forward to nose Keldara hesitantly. You are sad, Keldaramine! Your Galahanth wants to help. You cannot fail him...you are perfect to him.

[Flamewolf]

Keldara had now become aware that her leg that was keeping her up was beginning to tire. That was not a good thing, for she really didn't wish to sit on the sands, because even though she was wet she-

A loud clap of thunder boomed into her thoughts and made her jump slightly. Pulled out of her wandering thoughts, she quickly refocused on the hatching (after a wary glance to the entrance) to see a bronze and green skuttle to opposite sides of the sands. She was quite surprised to see the green bowel over a girl to get to another, but the bronze went to his without incident. Her gaze scanned the boys' side, for she'd thought she'd seen another brown hatch...though, she could've been mistaken. And, he might've even come over to the other girls, because two brown riders were already female. She was just about to turn her head to the other side of her when something gently bumped into her.

You are sad, Keldaramine! Your Galahanth wants to help. You cannot fail him...you are perfect to him. The voice was laced with worry, and it saddened her to know that; she turned her eyes down to see a brown dragonet peer back up at her. A click sound rang in her head, and immediately she smiled at the young dragon, her gaze warm as she looked down at him.

You don't need to worry anymore. Nothing will stop Galahanth from being yours, the young dragon said boldly. The usage of the third person from him made Keldara laugh.

"Of course. I shouldn't have worried, shouldn't I have?"

No, you shouldn't have. Galahanth paused. You are hurt! he exclaimed suddenly, looking at her leg with worry.

She glanced down to the erroring leg. "I'd almost forgotten. Don't worry, it's probably only broken...Aren't you hungry?"

At the mention of food, Galahanth looked up. Yes, he is. But he doesn't know where the food is...Are you sure you're alright?

"I'm positive," she said aloud, and firmly. "Follow me, and I'll get you fed." The brown consented, but Keldara could tell he was still worried as she led him to the food and started to feed him, ignoring the storm. Well, she thought to herself, I know what happens at the end. But the story's not over yet.

[D'gellin]

Flash of thunder - a bronze hatched. Degellin couldn't help but grin at the effect of the shattered egg, almost as though the hatchling were emerging from some kind of explosion. He tilted his head in amusement as the bronze stuck his nose in one of the eggs and led the newly shelled green to the girls. His attention was diverted as - Degellin's foot tapping in time - a blue broke out of his shell.

Everything seemed to be speeding up. Was the song reaching a crescendo perhaps? The green Impressed, the blue Impressed, a brown hatched. Degellin could only imagine an orchestra going crazy right now. And that's when it happened.

What an adventure your Lancetoth has had, mine! But he is glad to be here at last, for his journey has made him ravenous.[/color]

Degellin blinked at the bronze dragon before him, his mouth threatening to hang open in astonishment. "Lancetoth." Degellin repeated with disbelief, his eyes lighting instantly. There was something strangely right going on inside him; it was like nothing he'd ever experienced before. Was this Impression? He sucked in a breath, running both hands threw his hair as a smile stretched across his face and he laughed out in excitement. Yes, mine, and it is time to feast! Lancetoth comes to you hungry from his journies.[/color] Lancetoth declared heartily, the foreign but familiar voice booming in his rider's mind as he gently butted Degellin's stomach for emphasis.

"Right, right." Degellin nodded, eyes alight, smile wide. He looked around; right, the other new weyrlings were over at that table with the meat. "This way, Lancetoth." Degellin announced, waving a hand in the direction of the food. He tasted the name once more on his tongue and it felt perfect. As he led the way over to the food, Lancetoth trotting jovilly by his side, Degellin was all but jumping in his excitement. One triumphant jump, air punch, and whoop did indeed escape him half way there.

He felt amazing. And a little hungry. But still amazing. No, amazotasterificastic! :D No, better than that. D'gellin, rider of bronze Lancetoth Degellin...D'gellin! mused, his cheeks hurting from all the smiling he was doing.

It does have a pleasant ring to it, doesn't it?[/color] Lancetoth agreed merrily, his eyes whirling with anticipation as they reached the food.

[Journye]

Hunter watched in amazement at all the hatchlings, their colors so beautiful. He couldn't help but smile as he watched, able to ignore the pain in his shoulder as he kept his left arm tucked close to his body. He was afraid to know what kind of damage that chunk of ice had done to his shoulder, but right now he was over joyed to be at the hatching. He jumped slightly with each loud boom of thunder, that dark fear still pressing in at the back of his mind, but he wasn't alone in the chamber so it was easier to push it aside.

~~

Caylsta had tears in her eyes as she watched the others impress, feeling so very happy for them and only a touch of jealousy. She quickly shook the jealousy away, she did not want to frighten the darlings away from her.

~~

Salem was awed by the sight of the dragnets and the look on the faces of those that had already impressed. What would it be like to feel such wonder and bliss that showed on their faces. He turned his attentions back to the eggs, wondering if there really was a dragon out there for him.

[Shikai]

Myra could only look on in amazement as dragon after dragon made its way out of the shell and onto the sands, to find, usually after some degree of confusion, to their life partner. Dragons seemed to flash before her eyes, inspiring hope in the waiting candidates, only to be unattainable when their choices were made soon after. Myra had no real preference as to color, and looked with equal hope upon every creature shelled. Well, aside from the bronzes, and the browns as well, until, by some odd turn of events, one did choose a girl. Even so, they didn’t appeal to her much more than strong blues or quick greens. Any dragon would be a miracle.

A smile crept over her mouth as she saw a newly hatched bronze, in all his glory, helped a confused green by accompanying her. What a change from the other two browns who had utterly rejected the green’s appeals for aid earlier! Yes, it was certainly cute, seeing the two young dragons walking across the sands, and her view improved as they came closer to her end of the candidates.

Sweeping her gaze back over the eggs, she looked back just in time to witness the hatching of a blue. His hide was surprisingly dark, yet it had a certain elegance that way. As he moved toward the boys, Myra switched her attention back to the green who was now too close to ignore.

And then, with a screech, the green began charging in her direction! Surprised, Myra stood her ground, but the hatchling had surprising strength for one so young, and of the smallest dragon color. Her strength of will gave her the physical energy to completely knock poor Myra over, although thankfully, the sand helped to cushion the fall of her already battered body.

Already exhausted from the strain of rushing through the storm, being beaten by hail, and now being rammed into by a dragon, no less, she chose to lay on the sands for a minute before she would, of course, get up, and continue waiting for her dragon. Since, despite the green’s charging at her, Myra knew even before she swiveled her head around to see the dragon with the girl who had been standing beside her that she was not meant for her. While she didn’t hold anything against the dragon, at the same time, she wasn’t all too disappointed that the excitable creature was not to be hers. To have a dragon at all would be wonderful, of course, but Myra did hope for a more…stable partner.

She sighed, ready to coax her tired form back into a standing position, but before she could, something started shuffling around in the sand beside her, pushing at her side. Vaguely she wondered if a candidate was kicking her with an oversized boot, but then, what was causing that strange, yet somehow comforting sound? She turned her head to see, and her eyes locked not upon brown leather, but whirling dragon eyes belonging to the beautiful blue she had seen earlier!

Myra! You are hurt! Your Aglovth must help. He should have been here sooner; then you would not have been hurt.[/color]

The words rang out loud and clear, but not in her ears, but her very mind! She was completely and totally overcome with love for the wonderful, thoughtful, caring dragon beside her who had raced to help her. Her! Earlier she had wanted to help the hatchlings, and now here was a dragon who went out of his way to help her! There was not a doubt in Myra’s mind that Aglovth, her Aglovth, was the best dragon in all the world.

Oh Aglovth! Myra raised her long upper body into a sitting position and flung an arm around Aglovth’s neck, patting the side as one might with a runner. Speaking through their mental link was so amazing, she thought. To know that no one but he could hear her, him, who would never judge her. Who loved her unconditionally. It was truly overwhelming.

Her eyes shining with love and sparkling with tears she couldn’t prevent from rolling down her sandy cheeks, Myra rose to her feet. You must be very hungry. Thank you so much for caring about me. Now I will see to your needs!

Aglovth’s own eyes shown with the adoration of a dragon for its rider, and he nuzzled her arm with his soft nose. I am hungry. You are so thoughtful![/color]

So Myra led Aglovth toward the food he needed, and for perhaps the first time in the tall, boyish girl’s memory, she did not feel awkward at all.

[kati]

Anah gasped as the wonderful little dragonet, that was hers, buried it's face it to her tummy, after making another candidate into a jumping device. Anah couldn't help but smile. Anah! Your Iseulth was so afraid. She is safe now, though. You will not leave her...
It echoed in her head, almost as if it had always belonged there. She gave an even bigger grin and hugged her little dragonet.
That's right Iseulth, I'll never leave you. I'm glad, now can we go and get some food? I'm starving. Anah just nodded and took her over to where the food was being served.
-------------------
Rytia noticed that Anah had gotten a dragon, and her anger boiled again. Why was it that Anah always got everything? Looks, friends, and now a dragon. It wasn't fair! Everywhere around her everyone was getting a dragon, even the other girl would wasn't even suppose to impress, and yet she was without a dragon. Anah didn't even deserve a dragon! She had been searched first, and she was born first, so she should of had a dragon first, not her stupid, stupid sister! She clenched her hands together so tightly that her nails cut into her skin and made her hands start to, not only sting, but also bleed. But Rytia was to ticked off to even notice as she started to cry a little, as the question kept echoing in her mind. Why didn't she have a dragon?

[Felina]

((Can I say 'writers' block'? 'Cause that's what it is.))

Altair could do little but watch as he was denied what now so many others had come to possess, his arms and heart aching as one, thick eyebrows furrowed in thought and dark eyes focused intently on what he now believed would never be his. The eggs. Surely this was his punishment for speaking his mind, for saying his goodbyes before they were due. Surely he had, unwittingly, sealed his fate when he told the cluster of eggs that had then sat unmoving on the Sands. But now he had witnessed even one of those who had been dismissed Impress. If there was any mercy in this world of his, he would have done as well by now, for as the number of eggs and, therefore, un-Impressed dragonets, dwindled, so too did his hope.

One of those eggs that had not yet begun to rock and to crack, likely, that was the one which had been destined for him. Likely, it never would begin to shudder with the frantic attempts of the dragonet inside to escape. Likely, it would never develop that fine webbing of cracks which marred the surface of so many other eggs. But not his. Never his. He had killed his dragonet before he could even be sure of her name. He closed his eyes, silently mourning that unnamed Green which he had so unwittingly driven to suicide before she had even a chance to hatch. He knew it was irrational, but at this late stage, what else was there to do? What else was there to think? His only consolation was the knowledge that the golden egg still sat there, unmoving, un-Impressed. It wasn't over just yet.

So there he stood, feet burning, arms throbbing, heart leaping only to be squashed down yet again, waiting for an end. Either a happy one where he managed to Impress, or a happy one where he lived in peace forever with Corenne. That wasn't such a bad alternative, after all. He could have had both, but if the scenario in which he Impressed was absent, well, at least he had found his life-mate, telepathic bond or no.

============

Darkness. There was no sound save the pounding of hail and the spattering of rain and the occasional eerie creel of a dragonet. She could hear nothing save the storm, could feel nothing save the cold and wet, could see no more than ever. Corenne missed the comforting bulk of Shilai twined about her neck, the warmth the Green fire-lizard gave off, the sure knowledge that while her hand rested within Altair's she would never be led astray. Fingers gritty with the frigid mud pushed back equally gritty dark hair, heavy with the water but curly nonetheless. Why had she come? What was there for her here? A plea that would never be heard, a support that would never be noticed? Yes, well, that last would suffice. For a start.

And though she hummed, unable to hear over the roar of the storm whether or not she was even anywhere near the same key of the dragons, her mind raced ahead of the rest of her, never pausing to rest. She could do nothing about Altair Impressing. Likewise, she could do nothing to change his inevitable withdrawal from her to plunge feet-first into a life which had nothing of Corenne in it. Why did she fight what was preordained? She wasn't quite sure.

[M'kel]

Multiple loud cracks pierced the air, for it seemed that a number of eggs were nearing Hatching. Many were shuddering violently, and the golden egg, too, was reaching a fierce peak in its shaking intensity. However, it was a smaller egg near the line of boys that was finally breached. A small piece of the top of it was suddenly lifted off by a green nose, and a quick shake sent the shard spinning to the sand. As the egg was partially buried, it did not roll over as the green dragonet hauled herself out of the top of the egg. Her pine green hide glistened in the light of the glows, and she began sniffing in the direction of the boys while lashing her tail in curiousity.

Two green legs suddenly erupted out of another diminutive egg, both having burst out of separate holes. They were withdrawn, and the holes were diligently joined until there was enough space for the green dragonet to crawl through. Her algae green hide flashed as she flapped her wings experimentally, but it was quickly hidden as her wings folded down, and she crouched upon the sand. Her whirling eyes traversed the cavern, finally fixing in the direction of the line of girls. Cautiously, she straightened and began to pick her way forward toward them.

The green dragonet near the boys seemed to have made a decision, for her sniffing ceased, and she snorted in a haughty manner. Turning abruptly, the green began making her way across the sand towards the girls. Her progress was impeded by her playful manner, for the pine green hopped away from shaking eggs and skittering sand, slinking around shards in her path as if expecting an attack. It wasn't long before she noticed the other green dragonet traveling in the same direction, though.

Their eyes met, and there was a moment when both greens were frozen upon the sand, waiting for the other to make the first move. Suddenly, they both broke into a run. Not only were they both heading towards the girls, it seemed they were both heading towards the same girl. The fear and frenzy was palpable, for both green dragonets churned the sand underfoot in their race to Impress. A collision was imminent, and the larger pine green was victorious, ploughing the smaller algae green out of the way. She butted against Kagairo in her triumph, crooning in delight. Your Caelith has won you, Kagairo! You are hers and only hers, mine. That is as it should be.

The other green lay sprawled upon the sand where she had landed, with one wing crumpled under her form. She was lying at Calysta's feet, and her whirling eyes raised to find the girl's face. It was where she had meant to end up, anyways, and she nudged her new rider's legs pleadingly. Your Luneth thought she would not make it to you, Calysta. She thought you would choose another. But you are for her, are you not? Will you help her stand? The green struggled to rise.

Another egg shattered abruptly in the middle of the sand, revealing an ochre brown dragonet with a mahogany brown head and wing membranes. He began to shake himself vigorously, sending shards flying. The sand around him was littered with egg shells, and he was swaying uncertainly where he stood, disoriented by the howling wind and the vigorous shaking alike. Giving his head another twitch, he stepped forward determinedly and tripped over the many shell pieces in his path.

Falling forward, his nose planted in the sand. With fresh limbs and splayed wings, the brown dragonet struggled to rise. The sand clung to his glistening form, and his feeble attemps at rising went unrewarded for some time. His creeling calls were muffled in the sand. When he finally stood, he swayed on the spot, then stumbled forward to lean against Felina for support. His eyes were whirling rapidly, and his nose was still speckled with sand granules. Your Breunth has faced a trial to reach you. His legs do not work properly yet. Perhaps it is because he hungers so... This last bit was stated with a sly glance up at his rider.

[Journye]

Calysta watched as the two greens emerged from their eggs, her breath catching in her throat at the beauty of them, one was darker then the other, but they were both so beautiful! She remembered to breath as her eyes began to water and her chest to burn from the lack of air. She tilted her head as she watched in awe that they were both headed toward the female candidates and she couldn't have slowed her pounding heart if she had wanted to.

She couldn't hold back the gasp that escaped from her parted lips as the two greens collided in their hurried frenzy to reach the candidates and the lighter green was knocked to the ground at her feet. She barely registered that the other green impressed a girl not far from her because she only had eyes for the lovely green at her feet. She felt tears well up in her eyes as she felt that beautiful, soft voice brush against her mind like a loving caress Your Luneth thought she would not make it to you, Calysta. She thought you would choose another. But you are for her, are you not? Will you help her stand?[/color] Calysta knelt down as she felt the nudge to her shins and carefully helped the lovely green up, checking her wing carefully for any injury.

The wing seemed to be fine other then being covered in sand that was easily shaken off. Calysta could only stare in wonder at the lovely algae green dragnet before her, noting the subtle wave like swirls of sea green pattern her hide. The sea green of her eye ridges and wing tips. She admired the almost dainty look of her head with its slightly more slender and longer look. She knew she was crying and she didn't care.

Luneth nudged against her bonded's chest Mine your Luneth hungers now that she is standing[/color] the dainty, regal green informed her rider and Calysta couldn't help but smile brightly "Of course Luneth lets get you some food," she said as she stood, relishing the way the little one's name rolled around her tongue. As she lead Luneth to where the food had been laid out she noticed what few of the male riders were there leering at her and nudging each other, but she ignored them, she was not going to risk this precious new feeling for anything. She smiled proudly and looked toward the crowd "Her name is Luneth!" she called proudly, loud enough to be heard over the raging storm.

~~~

Salem watched as his sister impressed, envying her that look of pure bliss on her face. He was proud of her, he had to admit. For all the times she frustrated him to no end, he was happy that she had been able to impress and he knew his sister. Though she might like to romp between the sheets, she was dedicated and she would not let such a thing ruin what she had now. He smiled as she proudly told all the weyr the name of her new life mate. He gave her a nod then turned his attention to the hatching, noticing that while watching his sister, Felina had impressed as well, and a brown at that! He grinned, happy to see that the girl had impressed a fighting dragon as she had wanted. He nodded to her, admiring her and feeling jealous at the same time.