Planet Zar: Nexus

Heziolth's eye whirled with discomfort at the very thought of settling down and waiting patiently. This wasn't the first clutch he'd sired, but he never could shake off the jitters when hatching time approached. It was difficult standing by and watching when he felt he should help.

:: I'll be hungry when this is all finished :: said Ayotundeth :: Perhaps you can find me a nice wherry. ::

Heziolth crooned and nuzzled her, ever cautious of his feet around the nest. :: I know what you're doing. ::

:: Hoping you'll relax so our hatchlings aren't born filled with worry for their sire! :: she rumbled a laugh.

:: It's the first time so many of them will be leaving home :: Heziolth replied. :: I saw some of the candidates. Nexus-goers, magical beings, people from other Perns. ::

:: There will be plenty staying at Shigan, and Shigan needs it's allies and interests reaching the ends of the Nexus. It's good for us. :: she regarded her eggs with a fond smile :: It's good for them. ::

Curious little minds reached out toward them, carrying kernels of wakefulness. Readiness.

Heziolth jolted to his feet, wings outstretched. :: They're ready! ::

:: So they are. Sing with me. ::

And they did, reverberating a deep hum that every dragon in Shigan picked up and answered, until the very walls of the weyr shook with their song.

The eggs were hatching.

Candidates spilled into the sands, following Weyrwoman Vikana, Weyrleader J'ram who took their seats on the stands among the other weyrfolk, and candidate master Rh'mel who urged the last stragglers through the entry with a proud smile. Heziolth had dutifully flown to a ledge to overlook the hatching without interference. J'ram was certain he'd be recording the bondings as well as any scribe in attendance. The eggs were well on their way to rocking when the last candidate stepped onto the sands. By last count, there were twenty-seven eggs in total. Not a terrible clutch for Ayotundeth. She'd kept them safe and partially hidden, but now her wings were spread wide and she stepped away, revealing two glimmering gold shells.

"Two queen eggs?" said J'ram. "Perhaps we'll get a proper junior queen for Shigan." Of the four fertile risers at Shigan, only one, Ayotundeth herself, was a proper Pernese gold.

"I think Ayotundeth knows how important this clutch is, diplomatically. Shigan needs to branch out into the wider Nexus. If neither of those queens remain here, all the better."

The sound of shattering shells silenced their conversation. A lithe green split her egg and tumbled to the sand with a bellow. Her muzzle and legs were slightly paler than the rest of her, resembling her dam's markings, with neat 'socks' of white and a striking blaze down her brow. She took her time stretching her wings and getting the hang of her feet before turning her gaze to the circle of candidates. Her eyes whirled with brilliant curiosity. She hopped to her dainty feet with only residual hatchling clumsiness and strutted purposefully toward a pair of green-eyed siblings.

She regarded both Ancillus' kids with a cocked chin, then darted out in a playful rush around Zoralli's legs.

:: My Zoralli! :: she said :: I'm your Abioyeth. Once I learn how to fly we're going to go so many places together, I can't wait! ::

One of the larger eggs shook viciously as the hatchling battled for freedom. The shell became a mosaic of cracks until finally a wide snout burst through. It was the work of a few minutes to finish clawing through the egg until nothing was left but shattered shell and a sticky dragonet. The reddish metallic hide revealed a rather striking bronze, who sported creamy white flashes on his face, neck, and feet. The bronze stared down at himself with a frown, shaking some of the egg goo from his hide.

:: Am I supposed to look like this? :: he crooned. He turned his gaze to Heziolth, eyes narrowed. :: I don't look like him at all. ::

:: You're exactly as you're meant to be :: said Ayotundeth, leaning over to nuzzle the hatchling. She gave him a gentle nudge toward the candidates. :: Go on, find your match. ::

The bronze picked himself up and waddled toward the group of candidates, inspecting them with bared teeth and narrowed eyes - like a general marching the line of his soldiers. After a pass - and several other clutch mates shattering their shells and rushing forward - he returned to Tuncay.

:: You're the only one that will do :: he said :: I'm Kabeloth and I'm ready to do what I need to prove myself. ::

T'nc rubbed the hatchling's wide blaze, lips stretched in a sardonic smile. "I'm sure we'll do great things together."

A second bronze burst from his shell and struck a handsome pose, intending for everyone to gape at him. His hide was a glimmering, perfect bronze, but the webbing of his wings was deep chocolate. A bi-color! He squeaked his eyes open and realized several of his siblings were already hatched and waddling through the candidates. He let out a sharp cry and raced forward, knocking a few smaller greens out of his way.

:: I wanted to be first! :: he barked.

"It would have been awesome to be the first to bond," Bye replied, as the bronze thundered toward him with a look of determination furrowing his brow.

:: We'll just have to prove to be the best then :: the bronze replied. :: I'm Tochukwuth, and don't you forget it! ::

With nearly a dozen blues and greens stalking the group of candidates, only a few eggs remained unhatched and rocking in the hot sand. One was particularly robust egg, and J'ram would have placed bets on it being another bronze if he were a a gambling man. Good thing he wasn't, as the shell cracked in lazy lines and a warm brown slipped placidly out with a yawn. His wings were so pale as to be nearly cream, and he sported socks and pips above his eyebrows and shoulders in an identical  hue. The hatchling wasn't particularly tall, despite the side of his egg, but he was comfortably round with stocky limbs. He took his time collecting himself, clearly in no rush to find himself.

But the gurgle of hunger wouldn't stave off for long, and soon he was forced to his feet, waddling toward the throngs of onlookers. He was deliberate in his choice, keeping his distance as he regarded the remaining candidates. Several of the hatchlings had hesitated in front of the inhuman options, perhaps a bit perturbed or frightened by their presence, but this chunky brown seemed intrigued by them.

Finally, he made his way toward Cricket and butted the boy's hand with his broad head.

:: You smell lovely :: he said :: But your Okoreith is very hungry. Would you bring me to the feeding table? ::

"Of course!" said Cricket, beaming broadly. He turned his brother," We'll be right back."

A striking gold-winged blue hovered over several of his siblings, guiding nervous nellies toward candidates and thinking through options with indecisive clutch mates. He'd made up his own decision fairly early but felt no anxiety in missing out. Once his siblings had been sorted and most of them were well on their way to choosing their own bonds, he broke apart from the group and headed toward  his intended.

Janet likely knew of his intentions before he even reached her. Her empathy had drawn her to him - that delightful sharing of emotions, being known and knowing she could sense the feelings of everyone else around them. The blue stopped at her feet, thrumming with happiness and optimism.

:: I'm Nakatoth, and I'd like to do what you do. I want to help people. ::

A flashy, heavily marked blue was the next to make his decision. He'd been watching the candidates carefully from a spot near his mother, not shy, but in no rush to finalize a bond. A lifelong commitment was not something to decide on the fly. He tutted at a few of his siblings - scrambling to chose a candidate as quick as possible, bustling over one another with swirling thoughts of bond! food! now!

He shook himself off, held his chin up high, and strutted toward Cael.

:: I think we'll help each other become the best of ourselves :: he said :: I'm Wanjalath, and you're all mine, Cael. ::

Cael grinned. "Then let's get you fed!"

:: Then we should talk to the weyrling master and get a head start on our training. ::

Cael paused, trying to hold back a frown.

From a little ways away, Caia smothered a chuckle behind her hand. Cael was going to have his work cut out for him with this one!

A handful of girls - and several boys - crowded around the pair of queen eggs. Many were candidates from Shigan itself, but there were several others from abroad. Vikana recognized the look in their eyes - determination, desire. A life time spent preparing for this very moment. Others seemed soft, excited but uncertain. All of them were eager and when the first gold egg cracked and split open it was followed by a chorus of gasps. The hatchling wrenched herself free from the shell, tail swinging and head snapping as she smashed away the fragments of her egg. She was a stunning fiery gold. Almost completely solid but for her toes, which looked dipped in white paint.

The gold swung her head around the group of gawking candidates, her teeth bared. She flared her wings and bugled. Several candidates scrambled away. A wise choice, as the young queen snapped at the few that remained and were unworthy of her. She was a furious flurry of jaws and claws until she finally whirled on Millaray.

:: I will fight :: she screamed into Millaray's mind. :: I will do as I please at your side. We will not cow to others' expectations. ::

Millaray stepped up to her, a hand outstretched. The gold pressed her nose against Millaray's palm, eyes whirling rainbow.

"Oluchith," Millaray whispered. Then, stronger. "Oluchith. No one will control us."

While eyes were on the first young queen, a dark, understated bronze broke free from his egg, shook himself off to get used to his limbs, and trotted purposefully toward the remaining candidates. He didn't miss a stride as he passed the throngs, avoiding the outstretched hands reaching for him.

:: Nemel :: he called as he reached the Lunari. :: It's your Busingeth. I didn't mean to keep you waiting. ::

"You weren't long at all," Nemel replied, fixing their new bond with a sturdy smile. "Let's get you fed."

:: Once I've eaten I promise I'm quite ready to head back to your home. I don't want you to miss your exams! I can be a soldier or a guard too, don't worry. ::

:: There's so many people here :: said a robust brown with a hide so dark it was nearly black in the right lighting. He flopped close to Ayotundeth, watching the candidates from afar.

:: You need to make a choice :: Ayotundeth replied. :: Your belly won't let you wait much longer. ::

:: I like so many of them! What if I choose wrong? ::

:: You won't. :: Ayotundeth gave him a little push with her snout, tumbling him out of the nest proper and toward the waiting candidates. :: Trust yourself, Umarth. ::

Umarth picked himself off the sand and gamboled toward the waiting spectators, his eyes whirling a cheerful blue. He didn't want to make anyone upset by not picking them, but his mother was right. He needed to make a choice and honestly there had only been one person that stood out the best to him. He let people stroke his hide as he passed as a passive apology, then broke into a sprint as he barreled toward Caia.

:: I don't know what I was worried about :: he giggled :: You're perfect. ::

Caia matched his grin and led him off to the feeding table with her brother and his new bond.

The smallest egg on the sands began to shake. The shell crumpled under a blunt nose as the hatchling began to struggle to freedom. She wriggled her way through the tiny opening she'd made and fell panting to the sands in a tumble of limbs. She was a deep green with brighter wings and points, the tips of her toes and end of her nose were spotted white. She was as petite as her egg suggested, almost a whole head smaller than her other green sisters. She seemed unperturbed by this, and after a moments rest she picked herself up on wobbly legs and marched toward the candidates.

:: There you are :: she chimed, approaching Cicada. :: I'm Ameqranth and we should catch up to your brother. I'd apologize for taking so long but hatching is awfully hard work. ::

"It's very loud out here."

Ameqranth bobbed her head in agreement. :: Feed me and we'll find somewhere nice and quiet. I'm sure there's good places around the weyr until we can go back to your home. ::

A bright green with golden two-tone wings had been pacing the sands for some time, keeping her wings tucked close against her body. She'd kept a close eye on several of the candidates but one by one people were bonded off... and the others had huddled near the queen eggs. Surely they wouldn't be interested in her. She was only a little bit gold, after all. What if she approached someone and they closed their mind off to her? What if no one here wanted her? It seemed an impossible task to head toward a candidate like so many of her siblings had - full of surety that they'd be accepted and loved.

"Woah, there!" tutted a girl.

The green-gold whirled her head around to see she'd almost collided with one of the candidates; Tanra. She was met with a wave of affectionate amusement and acceptance.

:: Oh! :: she cried. :: I think I've found you. I'm... I'm your Imanith... if... if you'll have me. ::

Tanra smiled softly and gathered the little green-gold in her arms, peppering her snout with kisses. "Of course! Let's get you fed, little one."

A velvety dark green-blue prowled the outskirts of the candidates, nipping at ankles with eyes whirling a mischievous green until she reached Goraf and pounced. The knocked the two of them to the ground in a tussle of limbs and bright colors until she was left bouncing on Goraf's chest.

:: I got you! :: she giggled. :: I'm Chiketh and now you're mine forever. ::

Goraf wrestled her off, laughing. "And you're mine, too."

:: Yup! ::

Another green-blue regarded her sister's antics with a shake of her head before trotting off to find her own bond. She was much fairer than Chiketh, with a bright green hide and darker points, swallowed at the edges by crisp white. The slipped easily around her siblings in search of her own perfect bond. She'd make her mind up shortly after breaching her egg, but there was an element of sorrow that dissuaded the little green from approaching. Sheo was the right person for her, without a doubt, but that blanket of sadness worried the little hatchling.

But she could help Sheo with that, surely?

At the very least she'd give it a good try!

:: I don't know why you're so sad :: she said as she approached the elegant Elafi. :: But your Olufunth is here to help make it better. ::

With hatchings dwindling down only a few eggs remained intact on the sands, and the one with the most attention was the second queen egg. It had laid perfectly still throughout the events and Ayotundeth would have worried for her child had she not felt its gentle mind voice humming away at itself. Ayotundeth stood and strode toward it, sending the queen-hopefuls scattering with held breaths. She nudged the egg with a careful claw.

:: It's time to come out, little one. ::

:: I can hear so many minds! :: the baby queen replied. :: It's so interesting. ::

:: It's more interesting out here in the world. Come meet those minds in person, Lawalith.::

Affection flowed back between them until finally the egg began to rock. It jolted to its side and rolled through the sand, wiggling and jiggling as it began to crack. Several candidates raced after it - worried for the hatchling and likely their opportunity to bond as well. But the egg paid no head, wandering chaotically through the weyrbowl until it bumped into the backs of someone's knees.

A candidate called, "Watch out!" a moment too late.

MacKrie caught herself on her elbows and jumped back to her feet, whirling around to see the egg nudging insistently against her. A loud crack announced the first chink in the shell and a whirling blue eye appeared in the hole.

:: It's you! :: Lawalith cried. :: You're just who I was hoping to find. Could you help me out of here?::

MacKrie grinned, starry-eyed and elated as she helped peel off shards of shell until her soft gold hatchling was revealed.

Although he wasn't a particularly small blue, one powdery blue hatchling managed to avoid detection from most of the candidates, slinking carefully between his sibling's shadows and keeping out of sight. There were just too many people here, too much crowding. He'd seen how some candidates liked to reach for dragons and he was certain he'd bite their hands if they tried that sort of thing with him. He needed someone nice and quiet, but willing to protect him from strangers until he was big and strong himself.

He spotted an opening during the fiasco with the second queen egg and made his move.  He skittered across the hot sand until he reached Zenaida and wound himself around her legs to hide.

:: I'm Nyaraith :: he squeaked. :: I'm very hungry but there's so many people at the feeding station. Could you bring me some meat, please?::

Zenaida offered him a patient smile and nodded. "I'll be right back."

A second green-gold hatchling paced through the candidates, this one much paler than the first. She approached Isaac without hesitation, her tail lashing with interest.

:: Do you think death is like being insidez an egg? :: she asked him. :: I couldn't see anything and hearing was awful hard until the last few weeks, but I could speak to people. Did that make me a ghost? ::

"I don't think that's how it works," Isaac replied, but the question gave him a thoughtful pause. "We'll find a ghost to ask when we get home and boy are people back home going to eat their socks when they see you!"

The hatchling beamed. :: I'm Ymaneth and that all sounds super fun to me! ::

Jerrett had kept a close eye on his sister since she headed to the feeding tables with her new bond. Dragonets were still running rampant and several of them had no qualms against lashing out with teeth, talon, or tail. She could handle herself he reminded himself.

:: And you can handle me, I think :: said a sturdy mind voice.

Jerrett turned to see a dark blue hatchling approach him, fine but sturdy in build. The dragon cocked his head with a bright smile. :: I'm your Wanangath and I'll always be at  your side. ::

A pale blue hatchling with subtle tri-color markings had been waiting patiently near the center of the nest, tidying pieces of broken shell while he watched his siblings make their decisions. He was desperately hungry and even more desperate for a bond to ease the ache in his mind, but it was so important that all his clutchmates found someone. With only a few bondless dragonets left on the sands - himself included - Subirath finally meandered from the center of the weyrbowl to the remaining groups of candidates.

It didn't take him long to approach Kievan, deep in comical conversation with another candidate.

Subirath trilled as he approached. :: I'm sorry I kept you waiting, I had to make sure everything was just right. ::

"That's alright," said Kievan with a bright smile. "You're here now, that's what matters."

With most of the clutch hatched and paired off, Okon was beginning to accept the possibility he wouldn't bond. Not being able to fly with his sister would be unfortunate, but his heart wasn't entirely committed to taking on a dragonet so leaving the sands empty-handed wouldn't be such a crushing blow.

:: You won't leave alone :: said a cool, steady mind voice. :: I just wasn't in any rush. ::

A seaglass green hatchling approached him, winding out between other (more disappointed) candidates to sit stoicly at Okon's feet. :: I'm Uchennath ::

Despite her few words, the affection and loyalty bursting from her mind was palpable as her eyes whirled a rainbow to seal their bond.

The last hatchling dawdling on the sands was a bright ocean blue, his chest and forelegs slashed with bright white. He was hungrily examining the bits of shell exploded around the weyrbowl, picking and prodding at pieces as if they'd answer some question swirling around in his mind.

:: Lelisath :: Ayotundeth rumbled.

The little blue jumped up, swinging his attention toward his dam, a question on his face.

She jerked her head at the pairs of hatchlings and new bonds crowding the feeding tables until Lelisath realized he was the last one left. With a squawk he leapt to his feet and raced toward the remaining candidates.

:: I'm so sorry! :: he squealed as he barreled into Meily. :: I completely lost track of time but I've known you were the right person the whole time. I just wanted to figure out what shells were made of and make sure I did the best job breaking out, you know?::

"I didn't mind waiting," Meily replied. "What did you find out?"

:: That I'm right, of course. :: Lelisath beamed as Meily lead him toward the tables.

:: A successful hatching :: Heziolth rumbled to his bond.

:: How many remaining at Shigan?:: J'ram asked through their mindlink.

:: Seven, a good number. It'll be nice to have a full class of weyrlings again. ::

J'ram frowned. :: Hopefully it'll get A'sem off his ass and out of his funk. ::

:: Time will tell :: Heziolth replied, lowering his gaze to the weyrbowl. He missed taking wing with his clutch mate Briroth.