Impression is a Beautiful Thing

Writers: Clancey, Eimi, Emma
Date Posted: 9th October 2007

Characters: K'sedel, Solieira, M'galec
Description: The Eggs on the Sands of RBW Hatch and Impressions are made
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 6, day 3 of Turn 4

K'sedel

The dragons always knew. Even before the humming started, there was a sense of expectancy about the weyr. No rider went too far away, they knew too that they would be needed.

The kitchens too began to prepare, extra dishes into the ovens, more bread dough prepared, stores and supplies checked, drudges sent to clean, animals marked for slaughter.

The Weyrleader sorted out his best gather outfit when the humming did begin. He knew that the Headwoman and the Weyrlingmaster would bring the youngsters to the sands, it was his job to greet the dignitaries that would soon be brought to watch. Not to mention the eager parents of the girls hoping to be Pern's newest goldrider.

Solieira helped the stood near the door to the Candidate barracks, making sure everyone was getting into their robes. She was paying more attention than usual to this Hatching due to the lovely gold egg just waiting to birth River Bluff's newest queen.

She smiled encouragingly to the girls as they all practically ran out, shooing them in the direction of the Weyrlingmaster. She would accompany them closer, and just be on hand to comfort those girls that didn't Impress the gold. Perhaps they would Impress a green instead?
She hoped.

Riders began to head off in all directions to fetch the families of the prospective riders. The Weyrleader greeted them, and the current Weyrlings showed them to their seats. Everyone was busy.

"Straight line now, all of you," M'galec said as he walked along the line of candidates, nudging those into place who had stepped out of line to peek at the looming cavern filling with the sounds of people and dragons. "Remember, thoughts of love and acceptance. Ladies, remember the greens are just as important to Pern as that nice shiny Gold. Keep your mind on _all_ the eggs in front of you." At a signal from the Weyrlingmaster, his Second headed towards the head of the line. "Try not to bunch up, there's plenty of room on the Sands. Your lifemate will find you wherever you are. Pay attention to your surroundings so as not to get in the way of a pairing. It's time. Bifien, lead the way." The Second stepped aside and let the Candidates file past and watched from the cavernous opening, ready to assist any wounded. The Hatching was beginning.

As he always did, the Weyrleader leant forwards, hoping that the first egg to crack would reveal a bronze. This time it did, the wobbly footed hatcling making his way to a youngish looking boy. The lad's rather plain face was split with a smile as he realized what had happened.
"Foneth!
He's Foneth."

Sol stood near the entrance to the grounds, watching with great enjoyment. She rarely attended Hatchings because she was always supervising the Hatching Feast preparations. But this time, she wanted to be there.
She especially watched U'das' niece, Uetia. She had grown close to the young woman, somewhat, and it made her smile to think of sharing a bit of her bronzerider's family.

Several eggs cracked open at once, a brown dragonet making unerringly for a young boy on the edge of the other young Candidates. A green was tripping over her wings nearby, and she was making for the knot of young women around the wobbling gold egg.

A strong butt of the young dragonet's head almost knocked Uetia to the ground while Sol watched. Her smile broadened as Uetia called out, "Her name is Sirjath!" Impression was made.

Yet another green was mewling piteously on the far side of the Sands, and one of the other young women turned almost involuntarily toward the sound. She walked toward the green who stood shakily, alone.
"Henerath!" Benna said with great feeling, and Sol's heart contracted. Impression was surely a beautiful thing.

M'galec stood on the edge of the Sands, watching dillegently as shell after shell shattered. Three dragonests spilled out onto the Sands at virtually the same time. Green Isleth quickly found Tey waiting for her in the front of the pack, but a little blue cried piteously, searching for his lifemate as he stumbled across the Sands towards a group of candidates. Most of them scattered as he made his way towards them, but one stood rooted, distracted. **Come on, Noalt, pay attention to your surroundings...** the Weyrlingmaster Second muttered. The bronzerder's Healer instincts warred with his knowledge that he needed to allow the Hatching to unfold naturally without interference. **That one's not for you, get out of his way!** To his great relief the Candidate took a step towards the dragonet's brown clutchmate, avoiding disaster and allowing the little blue to find his lifemate as Noalt found his.

**Shards, that was close. That boy nearly gave me a heart attack,**
M'galec thought with a shake of his head.

}:You shouldn't worry so much,:{ Dwarkanath murmured to him in a calming tone. }:Dreith will never let anything bad happen to him now.:{ The Weyrlingmaster nodded his acknowledgement, but despite his lifemate's attempts, he knew he couldn't relax until the Hatching was over and all the candidates were off the Sands safe and sound.

Two more eggs started to gently rock, as the dragonets within tried to find their way out. Almost together, cracks appeared. From one emerged a brown head, followed by the rest of him after an anxious moment. He made his way onto the sand unsteadily, before heading to an older boy with brown hair flopping over his eyes.

The second egg revealed a green. She was a determined little thing, thought K'sedel as she headed straight for a small knot of girls. They moved, so she could see them, but they were not her choice. The one she wanted was beyond them. "Jorth!" came the shout from Tamaca, as K'sedel watched another impression happen.

At last the egg that they had all been concentrating on began to roll.
It had been doing so for some time, but people had been distracted by other impressions. A crack appeared, that soon became a hole, through which a delicate golden form was visible.

A hush fell across the sands as she forced her way out of the shell.
She studied everyone ahead of her, or so it seemed, before making her way towards her choice. Nothing, or no one could dissuade her, not from ending up at the feet of Ariau.

}:Her name is Alabieth ,:{ Nikornath informed K'sedel. }:She has chosen well.:{ M'galec nodded approvingly as Ariau lead off her new lifemate. They made a fine pair. But now that the excitement was over, it was time to get back to work. They had forty-seven new lifemate pairs to feed and settle into their barracks for the night.

CONGRATUALTIONS ONCE MORE TO:

Uetia, rider of green Sirjath
Tey, rider of green Isleth
Tamaca, rider of green Jorth
N'alt, rider of brown Dreith
Benna, rider of green Henerath
Ariau, rider of gold Alabieth

Last updated on the October 9th 2007

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Impression is a Beautiful Thing