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Post by Lynn on Sept 20, 2014 20:28:47 GMT
-1.25 Months After The Crash-
It was a quiet day, and Aketh was laying quietly on the Sands, her body half-curled about her clutch. Occasionally, an egg would twitch here and there, but it was a lazy motion, with no real purpose, and the Pearl knew they were not ready to Hatch just yet, so she remained quiet, just watching them with pleasure. Her head rose as Lin came in, and the rider smiled at her, pacing over to gently stroke her eye ridge, her own jet eyes also on the eggs. "I don't know how you knew, but you did," she said to her dragon, and Aketh rumbled softly. The Pearl then shifted, and Lin backed up as she rose to her feet, examining her eggs closely.
Today they shall begin to know them, she said calmly, and Lin nodded and turned her head, inclining it to J'mael, who nodded and looked up to Hyzeth. The Diamond King rumbled softly, then looked up and broadcast to all those present.
All Candidates come to the Hatching Sands. It is time for your Touching experience!
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Aura and Kaira
Outside, Aura was seated on a large boulder, finishing up oiling Orti's hide. She'd taken to doing the task because it helped her relax and also allowed the muscles in her shoulders and back to begin loosening up from the tightness they'd been put under when she was injured. She still was not allowed to Stand, but she was doing better than she had been for sure. She had just finished when Hyzeth's voice echoed into her mind, and she raised her head and looked over at Joana, who was scolding one of the riders who'd gotten careless and allowed himself to get hurt. The Healer stopped her scolding for a moment, glancing over at the girl, and shook her head firmly, causing Aura's face to fall. Sighing, she accepted that this Lesson she would have to wait on, and she gently began running a rag over the Sapphire to get the excess goo off of him.
Kaira had heard Hyzeth as well, and rose from where she'd been studying her scrolls. She'd been allowed to copy the more important information concerning this world, and now had it in her barrack. Isis cheeped, and she smiled, picking up the little Diamond and setting her in the pouch in her shirt pocket. "Behave you. I don't want to get kicked out because you misbehaved," she told her firmly, and the little Queen chirped at her and obediently disappeared into the pocket. Once she had it closed, Kaira strode outside, her fiery hair pulled back into a tight weave and tied with a leather strip. Her last hair tye had broken the day before, and they didn't have them here, so she'd had to make do. As she reached the Sands, she looked up at the Pearl and her Diamond curiously, but remained off the Sands for now, sensing they were not yet ready, and glanced around, watching as others showed up.
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Post by summerrain on Sept 20, 2014 21:11:25 GMT
Lenara made sure she was there before the call went out, but the Weyrlingmistress and her Aquamarine dragoness stood at the entrance to the Sands, waiting for the Candidates. She stepped inside after the first of the Candidates, the oldest of the survivors from the crash. "We need to wait for everyone to arrive first," she explained simply. She stood to the side, while Iabureth waited outside.
Eternity had been massaging oil into Siren's hide when the call went out. Luckily she had just finished, so she and the little flit went toward the Sands, the Lapis perched on Eternity's shoulder as usual. She pulled her hair back with a strip of leather, fashioning it into a headband, and walked inside after dipping her head to the dragoness sitting outside. She stopped and stood beside Kaira, smiling slightly. Oh, this was so exciting!
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Post by meee on Sept 20, 2014 22:38:43 GMT
William had been carefully checking Glory over for any signs of flaky hide. She looked good he thought to himself with a smile when he heard the voice of Hyzeth in his mind. He wondered if he would ever get used to that. He shuddered a little, it was quite intrusive, he wasn't sure what people would think of that on Earth. It was probably breaking all sorts of privacy laws. But he couldnt help but wonder what it would be like to actually have your own dragon. How would that work? What did it feel like to share your mind with another presence? Not just now and again but all the time. He couldnt quite fathom it out.
Tucking Glory into his jacket he made his way towards the Hatching cavern, seeing others heading the same way. It was a strange place, it certainly took a lot of getting used too. No electric, no computers, no cell phones. In fact very little anything compared to what he was used too. It had been a real shock to the system. But there were good points. He was sure there were, he just needed a few moments to think of them. He nodded to Lenara and her dragon, giving them a smile. He saw Eternity and moved next to her, smiling at Kaira and Aura.
"So, nervous, excited or both?" he asked her, looking into the gaping maw of an entrance and wondering just what this was all about..
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Post by syren on Sept 20, 2014 23:59:05 GMT
Jenesys was still getting used to this new life. The crash had of course rattled him but it was the idea that he'd never see his family again...the only family he had now. Ever since crashing his nose had been in any book, scroll, or document he could get his hands on. He had to find a way to return from where they had come. he was sure some of the other students wanted to return home as well...though none seemed to really be trying to find a way back. He was in the Records Room when the call came, quietly mumbling to himself as he was running through calculations, he knew that if they could rebuild and shuttle and replicate the circumstances of the occurrence. He jumped at the voice in his brain...man it was hard getting used to this.
After packing up his notes and the scrolls he needed into his satchel he made his way out of the Records Room, nearly blinding himself from the sun. Making his way to the Hatching Grounds he saw a number of other people already gathered around. He saw a few firelizards about and couldn't help but stare...as a child he'd been told stories about dragons, but seeing them...well. His eyes turned to the large form of one of the dragons and swallowed nervously...he still didn't know how to act around them and now they were to touch the eggs that were soon to hatch? What if he damaged one of them?! |
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Post by slush on Sept 21, 2014 0:55:38 GMT
Amelia had been exploring. She wanted to learn as much about her new home as she could, and now that she was well, she was always out and about when they didn't have lessons. And if she was being honest, she'd also been combing the beaches for fire lizard eggs which were rumored to be found there. She'd come up out of breath and empty handed, with more freckles on her cheeks than when she'd started.
She was just thinking how luxurious a bath sounded--oh, what she wouldn't given for the modern convenience of an Earth shower!--when Hyzeth's summons rang across the Weyr. She cursed, automatically looking around to make sure Serenity wasn't in earshot. Though the girl was largely grown herself now, Amelia still hated the thought of her baby sister picking up her bad habits.
There was nothing for it. She'd have to attend the touching covered in sweat and salt and pink with sun. At least the sand coating her currently-bare feet would fit right in in the Hatching Caverns. She sighed, running a hand through her strawberry-blonde hair. It wasn't neat, either, but she absolutely would not be late again. The only thing she paused long enough to do was grab a pair of sandals. If she remembered correctly, visiting the Hatchings Sands barefoot was probably a bad idea. Shoes in had, she hustled toward the cavern. Aura sat outside attending to her fire lizard. Amelia waved to the other girl as she passed, feeling a stab of pity for her. She slipped her feet into the sandals right at the mouth the of the cavern. Iabureth was outside; she wasn't sure how to properly greet the Aquamarine, but it seemed rude to just breeze by. So, she looked into the dragon's whirling eyes and nodded respectfully. Hopefully that was appropriate.
Upon entering the Sands, she was immediately relieved to find that she was early. The heat within only exacerbated the itching of her skin, but she shrugged it off. Her heart fluttered with excitement. There were two full-grown dragons here for her to admire, and they got to actually touch the eggs today! She was nearly wriggling with excitement. Apparently, so were the other Earth-born, because they were the only ones that had arrived so far. She wished Theo and Serenity would hurry. Her blue eyes swept across the assembled, and she gave absent smiles to all of them. "Hello, everyone," she murmured, dipping her head. Out of long habit, her searching gaze caught on Lenara, from whom she awaited further instruction.
Navelon was in the Dining Hall having a very-late breakfast. He'd been up before the sun, plotting out and setting up his garden. His hands and his clothes were stained with soil, and the damp smell of it clung to his skin and hair. He was munching the last bite of a meatroll when Hyazeth's voice pierced his sleepy plant-thoughts. The Touching! He jumped up, grabbing his empty plate in one hand and his half-drunk klah in the other. He drained the cup as he walked toward the kitchens to drop off his dishes.
Shee whizzed into the cavern just then, trilling excitedly. She kept sending him images of the eggs--apparently she'd been in the Sands peeking--and pulses of anticipation. "Yes, yes, we're going. Although you'd best behave." She lit on his shoulder as he plodded toward the barracks, nuzzling at his cheek. As he stopped at the washbasin to clean his hands and face, she splashed in the tepid water. "Now you're going to get my shirt all wet," he complained, but the pearl simply chirped at him. He shook his head and set off for the Hatching Sands.
"Good morning, Iabureth," he greeted the Aquamarine as he passed inside the cavern. Once he hit the radiating heat of the Sands, he turned his attention to the clutch parents. "Thank you for allowing us here today Aketh, Hyzeth." He nodded to the Pearl and Diamond, as well as their riders.
Though the heat of the sand was stifling, Navelon barely seemed to feel it. He was bred in the deserts of Igen, after all. He looked around at the collection of unfamiliar faces. None of them were Pernese, as far as he could tell, but in a few sevendays, once many of them had become riders, that would hardly matter. It was an interesting thought. He wondered how they were dealing with the culture shock and what they thought about this longstanding tradition.
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Post by Lynn on Sept 21, 2014 1:44:35 GMT
Lin watched quietly until all of them had arrived-or at least most of them-then strode forwards, glancing at Lenara with a smile and inclining her head, then looking to the Candidates once more. "So, little Hatchlings. Aketh has decided that today is the day you get to meet her eggs for the first time. You are all quite lucky, really, given the status of these eggs only a month and a week ago." She winked at them, then grew serious once more. "Now, we're going to do this in groups, by both age and gender. I will explain the process for you, so there is no chance of confusion. You are to move among the eggs, only LIGHTLY grazing your fingers over the tops, and only for a few seconds at a time. We do not wish any of these Hatchlings to be Pre-Impressed to one of you, as that can cause more problems than its worth, believe me." She then smiled impishly. "You might get a reaction out of the eggs. Gerith certainly did, when the larger Queen bopped her on the nose."We'll start with all females over the age of seventeen." The Weyrwoman looked them over carefully, then her face grew serious again. "And heed this warning well. If you are told to leave the Sands, DO NOT ARGUE. Aketh is a patient beast, but only with those who are worthy of it."
Kaira nodded to herself as she listened to Lin's instructions, and when the Queenrider motioned to the older girls, she moved forwards with them, feeling a little bit out of place, both for her lack of knowledge and for her being older than most of the other girls in that particular group. Shaking away the feeling, she moved among the eggs, noting their circular pattern. Must be from Aketh curling around them, she thought, even as she dropped her fingers and ran them gently over a few of the smaller ones. She didn't sense any responses to her touch, but she COULD feel the small minds within the shells. They felt curious, and she had the odd sense they were aware of those outside their eggs, watching them through some other sense.
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Post by summerrain on Sept 21, 2014 2:06:21 GMT
Lenara nodded back at the young Weyrwoman, unperturbed by the nearly ten Turn difference in their ages. Some Weyrwomen had Impressed young, and rare was the Weyrling that was over thirty Turns. It was just unheard of. Herself, she'd Impressed at the same age her sister had, at fifteen. But Helena was much older than herself, due to their father sleeping around. Ah, whatever. Only a few people knew the details of what had happened, and only those people needed to know. She didn't even harbor ill feelings toward Helena for disappearing on her when she became a Candidate; the reasoning was explained eventually. She'd already sent one letter since her arrival, but mostly keeping the Igen Weyrwoman updated on the goings-on of the incomplete Weyr. And to request additional Crafters to help get everything built in time for the Hatching.
She watched silently, making sure that none of the Candidates were misbehaving. She was glad that most of the Pern-born Candidates that had been sent over were older, less likely to make mistakes or be asked to leave. Hopefully all would go well today.
Eternity held back as Kaira and the other girls went first, the oldest ones. Tears brimmed in her eyes when she realized that her sister was supposed to be in that group. She blinked them away quickly, hoping nobody noticed. Of course, she couldn't hide it from Siren, but how was she expected to hide anything from a creature who was bonded to her through a mental connection? She took a breath and got her mind back on track. Dragons, eggs that were bound to Hatch soon, and her chance to Impress a beast so incredible. And two Queen eggs! Though she didn't actually expect a Queen to choose her, she knew that whatever color her dragon was, it would be the best match for her.
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Post by Red on Sept 21, 2014 14:45:22 GMT
.: Theodore :.
Tag: Slush/Amelia & Summer/Eternity
Theo was one of the last candidates to arrive, only just on time. He had been in the forge again, talking to the smiths about the viability of making the delicate gears and cogs of a watch. For now of course the debate was entirely academic. Until he was cleared for heavy work, Theo could only learn the theories behind what the smiths did here. Once he was however, he could work on a proof of concept. He was hoping that pocket watches would be a viable idea with what the pernese had on offer, but even if they weren't, the general consensus among the smiths was that the larger grandfather clocks, and perhaps even a few smaller wall mounted types should be doable.
There was a streak of soot in Theo's blond hair from where he had used a dirty hand to push some away from his face when it had come loose. While he'd been able to quickly wipe away the rest of the streaks which had marked his skin when the call for the lesson came, he hadn't known the black stripe in his hair was there, and thus it was still in place.
Spotting his twin already there, Theo came up beside her. "Hey" He bumped his shoulder against hers, glad that she was here. "Relax Ally" He said with a grin "I don't think the eggs are going anywhere any time soon" He could understand why she was so excited, but he couldn't help feeling amused at how excited his sister was.
The first group of candidates was waved forward and Theo watched as both his sisters went with them. Looking around at those who remained, he spotted Eternity. "Hey" He moved over to her "You alright?" Theo always worried about the younger kids, but Eternity had worried him for a while with how sad she had been.
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.: Serenity :.
Tag: Slush/Amelia
Where others had brought their flits to the sands with them, Serenity had done her best to make hers stay behind. She was pretty sure that letting them come with her on hatching day would be a very bad idea, and thought it best to start off as she meant to continue, which meant making it clear to Lily and Thorn that they were not allowed onto the sands when there was a mother dragon with her clutch. Even if said mother didn't mind have firelizards on the sands, Serenity felt certain that firelizards and just hatched dragons would be a disaster waiting to happen come hatching day.
She waved to her siblings when she spotted them, grinning at Theo and reaching out to touch Amelia on the shoulder. Before she could say anything, Aketh's rider called forward the first group of candidates. With the way it was worded, Serenity assumed that she was supposed to go with that group. She was seventeen after all.
Though they had been told not to spend too long with any one egg, Serenity did take her time about her walk, making sure to spend a few moments with each egg. She really didn't know what kind of dragon she wanted. To tell the truth, Serenity was still in the process of absorbing that there were dragons and that bonding with them was possible. It had barely been a month after all, hardly time to truly absorb such life changing information. Sometimes the whole thing still felt so very surreal to her.
Is one of you waiting for me? She silently asked the eggs. She hoped that, when hatching day came, the answer would be 'yes'.
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Post by syren on Sept 21, 2014 14:45:59 GMT
Jenesys listened to every word offered and spoke, he personally didn't think he'd be on this world for very long, not with all the work he was doing. However, there was no way he was going to insult anyone here. Gripping his satchel close he again looked to the large beasts that were near and gave a shy smile before looking to Lin...so the girls would go first...ok, that wasn't a problem, though it seemed that if all the older girls would go first then the younger ones would follow then the older boy. He blinked at Lin's words...a reaction from the eggs? They weren't even close to hatching they couldn't have a reaction, even the creature on Earth couldn't do that.
He would have held in the question, but it was a question that would bother him until he could learn the answer. "Excuse me, ma'am...but I don't understand. How do the eggs react...even on Earth the offspring inside couldn't do more then move around while they were growing," he said curiously. He just couldn't fathom that a creature could have some kind of conscious thought before it was born. Now if it was true...he was going to have to do a little more hands on research, actually get out of the records room and study the local fauna...maybe head down to the beach for a few hours. Granted, right now he had a few moments to study those around him and his surroundings a bit more, though it wasn't like he could simply wander off and look around right now.
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Post by slush on Sept 21, 2014 16:44:51 GMT
Amelia grinned at her brother's approach. "You've been with the Smiths again, I see," she whispered, pointing at his hair. Her smile only widened when he teased her. "Oh, come on. This is the first time we get to see them up close! And probably the only time before the Hatching. I wish I could study them a bit more in depth. Some of their features are more reptilian--the eggs, for one, and their sunning behavior--but the lack of scales and their ability to thermoregulate suggests a mammal." She frowned, pensive. She was so lost in thought about the evolutionary origin of dragons that she hardly noticed when Teddy moved away to check on Eternity.
She snapped to attention when the Queen's rider began speaking, and of course, she couldn't resist the question that sprang to her lips. "What is pre-Impression? How is something like that even possible?" she wondered aloud as she drifted toward the clutch. For the first couple of eggs, she was focused more on the texture and appearance of the shells. It came as a surprise, then, when, as her fingertips brushed the crown of the third egg, she felt a wisp of something...else. Their was some consciousness there, brushing questioningly against hers. It was faint, and the connection dissolved as quickly as it had appeared. Still, Amelia was amazed. Her mind was suddenly empty of scientific inquiry and filled with blatant awe. Now, when she touched each egg, she felt the tenuous, shivering touch of the developing mind inside. She hadn't expected anything like this from the Touching. She'd assumed it was just a way to get them comfortable with the atmosphere of the Hatching Sands so none of them would do anything wrong come Hatching day. But this, this was something special. It was a pity they couldn't have more time, truly.
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Post by Faeran on Sept 21, 2014 17:15:12 GMT
Kyravu approached the hatching sands perhaps a little later than he should. He bowed to the queen, her rider and the Weyrling mistress and mumbled his apologies as he listened to the Pearl rider speak. The older girls went first, and Kyravu watched, wondering if any eggs would react to him. And if they did, how would it be? An egg twitch? Would he feel the dragon's mind? Kyravu frowned, wondering what the risks of Pre-Impression were, and why it wasn't a good idea for such an event to take place. Would it interrupt the growth of the hatchling? Would it cause accidental Impression between two incompatible mindmates? What were the risks of Impressing the wrong dragon...was there even any such thing?
All the questions buzzed around Kyravu's mind, as a growing sense of anticipation filled his chest. Soon...soon, the eggs would be hatching, and soon, he might find the answers. Or they would be left unchecked, and eventually be forgotten.
His eyes wandered the smaller eggs, frown still set upon his face. Briefly, he glanced at the two queen eggs, an interested glint in his eyes. He quickly looked away though - a man couldn't Impress a Queen, could he? Not from what Kyravu knew of dragons. But if one of those turned out to be a king...A dangerous grin was quickly stifled, as he firmly told himeself no. He would not risk upsetting the clutch mother, and he would pay each egg due attention. He was a healer darn it, not a leader.
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Post by .:Nox:. on Sept 21, 2014 17:39:42 GMT
(Ooc: *punts computer* typed on my phone, so sorry if they are short)
Tre
The boy was ready and eager to see the eggs up close. He crowded as close as he was allowed, his eyes locking on all the larger eggs, except the Queen ones of course. Since the women were called first, he stood aside, letting them get to the eggs.
Jena
When her age group was called first, the woman stepped forward, eyeballing all of the eggs for which were the most aesthetically pleasing. She gravitated towards them slowly, nodding a greeting to the Queen and her mate before approaching close enough to barely brush her hands on the shell. She moved to the next and touched it too. She tentatively inched toward the queen eggs, her glance flicking to the mother to make sure she was allowed. If so, she briefly touched first one, then the other be for retreating back to the group.
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Post by Row on Sept 21, 2014 18:03:41 GMT
When the call to join the eggs at the Sands for the Touching, Anka dropped what she was doing, which sadly ended up meaning she dropped poor Imp on her rump. Before she could get to far, Kia started growling and even as she tried to rush away from her canines, she was also scooping Imp up and running with her in her arms. "I'm so sorry little one . . . but there are things in this world that we don't question and when the Diamond King calls you for the chance of a lifetime to Touch his mate's eggs for a chance at Impressing a dragon, you drop what you're doing and go," she explained to the canine as she ran, earning herself several odd looks from the Weyrfolk she passed. Caior and Gaol chittered back and forth, while Kia followed at Anka's heels. "Kia, I need you to keep everyone here," she stated, pausing long enough to gently set Imp down before rushing off again. She waved to her pets, knowing she would owe each of them for dumping like she was, but the excitement was in the air.
The eggs were finally ready to be Touched!!
Reaching the Sands, she found a gathered group of Candidates, the Weyrling Mistress, and the Weyrwoman and her mate. She had only just arrived when Lin began speaking and found out that she would be going with the first group to Touch the eggs. The nerves finally jumped in and she found herself having to shake her hands out least her entire body start shaking. Normally good at controlling her emotions, the young woman found her teeth grinding together, her palms a little sweaty, and her pulse jumping in her throat. If this was the excitement of the Touching, she was bound to faint when time came for the Hatching.
Stepping out with the first group of females, Anka weaved between the eggs. She did her best not to linger to long, but at each egg her fingertips slid over, she imagined a beautiful dragon within, just waiting for the right chance to hatch and join them on the Sands. She didn't want to just run straight for the two Queen eggs, so instead she started with the smaller eggs, the the two medium, two large ones, and finally she stood before the two Queen eggs. Fingertips touched the eggs and she imagined strong, powerful Queens that would rule over their own Weyr and have their own clutches of baby dragons one day. But it was a fleeting touch. Anka doubted that she would be the choice of a Queen, her touch was more to form a bond of friendship with the Queens, allowing them to know her in the future. Smiling, tears in her eyes, she turned back to the group, actually glad she was part of the first group and now would be able to watching the others reactions, instead of wondering what would happen.
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The Diamond King's call surprised Duncan that his tool he was working with ended up slipping and stabbing him in the hand. All Adhainn heard was her human began cursing, though she wasn't sure why. His hand wasn't bleeding, but watching him suck on the limb and grumble under his breath made her worry. Duncan had to end up cuddling Adhainn just to call the lassie down before he left her on his cot, glaring at the tool that dare bite him. He honestly wouldn't be surprised if he came back later and found teeth marks on the tool.
But that would have to wait. Making his way out to the Sands, he ended up following a fellow Candidate who he had seen at the first lesson. When he heard that he wouldn't be with the first group, he actually let out a deep breath. He wasn't sure he would have known what to do, thankfully the woman explained and he figured he could do that and not damage something.
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Post by Lynn on Sept 21, 2014 22:37:05 GMT
Lin heard the questions, and a smile flickered over her lips. They came from those not of her world, but either way, they deserved an answer. "Pre-Impression is basically a mental connection forming before the dragonet is truly READY for it, which can traumatize the Hatchling and make Hatching Day far more difficult for them than it should be. As for reactions. Dragons are not mere animals, and even now they are already AWARE of their surroundings, though only peripherally. They can sense when someone approaches their egg, or when a mind touches their's, even if not on purpose, and they react to it, or not, depending on the Hatchling."
Kaira finished moving through the eggs, only glancing at the Queens, rather than making any movement to touch them. Even that seemed to be enough though, as the larger one shifted slightly, as if pulled towards her, and Aketh actually rumbled in amusement at its actions, looking to Kaira calmly. The young woman inclined her head with respect, then turned and rejoined her fellows, just watching as the other girls moved among the eggs as well. The two large Non-Queen eggs seemed as different as night and day, for as each girl approached, the smaller one shifted eagerly towards them, while the larger, slightly darker one remained still and unmoved. Among the small eggs, there seemed almost a shudder that passed over several when they were touched, then they fell still again as well. And the two Queens seemed calm, but the larger one was definitely curious, while the smaller seemed almost hesitant and unsure, shifting back from those who attempted to brush her shell.
Once all the elder girls had touched and returned, Lin motioned to the younger girls with a smile, her eyes intent on them. These would be the ones she would need to watch, she thought, and Aketh shifted ever so slightly so she could keep an eye on all of them, rather than just those she felt might be trouble.
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Post by summerrain on Sept 22, 2014 1:47:40 GMT
Eternity watched as each of the older girls returned to the line. Then it was her turn. She took a breath and silently told Siren to stay put at the back of the group so nothing went wrong. She stepped forward, wiping her sweaty palms on her skirt, and began to walk slowly though the eggs. It really was warm in here... But, well, the heat was needed for the eggs to harden.
She reached her hands out, spreading her fingers and letting them brush the eggshells. She winced as a muddled emotion brushed her mind, turning to look at the last egg that she touched. But before she could understand what the emotion was that she felt, it was gone, leaving her blinking a bit stupidly in the middle of the eggs. She shook her head and continued a moment later, reaching the Queen eggs. She bowed her head to Aketh before she reached toward the smaller of the two, almost hesitating to touch the shimmering eggshell. She touched it with her fingertips, surprised to find that it attempted to move away from her. Well, at least she wasn't alone in her nervousness. She smiled slightly before turning to the larger Queen egg, which seemed to lean toward her. Hm. Well, quite different personalities already and they hadn't even Hatched yet. She looked over at the other eggs and made her way back toward the group of Candidates, realizing that her hands were shaking.
Why am I so nervous... she wondered silently. Is... Is it because this is the first time that I've done something on my own? Something that my sisters haven't already done...? Acacia and Aster were twenty and in college, they were due to graduate in just a year or so. Things that Serenity and Eternity did didn't seem to matter as much, simply because the twins had done it before them. But this. This was something that was hers alone. If only she'd been able to tell her parents... She sighed quietly as she took her place again amid the Candidates.
______
Lenara watched them as well, but she said nothing. She was simply here to observe, so see who got the most reactions from the eggs. That way, she could guess with decent accuracy who would be Impressing. She said nothing as the younger girls stepped forward. This was probably her only chance to observe a Touching, with a new Candidatemaster arriving within a few days. She hadn't been to one since she Impressed Iabureth, it was quite different being a spectator.
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