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Post by Fern on Sept 22, 2014 3:12:19 GMT
Tobias was very good at remaining invisible. His quiet, aloof nature did not garner many friends or opportunities for conversation. That was alright by him. He was used to being 'alone'. He had almost convinced himself that he preferred it that way. Especially was that so now when so many of his group from the shuttle accident was crying for home. He wasn't heartbroken over the fact he may never see his parents again. He was used to not seeing them. Boarding schools, summer camps and the like kept him away from them most of the time. When he was stuck at home, life was beyond miserable for him. Beatings and confinement in the closet under the stairs wasn't even the half of it. But what did he know? According to his father, it was for his own good. It would make him stronger. Had it made him stronger? Who knew? What it did make him was glad. Glad that he would never have to see them again.
He felt a twinge of guilt that he felt relieved about being here when many of his group were heartbroken or having a hard time adjusting. Some were adjusting a lot better than others but, he still felt distant from them. He felt distance from everyone really. Was he adjusting well? He was doing his best. While some were studying records and putting themselves to crafts, he had stuck around the pernese and if any of them wanted to talk his ear off, he would listen politely. He knew records were good and he had read a few of them, but he chose to interact with the people themselves. Which might seem odd for one so aloof by nature. At least he wasn't made to talk much. He let them do all the talking. He simply listened. In fact, in the month since they had landed, had he spoken at all? Maybe. Maybe not. Could he if he wanted to? Yes. There was nothing wrong with his voice. He just found it better to use his ears and eyes instead. No reason to fill the air with his own noise, especially if he didn't know anything to make a worthwhile contribution. Was he shy or uncertain? No. He was of a head-strong sort and not shy in the least. He wasn't arrogant though either. He was respectful and kind.
When the king dragon entered his mind with an invitation to come to the hatching sands. He dipped his head politely to the one he had been listening to as he had helped chop the tubers for the next meal. Being ushered out of the kitchens by a knowing cook, he set his apron down and headed away. His hands in his pockets and his eyes alert and watchful.
Arriving with the others, he showed his respect with a slight bow, as he'd learned through the tales from the pernese. Then he straightened, remained at the back of the group and leaned up against one of the walls there at the entrance with arms crossed over his chest and his face holding a muted expression that was hard to read. Inside, his mind and heart were open and friendly towards this event. He had heard stories about such a thing and was rather keen to experience it himself. The older girls were given instruction to go first. He watched them all carefully. He also watched the eggs, the expressions of the others, both pernese and earthling and the slight shifting of movements of the eggs and also the creatures that sired and bore them. His eyes were not darting here and there, they were calm and slowly roving about. He might look disinterested by some maybe, but he was anything but. He noticed everything he possibly could. And he was content.
The younger girls went in next as the older girls were returned to their group. He could hear whispered comments begin between those that had been and those that still were made to wait. He did not whisper. He merely watched and waited his turn.
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Post by Lynn on Sept 24, 2014 1:46:47 GMT
Once the younger girls had Touched the eggs, Lin motioned them back. "Since all you lads seem to be roughly the same age anyways, I'd like all of you to go together. Remember, only touch the eggs for a second or two, no more than that. That will allow the Hatchlings to get a feel for you." She then fell quiet, watching and waiting to see what the boys did, especially the newcomers. It would be interesting to see how this Hatching played out, with so MANY newcomers. Jet black eyes had tracked the progress of every Candidate for the eggs, and she'd noted a lack of one who probably should have been present.
Joana said she was not allowed to come. She did not wish her to get her hopes up before she was ready, the Queen said calmly, even as she also examined the Candidates moving among her eggs.
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Post by Red on Sept 24, 2014 2:49:15 GMT
.: Theodore Miller :.
Theo looked around when the queen rider commented that the boys seemed to be all about the same age. It did seem to be true. Most of those gathered around were in their late teens, partly he thought because a number of the younger campers were still in the infirmary. There had been some very bad wounds among the little ones.
He started forward when they were told, eager for his chance to get close to the eggs. His first moment of brushing his work roughened fingers against the shell of an egg was a startling moment. They were so warm, the shell hard against his touch. He fancied that he could feel the hatchling within, waiting for the day they were ready to hatch and pick on of the gathered candidates for their own. Though he would wait as long as it took, Theodore hoped that that day would come sooner rather than later.
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Post by Fern on Sept 24, 2014 3:58:17 GMT
Tobias, though he did not look like it, was rather eager for his own turn to enter the sands and actually touch a dragon's egg. For the very first time in human history... well, for the very first time for his knowledge of Earth's history, he was about to cross a threshold. One that there was no coming back from. No, he wasn't thinking the threshold was impressing. He was living in the moment currently and at this point in time and space, his heartbeat pounded out a rhythm of desire to let himself be known to creatures as honorable and fantastical as he could ever imagine. Would they accept him? Would they shove him away as unworthy? He did not let himself think of what might become. He only thought of his first touch. That first connection of life upon the unborn and he caught his breath in a hidden moment when it was announced that those his age and gender would now be allowed upon the sands.
Taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly, he filed into the area and gave his deepest bow he could to show his respects before moving towards the dragon's young. A hand was carefully placed upon one and he stood there almost enraptured by the act he was involved in. He, Tobias Marken, was touching a real true-to-life dragon egg. It was impossible to wrap his mind around. Getting lost in the moment, he suddenly realized that he did not know how long he had been touching the egg. Had it been only a brief second or had it been for an eternity? He had no idea. Worried for it, if his touch had lingered to long, he pulled his hand away and smiled at it a little as his brows creased with uncertainty.
Several eggs were touched by him in all sizes. He even approached the two queen's eggs but did not touch them. A simple head nod that was very subtle was his shown respect to them. Was he done with the egg touching? He wasn't certain. He looked around and wondered if there were others he had not yet touched. His gaze ended up resting upon the first egg he had touched and he found himself trying to sketch it indelibly into his memory. He wanted to remember this one in particular. It had been very special for him. It had been his first dragon egg he had ever touched. He wondered for a brief moment then who it would impress to. Shoving that thought aside, he raised his chin slightly as he bolstered himself and looked around at the others again. He found himself not wanting to leave. When the others started heading back to the group, then he would also. Just... not yet.
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Post by .:Nox:. on Sept 24, 2014 20:02:46 GMT
Tre
It was the turn for the boys and Tre was ready. He completely ignored all of the smaller eggs and made his way directly to the larger ones. He knew that he deserved the best, and so he only intended to give them the chance to meet him. He walked through them slowly, touching each one. He didn't touch the Queen eggs of course, but he did make sure to touch both of the large eggs, and after some though, he also touched the two medium eggs. He completely avoided the 9 smaller ones, not even coming close enough for his clothes to touch them. After he judged that enough time had passed, he walked back to the main group, awaiting further instruction.
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Post by syren on Sept 25, 2014 0:10:52 GMT
Jenesys looked to Lin when she stated that all the boys could go since everyone was about the same age. He glanced around and had to agree, there was no one very very young so it made sense. Stepping forward with the other boys he rubbed his hands against his hips before he followed the example of a few of the other candidates. He turned to the mother of the eggs and offered he a respectful nod before approaching the eggs. Reaching out he gently brushed his fingers over one of the eggs, he didn't think it would matter if he touched them all, his slender fingers brushing over each shell for only a moment before moving on, he even Touched the Queen Eggs, why not? When he finished he made his way back away from the clutch, joining the other boys to await further instruction, his eyes straying back to the eggs curiously.
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Post by Row on Sept 25, 2014 0:25:24 GMT
Duncan
Watching the female Candidates go up to the eggs first gave Duncan an idea of what he should do. But when it came time for the males to go out among the eggs, he felt like his feet were made of lead, even though they were clearly burning on the hot Sands. Stepping forward with the group of males, he drifted along the eggs, finger tips only resting on the eggs for a few moments. He lingered before a few, but made himself move on so as not to upset either the Riders of the mothers, or the mothers. Once he was through walking through the eggs, he realized he had been quiet rude and hadn't even greeted the sitting mother.
Quickly, he turned toward the Queen and bowed deeply. "I do apologize, lassie. Here I am rubbin' on yer eggs and I didnae even greet ye properly. Do forgive me and may I say what beautiful eggs ye have and are protectin'," he ofered, not sure what the proper words were to say to the Queen, but he still wanted to say something to her. That being done, he returned to a standing position and moved back in line with the other Candidates.
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Post by slush on Sept 27, 2014 23:38:13 GMT
Despite the fact that he'd done this before, Navelon was filled with the same nervous excitement as everyone else. He gave a stern look to Shee lest the little pearl misbehave. She chittered and hid her face in his neck. Navelon stepped forward with the rest of the males, his eyes sweeping greedily over the clutch. Perhaps his destiny was in this very cavern, waiting, growing inside one of those eggs.
The stifling heat was forgotten as he marched forward, pausing only to offer a deep bow to Aketh. He was mindful of the warning not to linger too long--clutchmothers were as a rule fiercely protective. Some would not even allow a Touching ceremony to take place. Nav was not keen to ruin his chances by getting on the queen's bad side. And even to a Weyrbred Pernese lad, a brooding queen was an awe-inspiring sight.
His hands were shaking, he was irritated to note, as he gently laid them upon the crowns of the shells. Each touch was excruciatingly light, though he knew the shells were more than tough enough to withstand their touches. He felt the questing minds of the dragonets within each mottled orb, and their ephemeral touches stirred longing within him. He was shocked at how swiftly the wanting came back. He thought this time he wouldn't be so very desperate to Impress, but now that he was here again...he still wanted it more than anything. It was unsettling to think that this was probably his very last chance. If his lifemate wasn't here, then he would be no dragonrider.
The realization was a sobering one, but he wouldn't let it spoil the moment. He navigated carefully through the scattering of eggs, breathing deeply as he lingered for a few seconds over each. All too quickly, it was over. He patted the last egg thoughtfully and stepped away.
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Post by Lynn on Sept 27, 2014 23:55:17 GMT
Aketh was soon satisfied and rumbled, and Lin nodded, shooing the Candidates back to the doorway. "Well done, little ones," she said mildly, a smile touching her lips. "Now, as Aketh has decided this Touching is done, my advice to you all is go back to your Barracks and consider this day carefully. You are allowed three candlemarks until your must be back to your chores for this reflection." She then inclined her head to Lenara and the Candidates and returned to the Cavern and her brooding Queen.
Standing outside, Kaira cocked her head slightly and rested her cheek on Isis' small back. The little Diamond hummed softly, snuggling closer, and her person sighed softly. "So now we consider," she murmured softly, straightening her viewpoint and looking around her at the others. Her eyes went to Lenara, and she watched the Rider and waited.
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Post by Fern on Sept 30, 2014 18:35:25 GMT
Tobias stood there for a while longer, taking in all of the eggs and candidates and sights he could see. The sand underfoot was causing him to shift his feet often and he was getting pretty hot overall. But he was not worried about such discomforts. He wanted to experience this moment for as long as he was allowed. When Aketh rumbled out, he looked to her quickly hoping no one had offended her. She did not look offended. But he was very cautious all the same. When Lin began to shoo him and the others towards the doorway, he went obediently but with one more glance around before he went.
Standing outside, slightly separated from the rest of the group out of habit, he listened as instruction was given. Three candlemarks was three hours. They would reflect on what they had experienced for that time in their barracks until chores were to be done. Okay. He wasn't planning on going back to his barracks room. There was somewhere else he usually went to 'reflect' and he headed off from the others to do just that. He was going to sneak up to the crash site, his foxden of safety, and relax with his thoughts.
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