All references to worlds and characters based on Anne McCaffrey's fiction are copyright © Anne McCaffrey 1967,2000, all rights reserved, and used by permission of the author. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, by Anne McCaffrey, used here with permission. Use or reproduction without a license is strictly prohibited. For more information, visit the Worlds of Anne McCaffrey.

31-05-01: Touch
Kyla hurries into the barracks, looking slightly out of breath. "Ok." Voice rises over the hub-bub of relaxing candidates, hands...

Kyla hurries into the barracks, looking slightly out of breath. "Ok." Voice rises over the hub-bub of relaxing candidates, hands quickly clapping together to get their attention. "I need you all to follow me. Please leave all flits in the barracks."

Hanneke drops her comb in surprise--yelping--and peers at Kyla, straightening her clothing rapidly as she shoos various firelizards from her shoulders. Nasty things, anyway. "Okay! Isn't this exciting, everyone? So fun!" Whatever it is.

Dominic was just in the middle of changing his trousers. Excuse him while he pulls on the clean ones. Ahh. There. Much better. Now he doesn't smell like the stables. Raising his eyebrows as he fixes his belt around his waist, "Where're we going..?"

Zureile swings her feet hastily over the side of the bed, biting off a expletive as she bangs her heel onto the floor. Bending over, she slips her bare feet into her sandles, then stands up nervously. Who knew /what/ was in store for them. Reaching onto her shoulder, she places Ariesca onto her cot, giving the young green a silent command to stay put. Turning to follow Kyla, she shoots a questioning glance over at Klari. What's going on? (repose)

Klari's standing in the doorway, waiting to follow Kyla to where ever they're supposed to be going. She goes to ask a question but just ends up nodding to what Dominic says.

Kyla has seen Dom sans trousers, but /anyway/. She glances over the group and nods to herself, "Ok, we're heading out to the sands. Kat's managed to drag Tajiath off for a bath in the ocean. So there's no time to waste." And to prove it, she heads out of the barracks.

You walk carefully out onto the sands, taking care not to disturb the queen or her eggs.

Kyla slips off to the side, staying off the hotter sands in the center. She nods at the group, "Fan out and take a look around. Get used to the feel of the sands, so you are prepared when the time comes." She settles down on the edge of the sands.

Zureile follows Kyla onto the sands, one hand holding the sliding wig in place as she minces her way out onto the sands. The first thing that becomes readily apparant to her is that it is even hotter on the sands than it was in the galleries. The second thing that became apparant to her were that her feet were /burning/. She had bought her sandles for comfort and style, not for protection from the heat of the sands. She begins to shift her weight from one foot to another, gritting her teeth as she hobbles toward one of the eggs.

Hanneke trips onto the sands more than walks, although she attempts regally to maintain her balance as the sands slush--as sands tend to do--underfoot. Her hair, currently combed out of it's ringlets, which brings it below her shoulders, is nonetheless too short to pin up, and she pulls at it, the heat uncomfortable. Wide-eyed, the candidate peers about her fellow candidates, making a fairly rapid--and probably not prudent--path towards the Glittering Dust Egg.

Glittering Dust Egg

Pink and white and blue and green glitter across the effervescent surface of this egg. They scatter in wind blown patterns against the pale cream of this egg, and seem to be trying to lift it right off the ground. Light and airy this small egg seems made of bubbles and shattered bits of rainbow powder. It seems almost a work of magic in and of itself, rather than a vessel for magic, almost floating off under the delightful weightlessness of its own secret. What could it be, this mysterious prize, this glorious secret? A bit of string, or perhaps a touch of Faerie magic is concealed in this delightfully illusory shell, but magic can only be revealed if it's believed.

Klari's already stepping lightly, that's for sure. She whipes seat from her forehead and blows a bit of air to try and cool her face off. Klari slowly walks towards the eggs, taking a couple of glances over to Tajiath as she does. Klari bends down near one of the eggs, running her hands along it to feel it's smoothness. "Gah... This feels so strange." Talking about the egg? No, but it might seem that way.

B'roughs walks carefully onto the hot sands, making sure not to disturb the queen or her eggs.

Glad to be wearing boots. This is gonna suck with sandals. Dominic steps out onto the sands, aiming at the closest one -- the Mysterious Orb Egg. Circling slowly around the egg, staying at arm's length, he mutters, "Bigger than they look from the Galleries..." Peering over the egg, he spots Klari touching another egg, and asks, "Are we allowed to touch 'em..?"

Hanneke's hand traces upon the edge of the Glittering Dust Egg, the slightly rough curves smoothed by her dainty digits. "All those rainbow colours! I could write -- or sing! -- a song about it." For the blessing of all others on the sands, she refrains, concentrating upon the effervescent egg.

A slight breeze seems to ruffle your hair, as the surface of this egg shifts and shimmers. Warm and smooth to the touch a little tingle seems to zip up your hand and arm. Life!

Klari glances over to Hanneke who's not far off with a smile. Klari laughs as she remembers something, "You know... Maybe if you get close enough to the egg you can see something inside of it." At least that what L'zan told her last time, and she did see /part/ of something inside once. Klari stays at the first egg she came to though, Sapphire rose egg. Klari's always had a thing for the color of blue.

Dominic lays a hand flat on the Orb egg, since no one told him he couldn't. Besides, if Klari could do it, then he should be allowed too, right? What makes Klari so gosh darn special? Yeah, anyway. Hearing her words, he leans in close, peering at the shell with the scrutiny of a jeweler. "I think... no, wait, maybe not... yeah, there it is.. no, never mind." Ahem. Noticing that he's talking to himself, Dom straightens up, removing his hand from the egg with a sheepish grin. Taking a few steps backwards from the egg, but without looking where he's going, he bumps into the Secret Ingredient Egg with his back, "Oh, pardon me, need to look where I'm..." Spinning around to see who he nudged, his eyes go wide. An egg. Not a person. Whoops.

Hanneke emits a faint yelp--one hand moving to smooth her hair, an almost *perplexed* expression upon her face. "Oh!" Delighted, the candidate leans forward, smoothing her hand along the egg again. "It's so--" she trails off; words never were hers. A fervent smile resides upon her face, and she peers across at Klari, her attention, briefly caught. "Do you think?" That would be why her head drops, eyes peering into the effervescent colours of the egg's shell.

Kyla giggles a bit more, "Um Dom. Be careful? I wouldn't want to make Tajiath mad." Um say that in CAPS if you would.

Urei walks carefully onto the hot sands, making sure not to disturb the queen or her eggs.

From the galleries, Madden walks into the galleries, curious as to what's going on. He sees a familiar face amongst the gathered, and waves, walking over to sit down next to her. "Oh, Hey Kassanna. What's going on?" He gestures down towards the sands where he can see the candidates all floundering around under the watchful eyes of Tajiath.

Klari watches as Dominic back into an egg, "Be careful, Dom! Taji could be over here in seconds, just remember that." Klari just doesn't want an angry queen breathing down her throat is all. Klari then nods to Hanneke, "It's neat looking." Klari stands and nods to Kyla, "See, Dom." Klari moves over to another egg, the one Hanneke's at actually and peers close to see if she can see anything inside. "Hrmm... Look, I think I see something." Klari stands back and points to one part of the egg, "Take a look right there." If she really saw something or not is another story though.

Kyla glances up and smiles at the late candidate. "Come on in. Have a look around and get used to the sands." She nods towards the mound Tajiath's built. "Just don't touch those, ok?" Finger points to the Shadows egg as well as the Death egg.

Dominic glances over at Kyla with a smirk, "I /said/ pardon me, didn't I? Besides..." Laying a hand on the Secret Ingredient Egg's shell, he grins over at Klari, "This big one isn't gonna break just with a little bump." Now, if Dominic dove off of the balcony onto the egg, we might have a problem.

Hanneke glances at Klari, although her head remains fairly close to the egg--"Where? I don't see it!" Frowning, the candidate peers closer again, head shaking. "Don't see it!" The egg is given a bright smile--it's not the *egg's* fault, and she slips on to another egg--ending up at the Sapphire Rose Egg, Klari's former choice.

Sapphire Rose Egg

Deep sapphire, dark in its clarity, radiates from egg's center outward along shell's curve, paling into the pure brilliance of azure to illuminate the etched illusion of a rose in full bloom, each tanzanite-traced petal delicately carved with loving accuracy. Seeming alive, the rosette-like orb pulses a vibrant violet-blue, its mesmerizing elusiveness compelling and attractive - almost addictive - as it emanates a strength and power completely out of place within the fragility of its physical being. There is an indestructible quality to the ovule, a timeless durability that is at the heart of the egg's fascinating allure, although a faint hint of unconscious malevolence resides inherent within such purity, born of imprisoned greatness of unimaginable magnitude.

Urei comes quickly onto the sands, face and hair still slightly wet, though he's here all the same. Attempting to sneak in, make sure no one notices he's tardy but... eep. A polite nod from the now silent red-head as he walks over toward the eggs, specifically reaching out toward the Glittering Dust Egg.

From the galleries, Kassanna looks up as Madden comes up. She smiles and raises an eyebrow. "Hello Madden. How are you?" She says eyeing Madden's white hair with some amusement. She looks back at the sands and chuckles at the candidates touching the eggs. Silly candidates!

Cut gem tones, gleam more brightly as you approach, almost like a flower turning to the light, slow as life, and yet perceptible. Deep shadows cut across the surface, with smiling secrets.

From the galleries, Madden shrugs as he peers down to look at the sands. He chuckles softly to himself as Urei arrives late. "Aw, not bad I suppose. And you?" He gives Kassanna a curious glance before turning his attention back to the candidates. "Hey, is that the familiarisation thing? The egg touching?? Did you get to do that?? Before you impressed Das, I mean." He seems fairly full of questions for some reason.

Dalas walks carefully onto the hot sands, making sure not to disturb the queen or her eggs.

Another candie slips towards the sands. "Hiya Dalas. Glad you could make it. Kat and Tajiath are out for a swim so we have the place to ourselves. Just stay away from her mound ok?" Finger points at the Shadows egg and the Death Tarot Egg.

That was Kyla..really.

Klari laughs almost silently to herself as she carefully stands up straight and walks lightly still over to another egg, Deadly Nightshade egg. Even though she's on the Sands, it doesn't mean it'll fix her tail bone, so of course she'll still walk funny. Carefully and slowly crouches down, or at least tries but ends up bending instead. Klari pulls her hair back and puts her ear close to the egg, might as well test out if you can hear anything or not, right?

Dalas comes into the hatching grounds and looks around,"So can we touch any egg we wish to?" He asks looking around at the others then walking a little closer to the eggs. "Except those over in the mound?"

B'roughs looks up and nods to Dalas sliping towards the candidate. He doesn't speak just yet. He just waits. He'll let the man touch an egg or two before brinning up bussiness. "Yes, Dalas." He answers the candidates question.

From the galleries, Kassanna nods, "This is what happens every clutch. Though there was only Das' before this at Ista. I got to touch the eggs too." She looks curiously at Madden's hair again and sighs.

Hanneke positively frowns at the Sapphire Rose Egg, head shaking, face contorting with a furrowed brow. "So dark--shadowed. Bah." Sorry egg: Hanneke's too pastel-infused for shadows. Nonetheless, the dark hues are smoothed with a gentle touch, fragile allure brushed with her lengthy digits. She moves on, the Stardust Egg the next in her attentions. "They're so pretty--well, some of them. The others are just dark. And dark isn't so pretty."

Stardust Egg

Unimaginable depthless fathoms of cosmic darkness coat this egg, lit only by tiny pinpoints of light that lead the misguided traveler home. Various hues of hope and strength from the palest pink to royalist blue give forth their sparkle in innumerable degrees of brightness. Glistening, vivid, burnished they ever shine - sprinkled generously across that vast blanket of darkness. Waiting to be gathered, their power harnessed, swept up by magics unknown and gathered close, slipping through fingers with silk-like grace like fine grains of glittering sand.

Urei finishes touching the egg, his first egg though definitely not the boy's last. "So many eggs, so little time." Boy giggles lightly, and quietly to himself as he paces over toward the Wrinkle in Time Egg. Fingers running against the egg as he notices the stripe mark on the egg's surface.

Stardust Egg twinkles happily, power shifting and slipping over its shell. Stars seem to be swept up in a timeless dance, twirrling and whirrling the night away. Who will join the procession?

Dalas has connected.

Dominic's eyes widen momentarily at the Secret Ingredient Egg, letting out a "Whoa..." before he finally takes a step backwards. But /not/ multiple steps backwards. That's how he bumped into the last egg. Turning on his heel as he wipes his sleeve across his brow, he slowly meanders around the sands, trailing his finger along the Silver Chalice Egg and the Wrinkle In Time Egg, before stopping in front of the Stardust Egg with a grin, "Hey, this one's pretty neat. Keep the shell after the dragon hatches, and then you can stare at the stares even when you're inside."

From the galleries, Madden nods, intent on the action. He's not so oblivious that he doesn't notice Kassanna's stare though, and he turns resignedly toward her. He points to his head. "The hair, right?" He sighs. "An accident. Karei was playing around with lye in the kitchen for some reason or another. This is the result."

Not knowing what is in store for him Dalas goes on over and touches the Tufted Avian Familiar egg,"Its so warm."Is all he says as his arms slightly embrace it and his hands carress it.

Klari stands up and takes a step back, wiggling her nose slightly trying to hold back a sneeze, and it works actually. For a moment, but then Klari turns her head and lets out a quiet sneeze before apologizing to Deadly Nightshade Egg, "Sorry about that." Klari could've sworn she heard something from the egg though, but it was too soft. Say something about that? Oh, no. Klari does move back to the egg though, bending down again to feel it this time and brush off the bits of sand covering some places on it.

Hanneke grins across at Dominic, from the other side of the Stardust egg, agreeing--"Yes!" Again, however, it is just too dark. She wrinkles her nose, giving it a soft bat--not really rejection--and skitters on. The sand, which makes patterns upon the edges of her pressed breeches, is given a grimace--"The dark sand is so...messy!" She halts in front of the Translucent Talisman Egg, fondling it with a careful outstretching of graceful fingers.

Translucent Talisman Egg

Blinding brilliance defines this egg, its painful luminosity at the same time pleasurable, full of warmth and fulfillment that bathes all in lambent prisms of rainbow colors, the pastel flickers dancing along the shell in refractory elusiveness - the orb is no color and yet all colors at the same time. Along its curvature, graceful lines trace the longitudes and latitudes of unseen worlds, its power originating from nowhere and everywhere at once, embedded deeply into the egg's surface with indelible indestructibility. Its essence is true purity of spirit - it is nothing and it is everything all at once, vibrating with hope for the continuance of goodness, singing sweetly of the rightness of being.

Translucent Talisman Egg radiates light, almost sending it beyond its shelf, to leave the others in shadow. Warmth arcs through time and space, slipping up your arm and tickling your fingers, while an almost audible tone vibrates your ears.

Dalas blinks at the remarkable experience with the egg,"Um.."He begins then with a shake of his head he decides to keep that sensation to himself, reluctantly he moves over to an egg close by the Sapphire Rose Egg and as he releases his hold on the Avian egg he places his other hand on the Sapphire rose egg.

Dominic peers a little closer at the Stardust Egg, his finger tracing a pattern of the pinpoints, "This kinda looks like a fork." Okay, so it's not the Big Dipper. Forks are good, too. He casts a glance at the Dreaded Black Cauldron Egg to his left, frowning slightly, "That one looks evil." Eeeeeeevil. The Translucent Talisman Egg is his next destination, "Hm." Yeah, that's articulate, Dom.

Zidane walks carefully onto the hot sands, making sure not to disturb the queen or her eggs.

Another candie slips towards the sands. "Hiya Zidane. Glad you could make it. Kat and Tajiath are out for a swim so we have the place to ourselves. Just stay away from her mound ok?"Kyla's finger points at the Shadows egg and the Death Tarot Egg.

Hanneke's face breaks into a brilliant smile, luminous in it's energetic sparkle--"Oh, I like this one!" Pastels make her happy. She leans down, peering into the brilliant rainbows of its curved surface, concentrating upon bright warmth.

Urei steps away from the eggs a moment as he looks over toward Kyla and B'roughs hopefully. "Do ya think Katarra or Taji would mind if I got some of the edge of the hatching sands and put them into the lucky vials I got for the Candidates?" He has them ready in a special place. Hand absently has moved on to touch the Spell Book Egg.

Zidane talks out onto the sands gingerly, looking around to see if anyone notices he is late. He sets his cane aside and steps onto the sands and nods the riders way. "Ill remember that" he says, as he walks towards the translucent talisman egg.

D'san is obviously hiding in a corner, in the shade, reading hides, though he looks up with narrowed eyes as he spots the candidates. Mnemaxath gives a warning rumble, obviously picking up irritation from his rider.

Kyla ums softly, "It's a nice thought, but have to say yes they'd mind Urei. A candie a few clutches back took a sackful for an egg and Tajiath didn't allow him back on the sands.."

Dalas a mild look of suprise crosses Dalas' face as this egg too has givin him some insight into something though what is still beyond him, he wonders if the others are having similar experiences. He moves over to the Spell book egg to give it a similar carress.

Hanneke peeks her head about, noting Dominic and Zidane about 'her' egg, and moves off again: all but skipping towards the Secret Ingredient Egg, which receives a similar treatment to those others awarded with her presence. "They have such pretty patterns!" she trills, delighted, shuffling her feet with the heat, and pulling a lock of her hair away from her face.

Secret Ingredient Egg

Green splotches scatter dully across the pasty blue shell, clinging like a fungus to a weed. Carefully preserved and stored away, it rests almost despondently in it's designated hollow as depressed as a science project in the hands of a forgetful child. A faint glossy sheen makes a sad attempt to brighten this dull demeanor, like glass over a specimen, but only serves to give the tired egg a preserved look, as if it were being stored away for some specific purpose, perhaps not so mundane as itself. It must serve /some/ purpose, for there seems to be a lot of it. This one is not small by any stretch of the imagination, boring, yes, small, no it isn't.

Klari stands quickly this time, trying different ways of moving to see which one is more comfortable with a funny tail bone. She glances around at the other eggs as she hears a dragon rumble and slowly turns to see, smiling slightly towards Mnemaxath, slightly glad it wasn't a gold's rumble. Klari then makes her way over to another egg but just stands for a moment in front of it before reaching out with two fingers this time to Mysterious Orb Egg. Another glance goes to the Candidates, "Too bad Saldia's not here." That would make her deja vu more real.

Zidane takes a few more steps towards the egg. Suddenly, he stopws and turns towards the sapphire rose egg. "Beautiful" he says as he begins to walk towards it, looking around to see if anyone else notices it. "I hope nobody minds" he whispers as he reaches out to touch it.

Secret Ingredient Egg seems to rock gently as you touch it, the surface almost furry in places. It yearns to release it's secret, it's special gift, but not yet..not yet. It bides its time, content to shift slightly.

B'roughs glances back at D'san and arches an eyebrow at the Weryleader, almsot in a question, though for the moment he doesn't make for the man yet. Questions will wait a bit, he judges.

Dalas seems to think someone is looking at him and he glances over at B'roughs. He was kind of short with Dalas' question and when he glances that way he can't tell if B'roughs was looking his way or not. Aprehension sets in on the candidate could he know? Dalas shakes his head as he steps back and just admires the other eggs feeling a bit uncomfortable.

Perhaps 'pretty' was the wrong word: upon closer inspection, Hanneke seems to find reason to wrinkle her nose at the Secret Ingredient Egg, and takes a step back. "It moved," she decides, "And it's all splotchy. I don't like it." She shifts away, beaming towards Mnemaxath as she passes, on her way to the Silver Chalice Egg. "Dassine told me that if we don't touch 'em all then we won't Impress!"

Dalas says,"Thats not exactly true, I touched em all in a different clutch and didn't impress." Feeling as if eyes are upon him once again, he shifts his feet.

Zidane smiles as he touches the egg "I really like this one" he says, trying to imagine what the little dragonet inside must look like. If nothing else, it must be beautiful. He shakes his head and steps away, seeming not to want to. Slowly he moves to the Crooked Little Wand Egg, casting a glance back over his shoulder.

Silver Chalice Egg

Silver purity radiates outwards from the egg's shell, its convex shape refracting whatever light dances across its surface. A deeper hue, more gray than glinting seems to indicate a depression along one side of the egg, as if it were a bowl that could hold liquid, though it is obvious that the egg's shell is smooth and not sunken in. Glittering jewels appear to decorate this orb that seems more chalice than egg. Pale sapphires gleam amidst fiery opals, deep green beryl and pale purple amethysts.

Klari eyes Hanneke for a moment before adding on, "Then again some of us still will or won't, Hann." Klari glances over to Dalas and nods as she stands again. Another glance is given to each egg before Klari wipes sweat away again, stepping lightly over towards Kyla, she looks comfortable and Klari wants to be so why not admire from afar for a while, eh?

Pure silver darkens, as if with tarnish at your touch. Silver Chalice Egg's gem tones darken as if shadowed or covered, it seems to shiver as if in sympathetic vibration, then subside, as if the sound left, or faded into the distance.

D'san heads out towards the main bowl.

Dalas sees an unusual egg the Death Tarot egg, now that one seems to need further investigation, he begins to move around the egg he is presently standing in front of. It will be quite a walk around the other eggs to get to it thats for sure but he begins to make his way towards it.

B'roughs sighs and slips into the group of candidates, comming up next to the Dalas, trying to catch him before he gets to his next egg. "May I have a word with you Candidate?" His voice is calm but serious.

Kyla glances up and sees Dalas wander away from the group. "Come back, Dalas. Please leave those alone?" her voice fades as B'r steps in.

Hanneke says, her true eloquence showing clearly, as she responds to Dalas, "Oh! Well, it has to help, right?" Right. Of course. Because no one would lie to her like that. The egg's surface is rubbed again, as she peers towards it, shaking her head. "Pretty, I guess," she decides, slightly unconvinced, although, notably, she doesn't move on just yet.

Zidane seems oblivious to Dalas and the death tarot egg. He seems to smile as he touches the crooked little wand, seeming almost to burst "Whoever is in here knows what he.. or she.. wants" he says with a grin. He steps away again and says to the egg, I must go touch the other eggs too.. I'm sorry. With that he moves to the dreaded black cauldron egg.

Dalas looks up at B'roughs,"Candidate?" He gulps, kind of formal and Dalas has the feeling in the pit of his stomach again like when it was exam time in the healer hall."Sure B'roughs, where do you wish to talk?" He asks the man looking at his fellow candidates and especially over at Klari.

Klari takes a glance down behind her, "Oh.. You mean /that?/ Uhh... Still no Chrysis to be found." Klari's eyes go wide at Kyla and the mention of taking a seat, then laughter seaps into her words, "You're right, I think I'll just stand and lay around for a while still." That or walk around with a /pile/ of pillows all the times.

B'roughs motions him off the sands. "I hate to have to cut your egg touching short, but could we go to the records room, it will be less crowded there." His voice is still strictly formal. He hates this part of his job.

Kyla can't help but laugh as well and tease. "Ok, Klari if you want I can examine your..problem. I think Chrysis has been a tad busy catching up since she took over here at the Weyr."

Zidane jumps back and shakes his head. He smiles back to the crooken little wand egg, but decides to move over to the silver chalice egg. He walks over and runs his hand along it's surface, trying to get an idea of whats inside.

Hanneke lets her hand trace upon the edge of the Silver Chalice egg once more, then, following a general movement off to the side, she moves to follow, maintaing a gait markedly less than a skip, but with promise, her un-ringleted hair bobbing about her shoulders. "They're *spiffy*!"

Dalas gulps and nods again,this isn't the B'roughs he knows but he does fall in behind him letting him lead the way having never been to the /records/ room.

B'roughs heads out towards the main bowl.

Dalas heads out towards the main bowl.