Planet Zar: Nexus

Shigan Clutch 2 - Hatching Keeping Kalapatith on her own nest and not worrying about the weyr itself was a feat, but Ranoth understood her mate's need to keep tabs on the weyr's wellbeing. Besides, she didn't mind taking over egg watching duty. Her wingspan wasn't as impressive as Kalapatith's, but it did the job well enough for their fine little nest. Who knew the pair of them would manage to lay eggs anyway? Two browns, Kalapatith not even proper queen-sized. Each of these hatchlings was a precious miracle in their own right.

Ranoth nudged a few of the smaller eggs, rumbling affectionately to the little voices inside.

:: They're hungry for attention. :: Kalapatith's mind-voice was sweet as spring flowers. She circled down to the sands and nuzzled Ranoth. :: All of their little songs, calling out to bonds. Do you think they're ready? ::

A few of the larger eggs rocked at the notion.

Ranoth laughed. :: I think we should call the candidates in! ::

—

Among the usual assortment of humans (Pernese and otherwise) was a plethora of alien species. A few holdborn kids squirmed and stared, but Shigan was used to Nexus diversity. And to the weird looks some of the holders gave their dragons. The lot would get used to their new digs in no time. Impression always fixed that right up.

One of the largest eggs rocked and split just as the last stragglers rushed to the sands.

A large brown hatchling spilled into the sand. He was a light, dusty color with bars across his wing membranes and marks along his neck in the semblance of feathers. He was a hefty boy, stout across the shoulders with broad wings - especially for a hatchling. While a pair of greens burst from their shells next to him, he took a long moment to preen before regarding the flurry of candidates before him. His gaze was warm and friendly wherever it landed, but it paused over a brightly dressed Pernese girl.

:: Luana :: the robust brown trotted toward his intended, head high. :: I am your Cryptophath. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. ::

The girl's brother stood nearby wearing a solemn expression. Luana had spent more time picking out the perfect outfit than she did attending candidate lessons, but she'd still managed to impress a dragon? Even the dragons seemed to think she was nicer than she really was. :: She's got her merits :: a brusque mind-voice brushed through Marak's mind. :: But I think you're the better choice.::

A pale blue dragonet approached Marak from the remains of her shell, flicking egg goo off her white-crescent marked wings. Her. This blue was definitely female!

:: I'm Duculath, and I think we'll be pretty good together. ::

—

:: Outta my way, outta my way! You're all missing out on the real goods. :: Small but brawny, a heavily marked green trundled her way through her siblings.She was on the warpath toward Paityn, the lone androsphynx on the sands.

:: You're cute as heck and you don't need to hide anything about your nature from me, your Treronth:: The green pounced at Paityn's legs, nipping gently before giving her a playful nuzzle. :: I'm hungry as all get out. Let's get some grub then I'd like to meet the roost. ::

—

A delicate blue so pale as to be nearly white tumbled free from her eggshell and lay quietly on the sands while her siblings ran amok. Her head and wings were the only spots of true pigmentation, and her eyes swirled a brilliant plethora of colors as she regarded the candidates.

There was only one person for her, and he could truly see her in all her glory.

:: Why do you keep your eyes shut? :: she craned her head as she approached Johann.

"I only keep one of them shut," Johann replied. "This place is... strange... Nonsensical. A little like home but skewed."

:: Not your Turturth, though.:: The blue rubbed, cat-like, against Johann's shins. :: I'm perfectly normal. ::

—

A pale brown had gone almost unnoticed for the beginning of the hatching. She blended perfectly with the sand and shards of shell, creamy in color with delicate barring along her wing membranes.

She exploded from the sand with a raucous whoop, dashing toward a group of candidates. Most of the kids barrelled out of the way, but Alivyn caught the full impact of the dragonet to her chest, sending them both tumbling into the sand.

:: I've been waiting long enough! :: the brown declared. :: I'm Phapitrenoth and I'm ready for my first adventure with you. ::

—

A hardy little blue trotted across the hot sands, his head held high as he examined the remaining candidates. Even hungry, his step had a whimsical bounce to it, and he fluttered his barred wings enticingly whenever someone's attention turned to him.

It was song that caught his attention, though. The silver melody of woodchimes. The blue kicked up his feet and danced toward Briana.

:: You're the loveliest person here! :: the blue exclaimed. :: Your mind is so sweet with opportunities! Your Petrophassath wants to go everywhere with you. ::

—

Two of the first greens to hatch had yet to make their choices, hovering near one another in a fit of indecision. The larger was a medium-green with heavily barred wings, who held herself above her smaller, more brightly colored brother, while they watched their siblings pair off around them.

:: We should like to stick together ::

The female green's words were heard only by one person on the sands, Rizov, who stood behind her brother.

The green rose to her feet and nudged her brother along toward the twins, Rizov and Rizon.

:: My name is Ptilinoputh :: squeaked the girl.

The male - decision made - trotted head-first into Rizon's shins and chortled with hunger. :: I'm your Lopholaimuth and I hope there's lots of cool friends for me to meet at your weyr! ::

—

One candidate stood out amongst the rest simply by... well... not standing out at all. The smallest and nearly youngest of the lot was Ransom - who might be in a great deal of trouble when he returned home, but Shigan accepted him with open arms. The dragons said he'd make an excellent bond, and no one was going to argue with a broody clutch mother!

:: I'm glad you came when you did! :: A grey-blue hatchling barrelled through the throngs of larger candidates to bounce at Ransom's feet. :: If you'd waited any longer, I wouldn't have been here - and you're exactly who your Claravith needs. With me around, you won't have to worry about bullies any longer! ::

—

The number of unhatched eggs dwindled as bonded pairs of dragonet and rider headed hurriedly to the feeding tables. That was all fine for Pafen, who kept to the far edges of the sands while he watched the dragonets trample through candidates.

:: I don't really want to fight the thread :: came a soothing mind voice from Pafen's side.

The man started a little, having not seen the little cream-winged blue approach.

:: I'd like to learn what you do and help make things for people. I'm Spilopeliath and I'm coming home with you. ::

—

:: I like the darkness in you. :: A bold greeting from a bright little green, who marched with purpose toward Tera.

"Is that so?" Tera replied, arching a fiery eyebrow.

: I don't understand everything I see in your mind, but it suits me just fine. I'm Zentrygonth and I'd like to do the sort of training you do. ::

"You're awfully colorful for that."

:: So are you. ::

—

A pale green with a brightly mottled face and neck was one of the last stragglers, although she hadn't spent much time wandering between candidates since she'd hatched. She sat, perched beside her mother, watching the impressions being made and occasionally gazing skyward with a curious expression.

:: It's time to go :: Kalapatith gave her daughter a gentle nudge.

The green huffed and extracted herself from her mother's limbs, wandering unhurriedly toward Terry.

:: There are things out there in the stars :: she said, sitting primly at Terry's feet.

"Good things or bad things?" Despite the ominous statement, Terry grinned, heart thumping with excitement at the pending bond.

:: Both :: the hatchling replied. :: I'm Leptotilath and I'd like to see more of the stars with you. ::

She paused for a moment, nose wrinkled. :: And Comet too, please. ::

—

The last egg on the sands hatched with a cacophonous burst, spilling a pale brown hatchling onto the sands. He wasted no time cleaning himself - his mind was loud and bold and many of his siblings shied away from him as he marched through the dunes.

:: Maeve! :: he cried, panic and love tied together in his mind-voice. :: Maeve, I've waited for you for so long! ::

The child in question gently stepped out of the circle of remaining candidates, heading without hesitation to the brown.

"My Streptopeliath!" she curled her tiny arms around the dragon's neck. "I knew you were the one for me, I could hear you in your egg."

:: My siblings knew better than to take you from me. ::

—

Ranoth stood proud over her mate as the final pairs made their way to the feeding tables. :: We did good. ::

:: I hate that they'll all be going so far from me :: said Kalapatith.

"Not all of them," Hermina, arm looped in Dusana's, headed down the stands to join her dragon. "A few are staying at Shigan, at least for a while longer."

Dusana ducked her head, guilty. She'd been the one to abandon her love and her weyr for several years to fight forces that threatened Ranoth's homeworld. It was a messy business, returning to Shigan and earning Hermina's forgiveness. She understood Kalapatith's worry.

Ranoth puffed her chest out. :: Besides, we can always have more eggs! ::

Dusana barked out laughter while Kalapatith shot her mate a harried look.