OOC Note:  After reading this log, I'm terribly ashamed of what a twink Arial was.  Sigh.  Oh well, it keeps me humble.  ;-)

 "Hello," Karlin greets, looking at Kerpan.

Kerpan smiles and returns the wave, "Hi, hope I didn't miss anything."

Odesa saunters over to the railing and has a seat, biting her nails.

Taia is just standing, poised as if watching, but with closed eyes.  She is listening to something...

Arial materializes out of thin air.

"Well," and Karlin points out of the galleries, "not much."

Amalthia smiles and waves.  "Hello Arial."

Arial enters belated, looking a bit peeved, and settles in a darkened corner, her eyes on the sands below her.

"Miss anything?  Nothin's happenin.  I'm just lookin.  See what I found?"  Clara offered the unknown substance to Kerpan, admitting that "I don't know what it is, 'xactly..."

"Hello, Arial," Karlin greets, smiling.

Kerpan nods his head after peering at the sands and the lack of action below..."Hmmm so I see..that's good I didn't want to miss too much."

Kerpan looks at the substance he's handed by Clara..."Can't say what it is Clara....here you can have it back." as he hands it back to her.

A'razi glides in from the ledge.

Arial waves slightly to those calling out a greeting, her face still turned towards the Sands, but a frown is evident.

A'razi descends the stairs towards the Ground's entrance.

From the Sands, A'razi glides onto the sands from the entrance.

Amalthia smiles..  "What's wrong Arial?"

"Sorry, Arial. Not much yet," Karlin tells Arial softly.

Claransa plucks the object from Kerpan's fingers, and sets herself down to pick at it with a fingernail.

From the Sands, A'razi leaves to the Entrance.

Odesa pulls out some fresh juice and takes a long refreshing drink.

Amalthia smiles and grins slyly.  "Let me guess.  Everybody is here to see the clutching right?"

Karlin looks at Odesa and then at the fresh juice.

Taia sinks gracefully to a chair, paying little heed to where it is, or where she is.  She just watches and listens.

Odesa Slyly passes some juice to Karlin

"Yes, Amalthia," Karlin says, nodding.

Tenneba materializes out of thin air.

Amalthia smiles and waves to her old friend.  "Hello Tenneba."

Karlin notices the juice being past to him. "Uh," and he takes the juice, "thanks."

Amalthia notices the juice passing.  "Can I have some Odesa?"

Tenneba says, "Hi, Amalthia!  Good to see you!"

Charlton materializes out of thin air.

Amalthia smiles and nods.  "Good to see you too.  How've you been?"

Arial sits in stony silence, hidden against the shadows.  She mumbles something about interfering harpers and emanates a coldness around her.

Amalthia smiles and waves.  "Master Charlton!  Hello!"

Callista materializes out of thin air.

Odesa laughing gleefully "Sure, it came all the way from SC just today!

Charlton makes an oh-so-subtle entrance. "Hello, hello!" Everybody, hello.

Karlin turns around to see Master Charlton. "Hello, master."

Amalthia laughs and takes the juice that Odesa offers.

Kembar glances up and waves a greeting towards the Masterharper.  "'lo, Master Charlton..."

Arial offers a half-hearted wave to the MasterHarper, her eyes listless, watching the sands before her.

Taia just watches, her face not blank, but balanced.  Not joy, not sorrow, just curiosity and interest.

Charlton smiles and waves, waves and smiles. Looks appropriately enthusiastic. Sits. (Notices moody apprentice. Doesn't interfere.)

Nettik ascends the staircase from the Hatching Grounds.

Clutching?  Claransa peers down at the sands.  "Wow.  I though I was just here to look around."

Kerpan looks around wondering when the "event" is supposed to happen, then looking around noticing those he knows and some he hasn't met yet.

Myra materializes out of thin air.

Minali materializes out of thin air.

Nettik sits down feeling dazed. So many people!

"Well," and Karlin gives a smile, "came here to see the clutching, Master Charlton?"

Amalthia glances curiously at Arial while taking a sip of her drink.  "My, my.  So many people!  Going to turn this into a harper thing before the clutching starts master Charlton?"

Amalthia peers back over the rails.

Odesa eyes Kerpan "Hey Kerpan, Excited?

Minali trots into the galleries, dusty hands habitually wiped on her thighs. "Callista!" She exclaims, waving to the herder and making her way in that direction. "You caught the earlier dragon, eh?"

You say, "Yes I am, this should be quite the event...."

Myra smiles, following the journeyman, quielty, but watching...

Amid a sudden case of nervous jitters (makes typing /fun/, don't ya know?), Zivath is bound for the Sands!

Arial squeezes tighter into her corner as more people arrive, more people crowding her.  If she hadn't promised to come, Arial would have liked to avoid the whole thing.

Odesa Aggreeably shaking her head "Yeah its my first time to see...

Kalanthe materializes out of thin air.

Rowena slinks with an eye-catching sway of hips in from the ledge.

Minali pauses in her head-on direction to wait for Myra to catch up. "Come on!" She exclaims to the master, beaming. "We wouldn't want Callista to get lonely." A wry wink is offered over her shoulder, and she skips down a few more steps. Pause. "Rowena!"

Amalthia smiles.  "Rowena!  Hello."

Nettik waves at Rowena.

Amalthia smiles and waves to Kalanthe.

Kalanthe slips over from the ledge, Sirikith settling in equably.

Karlin looks around when he hears some one say 'Rowena.' "Rowena?"

Kerpan finds a vacant spot and sits himself down, waiting for the event that's about to occur.

A finger-wiggle to Rowena--recognized.  Kinda.  Claransa offers a smile to all the new entries, anyway, amid excitement and whatnot, and then settles back in with her piece of solidified gook.  She shows it to somebody--anybody--nearby.  "What's it look like to you?"

Callista grins at Minali.  "Must have."

Rowena waves here and there as she wiggles through the crowd towards Master Charlton.  Hmm maybe there's a seat near him.  HOpefully.  "Hiya, Hiya is scatted around until she gets close to her objective.  "Hiya, Dearest Master."

A'razi ascends the staircase from the Hatching Grounds.

Kembar looks up and joins in the communal-Rowena wave.  "Hey, Rowena...!" he greets the Harper/Rider softly, with words and wave.

Kalanthe murmurs greetings here and there to those she recognizes, makes some sort of gesture towards those she doesn't know who're looking her way, and generally says nothing meaningful whatsoever.

Charlton nods to Karlin and shakes his head at Amalthia. "This is definitely not a harper thing. It's a weyr thing, or a cycle of life thing. Take your pick." Then, to Rowena, a simple grin.

A'razi flops right next to Rowena without bothering to check that the seat is indeed free.

Tamar ascends the staircase from the Hatching Grounds.

Amalthia laughs at Charlton's reply to her question and turns her attention back to the sands.

Kerpan moves his feet out of the way as folks passing by nearly trample them into mush..

Nettik waves to Tamar.

Karlin flexes his fingers. "Well, what to do?" he asks himself.

Ack?  See, Claransa /remembers/ A'razi.  He's the one who was chopping the furniture into little pieces.  See?  Some sort of memory going on inside that fuzzled mind.  Clara ducks, briefly, then comes back up again when she thinks he's passed.  Better.  Ahm.

"A'razi!" Another greeting is shouted out, courtesy of the journeyman healer named Minali. Excited beam takes it's place on her face, and she edges up against the railing. "When do you think the clutching'll actually start?"

Tamar grins and waves back at Nettik.

A scowl is thrown to a smith's apprentice as he sits too close to Arial's private space.  He backs off to sit in friendlier, more joyous company.  Arial just slouches and returns her gaze to the sands.

Caz materializes out of thin air.

Karlin looks at Arial. "What's wrong?"

Rowena wiggles closer to Master Charlton, giving A'razi more room, now which /was/ her objective?  "So whacha think Bro, is that green of yours gonna take mine ta the cleaners?"

Tamar pipes up. "Um, I've just come from the infirmary by the bowl, and Zivath is about ready to come to the hatching grounds," she offers.

A'razi grins at Row. "Aye, I think so." He waves at people randomly. Including Claransa. He did notice her, see?

Amalthia grins excitedly and avidly watches the sands, waiting for the golden dragon to appear.

Tenneba sees Tamar, and yells.  "Hi, Tamar!" waving violently to get her attention!

Hrethwulf materializes out of thin air.

Amalthia smiles and waves her greeting to Hrethwulf.

Hrethwulf almost stumbles in, he looks more than a litt le groggy.

"Hello," and Karlin waves, "Hrethwulf."

"Does that mean it'll start soon?" Minali tilts her head towards Tamar. Someone who knows something! Whee! "Because I've never been to a clutching." Smart nod, and she returns attention to the sands.

Tamar sees a wave, recognizes the face, and moves to sit by Tenneba. "You made it here!"

Hrethwulf says, "Er...hi"

Nettik waves to Hrethwulf.

Tenneba says, "At last!  Gosh, its' good to see you!  What a wild place!""

Tamar glances back ay the Journeyman Herder. "Um, yes, I believe so. I just left Zivath, who was ready to make her appearance very soon."

Caz moves over to sit in front of Rowena, looks over his shoulder and smiles a welcome...

Nettik weaves her way through the crowd to stand by Hrethwulf. He looked lonely.

Karlin grins when he hears some one say 'wild place.'

Rowena winks at Caz her lips curved into a soft smile.  Leaning forward she mutters.

Hrethwulf carries a full pitcher of klah...and stirs it.  so much for a single mug.  He makes his way to a seat.  Ending up somewhere behind Charlton.  He drinks a few sips from the pitcher

Tamar looks back to Tenne and grins. "Please tell me that you're staying afterwards until I can show you around the place."

You overhear Rowena mutter, "'lo love, ... glad ya made ... ... yer ..." to Caz.

"It'd better start soon," says Claransa, setting the little object down in the seat next to her.  Pity the person who sits there.  "I'm getting /bored/."  Normally, she'd crawl around until she found something interesting.  But even Clara has a shred of dignity--if only a very /small/ shred.

From the Sands, S'lan walks onto the sands from the entrance.

Tenneba smiles at Hrethwulf.  "Glad to see you on your feet, Apprentice!

From the Sands, S'lan leaves to the Entrance.

Hrethwulf says, "What hit me?"

"It's S'lan," Karlin says quietly.

Tenneba giggles.  "You woudn't cooperate, so just about, oh, 3 drops of fellis!  Have a good rest?

Taia watches the empty sands, rapt.

Nettik spies a vacant seat with a good view and claims it.

Amalthia laughs.  "Where Karlin?  I don't see him."

"Look!" Minali all but shrieks, beginning to bounce. Catching herself before the bounce can get out of hand, she remembers that she's above the sands. Way above them. Falling over the rail would be Very Bad. "Have you ever been to a hatching, Callista?"

Hrethwulf rubs at his eyes.  he turns to watch the proceedings, he turns back to Tenneba with a frown. "You drugged me?"

"He was there," Karlin tells Amalthia confused.

Very Bad.  Just ask Misha.  Kalanthe's hands move as if to plug her ears, but fall back down to her sides.

Callista sits quietly so as not to draw attention to herself.  "No!  I never have been."

Amalthia laughs at Hrethwulf's accusing tone and nods to Karlin.  "Okay."

You overhear Caz mutter, "... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... well, ... ... tired. I ... ... before ... here." to Rowena.

Taia has disconnected.

Karlin scratches his head. "Did I image him?" he tells himself still a bit confused.

From the Sands, Dorvath walks onto the sands from the entrance.

Taia has connected.

Kerpan looks to the sands seeing if anything is happening yet, seeing nothing of interest he returns to watching the crowd and seeing who he can recognize amongst the throng.

From the Sands, Zivath moves in a flash of flame-colored gold onto the sands from the entrance.

Tamar pipes up, "No Karlin, I saw him too."

From the Sands, Elisandra gracefully walks onto the sands from the entrance.

Amalthia smiles and pats Karlin's hand.  "I don't think you did.  He should be here.  Look!  There's Zivath!"

Odesa EEp!

Taia gasps.  "There she is!"

Tenneba looks seriously at Hrethwulf.  "Yes, I did.  You were overwrought, over tired, and in no condition.  All you wanted to do is drink Klah.  So, I helped you relax a bit."

"Amalthia," and points at Dovath on the sands, "It's Dorvath."

From the Sands, Karise strides onto the sands from the entrance.

From the Sands, Dorvath Croons to Zivath

Nettik has her mouth hanging, entranced.

Hrethwulf says, "Great winds...she's /huge/"

From the Sands, S'lan walks onto the sands from the entrance.

What about Misha? "I went to a hatching once," Minali continues blithely, eyes dancing from the dragon to the man on the sands and back to the apprentice perched next to her. "But never a clutching." Over the railing she leans, and lets out a whoop. Cheering the eggs on,  ya know...

From the Sands, Elisandra shakes her head, hotstepping it to the side. "Well, if you wouldn't /fuss/ so much, we'd -be- here by now!"

Myra sighs quietly, watching from her seat in the corner...

Odesa gets all tingly

Tamar grins, a little bit more used to the sight of egg heavy Zivath.

Taia's eyes are wide, and she can only watch and listen.

Tenneba looks entranced at the scene before her.  She remembers to close her mouth.

From the Sands, Karise wanders in, stopping just at the sands edge. Just cannon fodder, actually, shooing the occasional weyrchild from the entrance. "No...you can't play out here now. Go up to the galleries."

Arial tries to phase out the happy chatter surrounding her.  She'd rather be anywhere but here.  Arms crossed and body slouched, she gives off the impression of inapproachability.

From the Sands, S'lan starts shifting his wieght from foot to foot.

Karlin leans forward. "Let the show begin."

Kalanthe claims elbow-room on the railing, iron digging into flesh as she non-sequitors, "She's fatter than you were."

Down, down, looking down... Claransa boggles, just a little.  "I've never /seen/ such a fat dragon," she murmurs in awe.

Callista peers out over the rail, and is very quiet.  She want's to watch!

Nettik closes her mouth and leans slightly over the ledge.

From the Sands, Ribbons of heat rise, distorting the air with ribbons of heated air. Zivath waddles out onto the Sands, fussing at the loose surface. Her flame-colored hide, swollen with her brood, shimmers in the heat. She pauses for a time, as bejeweled gaze regards the baked expanse.

Rowena leans forward.  'Whatcha think any guesses on how many she'll lay?"

"Are the eggs actually going to come /out/ of the dragon?" Minali asks, incredulous at such a feat. "How do they /fit/? Dragon eggs are pretty big...?" She trails off, leaning as far over the railing as she dare.

Nettik says, "I wonder if she'll lay a queen...""

Taia doesn't speak, doesn't move.  BArely breathes, for that matter.  She just watches.

Sara materializes out of thin air.

Kembar sits forward in his seat, craning his neck and straining his eyes at the swollen gold on the sands.

"Amalthia," and Karlin walks over to the rails, "it's starting."

Odesa blows kisses at Zivath

Kerpan smiles at Minali's comments and continues to watch the unfolding drama on the sands...wonder if there will be a queen egg in the clutch?

Amalthia quietly watches the hatching, not saying anything for a while.  "Yes, I know Karlin.  I can see." :P

Amalthia waves to Sara.

"Maybe she'll just /pop/," offers Claransa, upon overhearing Minali's comment.  "Go boom, all over the Sands!  That'd be kinda messy, though."

Karlin looks at Amalthia. "Sorry, but I bit of excited."

Charlton smiles, as queen and bronze settle to the sands, and watches intently. Is that a quiver in Zivath's golden flank?

From the Sands, Even after her demanding impatience about having to get here NOW, Zivath does not seem to be in such an all-fired hurry as she picks and chooses exactly where she may deposit the overly cumbersome burden. Elisandra simply taps her toe, arms crossed to contain her impatience. "Oh, come /on/, Ziv." To which, the fiery gold sticks her tongue out at her lifemate. (Amazing what dragons can pick up, isn't it?)

"They fit," Kalanthe answers knowledgably to whoever spoke.

Hrethwulf drinks a few draughts of the klah...and watches enwrapt.

Caz gives those behind him a friendly smile then leans back against Row's knees, "Hmm, she's /sure/ big love. Maybe 35 do ya think?".

Tamar chuckles as she murmurs to Tenne, "So, how many you think? 35?"

Tamar hears a similar tally to her own, and grins over at Caz.

Claransa glances over to Kalanthe, picking out the speaker from the voice's direction.  "Wouldn't she have an awful big stomach ache?"

"A queen egg? There's gonna be another queen? Like Zivath?" Never speechless, is Minali. "Wow. I'm amazed." Indeedly. Over to Claransa she peers. "She'll just /pop/?" Brow furrows, and she turns her gaze to Kalanthe. "She's not going to pop, then?"

Karlin grabs the rails and then let's go.

Myra grins at the DragonTounge.... before glancing around... seeing just who's here...

Tenneba smiles at Tamar, eyes dancing,  "You know I won't wager a guess, but it looks like plenty!

Hrethwulf wipes at his brow.

Amalthia grins at Karlin.  "So I noticed." she laughs as she sees Zivath stick out her tongue.

Kalanthe twists her lips into something wry, "Probably.  Sirikith does, and clutching's the worst--and the best," that wryness turning more sincere.

Taia bites her lower lip, shifting her weight forward a bit.  She studies Zivath, half detached and half engrossed.  Which makes for an interesting expression.

From the Sands, From Elisa's shoulder, Myrrdin shrills a piercing and very dissonant shriek. The gold growls, head swinging over to -glare- at the bronze mischief maker. Myrrdin eeps and dives to hide behind his humanpet. Somewhat mollified, Zivath returns her attention to more important matters than bronze flit pests who want to be her future snack.

Sara crosses her arms, sitting in the way back corner. She was drug here, grumpy little headwoman.

Tenneba pulls on Hrethwulf's shirt.  "Hey, you ok now?"

"The worst... and the best?" Ooh, a paradox in dragon clutching. Minali makes a mental note to ask Kalanthe about this further, and turns back to the sands.

Kerpan notices Sara attempting to hide in the crowd. He waves and gives her an encouraging grin, "Hi Sara!"

Tamar sighs and hopes that Zivath won't take all night like Fort's queen did.

Nettik strokes her pendant, and doesn't spare it a glance, Otherwise she would have noitced that it seemed to be glowing.

Tenneba seconds the thought.  It has been so hectic!

Rowena grins.  "Anyone got any guesses on how many yet?"

Hrethwulf says, "I'd guess...after looking through the records. 42"

Sara cringes. Darn, spotted. "Hello, Kerpan!" she calls cheerfully before face goes dour. Phoo.

From the Sands, Ripples flow across the taut hide of Zivath, bulging with her and Dorvath's brood, not a trick of the heat this time. The proud bronze watches on, wisely back away from the young queen of mercurial nature. With purpose in her movements, she carves out a deeper hollow, crouching over it as tail coils upwards out of the way.

"How many do they normally clutch?" Minali wonders aloud, dragging her eyes from the sands once again.

Tamar offers, "I'm guessing 38." Tam decided to play the odds safe.

"I'd think so.  Because the tummy ache's going away, and all."  Claransa understands stuff like that.  She's had tummy aches... even if no eggs came out of her.  Let's hope.  If she popped in the night and didn't know it... ahm.  "Er.. two?" she offers to Rowena.  "No, make it eleventy-four."  Counting never was Claransa's thing, especially when dealing with dragons that she doesn't know.

"They've been getting larger," Kalanthe says softly.

Nettik says, "It's happening!""

Amalthia glances back as hears Sara.   "Hello Sara!"

Karlin leans on the rails and begans rubbing his chin.

Yammer, yammer.  People's cheerful voices surround Arial, making her sink further into a slump -- definitely shouldn't be here.

Taia swallows.  "She's beautiful..." No more than a whisper, lost in the babble.  "And this is amazing."

Karlin looks at Arial worried and then he turns his attention back to the event.

"Eleventy-four?" Minali ponders this for a moment. "Wait..." She's a quick one, isn't she. "I guess... Thirty three!" Woo! Nice conservative guess, ya know.

Amalthia nods and agrees with Taia.  "I've never seen a more beautiful queen.  Have you?"

Hrethwulf yawns again....but sets the klah down.  He shoots an angry look at Tenneba and looks back to the sands.  Hmmfing indignantly

From the Sands, A single egg appears, green marbling across the winter white surface as it rolls onto the Sands. The shining gleam of wetness is dulled as sand sticks to it's surface. Roll... rockrock... and it falls still, cradled in the sandy hollow. First clutched... there is an award for that or something, right?

Kerpan chuckles lightly as he sees Sara's dour expression on being discovered, but undaunted he continues to try to cheer her up, "How many eggs do you think she'll lay Sara?"

"I have," offers Claransa, always the honest one.  "Somebody drew me a picture, once.  She was pink, with purple spots."

Amalthia guesses, "I'm going to say 26 eggs Rowena.  An egg!  Its actually  started!"

The clutch sizes have been increasing, recently," Charlton murmurs, "Some say it's a sign of Thread returning."

Taia swallows, watching raptly.

"Thread's gone," Kalanthe maintains, but the surety of clutches past isn't in her voice.

Kembar sighs a deep breath of satisfaction as he sees the first egg arrive on the sands.  He glances back at Charlton, "Let's hope not?  Please?"

Nettik is detached from the group now and has eyes only for the event below. Shells, somebody could probably yell in her ear right now and she wouldn't notice.

Hrethwulf nods from behind Charlton. "So the records say master,  the dragon's know."

Amalthia swallows nervously, knowing that old tale.  She hopes that thread won't come back.

Karlin looks at Charlton. "And was the other sign the weather changes."

"An egg!" Minali's screech threatens to take on the rest of the hubbub combined. "A pink egg? WIth purple spots?" She blinks, peering at Claransa.

Rowena nods somberly in response to Master Harper's comment even as she smiles at Caz.  "Good guess, an I guess I'll say 37 just ta be different from everyone so far."

Arial perks up a bit as an egg makes it's way onto the sands.  New life, the miracle.  "Probably wouldn't want me anyways," Arial mumbles and slumps back into remorse.

Tamar starts at the mention of thread. Not a good time for healers. She devoutly hopes that the Master is in error.

Tenneba spares the crowd a quick sweep.  Wow, So many people in one place!  Hearing Charlton, she looks at him carefully, then at Hreth.  Are they right?

"Thread?  Like the stuff in the stories?"  Claransa shakes her head vehemently to Minali.  "Pink /queen/ with purple spots," she offers triumphantly.

Myra nods "That's what i've heard, as well... Is there any chance of that, do you think, MasterHarper?" Ever Formal, when she thinks the occasion might warrent it.. Yup, that's her...

From the Sands, Proud mother that she is, Zivath takes a moment to nose her first-clutched.  'You sit /there/' seems to glow from her proud eyes. Satisfied, she raises her head for a bugle of announcement. See? Lookee what -I- did! Dorvath rumbles in some amusement from his spot nearby. Well, yeah, she knows he helped. A little. ;)

Hrethwulf says, "Look to your teaching songs Tenneba.  "

Sara eyes Claransa... pink dragons? Isn't that like pink elephants on a world so very far away?

Amalthia laughs at Claransa's statement.

Odesa Cheers wildly for Zivath

For all of Taia's response, she heard none of the conversation.  She just stares at the egg, then Zivath, then the egg.

Tamar glances at Hrethwulf with a frown. "But I thought we'd abolished thread!" disbelief colors her voice.

"Oooh--" Minali agrees amiable. "I see." She tips her head to peer at first Myra, then Master Charlton. Awaiting his answer. "--a pink queen makes more sense than a pink egg." Mina-logic.

"I've /heard/ the teaching songs.  I still think they sound more like stories than something real."  Claransa just looks downdowndown.  "Hmm."

Hrethwulf says, "The dragons know.  why else would the clutches be growing in size?"

Rowena hrrms.  "Ya need ta read the scrolls.  They thought it'd gone afore too."  My isn't she a dour Dora today.

A little thought to this one.  "The dragons are eating better?" offers Claransa.

Then Karlin looks back to the event with a excited face.

Tenneba leans over to Tamar and whispers,  "I think I made an enemy of a friend.  Any clues what I can do?  Hreth's friendship means a lot to me."

Tamar shrugs, attempting to be logical. "Human population has been growing too. Maybe the dragons are trying to keep up?"

"We /did/," and Kalanthe is firm on that.

From the Sands, Zivath pokes around the sands a bit, fickle creature that she is. (You didn't think that motherhood was going to /change/ her, did you?) Another hollow is smoothed out near the first egg, for another to join its clutchmate.

Caz oh's quite loudly, sitting up straighter and dark eyes peering intently with wonder at the first clutched egg. "Row, look!", yep, just like an excited child he is.

Karlin adds to the conversation, "But, nothing is impossibe."

Nettik shivers at the possibility of Thread.

Hrethwulf says, "Whether we did or didn't, there's no harm in being prepared.  The records are clear to that."

"'Xactly!  They're going to take over the world," decides Claransa... not too unpleased by that, of course.  With a placid smile creeping over her face, she settles in to look at the eggies.

Myra shakes her head "Myself, I think if all the signs, or even most of them point toward thread, and we'll prepare for it...  Better saafe than sorry...

Callista sits there quietly listening to the crazy conversations, ignoring them completely, of course.

Minali peers blankly at Claransa for a moment. "The Thread is going to take over the world?" Frown spreads across her face. How depressing. She goes back to the Sands. Happy sands, happy clutching, fickle queen... What could be better?

Hrethwulf nods at Myra. He looks back to the clutching, a slightly worried expression to his face.

Rowena touches Caz on the shoulder as eyes shine.  Taking a peek at all those around her she smiles. "Beautiful ain't they?"  Mind there is only /one/ at the moment but Row is sure Benden's eggs will all be magnificent.

Tamar seems adamant. "But thread is gone! The teaching songs tell us how F'lar of Benden helped abolish it from Pern forever! Can those songs be wrong?"

"Yes, we should be really for anything," Karlin says, nodding in agreement to Myra's comment.

Kerpan has heard of this "thread" but like most feels that it has long passed into the annauls of history never to return.

From the Sands, Zivath lays a Unfathomable Depths of Pisces Egg on the sands.

Amalthia grins excitedly to everyone but says nothing, as she avidly watches the sands.

Arial is heard mumbling to herself.  "Eggs mean hatchlings which means candidates and weyrlings.  May I never have to go through that again."

A'razi has connected.

"No, the dragons.  Thread's just a fairy story.  That's what a friend of mine told me.. very reliable friend."  Claransa looks outoutout.  Oooh.  Purrrdy.

From the Sands, Unfathomable Depths of Pisces Egg
From the Sands, Blood-flecked verdant fronds of kelp dance across the aquamarine depths of the shell's frigid void, concealing with inky shadow all that should be plain. Hints of silvery fins gleam out at unexpected moments, two fish weave an exotic dance of lilac and mint, darkness and light, over and under, around and through. Static but alive, darting, swimming, they weave the tapestry of Life itself.

Karlin looks at Claransa. "That might be our undoing."

Kembar decides to not worry about the conversation going on around him; such a conversation, he could have any time.  Instead, he peers over the rail, examining each egg in as much detail as is humanly possible from so far away.

"Like the tooth fairy?" Mina giggles a bit, and shrugs off the conversations with a swift drop of shoulders. The egg is happy, too. "Lookie! It's... shiney!" What an adjective...

Nettik thinks the Unfathomal depths of Pices Egg is beautiful. She get absorbed in it's design.

Myra looks stubborn... just like other herderMasters... "If the signs poit to it, we'll be getting ready.  No matter if it's supposdly gone or not.  and it's /not/ a fairy tale.. if it were, why'd we have dragons?"

"I dunno.  Maybe after they take over, they'll start turning pink with purple spots.  That'd be nice."  Claransa's more worried about the eggies.  "Fishies!"

From the Sands, Karise hmms softly, before watching the latest egg come through. "Thats a beaut," she mentions softly, keeping the gaggle of weyrchildren just at the edge of the sands.

Taia is motionless save the waving of wisps of hair in the air currents.  Her attention is undivided.

From the Sands, Zivath turns to gently push sand around the newcomer to the sands. However, her body, now that the heavy burden is eased up, doesn't want to wait for her to preen over each egg.

From the Sands, Elisandra grins delightedly, grabbing S'lan's arm excitedly. "Aren't they magnificent?" she asks, bouncing on the balls of her feet. Never mind she'll be stuck here for far too long.

Karlin leans on the rails on his right side and looks toward the sands.

Arial catches her breath at the unexpected beauty of the blue depths of the egg revealed.  For just a moment she is drawn out of her antipathy to awe with the others at it's beauty.  Verdant, alive.

Charlton sighs. "Beautiful, aren't they. And blue-green is always lovely. Wonder if the shell hints at the dragonet? But as for thread, we'll hope for the best and prepare for the worst, as always."

A'razi cocks a brow at Rowena. And Charlton. "So, do you think here'll be a gold?"

From the Sands, S'lan grins broadly at th eggs. "They are wonderful.

Tamar watches the scene unfold below her, but her mood has been affected.

Amalthia nods and agrees with Charlton, but lets the conversation flow around her as she finally turns all of her attention to the clutching which is occuring.

Charlton nods, repeating, "Hope for the best! And a gold is always welcome."

Rowena bounces in her seat. "I like that un."  Eyes travel back to beloved sib.  "Betcha there will be, even if Tylenth has boxed Ryath inta a bet she can't win."
"That one's gonna hatch a blue dragonet." Minali explains to anyone who happens to be around her. In that wonderful all-knowledgable way she has---Good to use with the apprentices.

From the Sands, Tail lashing a bit, Zivath positions herself over her hollow. Muscles tighten tremble a bit, and finally, another egg prepares to be released into the world.

A'razi covers his mouth and laughs softly. "If she /remembers/ the bet!

Karlin takes out a hide and starts jotting down notes to himself.

"A gold would mess up the symmetry again," Kalanthe decides--not that wing formations have ever meant diddly-squat to clutching dragons.

Tenneba leans toward Tamar,  "Kinda makes you wish one was for you, doesn't it?  I remember when I got Sye..."

Myra nods quielty, pondering many things, as she watchs the eggs appear...

Taia's eyes take in the scene below, her eyes flitting over the sands.  "Beautiful..."

Claransa glances over to the talking riders.  "What color are gold eggs?  Orange?  I want to see a bright /orange/ one..."

Callista's eyes widen at the sight of the beautiful eggs.

Hrethwulf stares no, quietly riveted to the scene on the sands.  His face expressionless, though his eyes water slightly

A'razi leans back and peers at Claransa. "Well... they're kinda golden. Obvious. UNlike the rest."

Caz sits up a little straigher yet, straining towards the edge of his seat.

"Darn. How boring."  Clara frumps, but looks out again.  "You sure it couldn't be magenta or something?"

Tamar snaps out of her reverie and looks down on the sands, responding to Tenne. "I suppose. We all wish it one way or another....."

"A gold would mess up the symmetry?" Minaly repeats, nose wrinkling a bit. Hmmm. She'll hafta mull that over later. Not now. "What about the bronze ones? Do they have bronze shells?"

A'razi snorts. "Not the gold egg. If there is one."

Nettik walks over to Hrethwulf. "You alright?"

From the Sands, Zivath lays a Atypical Flame of Sagittarius Egg on the sands.

Tenneba wonders if Nettik will get snarled at too.

From the Sands, Atypical Flame of Sagittarius Egg
From the Sands, Flames of topaz twist and twine tumultuously, enticing trickles of purple, turquoise, and deepest blue threaded throughout. Layered lavendar licks lumeniscently along, curious quetzlcoatl colors coiling into the vaguest outlines of a proud archer. Fiery flickers and philosophical gleams foreshadow freedom, ardently ambitious arrow accompanying and divulging dream-like dyes full of vital versatility and impatient independence in its unwavering flight.

Rowena looks around.  "Ryath came inna pink an red shell, an /she/ is green."

Hrethwulf shrugs a bit. "The cycle is complete I ...I guess"

Kerpan straightens out his legs now that everyone has seemed to have settled down and the chances of his feet being trampled have lessened.  He peers at the eggs wondering what color each will produce...and if one of them is the gold one?

Taia slides forward a bit in her seat, craning her neck to see.

Karlin folds the hide and puts it into his belt pouch. Then he continues to watch want is happening on the sands.

Hrethwulf smiles a bit at Nettik.

A'razi smiles. "i like that one." Then he shakes his head. "Tylenth hatched out of an odd eggs. Reds n blues n greys..."

"That one's gonna hatch brown." Minali explains for anyone who might not know this face... Like she does. "It's pretty neat, doncha think?" Question is offered to anyone around.

Amalthia grins.  "I really like that egg!" she exclaims.

Myra smiles at Minali... "Possibl,e... one never knows, though...

Archery! This newest one is Nettiks favourite.

From the Sands, Zivath fusses over the gleaming orbs in the sand, a nudge here, a bit of sand pushed there, as she takes a momentary break. But not a very long break, as two more eggs escape to freedom.

Arial resumes her glowering position, snorting at comments about eggs and hatchling by a pair of fishermen behind her.  Oh hatchlings are wonderful and lovely, but also finicky.  She knows this firsthand.

"I do." Mina's in one of those moods. A winning smile is shot towards the master to make up for it. "Maybe bronze, though."

Claransa peers down.  Not that she has the slightest clue what color 'quetzlcoatl' would be, but it's nice anwyay.  "Oh my.  Oh me oh my.  Aren't they /interesting/..."

Tenneba decides to risk talking to Hreth once more.  She walks close to him, and looks up into his face.  "I'm really sorry, in case you don't remember."

Tamar observes with detached interest, her mind attempting to figure out how the color shades of the egg shells might not somehow correlate to dragonet colors.

Nettik looks at Hrethwulf worriedly.

Nobody ever said Kalanthe wasn't cracked.  She worries about symmetry--and then bends down to rest her chin on folded arms atop the railing, "Need more green eggs," as her eye finds that first marbled green one.

Karlin tries to risk looking at Arial again with worried eyes and then he returns his attention back to the sands.

Nehyn materializes out of thin air.

Amalthia waves to the newcomer and returns her attention back to the sands.

"Hello," Karlin greets the newcomer, smiling.

Hrethwulf looks from Nettik back towards the sands.

From the Sands, Gradiations of orange mark the striated citrine of the egg that plops onto the sands. It doesn't roll far, the wet sheen of its recent birth making it's appearance that much more breathtaking.

Amalthia thinks, (this is for all of your benefit, its not out loud) Darn it!  I keep gettting distracted from my egg watching!

Minali laughs out loud for no apparent reason. Just because she can, and because there's eggie's hatching. "Why do we need more green eggs?" She inquires of Kalanthe, quite interested. "Look! An orange one!"

"Orange!"  Claransa seems almost triumphant.  "Look!  Orange!"

Myra wavies.. "HEy..."

Tamar wonders aloud, "Does that make 4 or 5?"

"Because I like green," Kalanthe argues ever-so-resonably.

Nehyn walks up the steps into the galleries, looking around.  He smiles and waves to those he doesn't know, and takes a seat to watch.

A'razi beams at Kal. "So do I!" But then, he's a greenrider... bias? You betcha!

"I like purple," Minali offers, as if this has something to do with the conversation. "Do you like green dragons, too?"

Hrethwulf wipes at his eyes a bit, a trembling smile on his lips.

Tenneba offers, "Four, I think."

From the Sands, *bonk!* The pale opalescent topaz shell collides with the citrine egg. Hey! You pushed ahead of me! No fair. (Ah, sibling rivalry already... and they've not even broken shell yet!) Zivath warbles happily, ever proud of her young. She does good work, you see. Gleaming eyes glance at Dorvath... Well... Okay. He helped, too.

Nettik puts her hand on Hrethwulf's shoulder. "What's wrong?"

Hrethwulf says, "Nothing's wrong...it's...it's finally alright"

From the Sands, Dorvath spreads his wings in pride and croons to Zivath.

Nettik is still worried.

Odesa wipes a happy tear from her face

A'razi grabs a green flit as she prepares to launch herself for a closer view of the eggs. A /much/ closer view. He sighs at Rowena.

From the Sands, Elisa beams with pride as she watches her lifemate affectionately. A hand pushes back an already damp tendril of hair. "Yes, of course you're wonderful," she says, praising the gold.  Zivath croons lovingly before she shifts to another depression in the sands.

Rowena grins.  "Watchit or Zivath'll have that un for breakfast."

Hrethwulf looks back at Nettik. "Can't you feel it...it's...something in the air.  Anticipation...Life.  nothing could be wrong right now.  Nothing."

Tenneba rolls her eyes.  She hates being ignored, and really wants him to understand.  She drops her hand, and sits back down.

A'razi pulls Isis onto his lap. "She's never seen such large eggs." He gives his sister a lopsided smile, then makes random comments to the air.

Nettik shakes her head, agreeing. "Yes, I can feel it."

Minali leans out over the sands again, deciding that the eggs are much more interesting than the conversation of the people. No offense intended, of course.

Rowena leans forward.  "No gold yet, so Ryath is still in the runnin."

Amalthia feels it as well, and watches for the next agg.

A'razi laughs.

Taia's lips part slightly as she watches the eggs, nothing done consciously save that attention.  Her face relaxes into a soft smile as she listens to everything around her: the happy babble, the moving dragons...

From the Sands, Zivath lays a Stellar Wind of Libra Egg on the sands.

From the Sands, S'lan watches his life mates display of pride and smiles.

You overhear Caz mutter, "They ... /beautiful/ those eggs. ... ... ... no gold ... and Ryath?" to Rowena.

"What's with her," a herder asks his fellow appie to the right of Arial.  The questioned appie slides more to the right as Arial fixes him with a cold gaze and he shivers.  "Some people," he mutters to his mate.  "No sense of fun."

Hands in her lap, Tamar peers down on the sands. She glances up at the faces around her and grins at the varying degrees of longing and wonderment on all the faces. She glances back at Tenne, and moves her hand to squeeze the apprentice's tensed one.

From the Sands, Stellar Wind of Libra Egg
From the Sands, A field of night, darkness coalesces into an ebon orb dappled with pinpoints of sparkling starlight. Celestial jewels scatter across the gleaming surface, falling into patterns a Terran might recognize, looking upwards from Grecian shores. But they pale by comparison to the glowing, nimbus-shrouded vision suspended in the windswept sky. A perfectly balanced scale hovers over the merest hint of green landscape, polished bright brass with twisting ropes tied to the twin jewel-filled pans, gems of sapphire and jade spilling over in their overflow like largess unto all below.
You overhear Rowena mutter, "Tylenth ... Ryath half a ... they'd be ... gold, an ... ... her, silly ... she's gonna lose I ..." to Caz.

Tamar says, "Give it time," is her whisper to Tenne. "Ruatha wasn't built in a day.""

"Wow." This is the only comment Minali can make about this egg. Well-- "It's so dark!" She exclaims after a moment, squinting to pick out the details of the newest arrival on the sands.

Hrethwulf smiles at Nettik looking back at the sands afterwards.  "Everythings fine.

Caz chuckles and nods with a grin, eyes never leaving the sands below for very long.

From the Sands, Zivath heaves a martyred sigh as she repositions another egg, gleaming shell dulled by sticking sand as it is gently brushed over the egg. Almost before the queen as a chance to realize it, another one appears on the sands.

Nettik leaves her hand on her friend's sholder and looks back to the sands.

Peyton materializes out of thin air.

Tenneba squeezes the hand back, and looks gratefully at her best friend.

Karlin leans on his left side on the rails.

From the Sands, Karise has disconnected.

Tamar counts. "Five, and I think that makes six so far."

Kerpan watches the unfolding drama with rapt attention, wondering if he'd have a chance to stand on the sands and be chosen by one of the dragons? With a sigh he looks around knowing that his chances are remote so forgets this wild dream of his.

Nettik eyes scan the hatching ground , trying to take it all in at once, and failing.

A'razi kicks his feet up, ankles crossed neatly on the railing. He leans back, ignores the world, and watches the show.

Amalthia sighs as she watches the eggs arrive on the sands.  She /loves/ dragons.

From the Sands, Embedded bits of sky seem to cover the dusty brown shell of the mottled turquoise egg that appears on the scene. The speckling of sand on the shell is not as noticeable as on the others, as if that was a natural part of the glistening shell.

Myra has disconnected.

Charlton is rapt.

Rowena poke her brother.  "Watch ya don't accidentally kick Caz there." Him being in front and all.  Eyes glaze.  "Nah Ryath I ain't noticed a gold one yet." She mutters.  "Silly green /now/ is a fine time ta get nervous 'bout bettin."

From the Sands, S'lan looks at Dorvath then at Zivath. "I knew they would be beautiful but I never thought they could be this impressive." he looks back to his life mate in awe and pride.

From the Sands, Karise has connected.

Taia's eyes don't leave the sands, though her ears open to everything around her, drinking in the sounds that fill the area.

A'razi smiles at Rowena, "I won't." He's not that silly. He ignores the green head peeking over the viewing ledge.

From the Sands, The newest egg rolls and rolls, just about to escape into freedom when a bronze nose intervenes. Carefully, Dorvath pushes the already recalcitrant child back to its mother. Zivath croons to him as she mounds sand around the egg. *patpat* There.

Karlin sits down and begins rubbing his right leg. "Amalthia," and he leans over to her, "what's your favorite?"

Amalthia looks over at all the eggs.  "DOn't have one.  I love 'em all!"

Tamar chuckles at the display of the two dragons, even more than the dazzling colors of each egg.

Hrethwulf says, "Shards" he almost whispers..."How does something that /big/ come from something that /small/"

Caz reaches a hand behind him to lightly touch Row's leg, he's very quiet as dark eyes stay transfixed to the sands below...in the pit of his stomach, that niggly feeling that leaves him feeling unsettled.

Nettik chuckles.

"They /grow/," Kalanthe assures.  "Fwoosh."

From the Sands, Elisandra straightens up proudly. "They're /Zivath's/ babies... Of course they're beautiful!"  Both gold and rider look at Dorvath... Okay, he helped too. ;)

"Me, too," Karlin says softly to Amalthia.

They grow. And grow. And grow. A'razi continues to keep a hold of Isis until he's sick of it. "Tylenth! Tell this silly green to behave."

Rowena leans back to seek out Hrethwulf's eyes.  "They ain't /hatched/ as big as they grow."  Her own recent indoctrination into how /fast/ these things grow still fresh in her mind.

From the Sands, Zivath strains a bit, as if the next egg is reluctant to be moved. Hey, it's warm in there, why leave, right? A war of the stubborns ensues, but not for long, as nature takes its course.

Minali watches the newest eggs with awe, biting her lip. A glance up notes that she's the only herder left--sigh. "I should be getting back," She murmers to anyone who might care. "Or my ride will leave without me!" Up the steps she trudges, a few glances taken back at the sands. Oooh.

Hrethwulf just shakes his head...looking from the bronze dragon...to the gold...and back to the eggs.

Tenneba whispers to Tam.  "I think Hrethwulf is in love!"

Tenneba continues,  "With dragons!"

Charlton grins, being close enough to hear Rowena and A'razi, at least.

Tamar laughs softly, peering at the watch-were keeper and harper. "I think you're right."

Minali goes home.

Karlin folds his fingers and lays them on his lap. Then he moves his tried legs to get a more confortable position to watch the event that is happening in front of him.

From the Sands, Zivath lays a Protective Grotto of Taurus Egg on the sands.

Hrethwulf doesn't here Tenneba's whisper, his fingers though do run themselves over the bone flute...touching the bellowing dragons at the mouth of the flute

From the Sands, Protective Grotto of Taurus Egg
From the Sands, Dependable strength is evident within the heart of the grotto, twilight shadows of violets and sky blues mingling above. From below, emerald vines lay intertwined on the stolid earth, spiraling upwards to embrace the faintest hint of coppery-bronze of dawn's blush. Sparkles of crystal glint like stars from the shadows from the protective embrace of Mother Earth. Possessively guarding its secret, this tiny area securely hides its prize from the world without.

Rowena grins as she leans brothewards.  "Ya want me ta getcha a bag ta put that thing in?"  Wink is passed to Razz then one to Master Charl as she takes a moment to touch Caz lightly on the shoulder.

A'razi shakes his head, releasing the now quivvering green. "Poor lil' thing, i think Tylenth gave her a fright." He's torn between pity and laughter. He flips his bangs back ad peers at the newest addition.

Arial wiggles about on her seat, the sitting position becoming uncomfortable.  She misses the new addition due to this ache in her backside.  "I knew I shouldn't have come," she mutters.  "Promise or no promise."

From the Sands, Zivath heaves a sigh of relief, turning to nose the egg nearly as stubborn as mother to join the clutch. She takes a moment to fuss over all her brood. *tsk* This one must move here. No, no, come along... ah, there.

Nettik wonders if she's lost her ability to blink, having her eyes open so long.

Karlin raises his left and right hands. Then he looks at them with a sad look and lets them fall on his lap.

Amalthia laughs to see the fussy dragon move the eggs around.  Have to get them just right I guess.

Kerpan counts the eggs on the sands and wonders how many more are going to join the ones already there...He searches the crowd around him and wonders if any of these will be fortunate enough to be searched and stand on these sands when they are ready to hatch?

One of Taia's hands lifts to push back a strand of hair.  Her eyes move swiftly, darting from one egg to another as she absorbs the experience, tunneling it from senses to memory with little or no pause to interpretation.

Charlton has disconnected.

"Arial!" Soft voice rising slightly, Peyton wiggles thro' the crowd, arms flaying from side to side; beaming as she strays throughout the galleries, the Fortian trambles in Benden zone -- is it safe? "How's you? Purty eggs, aren't they," she mentions, plopping besides the girl.

Callista has connected.

Caz can see why Zivath was the size she was, amazing to watch her size dimish as each egg is lain to rest in it's sandy warm home.

From the Sands, Zivath crouches over a newly dug hollow, and a new egg rolls free of mother, rolling opposite the spiraling pattern on the creamy caramel surface. Sand is kicked onto it with one foot absently.

Kembar strains his eyes at the sands, leaning to one side to watch the mother dragon.  "Think that'll be all?" he asks of no one in particular.

Arial jerks around hearing her name shouted through the galleries.  Glowering gaze lands on Peyton, and a small smile lights on her face.  "The eggs?  Oh, they're eggs."  And with that and a flick of her hand, she dismisses the entire scene.

Hrethwulf turns and smiles at nettik, his eyes seem to sparkle with the glow of his normal self.  He even grins over at Tenneba.

Tamar counts again, "Hmmmm, looks like six or is that seven now?"

Amalthia smiles. "Seven I think."

From the Sands, Soon after the caramel egg makes it's appearance, a darker rich chocolate shell, without the candy coating, slips onto the sand with almost a stealthy silence. It lurches to a stop momentarily, but not before teetering on the top of a mound of sand, teasing that it's going to run away.

Tamar nods a thanks in Amalthia's direction.

Nettik barely notices the smile, being so intent on the scene below.

Kalanthe * wouldn't worry about counting right now.  She's posed ICly more than two in addition--green marbled, caramel, citrine, tourquoise, plus others simply described as two popping free.  Don't worry about it.

From the Sands, Zivath herds the two newest members of her most beautiful clutch to the rest, sand being mounded and dusted over top of the growing mound.

Rowena sighs as pansy eyes wanders back to Master Charlton.  "Why do I always think there's a song in every clutchin or hatchin?"

Hrethwulf says, "Because there is....just close your eyes and you can hear it...a song without words...."

From the Sands, Shifting weight from one foot to another, Elisandra watches her lifemate with obvious pride and ill-concealed impatience. Lips move in silent tally of the count of eggs. She absently hushes the bronze menace on her shoulder. "Quiet, Myrrdin," she hisses.

"Because there is," is Taia's soft response to Rowena's question.

Rapt attention... this is possibly the first time in ages that Claransa has sat still for so long.  Watching, waiting--oops, a fidget snuck in there--then watching s'more.

Taia doesn't avert her eyes as she moves on.  "But it's not one we can make..."

"Because you're a harper at heart," inserts Etain, coming -- belated, woe-is-her! -- to the hatching with a lurking twinkle in hazel and a lopsided slant to her lips. "Don't worry. Some day your Weyr will be able to cleanse you of that particular taint. Speaking of which -- good day, Charlton."

Tamar feels foolish, so when no one is watching she closes her eyes to listen. Hmmmmm. Elusive? Not quite there? Tam opens eyes again, not sure of what she'd heard or not heard.

Nettik says, "There is, a mysterious one, barely noticible...""

Narrow eyebrows rave throughout a series of waggles and dips, Peyton's avocado view descending towards the sands below; still squirming, the girl's hands place Scooby's tawny self upon her lap, the brown's persistent croons reflecting towards the eggs, "Of course they're egg, Arial." Peyton reminds, a smile lighting her features.

From the Sands, Zivath lays a Sweeping Gust of Aquarius Egg on the sands.

Sh'lantay ascends the staircase from the Hatching Grounds.

Karlin looks round the galleries counting the people with his eyes.

From the Sands, Sweeping Gust of Aquarius Egg
From the Sands, Blowing through the stormclouds, a field of blue can be seen in sharp clarity, separating into distinct hues when gazed upon. Turquoise, aquamarine, streaks of sapphire and azure show themselves most notably. Indigo, cobalt, twilight and midnight: all mix and mingle majestically, each melting into a deeper shade without a clear mark of definition. A shock of electric dances across, as if cloudskipping, while other colors-- beryl, royal, navy, wisps of sky --traipse about the aerial window. Strong Prussian and delicate powder edge the outlines, speckled with violet, splashed by salty sea. Through all, Harper weaves like a bright, merry tune.

Hrethwulf nods at Nettik. "Primal...you can hear it behind the beating of your heart....behind the rhythym of your breath.  There.

Rowena nods glad she ain't the only one to hear it.  "Lo Etain.  Can't cause nuff trouble over ta Fort?"  Her tone however is welcoming if only slightly teasing.

Tamar waves in the blue rider's direction.

Arial snorts again as threads of conversation float in her direction.  "Harpers romanticizing," but there's a wistful note in her bitter statement.

"I tried," returns Etain in like vein, aglint with rueful mirth that shades to mock martyrdom, "but they ran away to attend the Clutching. And so I thought, what better audience for my gifts than an entire gallery full of spectators? And thus, you behold me."

From the Sands, A trio of eggs tumble to the sands. One by one, Zivath brings each one back to rest among the rest of the clutch. Speckled jade and patchy azure eggs seem small compared to the alluring rose egg as sand is heaped about them.

Sara eyes the Fort goldrider. You can tell she's impressed, right? Well, she'll try harder next time. ;)

There.  Green.  Kalanthe is happier.

Odesa takes out a vegetable sandwich and starts to much "All this birthing makes me Hungry!

Sh'lantay tilts his head in acknowledgement to those he knows.

Nettik begins to pick out notes that form a haunting melody and then falls silent.

Rowena looks up with mock surprise in those deep pansy eyes.  "They didn't!  Of all the nerve.  Well yer here now, we'll make t'best of it."  Moving over she allows the Fortian Gold the seat beside Harper Master.

A'razi eyes Rowena. "Yes. This seat."

Tenneba closes her eyes.  Music?

Fortunate Masterharper. An eyebrow quizzes upwards, inquiring mutely of Rowena before the hint of a smile once more touches Etain's features with amusement. "Thank you." Favor noted.

Tenneba opens them again and smiles.  Music.  Magic. Wonderful.  Happy sigh!

From the Sands, Zivath lays a Nocturnal Pool of Cancer Egg on the sands.

Hrethwulf rubs the flute...and almost puts it to his lips.  then stops.  Enwrapt again by the scene from the sands

From the Sands, Nocturnal Pool of Cancer Egg
From the Sands, Periwinkle woven with long strands of twilight violet wraps the ovoid shell in deceptive serenity. Bathed in the argentine splendor of lonely Luna's light, hints of ruby claws and onyx legs hide in the green reeds of the poolside, caught in a single moment of time, russet leaves over green stalks, brooding and cautious. Properly secretive and protective of shell's firm territory, yet still caught within the swirl of Life: the tempest's currents and Fate's fickle fortunes.
M'an strides with manly flamboyance and confidence in from the ledge.

Peyton removes her petulant look from the sands, curliques swung with a foolish sway of her head. Regarding Etain with a jubilant smile, the girls strokes atop Scooby's hide pause -- much to his liking's. "Hey, Arial, which one will hatch first?" Questions arise within this girl's mind, and Arial, for the moment, is here victim.

Karlin hums a few verses of an unknown song and rocks back and forth in the seat.

Taia's face, as she studies the eggs, is completely relaxed.

"What," demands Etain of Rowena, spying M'an out of the corner of her eye, "does one do with a boy who insists he is a M'an?"

You overhear Kerpan mutter, "Do ... ... ... to ... to once this ... ... ..." to Rowena.

Rowena touches Caz lightly on the shoulder.  "Whatcha think?"  Her face is glowing from the heat and the beauty bein spalshed across the sands.

Periwinkle?  /And/ purple?  Claransa is impressed, and oogly-eyed, as well.  "Looks like... like... a nightmare.  Or a dream.  Something."

From the Sands, Mincing around the clutch a bit, Zivath sniffs critically and scratches out a new hollow.  Positioning herself over it and blissfully ignoring her audience, two more eggs are squeeeezed out. Sunny marigold shell rolls a bit as shady bluebell soon follows, lightly bumping into the first. Both are quickly obscured by the busy mother, who buries them nearly completely in the sands.

Arial regards Peyton in a thoughtful manner.  "Does it matter?" is the listless response.  A wealth of interaction is this Harper appie.

Felling slightly cramped, Tamar gingerly stretches back, tilting neck this way and that. She glances over at Tenne with a grin, massaging her own shoulder wearily. "So? What do you think? Have a favorite yet?"

Caz is roused from his intense concentration, head tilts back to peer at Row, "Hmm?", having no idea what she's asking about.

Amalthia decides to say something.  "Do you have a favorite yet Karlin?" she asks him softly.

M'an nods amiably to those he knows and even some he doesn't, shuffling through the crowd looking for a good seat... of course, they're all gone by now. Ah well. He's got good legs, he can stand.

Very good legs. Nice legs, i'faith. Etain duly admires.

From the Sands, Zivath lays a Prosaic Pasture of Virgo Egg on the sands.

Amalthia sighs as she stands by the rail.  The eggs are so beautiful.

Kerpan looks around for Sara noticing that she is trying to blend in with the crowd and not be noticed...hmm can't have that! "Sara which one is the gold?"

Rowena points over his shoulder at the sands.  "T'eggs, silly."  Straightening up she waves at M'an. As shs quishes her bother over to make room with her and Etain and the master harper.  If he /dares/.

From the Sands, Prosaic Pasture of Virgo Egg
From the Sands, Soft autumnal hues mingle with rich browns with the caress of the finest silk. Black velvet drifts down, dividing the warmth into the sections of a gown, the hints of pink hands, feet, and even the delicate features of a maiden's face define the boundaries. Blazing sapphires add a further touch of elegance and beauty, their rich blues both a compliment and a contrast. The young woman's features are fuzzy, like the ghost of a memory long lost, only the force of her personality piercingly clear: touching the soul with a hint of critical intellect and practical analysis.

"Oh, it does," Spit-fire hues overtake Scooby's gyrating globes, his triangular head wedged 'tween Arial and Peyton. Interested, Peyton's voice drips to nonsensical chatterings, "'Cause we can bet on 'em; win some marks," The list rambles on.

Tenneba considers.  "Hmmm, that violet one is sure interesting!"

Tenneba says, "what about you?""

Caz grins a bit goofily and nods, "Ahh yes, I've been watching them. They are beautiful."

A'razi murmurs, "Nearing twenty." Then he eyes his sister. With a sudden move, he grabs Rowena and ploprs her on his lap.... just to keep her g\from moving over any further.

Callista has lost her heart to the blue egg.

From the Sands, Ripples tremble over Zivath's lower body and three more eggs appear on the sands. A swirled strawberry bumps into its minty pistachio sibling... only to be bumped by a vanilla bean third that wants to get out into the world a bit anxiously. Mama Zivath herds them in with the rest, nosing the others. Taking a moment, she shifts some of the first clutched before she's satisfied with her brood.

Tamar nods and considers. "I think I liked the blue one earlier." She grins playfully, still rubbing at her shoulder. "Reminds me of Sot and Defiant." And another, but she won't mention who aloud.

Arial looks interested at the word, bet.  "Wanna place a wager?"  Too late, Arial regrets her impulsive question.  If she places a wager, that means she'll have to attend the hatching.  "Erm, not that I want to," she adds lamely.

"Row? That you?" Great Faranth, and standing within a few feet of Etain, M'an had no idea the greenrider(s) were that brave. Murmuring charming apologies to the bodies he displaces, the bronzerider wades through the crowd towards the trio of riders.

Tenneba grins knowingly at the look that crosses Tamar's face, supressing a giggle.

Nehyn hmms quietly, leaning forward with interest as the lastest egg captures his attention.  "I wonder what color's in that one," he murmurs, pointing at some random egg.

Etain hums a snatch of a popular children's song, (row, row, row....) before directing her own seraphically sweet smile up at M'an. "My dear sir. How, er, splendid to see you."

Sara snorts from her corner, eyeing the growing mound. Probably a paisley dragon. Just what Pern would need, doncha think?

From the Sands, Zivath lays a Celestial Flare of Leo Egg  on the sands.

Rowena wraps her arm around brothers neck and rubs his cheek with her own soft one.  "Thanks Razz yer much softer than that old bench."

Taia watches the eggs raptly, no attention shifting.  Her green eyes fairly glow with soft appreciation.

Nettik looks interested. Three at once?

Hrethwulf nods a bit,  eyes threatening to droop.

From the Sands, Celestial Flare of Leo Egg
From the Sands, All the grandeur of a sunset caresses the curving surface of shell, flaming oranges and crimsons coiling from crest to nadir. Resting in the cradle of a sardonyx mountain, the daystar gleams brilliant gold, glistening rays streaking across the somber crimson sard and pure white onyx river. Light glinting off of miniscule rubies seem pale to the dominating heaven's fire that courses the blazing skies, twining golden ribbons interlacing all in a gilded web.

Rowena waves to M'an even as eyes tell her Ryath just lost her bet.

"Shardit!  There goes the symmetry," Kalanthe mourns.

Tenneba whispers to Tamar,  "Look, all that sleep and he is still wiped out."

Hrethwulf says, "Is that a gold one?" he asks tiredly."

Arial can't help herself as she gawks at the golden orb below.  My, that's a beauty.  Almost regretfully, she shakes herself out of her loving trance and slumps more into her seat.  "Not that she'd want me."

"Yeah an that mean's Ryath lost I told her not ta bet I did."

Hmph.  Claransa does, grudgingly admit, that: "It's gold."  But it's followed quickly with a murmur about how it /should/ have been magenta.

Taia's eyes widen.  "By the First Egg... It's glorious."

Tenneba tries to see the difference in the eggs, enjoying the riot of color.

From the Sands, Elisandra gapes. "A... gold?" Like Zivath? /Like/ Zivath?? Uh oh... "Oh... my." That's about all she can say.

From the Sands, Zivath croons over her future daughter, giving special attention to the gold egg. You sit over here, yesyes. Sand is mounded around the gleaming egg and given one more affectionate nudge before settling back into unburdening herself of the rest of the brood.

Peyton takes the bait, or shall she say, wager -- "I'll bet on it," the girl immediately mentions. Accompanying her decision, both Scooby and Tipsy add their voices, though Peyton merely eyes them. Weird.

Etain glees uncharitably. "Gold. That's good. Share a little of the misery. /Nice/ Zivath."

Nettik tightens her hand on Hrethwulf's sholder. A queen!

Karlin stares at the gold eye wide eyed.

From the Sands, Dorvath rumbles with pride as his wings open to full spread.

Kerpan smiles as the golden egg is deposited on the sands, all in all an exciting clutching.

M'an raises an eyebrow, an exact copy of his lifemate's skeptical, confused glance - only his is directed at Etain, Mentally shrugging, he sketches a mock bow to Etain. "And it's a pleasure to see you too, Etty. As always." The rider winces, rubbing the stubble on his chin as he mutters an expletive. "

Amalthia sighs in rapt wonder as the gold egg emerges.  A gold?  She never thought she'd ever see a gold egg.

Tamar risks a glance in Hrethwulf's direction. "Hmmm, sure looks that way." She turns her attention back to the sands and makes a cursory note of the newest addition to the clutch.

Kembar ooos.  And ahhhhs.  Gold.  Pretttty...He stares at it fixatedly.

Hrethwulf leans back and smiles at Nettik.

From the Sands, Rolling out onto the sands, a pink dogwood egg gracefully tumbles and bumps into its clutchmates, while a ringed birch eggs simply kerplops with very little style, a bit of fine sand poofing out around it. Zivath eyes the second... must take after daddy.

Arial stares at Peyton crossly, her eyes somewhat moist from thinking of another golden egg.  "I didn't want to bet, remember," she snottily informs her friend.  Not if it means coming back to the sands.

You overhear M'an mutter, "Now ... ... hear the ... of ... from S'lan..." to himself.

Etty. /Etty./ The barest flick of irritation manages to spurt across Etain's expression, lost beneath the habitual urbanity of courtesy. "Mm." Wait until later, emasculate M'an.

A small knot of fear runs through Tenneba, remebering the teaching songs.

From the Sands, S'lan blinks in astonishment, his mouth moves but no words come forth.

Amalthia grins happily for S'lan and his wonderful, wonderful bronze.

Rowena grins at M'an.  "Is that her nickname then, M'an. Etty?  Awful..../cute/ ain't it?"  Oh my Row did enjoy that.

Nettik notices the bags under Hrethwulf's eyes.

"Now, we just need lots of snow," Karlin tells himself shocked.

In his newly swung mood, M'an certainly wouldn't mind Etain trying. It would give him an excuse to beat on something. He smiles tightly at Rowena, "Yeah. Cute." Snicker. "Isn't that right, Etty?"

Amalthia looks very confused.  "Snow?"

From the Sands, Zivath lays a Enigmatic Torrent of Scorpio Egg on the sands.

From the Sands, Enigmatic Torrent of Scorpio Egg
From the Sands, Mysterious beginnings are unearthed upon this egg's craggy surface, ancient writings delineated on an ill-lit cave wall.  Only two symbols are visible beneath the dampened murk of age:  the first a winged lizard, its dapper grey subtly glaring upon the open field; the next a misdepicted wherry, its brown-and-white plumage darkened and smudged.  Each is unique, and yet--at the right angle--they haze together into a shadowed rubbing of a tenuated scorpion.

"Uh," and Karlin looks at Amalthia, "forgot about it."

Etain's thoughtful gaze starts at M'an, then slides across his body until it fixes on his stomach. Awfully -- big, isn't it? "Mm," she says again, noncommital, before adding brightly: "Riordan used to call me that."

Hrethwulf looks at the sands.  "I've lost count.  what's this? 20?  21?

"C'mon, don't be such a wherryhead," Childish insults rank throughout Peyton's voice, though inviolate jest presents itself across her face, "You've got to bet, I am." Globes flush to the sands, to the eggs, then swerve back to Arial, "C'mon."

Kerpan watches as another egg hits the sands....the size of this clutch is amazing, so many eggs...

"25," Taia says softly.

Amalthia nods and turns her attention back to the sands.  She almost screams when she realizes that she let Karlin distract her and miss an egg coming out.  She loves the color and pattern of the new egg though.

From the Sands, Shimmering starlight catches the light on the shell of another egg as it tumbles out and bumps into mama's leg. Zivath mounds sand around her brood and flops down, looking at Dorvath, her gleaming eyes seeming to say, 'You clutch the rest, I'm tired.'

Speaking of one brother makes Rowena think of the other.  Why?  Who knows.  But she gives in to green's demands and leans over.  "HOw's D'nal an Quoth, Etain?"

Hrethwulf smiles a bit.

M'an stifles a sigh. Second best - again. Yet he makes an effort to banter back at Etain, just for so. "Used to, eh? What'd you do to make him stop?"

"Won't be, can't make me."  Arial won't budge in this.  She does /not/ want to have to come back and see other's Impressing, see joy on other's faces again.

Taia's arms wrap around her chest, and a look of childish wonder fills her face.

From the Sands, Zivath pouts heartily as contractions rouse her from her moment's respite. A baleful look is cast on the bronze nearby. All your fault, you realize. I had /nothing/ to do with this.

Tenneba glances curiously at Taia.  Never seen so much emotion on her face before.

From the Sands, Elisandra snickers to herself. "Of course you didn't, Ziv," she says more to herself.

"Quite solid," Etain reassures Rowena, cheerfully. "He's resolved the conflict with gravity; most times he manages to stay on, now." Well. She /did/ ask. As for M'an, he simply receives a serene twinkle and: "Don't be naive, M'an. Who ever made R'dan stop anything?"

Amalthia laughs to see the pouting look on Zivath's face and waits for the next egg to appear so she can marvel at /its/ beauty.

From the Sands, S'lan looks at Elisandra and smiles knowing better.

"Nope. Can't make you," But peer-pressure can be a wonderful thing; devilish tones embracing Peyton's low chuckle, the girl merely twinkles. "C'mon, which one will hatch first, I know." Or does she.

From the Sands, Zivath lays a Tenacious Reef of Capricorn Egg on the sands.

Etain leans to confide in Rowena, amused, "M'an is feeling bitter, I believe. His bronze lost to S'lan's when they both rose after Zivath. Isn't that splendid? Quite humiliating, I'd imagine, considering how much, er, older S'lan's bronze is."

From the Sands, Tenacious Reef of Capricorn Egg
From the Sands, Marked with what looks like a single imprint of a slim cloven hoof, the huge reef rock sits in the frigid waters of the northern coast. Its rugged, irregular surface of peppered jet, grey and dark brown and veined with traces of silver, surprises with blooms of amethyst snowflakes, catching the light with crystalline clarity. Stirred by the approaching winter storms, the surf crashes against the stoic granite in a frigid spray along the reserved solitary sentinel.

From the Sands, Karise doesn't comment, nope. She's just thinking Cresnath she found her first. All this sand....gets into one's shorts and all. Ick.
Tamar glances back down at the sands again, her eyes noting the rippling stomach of Zivath's contractions as her mind makes mental notes to herself for future reference on dragon health issues and such. A small sigh escpaes her. A healer's work is never done.

Taia's eyes widen as she takes in the gold.  "How many more /are/ there?" she asks softly.

Arial sighs with exasperation, "They aren't all clutched yet, how do you know which will hatch first?"  There's something annoying about happy people.

Amalthia marvels at this egg, just like she thought she'd have to do.  "They're all so beautiful!" she exclaims.

Of course. "I suppose I should've known better. But then, I am only a lowly bronzerider. You can't expect me to know /everything/." Exasperation fleets across M'an's face, quickly masked. "Why don't you relate the time he lost Isoldeth and Jenneth's flights, Et? You're so good at that."

Rowena shakes her head.  "Well he had 'sperience then.  Good that he tried, bein Fortian an all."  Smile is winsome.  "Much worse fer him wouldn't it be if Carith caught /your/ lifemate in flight."

Kembar glances sideways at Taia.  "Can't really tell," he answers her.  "One or fifteen...Zivath might know, but I'm fairly well in the dark."

From the Sands, Zivath wearily scuffs out a new hollow near the growing mound and crouches over it. Two eggs very similar to each other, blushing dawn and fading dusk, tumble out onto the sands. Nosing the two closer, she covers them with sand as well.

"Oh, my, I'd completely forgotten. -- He lost Isoldeth and Jenneth's flights as well, Rowena. One mustn't forget those." Etain tips her head to M'an, eyes aglint in laughter. "Thank you for reminding me, M'an."

Karlin strethces out his right leg and a soft pop is heard as the leg is fulling extended.

"Eggs, eggs, eggs," murmurs Claransa in a singsongish voice.  She scootches over towards a familiar face... /any/ familiar face, at this point, so eager for somebody to talk to.  "I'm still waiting for a magenta one," she confides.

Amalthia laughs softly at Claransa's comment and watches for the next egg.

Nehyn eyes Claransa as she scoots over.  "Magenta, eh?"  Weird.

"If I told you my ways, you'd know." Angular chin raised to view those below, Peyton's voice quips sharply, resonating into words of sarcasm. "Plsus, it's fun to guess." she says in addition, swaying side to side -- why do people wear such big /hats/ to hatchings.

Sh'lantay makes some sort of soft, non-commital sound in response to Claransa.

From the Sands, Zivath lays a Impulsive Blaze of Aries Egg on the sands.

M'an mock-salutes Jenneth's lifemate. "Just trying to keep the records straight, ma'am." His dark brown eyes shoot Rowena a grateful look, though.

Taia's eyes gleam softly.  "I wonder what they feel like..."

From the Sands, Impulsive Blaze of Aries Egg
From the Sands, The pink blush of dawn seems to dust over the hard facets of diamond hatchery, reflecting into rainbow brilliance. Piercing white, flowing through the entire color spectrum, asserts itself over over and through the mettle of newborn earth. Below this crystalline hell, rising up out of the crust, the blood red fire of the lava-field erupts forth in an explosively fiery display of power and strength. In the heart of the flames, the torrent of yellows and oranges seem to capture the charge of a ram, head down to batter everything and anything in it's way.

"I'm getting stiff," Karlin says to himself, flexing the right leg back to a sitting position.

Hmph.  /Laugh/ at Clara, will you.  Well... Clara will just have to sit there and take it.  She peers down at the new one.  "Well, it's pinkish.  Do you see any magenta on it?"  Hopeful, her voice... always hopeful.

Rowena hears that question and looks for the questioner.  "Soft yet."  She remembers see, Ryath wasn't that long ago in one of those shells.

Etain adds thoughtfully, apropos nothing in particular, "I don't believe Carith /is/ a dragon. Sort of a, well, oversized lizard with wings, isn't it? --M'an's dragon, at least, can swear to a certain element of attraction."

Amalthia laughs.  "Then get up and move!  I'm sure that there is enough room for that karlin."

Arial snorts, thinking that she has as good of chance at winning as Peyton does if the other girl is going to /guess/.  "Fine, I think the blushing dawn will hatch first."

Hrethwulf yawns and stretches a bit...wincing then and rubbing his chest.

"Okay," Karlin tells Amalthia, raising out of his seat and peering the rails at the sight.

From the Sands, A plain mottled brown egg is deposited onto the sand. Heaving a martyred sigh, she pushes that one to join the rest. It does stop soon, doesn't it? She looks hopefully at her lifemate. Elisa laughs. "Yes, Zivath, you'll be done... eventually." The gold snorts. Huh!

Amalthia grins, happy that Karlin took her advice for once. :P

Torin materializes out of thin air.

Nettik grabs a mug of klah and offers one to Hrethwulf.

Nehyn peers at the pinkish egg.  "Nah, that one's just pink," he tells Clara.  "Besides, don't you think a magenta egg would clash?"  Magenta clashes with everything, you see.

Tamar continues to watch, although a small yawn escapes before she can catch it. She looks around guiltily, hoping no one caught it.

Arial grimaces, just realizing that she fell into Peyton's trap.  She scowls at her supposed friend, "You tricked me."

From the Sands, Dorvath croons to Zivath for comfort.

"31..." Taia keeps up the quiet count.

M'an says, "You do realize that he's a brown, not a bronze, I hope." He has to clarify, Cairth's orders. Humor the dragon. Er, firelizard. Consideration. "Actually, Tainie, I'd be inclined to believe him more of a stunted dragon rather than an oversized 'lizard. He's awfully large for a mutant lizard.""

Rowena drops a tired head on Razz's shoulders.  "Wish Ryath would quit /natterin/ 'bout somethin.  Dunno what's wrong with her but she's givin me a headache."

Hrethwulf looks at Nettik and raises his half drunk pitcher of Klah. "I think I am set there Milady Nettik"

Watching Hrethwulf, Tenne winces herself.  Darn, she forgot the aloe.  She'll have to get it later.

Karlin pops every joint he knows to get the stiffness out of his system.

Amalthia laughs and peers over the rails once again to marvel at all the eggs.  They are so pretty.  She sighs in rapt wonder.

From the Sands, Zivath lays a Capricious Breeze of Gemini Egg on the sands.

Nettik nods and sips at her own klah, her gaze returning to the scene below.

From the Sands, Capricious Breeze of Gemini Egg
From the Sands, On the one side childish scribbles, but the other sophisticated art, this egg defies those boundaries that would define it too much; verve is its trademark, not complacency.  Cloud-white and sky-blue twist and turn in an intricate dance--here twines a ribbon of soulful sapphire, there dissipates a laughter-filled breath of vapor.  Whimsy guides the patterns, a fascination with the inimitable vagaries of life.

Smug lines crease Peyton's lips into a content smirk, fingers rung tightly around Scooby's 'sails, "Ah. I bet the hooved one does," is her wager, fingers marking the Capricorn egg as her bet.

Kerpan looks around for familiar faces and waves to those he recognizes(or doesn't), then starts as another egg is layed onto the sand....amazing that so many eggs could fit into a dragon!!

Tenneba's face brightens.  "Hey Tam, could I get some aloe from you?  I, um, need some."

Torin waves to Kerpan, knowing that they at least come from the same Hold!

"I'm getting old," Karlin complains.

Hrethwulf scratches at his shirt absentmindedly...eyes riveted below.

"Tainie," echoes Etain, thoughtfully, drawling out the new slang of her name with a pensive soprano. "That's quite new. Congratulations, M'an."

Tamar glances briefly in Tenneba's direction, a question on her face. "Sure. After the clutching, I'll just get some from the infirmary."

Arial sighs accepting her fate.  Perhaps in the long months leading up to the hatching Peyton will forget their wager.  Still, her Harper's mind notes the egg that the other girl has chosen.

From the Sands, The young gold peers around at her tail... That's all? Really? She bounces her backend a bit, seeing if she can shake out anymore eggs. Seeing that no more are forthcoming, she inhales and trills her pride. Even as her voice echos in the huge cavern, she curls about her brood, nose close to the gold egg, and begins to fall asleep.

Kerpan stretches muscles cramped from sitting and craning to see the eggs on the sand, a soft popping sound can be heard as muscles return to thier more natural state...

M'an appears, well, startled. Incredulous, even. "Oh, really?" Ah ha! "Do you like it, Tainie? I think it fits you quite nicely."

Amalthia grins happily as another egg is laid.  "SO many!" she wonders softly. (out loud)

Torin watches it all in almost utter silence.  She doesn't know what to say.  She's never been to a Hatching before!

Taia bites her lip.  "Thirty-two eggs...."

Kalanthe has disconnected.

From the Sands, Elisandra peers at Zivath. "Are you quite done now?" she asks, tallying up the count. :) She grins at S'lan. "32 eggs... can you believe it?" she says. "And a gold...?" Will Pern survive it?

Nettik sips her klah and marvels at the eggs.

"I'm fourteen, too," Karlin adds to his complainment.

Etain returns, politely, "If it makes you happy, lad, feel free." The show is over; she stands to brush out her skirts, disturbing any sands' dust that dares mar their pristine folds. "Mm. I suppose I should congratulate Elisandra, but she's rather busy. Perhaps I shall send her a card, later?" Etain is about to invent Hallmarks.

Nehyn quirks a smile as he sees the radiant queen settle down to rest from her labors.  "32?" he echoes as the buzz passes through the Gallaries.

From the Sands, Karise does believe it, grin as clear as a bell. Someone owes her big. Ahem. Children are shooed away, as she makes her leave from the sands.

From the Sands, Karise leaves to the Entrance.

Hrethwulf says, "14 and ancient...we'll have to get the healers to work their geriatric magic on you""

Rowena snorts at Karlin.  "An I'm a bit older an not old."

From the Sands, S'lan smiles at Elisandra. "Thats a lot of beautiful eggs. I really am proud of Zivath and Dorvath.

M'an clucks his tongue. "You really /should/ see her now, or at least," grinding of teeth, "congratulate S'lan. He /is/ from Fort, you know." Just in case she forgot.

Tamar raises an eyebrow in Hrethwulf's direction, but says nothing.

A'razi grins at Caz. "So, what did you think?"

"Uh," and Karlin looks at Hrethwulf, "thanks."

Amalthia calls down her congratulations to S'lan, her old friend, and Elisandra.

Hrethwulf says, "Anytime"

Taia doesn't move, just stays in her seat, gazing at the sands.  "Thirty-two eggs."

Arial rolls her eyes at the excited buzz around her.  "so what if she laid thirty-two eggs.  All these people seem to think that this is a rare thing, as if a dragon's never laid eggs before."

From the Sands, Elisandra grins and S'lan and hugs him impulsively. "Silly gold... it serves her right, too," Myrrdin chirples, peering out. Well.... they are kinda cute...

Tamar looks back down at the eggs and sighs. "Ah well, six short of my estimate."

"And come to think of it...Didn't Zivath outlay Jenneth?" M'an ponders aloud.

Kerpan stands up raising his hands over his head to work the remaining kinks out of his body, the crack, snap and pop of muscles and joints sounds like an old time cereal...but feels soooooo goood!

From the Sands, Zivath rumbles sleepily. Oil... don't forget the /oil/....

From the Sands, S'lan returns the hug and smiles.

Rowena looks around for the source of Ryath's unease.  Really!  What's the matter with the fool green?  Row just wants a quiet word with CAz and all Ryath does is natter.

A'razi smirkingly collects marks from a greenrider from some other wing.

Etain says, "Mm." Yes, he is. And the point is? Just to be perverse, she adds wistfully, "Dear me, and Cairth would have been such a, well, /splendid/ sire for those eggs. It seems a pity, doesn't it? An unfortunate choice on Zivath's part. Ah well."

"It's over," Karlin says surprised.

Kerpan looks around to see if Sara is still here, then spotting her he waves hello to her....

"Arial, yer as sour as a turn-old redfruit!" Jesftully, Peyton's globes twinkle her persistent taunt. Torso arched back, she performs a momentary act of twisted arms and flexible movements -- /pop/ goes her back. "Plus, hatchings are always great, no matter what happens," she adds, oh-so-surely.

Sara looks over and finds Nehyn. "So you got up here after all?" she asks him, not thoroughly displesased anymore.

Rowena blinks as she catches Etain's remark.  "Golds, no sense."  Like blonds you know.

Tylenth sticks her head over the ledge and peers downwards at her rider. ... rumble, trumpet-blast!

Amalthia grins at Rowena.  "Ryath giving you trouble Rowena?  You look a little strange there."

A'razi winces. "Tylenth, knock it off."

Tamar stands up, loking over at Tenneba. "So, want to get that aloe and see my infirmary?" she asks.

"No magenta."  Claransa just mopes.  "How come there could be an orange but no magenta?"  Finally, she begins to concentrate on /other/ things... "How many?  There were more than two.  I can count to two.  It's around twenty that I get mucked up..."

Rowena nods.  "She got somethin eatin at her."

From the Sands, Dorvath spreads his wings and croons to the clutch and to Zivath.

Torin looks a little scared and confused at all the conversation that's going on.

Arial has her doubts about that statement.  *blech*  Hatchings,  If she never sees another it will be too soon.

A'razi glances at Rowena. "Want some klah, sis?"

Caz at last pulls his eyes from the sands below, incredible thing to behold. He turns and smiles to those behind him, giving Row a questioning look. "She's not proddy again is she?". *shudder*
 

VIEW OF THE SANDS
You see Zivath, wool scarf, Dorvath, Impulsive Blaze of Aries Egg, Protective Grotto of Taurus Egg, Capricious Breeze of Gemini Egg, Nocturnal Pool of Cancer Egg, Celestial Flare of Leo Egg , Prosaic Pasture of Virgo Egg, Stellar Wind of Libra Egg, Enigmatic Torrent of Scorpio Egg, Atypical Flame of Sagittarius Egg, Tenacious Reef of Capricorn Egg, Sweeping Gust of Aquarius Egg, and Unfathomable Depths of Pisces Egg here.

EGG DESCRIPTIONS
Impulsive Blaze of Aries Egg
The pink blush of dawn seems to dust over the hard facets of diamond hatchery,
 reflecting into rainbow brilliance. Piercing white, flowing through the
 entire color spectrum, asserts itself over over and through the mettle of
 newborn earth. Below this crystalline hell, rising up out of the crust, the
 blood red fire of the lava-field erupts forth in an explosively fiery display
 of power and strength. In the heart of the flames, the torrent of yellows and
 oranges seem to capture the charge of a ram, head down to batter everything
 and anything in it's way.

Protective Grotto of Taurus Egg
Dependable strength is evident within the heart of the grotto, twilight
 shadows of violets and sky blues mingling above. From below, emerald vines
 lay intertwined on the stolid earth, spiraling upwards to embrace the
 faintest hint of coppery-bronze of dawn's blush. Sparkles of crystal glint
 like stars from the shadows from the protective embrace of Mother Earth.
 Possessively guarding its secret, this tiny area securely hides its prize
 from the world without.

Capricious Breeze of Gemini Egg
On the one side childish scribbles, but the other sophisticated art, this egg
 defies those boundaries that would define it too much; verve is its
 trademark, not complacency.  Cloud-white and sky-blue twist and turn in an
 intricate dance--here twines a ribbon of soulful sapphire, there dissipates a
 laughter-filled breath of vapor.  Whimsy guides the patterns, a fascination
 with the inimitable vagaries of life.

Nocturnal Pool of Cancer Egg
Periwinkle woven with long strands of twilight violet wraps the ovoid shell in
 deceptive serenity. Bathed in the argentine splendor of lonely Luna's light,
 hints of ruby claws and onyx legs hide in the green reeds of the poolside,
 caught in a single moment of time, russet leaves over green stalks, brooding
 and cautious. Properly secretive and protective of shell's firm territory,
 yet still caught within the swirl of Life: the tempest's currents and Fate's
 fickle fortunes.

Celestial Flare of Leo Egg
All the grandeur of a sunset caresses the curving surface of shell, flaming
 oranges and crimsons coiling from crest to nadir. Resting in the cradle of a
 sardonyx mountain, the daystar gleams brilliant gold, glistening rays
 streaking across the somber crimson sard and pure white onyx river. Light
 glinting off of miniscule rubies seem pale to the dominating heaven's fire
 that courses the blazing skies, twining golden ribbons interlacing all in a
 gilded web.

Prosaic Pasture of Virgo Egg
Soft autumnal hues mingle with rich browns with the caress of the finest silk.
 Black velvet drifts down, dividing the warmth into the sections of a gown,
 the hints of pink hands, feet, and even the delicate features of a maiden's
 face define the boundaries. Blazing sapphires add a further touch of elegance
 and beauty, their rich blues both a compliment and a contrast. The young
 woman's features are fuzzy, like the ghost of a memory long lost, only the
 force of her personality piercingly clear: touching the soul with a hint of
 critical intellect and practical analysis.

Stellar Wind of Libra Egg
A field of night, darkness coalesces into an ebon orb dappled with pinpoints
 of sparkling starlight. Celestial jewels scatter across the gleaming surface,
 falling into patterns a Terran might recognize, looking upwards from Grecian
 shores. But they pale by comparison to the glowing, nimbus-shrouded vision
 suspended in the windswept sky. A perfectly balanced scale hovers over the
 merest hint of green landscape, polished bright brass with twisting ropes
 tied to the twin jewel-filled pans, gems of sapphire and jade spilling over
 in their overflow like largess unto all below.

Enigmatic Torrent of Scorpio Egg
Mysterious beginnings are unearthed upon this egg's craggy surface, ancient
 writings delineated on an ill-lit cave wall.  Only two symbols are visible
 beneath the dampened murk of age:  the first a winged lizard, its dapper grey
 subtly glaring upon the open field; the next a misdepicted wherry, its
 brown-and-white plumage darkened and smudged.  Each is unique, and yet--at
 the right angle--they haze together into a shadowed rubbing of a tenuated
 scorpion.

Atypical Flame of Sagittarius Egg
Flames of topaz twist and twine tumultuously, enticing trickles of purple,
 turquoise, and deepest blue threaded throughout. Layered lavendar licks
 lumeniscently along, curious quetzlcoatl colors coiling into the vaguest
 outlines of a proud archer. Fiery flickers and philosophical gleams
 foreshadow freedom, ardently ambitious arrow accompanying and divulging
 dream-like dyes full of vital versatility and impatient independence in its
 unwavering flight.

Tenacious Reef of Capricorn Egg
Marked with what looks like a single imprint of a slim cloven hoof, the huge
 reef rock sits in the frigid waters of the northern coast. Its rugged,
 irregular surface of peppered jet, grey and dark brown and veined with traces
 of silver, surprises with blooms of amethyst snowflakes, catching the light
 with crystalline clarity. Stirred by the approaching winter storms, the surf
 crashes against the stoic granite in a frigid spray along the reserved
 solitary sentinel.

Sweeping Gust of Aquarius Egg
Blowing through the stormclouds, a field of blue can be seen in sharp clarity,
 separating into distinct hues when gazed upon. Turquoise, aquamarine, streaks
 of sapphire and azure show themselves most notably. Indigo, cobalt, twilight
 and midnight: all mix and mingle majestically, each melting into a deeper
 shade without a clear mark of definition. A shock of electric dances across,
 as if cloudskipping, while other colors-- beryl, royal, navy, wisps of sky
 --traipse about the aerial window. Strong Prussian and delicate powder edge
 the outlines, speckled with violet, splashed by salty sea. Through all,
 Harper weaves like a bright, merry tune.

Unfathomable Depths of Pisces Egg
Blood-flecked verdant fronds of kelp dance across the aquamarine depths of the
 shell's frigid void, concealing with inky shadow all that should be plain.
 Hints of silvery fins gleam out at unexpected moments, two fish weave an
 exotic dance of lilac and mint, darkness and light, over and under, around
 and through. Static but alive, darting, swimming, they weave the tapestry of
 Life itself.