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.

02-06-01: Tease
Zidane takes another sip of his klah. After far too long, he notices that there are others in the room....

Zidane takes another sip of his klah. After far too long, he notices that there are others in the room. "Oh hi!" he says semi-cheerfully "Everyone isup so early this morning" Everyone but him, perhaps?

Dawn looks back to Eve, smirking, "Lovely friends you've found," her eyes travel to Hanneke.

Kyla starts to look wary at the mention of promotions. "Well..." she starts, "fine if they are for others." Curiosity seems doused by concern. Fiora has her complete attention now, "Why?"

Eve scowls at her sister. "I don't want to talk about it. Come on." Roughly, she grips her twin, dragging her to another table before she has a chance to protest. She forces her down with a sharp push. "Sit," she snaps roughly.

Skip, skip, skip to--the serving table. That's Hanneke, tossing her hair over her shoulders as she makes a speedy trail from the Lower Caverns, waving here and there about the caverns. Dawn's glance towards her is rewarded with a brilliant smile--nothing if not polite--as she peers about, her plate filled, overfilled, just in case someone is watching. "Hihi!" The greeting is to everyone, made cheerfully.

Klari disappears beneath the arched entrance to the Living Quarters.

Fiora shrugs with just the right air of nonchalance. "Well..if you're not up to it..." She lets her voice trail off, sips her wine and looks over to G'fen's tablemate..the lean and dark L'arn."

Dawn lets her attention off of the Harper long enough to growl at Eve, "I'm not drunk." She motions towards the girl, "Hello!"

Kyla shifts again. What's the girl got? Ants in her pants?"Ok.." she nods, "I'm fine with that." She refills her glass and looks back at Fiora. "So who you gonna give it to instead?"

Eve follows her sister's stare to the girl. She watches her for a moment before her eyes snap back to Eve. What is she planning? Oh no, not this. "Dawn, stop it," she hisses.

Dawn chuckles at her sister, "Eve, I'd think you didn't trust me," then louder to Hanneke, "Why don't you come sit with us?"

Dalas thinks that his punishment is far worse than the one Kr'lin is suffering but he doesn't mention it he only looks to Saldia,"I'm sorry did you say something to me, I have been so distracted lately." Taking a drink of his juice and looking over to Kyla and Fiora, that is Fiora isn't it, man he hasn't seen her in for like forever.

Leo materializes suddenly in the room as he blinks in from ::between:: Scanning the room, he spies a perch and settles upon it.

Saldia smiles and thinks maybe Dalas doesn't want to talk about it so she continues mending the rip and she shakes her head "Nothing important Dalas. Have you had much to do with your replacement?"

Zidane continues sipping "Is it almost over yet?" he asks Dalas "Your punishment, I mean" he adds, as if Dalas somehow doesnt know what he's talking about.

Eve taps the table-top nervously. "I trust you, just not with other people. I know you too well, dearest sister." However, she turns to look at Hanneke as well. "Yes, do come and sit with us," she says, almost inviting, but shot with an undercurrent of sarcasm.

Hanneke pauses as she begins to move from the serving table, by all indication not moving in any particular direction, since her path meanders, her face breaking into a brilliant smile as Dawn's invitation is extended--new people, very cool. "Hihi!" she trills once more, taking a step in the direction of the two. "I'm Hanneke!" That appears to be an acceptance--the sarcasm going right over her head.

Fiora tunes out the rest of the room - all except for the quietly smiling L'far. She'll get to him later though. "I don't know. Kinda thought I might ask Rennia if you you didn't want it.", she replies to Kyla.

Dalas shakes his head to Saldia,"No I've not been allowed to do much healing especially since I performed the little maneuver with Kr'lin." Not sure if she heard about it but she is a fellow healer and if she hadn't heard she probably soon will." I slippedd him a laxative mickey. To repay him for his kindness to Zureile."

Dawn's smile is dazzling as she greets the girl, "And I am Dawn." She nods to Eve, "This is my sister, Eve." Her smile is now tinged with something else as she whispers, "You'll get used to her."

Kyla blinks a few times and repeats, "Rennia?" Nose wrinkles slightly, "I suppose she'd be ok, as a..." She tries to figure out how to put this right, "watchwher sitter. Don't suppose that's what you have in mind?"

Eve nods curtly to the girl, then cracks a slight smile. "Hello. I don't believe I caught your name..." she trails off, looking expectantly at the girl.

Saldia's lips quirk which shows she did hear about it and does not disporve of it and she nods "I heard, it was mean of him." She smiles "Ahh I got chased out of the infirmary, told it wasn't my place anymore so Iwas just wondering what she was like." She shrugs and smiles at Zidane "What are you doing there?"

Zidane chuckles "I just stopped in to do some laquering" he says to Saldia "Mind those two chairs. It will be hours before they dry" he adds quickly, before anyone can sit in them. He looks to her "What about you? What brings you up so early?"

"Hihi!" is the catch-cry, as Hanneke sits down, her plate set in front of her, eyes moving from one girl to the other--"Hanneke!" she repeats, again, Dawn's comment earning first a blink, then a rapid nodding of her head--once again, she hasn't a clue. "Are you new? Isn't it a great place?" One hand smoothes down her tunic, then her hair, completing these actions to pick up her fork, hovering it over her plate.

Dalas says,"I wonder if you have discussed the rendeveouz with the stranger in the infirmary with anyone in authority yet Zidane?" Wondering what came of the mysterious man in the infirmary.

Eve glances at Dawn, eyes wondering. Is this Hanneke girl /real/? She nods, a rather helpless gesture.

Dawn's eyes travel to Hanneke's plate, her face showing her distaste, "Aye. Just wonderful."

Saldia grins at Hanneke and waves over at her if she can see and then back at Zidane and nudges the basket of mending with her elbow "Just thought I would get this lot out of the way." She breaks off the thread and folds up the leggings and sets them aside "And my fair get hungry about dawn and wake me up so I cannot sleep in."

Fiora shakes her head. "Not..../exactly/..though something sorta like it." she reples. She pulls out a wad of something and lays it on the table, keeping her hand over the top.

Kyla follows Fiora's movements and then quickly looks back to the fire. She is /not/ interested, though her body language screams otherwise. "Well then perhaps she's your girl."

Eve sits up straighter, desperately trying to catch her sister's eye. Why did Dawn call this girl over anyway? She seemed to be a complete idiot. Sighing, Eve smiles patronizingly at the girl. "Oh yes, it's very nice here. But Dawn and I just arrived, we haven't really seen the sights yet. Perhaps you could show us around, sometime."

Zidane looks up at Dalas' question with a bit of alarm "Oh no.. I haven't had a chance to talk to anyone about that... I woke up this morning and the drudges set me to painting immediately. They said these chairs were attrocious, especially this close to a hatching."

Hanneke returns Saldia's wave with a brilliant smile--her hand moving up and down in a rapid motion. She can see everything...almost. Her attention returns, notably, towards the twins sitting in front of her, smile filling her face, leaving a remarkably, although not for Hanneke, vacuous expression upon it. "Good! I just love it here! Although it's *awful* for the hair!" Idiot, possibly. "Oh! I'd love to! If I don't get lost."

Fiora nods, "Whatever you say.", as she pokes her finger into what proves to be a wad of cording and begins to twirl it around. Swoop..swoop..swoop..it's kinda heavy, being that it's a complex bit of knotting.

Dawn's expression is bored, though the glint in her eyes prove otherwise, "Really? Have you been here long?"

Saldia grins at Hanneke and shakes her head and turns back to Zidane and grins "That how you got stuck with that job." SHe glances at the two he indicates and then nervously touches her own "You haven't done this one have you?" She breathes a sigh of relief when her hand comes up sticky-free and she digs out a shirt from the basket and threads a needle and starts mending

Kyla gaze is pulled to the movement of the knot. Complex alright. Quickly she empties her wine glass and mumbles, "Perhaps Rennia isn't the right one.." Body shifts again, almost further from Fiora, "Can't say I know who is though."

Dalas looks over at Fiora and Kyla, and wonders what they are talking about, is that a new knot in her hand? He isn't sure but he does know something is going on. While he watches them he listens to Zidane and Saldia,"You probably should have done that later in the day." He kind of mentions to Zidane but not in an overly authoratative or impressive tone." I wonder whats going on with Fiora and Kyla."He says, more to himself but to where Saldia and Zidane can here.

Eve sits back in her chair, watching Dawn intently. If only she knew what she was doing, she could stop her... or join in. She turns back to Hanneke with a slight smile. "Yes, how long /have/ you been here?"

Zidane shakes his head "No.. there was too much activity in here for me to do all of them. I just started with those two for now" he points "and the counter." he says with a smile "They will dry after a couple hours and then I'll do two more" he adds before yawning again "At least it's a little better than peeling tubers"

Fiora pours more wine for Kyla and herself both. "I don't know." she drawls. "This is going to need someone with imagination and patience too. Not exactly what you'd expect out of a watch wher rancher."

Hanneke notices boredom not, bubbling on in a conversationalist tone, her eyes gleaming in delight. "Well...no. I'm a candidate! I've been here a few months!" Ooh, ahh.

Kyla accepts the refill with a nod, and a mumbled "Thanks." If you didn't know better you just might think she's scared, or at least very uncomfortable. "Can't think of a single rider with those particular capabilities." Curls swing slightly as she shakes her head, "Nope.."

Saldia grins and nods at that "Definetly better then tuber peeeling." Her eyes follow Dalas' and she nods "I was wondering that myself, Iheard FIora mention promotion, you think she is promoting Kyla?" SHe grins and shrugs "Should be fun to watch." She sighs and shakes her head "How do people rip their clothes so badly." SHe grins at Zidane "you hoped there would not be too many people?"

Fiora's finger comes to the table, where she swirls the cords a couple more times until they come to a halt, revealing a...knot. A Weyrlingmaster's Knot. "I see...and you don't think that'd be you?"

Dawn smiles cooly at this bit of information, lifting her head to say, "A candidate... for dragons?" Not even an idiot could miss the incredulous tone.

But yet..somehow many still do.

The discomfort is real, and only the fullness of the cavern keeps Kyla in her seat. "Shells Fi.." she mutters, "You aren't /serious/?"

Dalas nods at Saldia,"Yes thats what I think is happening as well,"Then seeing the knot takes in a sharp breath,"Thats a weyrlingmaster's Knot." He tells the two in a hoarse whisper,"If Kyla gets that promotion she will be following whatever candidates manage to impress right into the weyrling barracks and be in charge of them as well." LOoking back over to the two women."I'm not sure how fun that will be, I mean Kyla has been around us as candidates pretty much the whole time, and now if we impress she will follow us right on until we graduate weyrlinghood."

Fiora's eyes flick to Kyla's as if she's coming back from a mind wandering. "Huh? Oh that? I was, but you said you didn't want it."

Hanneke nods--enthusiastically--beaming every bit as brilliantly as ever. "Yes!" This would be one of the ones that misses the incredulity, by her expression.

Zidane suddenly wakes up enough to notice the knot "Wow.. congradulations Kyla" he says, wondering what it would be like to be under her command... should he impress. He gulps and adds "I couldn't think of anyone more deserving"

Kyla visibly relaxes, completely unaware of the candidates chattering. "Oh.." she sighs, hand flying to her chest as she takes a deep breath. "You really do know how to scare a person, Fi!" Nose wrinkles slighlty, "Besides that's /your/ knot." Oh so observant.

Eve nods, deciding to descend from her silence and join the conversation. This was too much fun to miss out on. "Dragons.. That must be wonderful," she says innocently. A shifty glance at Eve says it all. It's your turn now, sister.

Dawn bites her lip to keep back the threatening laughter. She glances to Eve, hoping her sister is seeing the humor in this, "Aye.. dragons." Her eyes travel to Hanneke's hair.. "But aren't you worried about your hair? It's so pretty.."

Saldia grins at Dalas "So she will know all our past faults from when we were a candidates." She cannot resist though and she claps her hands and calls out "Congratulations Kyla." She pauses and then looks curious and murmurs to Zidane and Dalas "Maybe she doesn't want it?" SHe bites her lips and shrugs "Whatever happens I am sure she would tell who was weyrlingmaster how we performed during our candidate dayes"

Fiora asks, "You don't see it on my shoulder do you?" The greenrider leans back and crosses her arms, leaving the knot laying on the table. "Paniliath and I are gonna sit this class out. Wouldn't mind helping now and then, but..." She nods at the cords."..that there gets t'being heavy after a while."

Eve nods solemnly. "Oh yes, beautiful hair. I do wish mine would curl that way."

Shabheh has arrived.

Kyla is as oblivious as a wherry in the line of an incoming arrow. "I could see that it would." she nods along, melting back into her chair. "Gonna be hard to find someone dense enough to take it from you though." Nice backhanded compliment there, eh? "But at least you figured it out finally."

"Hair?" Hanneke's voice trembles at the word, as her right hand moves to smooth the tawny mass about her shoulders, "What about my hair?" Forget dragons--hair is far more the important thing. "Thank you!" she adds, trilling, at Eve's compliment. Nonetheless, consternation is evident within her features.

Dalas hearing Fiora's words wonders on that,only a few things make life and duty a heavy responsiblility and one of them is loss, like the loss of someone who doesn't follow directions, he wonders if Fiora has experienced that kind of loss on her tour of duty. But still he just sits back and listens not tuning the fellow candidates out though, he gives Saldia's comment a slight nod.

"True..true.", Fi agrees without a qualm. "Dense, devoted, willing to give up any hope of freedom for the next turn, smart, patient, loves the smell of dragon dung...need I go on?"

Covering her mouth and walking in as in still asleep, Shabheh was obviously not expecting the crowd she walked into, and startles, eyes wide. "Uhh," she groans sleepily, shaking her head. "What's going on?" She says softly, sliding into a chair by Dalas and looking up at him tiredly.

Kyla shakes her head quickly, "Nope, as I said before, don't have a clue who'd take that thing from you." She smiles conspiratoraly at Fiora, "Who ever you get, you'll have to run away /fast/."

Saldia is sewing patiently and smiles and waves at Shabhen forgetting needle and thread and scrambles to rethread it and sighs "Sewing, what you are you up to? When are you going to finish my riding lesson?" she asks curiously, giving up deciding what Fiora and Kyla are doing, it probably won't concern her in the end anyway.

Dawn's expression melts into an expression almost identical to Hanneke's as she fingers a strand of her own hair and waits for the girl's answer.

Hanneke's voice trembles, again, as she shakes her head, asking, urgently, "Hear what?"

Fiora picks up the knot. "Real fast I imagine." Two quick swirls and the cords go winging through the air to lasso Kyla's wine glass quite neatly. "Tell you what..I need some practice. I'll run and you tell me if I'm fast enough..'kay?"

Dawn pretends to be startled as she looks back to Hanneke, "Wha-? Oh.. the hair." She sighs softly, appearing to everyone but her sister to be truly upset, "I was going to apply to be a candidate.. until I /heard/.." She looks up, shaking her head suddenly, "No. I can't tell you. It's too awful."

Kyla jumps, sloshing some wine in her lap and over the knot. "Fi.." Shells, here she is left juggling, knot, glass and a handful of wine. "Shard it!" Crowd? What crowd?

The red-haired greenrider is making for the cavern entrance by the way. On the way by, she winks at a brownrider and tickles a bluie under his chin..but then she's...gone.

Fiora walks out of the Living Caverns into the bowl.

Hanneke scrunches her face, as if steeling herself for the awful truth, head shaking. "Tell me!" Wariness flickers between features, hinting, then fading. Evidently, wariness brings intelligence--"*Apply* to be a candidate?" she repeats, confused. Somehow, it makes her relax. It's a credibility thing.

Eve looks between Hanneke and Dawn with large eyes, wondering if she should stop this. Instead, she sits back, neither joining in, or speaking out to stop it.

Saldia sighs and shakes her head and says loudly "What is it with people and hair, it is just hair." SHe says this when she still has all her hair and she shakes her head "Hanneke, don't listen to them, you have been here long enough to know more." SHe pauses as she sees Fiora leave and looks at the other candidates and then at Kyla "So are you the Weyrlingmaster or not Kyla?"

Dawn's wince is barely noticeable. Strike one. Now she's relying on the girl's stupidity to finish this up, "Oh, you know what I mean!"

Dawn reaches out, barely touching Hanneke's curls, "Really, Hanneke- was it?- I would think you would have considered this carefully.."

*Just* hair? Surely Hanneke hears wrong--but nonetheless, it attracts her attention long enough to hear Saldia, a short, confused nod given. Her attention returns to Dawn, watching warily. "Yes," she agrees, smile returning to her features. "Hanneke, yes. Carefully? What?" Less believing, but still--

The /other/ redheaded green rider is now sitting there staring at the knot as it might come alive and bite her. "Shells.." Kyla mutters again, before turning to glare at Saldia. "Well I've been stuck with this thing, haven't I..?" Muttering continues to herself, "Shoulda ran when I could..and shutup Niabeth. I /know/ you like the babies." Absently she wrings the mass out, droplets of wine bouncing on the cavern floor. "Great.."

"Riding lesson?" Shabheh blinks snapping her head up and opening her eyes, then suddenly remembers. "Oh, whenever you like. Except for now... I'm too tired."

Saldia grins at Kyla, not too upset with the glare, well she tries not to show it and she hunches down "You could have said no?" she offers tentatively and then grins at Shabheh, "no not now I have this mending to finish, but lateR? Why are you so tired?"

Kyla looks towards the bowl with a defeated look. "Now? Will it never end?" Nope. She stands, shoving the knot into her pocket. "Candies. Katarra's ready for a group of you to go for an egg touching. So please drop your flits and come along." Shoulders are slumped as she heads out to the hatching grounds.

Klari has arrived.

Saldia looks at Kyla surprised "Now?" she squeaks, droppingmore than firelizards but the pile of her mending and she stands, looking all eager and happy at this idea.

Jestine snugs Hanneke! Hanneke beams brilliantly, and hugs you, and cuddles you, and absolutely oozes saccharine! Charmed.

That which Dawn and Eve wish to say will have to wait--Hanneke pulls back, her curls bouncing, eyes catching upon Kyla as she overhears the Weyrlingmaster's words. A beaming smile arrives, and she darts up from her seet, excusing herself--"I get to touch the pretty eggs! Bye!" Saved, by the bell.

Hanneke snugs Jestine! Jestine grins and snugs you right back. MMMMMM! Snuggage!

Eve waves in mock-cheerfulness. "B'bye Hanneke!"

Kyla catches Brutal's gaze, and nods to him. "Let the one's in the barracks know for me." ANd with that she trudges out.

Hanneke waves, cheerful--"Bye, yes!"

Perhaps the low, broad entrance seems austere for the arches to the 'grounds denote little of their importance. You step inside.

[-IstaLC-] Eve scowls at her sister. "Nothing's wrong! I just decided to have morals today. But I suppose you wouldn't understand, you've never had a compassionate moment in your life."

Kyla stalks past Dom, ignoring him as she wallows in her own misery. She stops at the entrance to the sands, waiting to give the candidates a little speil.

[-IstaLC-] Dawn looks startled.. is this serious? Nah, can't be. "How can you say that!" She grins widely, "After I saved that little boy?"

Dominic happens to be sweeping over here, watch where you're stalking! As Kyla and the others tromp past, he raises his arms, holding the broom in its place, "Hey, what're you all up to?"

[-IstaLC-] Eve rolls her eyes. "Oh yes. Noble Dawn, jumping into a river to rescue the drowning child. You are *such* a liar dear, I don't even know how you do it."

[-IstaLC-] Eve says, "I'm not half as creative as you are."

[-IstaLC-] Dawn lifts an eyebrow, "Me? Lie?" She sighs loudly, "Eve.. I wonder about you."

Kyla's hand continues to clutch her newest gift in her skirt pocket. "Ok, here goes. It's hot out there and unlike the last time a few of you did this, Tajiath is out there. When you enter, make sure to bow to her, it helps keep her calm. Stay away from her mound, though she should let you wander amongst the other eggs. Listen to anything Kat tells you and try to move slow and calm. No screaming, yelling, laughing loudly..get the picture?"

Hanneke smoothes her hair, as if savouring its presence--regardless of what those mean girls were trying to tell her--as she nods her head shortly towards Kyla, shifting her feet beneath her. "Okay!" is her trilled answer, delighted, as she peers towards the dark sands, eyes positively bleaming.

Saldia smiles and nods eagerly, brushing down her sleeves to try and look presentable, sighing at the laundrey stains but ready and she nods and then asks a question "Mound? other eggs?" She shrugs and is ready to step onto the sands.

Jestine nods, her face solem and all business. She has never really been around dragons much, but she knows from her experience with runners how to act around nervous creatures, or at least she thinks she does. Although serious, her eyes seem to glow with some new light, nseen before this time.

Shabheh nods sleepily, standing behind someone taller than her, eyes almost closing shut. "Mm-hrm," she says, nodding once more, tucking a stray curl behind her ear.

Kyla nods curtly to Saldia, "You'll see. There's a few buried eggs, /don't/ go poking at them. Leave them be." With that she sheds her vest and stalks out onto the sands.

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

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

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

Katarra waits near the entrance, catching the arrivals before they actually head out onto the sands. As they file in, she offers a wary smile, but the glance she keeps sending back over her shoulder is strained. On the other side of the glistening sands, Tajiath prowls amongst the eggs, unaware as yet of the visitors as she carries out her careful inspections. While waiting for the stragglers, Katarra offers a soft amused explanation to those who've arrived already. "She does that practically hourly."

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

From the galleries, Fiora leans over the gallery rail and calls out, "Get outta there Kyla! You already got a dragon!"

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

Kyla glares up at Fiora, so tempted to scream back at the woman, but what kind of example would she set? And Tajiath might bite her or something. Instead she just waves her hand dismissively at Fiora, only it's the one with that sharding WLM knot in it. Gritting her teeth she slams it back in her pocket and slinks to the edge of the sands.

Dominic leaves his broom outside, following the crowd onto the sands. Good thing he happened to be over in this neck of the bowl, or they'd have gone to the Sands without him. That would've sucked. Yeah. Mumbling to himself, "...guess I'm gonna get to try out sandals now...", he makes a sweeping bow towards Tajiath. Straightening up, he frowns, "Hey, she's not looking. Are we supposed to make eye contact with her when we bow, or something?" He does take the time to toss a wave at Katarra.

Hanneke strains upon her toes as she attempts to get a better view of the eggs, eyes falling, should their path be followed, towards the Translucent Talisman Egg, and the Stardust Egg. She pauses, gaze shifting to rest upon Katarra, greeting the Weyrwoman with a brilliant, near triumphant smile. "Hihi!" Stage whisper, thank goodness, rather than full fledged cry. Dominic's bow reminds her, and she follows suit, wobbling slightly.

Saldia walks onto the sands and nervously bows at Tajiath and then at Katarra and glances around the sands, eyeing first the mound, curiosity evident on face but she leaves them be, looking around at the other eggs, bowing again, as she cannot remember if she did it already she hesitantly walks towards the silver chalic egg, its shape attracting her and then the colours glitter for her and she nervously outstretches a hand and then glances back at Kyla as if checking to see if it is alright.

Jestine can't help but grin at Fiora's comment. She's so used to taking it from her that she never pictured Kyla as being on the receiving end. She looks toward the shining queen, takes a deep breath and tries to remember to keep breathing. She bows low in deep respect toward her and then rises smoothly and moves calmly, confidently, and slowly toward the eggs.

Shabheh does a quick, jerky bow to Tajiath, all the while her eyes on the eggs. "They're a lot bigger from down here, y'know," she mumbles to no-one in particular, eyeing the Mysterious Orb Egg and taking a step towards it.

Dalas bows to Tajiath and afterwards tries to get a look at the eggs that are buried though not going anywhere near them of course, he just cranes his neck this way and that to see what of them he can see. Then with reluctance waits for the touching to begin.

Klari walks slowly onto the Sands, yawning slightly. She had just been walking through the caverns and well, ended up here. Though upon feeling herself heat up and spotting Tajiath with her eggs, her eyes go wide. Of course after a moment it clicks and she takes a bow towards Tajiath, smiling before following the rest over to the eggs, just standing and watching for now. Blinking sleep away several times before giving up and rubbing it away with her hands.

Kyla slumps down, back to the galleries. She watches the candidates mill over the sands, a tad hesitant. "Kat, is Tajiath ok with this?"

Katarra glances about at the eager faces, quickly holding out a stalling hand to those who begin to pass her. "Hold on," she admonishes, quickly darting a glance toward Tajiath again. Too late. The queen has noticed their arrival and a low rumble vibrates her throat. She begins to move toward the group, blocking the eggs. Katarra quickly clears her throat. "Welcome everyone," she begins, attempting a smile. "Tajiath is.. well, a little distraught over having missed your last visit. She's rather... protective of this clutch, you see." She raises a hand though, adding, "But don't worry. I've had a long, long.... long, long, talk with her and she's fine now." Another rumble crosses the sand, as if not quite agreeing with that statement. Katarra takes a deep breath. "Approach very slowly, and move slowly. Please - don't make any sudden movements."

Hanneke nods rapidly towards Katarra, follows the direction of her fellow candidates, making a quick movement--although perhaps less quick than it might have been, prior to Katarra's statement--, her feet shuffling sand, in the direction of the Translucent Talisman Egg, her hand tracing upon it's pastel edge. She breaths out, quickly, considering--"It feels harder!" Lifting one foot, her eyes fall from the egg to the sandal, nose wrinkling. "Hot!"

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.

Kyla glances at the queen and hopes she'll forget /quickly/ that she was involved in the previous visit.

Oh, sure, /now/ Kyla asks, after they're already out milling about. Good thing Dom's hanging back, waiting for some kind of acknowledgement that he bowed properly. These country boys don't know how to bow with grace. Nodding at Katarra's acquiescence, he takes a step out onto the sands, wincing slightly, "Oh boy, it's even hotter with sandals. Keep moving, never plant your feet, that's the way to do it, Dom." Or so he hopes. Otherwise it's gonna be one miserable hatching.

Saldia snatches her hand back, worried that she has transgressed and then she nods at Katarra and slowly reaches out a hand towards the silver chalic egg, curious at its shape and colours that decorate it, hand slides delicately along smooth side.

Emitted only to Saldia:
Silver throbs brighter with your touch and recedes as your hand does. With yet another caress the egg seems to vibrate slightly, humming a tune to itself.

Tajiath barks a sharp warning at the curly haired one who dares move too quickly toward /her/ Talisman Egg. The goldleaf markings on her muzzle stand out in vivid relief as she lowers her head to barely a fingerwidth from the candidate. You thought the egg was hot? Check out that dragon breath.

Harder yet it will get. Translucent Talisman Egg glows thoughtfully, small ribbons of color flashing across it's surface.

Dalas nods at Katarra's statement and gives Tajiath another slow and orchestrated bow which is due a proper queen. He then looks for Klari and walks over to the eggs with her wondering if she has a favorite. Well no sense in hoping she can read minds,"Hey Klari, just get up?" He asks looking at her,"Hows the heiny-can you sit down yet? Sorry didn't mean to bring that back up, do you have a favorite egg, one that you like above the others?" He asks as his hands touch the Tufted Avian Familiar Egg, he seems to like this one a lot.

Emitted only to Dalas:
Soft feathers seem to ruffle quietly as if the Tufted Avian Familiar egg recognizes your touch. A little shift and it seems to sink further into the sands, waiting a bit longer.

Jestine listens carefully to Katarra. The last thing she wanted was an angry queen. She makes sure all of her movements are slow and deliberate. Although they are methodical, each action is smooth and seems to flow into the next one. Cautiously, she moves toward one of the eggs. Spell Book Egg would like a visit.

Shabheh arrives at the Mysterious Orb Egg, reaching out a hand to softly touch it's shell, all the while half looking at the Queen. "It's so... smooth," she says softly, getting a bit more adventurous and running a hand softly down it's side.

Emitted only to Shabheh:
Colors seem to float just beneath the Mysterious Orb's surface, taunting you to try and follow their pattern. A wing? A cloud? The imagine teases the corners of your mind, so familiar, yet so foreign.

Hanneke yelps, pulling back, a wary glance given towards Tajiath, feet scrambling back. "Hihi, Tajiath! Don't mind me--I just *love* this egg. Very pretty! I'll be more careful, shall I? I won't hurt it, promise!" See, that's her hand, leaving the egg's surface, her movements slowing. Hot dragon breath. "Um."

Katarra catches her lower lip with her teeth, watching the candidates closely. Her green gaze flickers back and forth from candidates to queen, watching for those tell-tale signs she knows so well in her lifemate of many turns. Kyla is spared a glance as well, her expression crinkling into one of hope. Hope for nothing untoward, that is.

Klari blinks a couple more times at Dalas before nodding slowly then gazing back out over the eggs. "Ah... I can sit down, hurts but I can do it." Klari laughs sleepily, "You sure are talkative, Dalas." Not that she minds it, though she does point to the egg down in front of her, Deadly Nightshade Egg, "This one, right here actually." Klari doesn't move to touch the egg though, her gaze just keeps slipping over to Tajiath. Worried? No, she's not awake enough to be worried, just looking to see her reactions and such.

Kyla is picking at the knot Fiora bestowed upon her, gaze more inward than out. Periodically she does glance up, making sure no candidate is dangling from Tajiath's mouth. Not that she could do a thing about it if they /were/.

Dominic aims for the poor neglected Crooked Little Wand Egg. Nice and slowly, so as to fly under Tajiath's radar. Wouldn't do to be stepped on, nope. Giving the egg a friendly pat, he has a heart-to-shell chat with it, "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll turn into a great little dragon. It's what's inside the shell that counts, not outside, right? Yeah, I thought you'd agree with that. And, hey, if none of the others give you the time of day, you can always hang out with me when you hatch." It's a pep talk. Or a sales pitch.

Emitted only to Dominic:
Crooked Little Wand Egg fizzles slightly, an almost apparent straining as it tries to gleam brighter, do more. But only a few little pops dance across your palm, before silence.

Dalas smiles down at the Tufted Avian Familiar Egg, then kneels down to put his ear to it, wondering if maybe he can hear anything from inside it." I wonder how long it will be till you hatch?" He asks it, then looking up at Klari he says,"Well after you have been confined to your room with no one to talk to it seems when folk are around you tend to want to be talkative." He tells her with a smile,"You even start talking to those things that are around you, even though you know they can't respond to you. Can you little egg."See he is talking to the inanimate, though these don't quite feel so inanimate to him. least this one.

Tajiath touches the egg briefly, assuring herself that Hanneke hasn't harmed it. Turning, she stalks around the mound of eggs, her tail lashing dangerously. "Watch your step," Katarra warns the candidates. The queen's ire seems to rise each time she spots someone touching another egg, the swirls of her eyes only slowing momentarily when the human steps away. The sands vibrate as her heavy steps follow Dominic for a moment, and stop, waiting. Evidently he passes - she moves on, eyeing someone else who looks suspicious. Hey... what's /that/ fella doing?!

Saldia is smoothing hands over the surface on which light dances, fingers dancing over the glittering jewels on the chalice "Better than are you Klari?" She pauses as she hears Katarra and Tajiath but continues as it seems that she is not in trouble "They are pretty aren't they Dalas?"

Shabheh caresses the side of the egg lightly once more, before moving off to the Deadly Nightshade egg, gently touching it's shell tentatively, then becoming more brave and leaning against it's smooth surface, resting a cheek on top of it and almost hugging the spheroid.

Emitted only to Shabheh:
Deadly Nightshade Egg seems to be cool and quiet at first, though at your touch a light noxious scent fills your nose and it seems the surface ripples slightly. Come..sleep..come..stay.. Easy to fall under it's spell.

Hanneke learns to breath again, still backing away from the egg formerly in front of her, and, to be on the safe side, does not return. Instead, although she maintains a wary eye upon Tajiath, she shifts herself towards the Glittering Dust Egg, fingers sweeping over its ovular form with definitive daintiness. Safer, right?

Jestine looks at the egg, staring at it for so long her eyes unfocus. Spots and other markings on the Spelll Book Egg seem to reform into other figures. She suddenly realise how impolite it was for her to stare. Blinking in order to refocus her eyes, she moves toward the Mysterious Orb Egg. Her eyes caress its surfe (surface). She looks toward Tajiath for permission, a hand outstretched, waiting on the queen's approval.

Emitted only to Jestine:
Spell Book Egg slowly comes to life, the dust over it's shell shifting as it ruffles a few pages at your leaving. Come back and see the ending..it'll be worth it.

Emitted only to Jestine:
Tiny flecks of color seem to dance across the shell of the Mysterious Orb Egg. Color seem to form one pattern, than another. Touch me..adore me, it seems to call.

Glittering Dust Egg shivers slightly at your touch, finger tip seeming to glide through and rearrange the cool tones on its shell. Look deeper, what do you see? Your heart's desire?

Shabheh shudders slightly, lifting her head from the surface of the egg and inhaling, then exhaling softly. "Mmmm..." she murmurs, cocking her head and looking down at the egg almost longingly. Eyes then flit across the cavern, and she spots the Silver Chalice Egg, making her way over to it to lightly brush it's surface, fingers soft on it's shell.

Emitted only to Shabheh:
Clear as a bell, your touch seems to vibrate across the Silver Chalice Egg. Purity, it calls for, of heart and desire. Can you answer?

Dominic eyes Tajiath warily as she approaches...but no drama ensues. Phew. The Crooked Little Wand Egg is given another pat and a grin from Dominic, "Hey, don't sweat it, you'll get there in your own time, egg. No rush. Listen, I'll catch up with you later, gonna go visit some of the others. Yeah, yeah, they get jealous if I stay talking to you for too long." Yeesh, Dominic, you'd think the egg actually gave a firelizard's butt what you're saying. He makes his way over to the Stardust Egg, flashing a smile at it as he approaches, "Now what're you going to show me today, hmm?"

Emitted only to Dominic:
Left alone for so long, Stardust Egg, makes sure to show it's best side...or curve, as it where. Colors swath the orb, glistening with hope and hints of glory to come, a few splotches almost leaping from the shell in excitment. Soon..soon.

Tajiath looms over Dalas like a blinding ball of fire. Curling her neck downward, she nudges him, apparently wary of what he's doing down there, kneeling by the egg like that. Katarra notices her focused attention and moves to get a better view. "Oh, stop Taji. He's not hurting it. Just getting a better look. See? Wave Dalas," she says the last with raised brows. Yes, wave quickly and show the upset several ton mama that all is ok.

Klari takes a step back from Deadly Nightshade as Shabheh comes over to touch it, a glance going down to Dalas, "Yeah, like talking to a jar of numbweed?" Klari laughs, quietly though, covering a yawn as her spurt of laughter ends. A gaze going over to Tajiath again, Klari was laughing but it wasn't loud. Then a look of wonder, slowly makes its way over to Saldia, "What's better than I am?" That is what she said, right? Oh Klari just needs to wake up. Of course, she'll be awake when the eggs are hatching, it'd be sad if one impressed to her and she was steadily snoozing. Then as Shabheh moves away she reaches down to Deadly Nightshade egg, brushing the grains of sand off gently, another glance going to Tajiath.

Saldia smiles at Shabheh and moves to give her room and glances around at the others with their eggs and she smiles at the mysterious orb egg but decides not to go near there and she walks slowly towards the Stardust egg, pausing to give Tajiath another bow and then she hesitantly slips out a hand to smooth over the darkness of the egg "So soft." she mururs softly.

Emitted only to Saldia:
Darkness, brightness, the colors dance across the surface. The Stardust Egg seems to glow brightly at the attention, but biding it's time just a little longer.

Hanneke's fingers shake with silent resonance, both hands placed, palm first, upon the shell of the Glittering Dust Egg--her face breaking into a smile of immense delight. She breaths out, softly, "Oh!" Leaning closer, as if to peer into the egg itself, she shifts her hands, slightly sandy, as if to taste another pattern with their touch.

Dalas waves very quickly, because the gentle nudge has set him on his rump,"It's ok Tajiath I think your eggs are the most beautiful eggs I have ever seen, I just like this one a lot and was curious about it is all." He says still waving and wondering it the beautiful gold will let him continue to another egg or not.

Jestine allows her fingertips to slide lightly across the surface of Mysterious Orb Egg. She keeps herself from starting back. A grin spreads across her face and her eyes blaze silver with an unspoken emotion. But just as quickly as the smile appeared, it fades. She pulls her hand away after a loving pat and moves on to another.

Dominic grins over the Stardust Egg at Saldia, "Isn't this one neat? D'you see the fork shape on that side?" Dom was on the other side of this particular egg the last time on the Sands. "There's a shape of a fish on this side.. kinda tiny, but definitely a fish. A baby fish, I guess."

Shabheh breathes softly on the Silver Chalice Egg's shell, enjoying the soft sensation of just touching the egg, her fingers running lightly down it's smooth sides. Her eyes lift up to eye Tajiath, sending a quick smile the Queen's way, before chuckling at Dalas. Leaving the silver egg, she walks up to the Tufted Avian Familiar Egg, smiling at Dalas. "Guess she didn't like you touching this one, did she?"she says with another quick smile, gently extending a hand to lightly stroke the top of the egg.

Emitted only to Shabheh:
Tufted Avian Familiar Egg stirs slightly from it's slumber, the sound of rustling feathers filling your ears. Warmth flows over it's surface as it waits, waits for it's turn.

Saldia grins at Dom happily and shakes her head "I didn't see you there." She glances over the egg to see what he is talking about, and she laughs "You are right there is. So many different shapes." She walks around the egg, trailing fingers on it "Show me the fish?" she saus quietly.

Tajiath spreads a wing and encircles the egg, assuring herself that it is unharmed. She may be the smallest of the queen's, but she sure is big when standing over someone sitting on their rump. Assured, she turns to pin Dalas with one whirling eye, so close he could reach out and touch her... a faint smell, sweet as wine drifts on the air. And then, quick as a flame, she stands aright and turns away.

"Riiiiiiiiight here." Dominic points to the itty-bitty little baby fish on the side of the Stardust Egg. "See how the stars line up to make the tail here? And the fins here?" Taking a step backwards, regarding the rest of the egg, he grins, "Oh, and here's a shape that looks like my mother." Kinda big and round.

Klari lets out a bit of mute laughter, eyeing Dalas for a moment with a shake of her head, "Careful, Dalas." Klari winks over to him another glance up to Tajiath before she takes a few steps back from the eggs. Klari's not a candidate that would like to be nudged onto her bottom. She yawns softly, watching the other candidates, still trying her hardest to actually get fully awake.

Dalas looks up at Shabheh,and then back at Tajiath wondering,"I think she didn't expect us to kneel down and get personal with them." He tells her as he begins to stand again,"Though I'm not sure exactly, she did leave me alive and on the sands though so I think I'm ok," He tells her and then to Saldia he nods,"Yes all of them are wonderful." He tells her going over to the spell book egg, he kind of gives Tajiath a wave as he kneels down to touch this egg,"Only looking at it Tajiath see I'm being especially nice and careful with them." Even lovingly towards them.

Hanneke hesitates longer still in front of the Glittering Dust Egg, her expression vacant as she smoothes her hands about the edge. The bright note of another candidate's voice brings her eyes to blinking, head to glancing about. Her smile changes with a rapid re-melding of features, as she moves on to another egg. Going for contrast, she finds herself in front of the Sapphire Rose Egg--the colours of which are less than her usual shades.

Jestine glides over to the Translucent Talisman Egg. It reminds her of her grandfather's old sea charts that he used to let her look at, even after she tried to make a picture out of the stars when she was little. She turns and bows slightly toward the queen to let her know her intentions and then runs her hands across the surface. Molten heat rises from its depths.

Emitted only to Jestine:
Translucent Talisman Egg sits on it's own mound, the dark sand such a good foil for it's brightness. Slowly colors swirl under its shell, mesmerizing, intriguing. Warmth seems to seep into your palm from the shell, tickling your hand.

Deep, luscious tones flow over the Sapphire Rose Egg, demanding attention. Slowly the petals shift as if an unheard breeze has ruffled them, but no, it's hoping for you touch. Feel the warmth, the richness..

Katarra shakes her head, shoulders relaxing a bit as Tajiath backs away from Dalas. A smile creeps across her lips at the various reassuring comments that come from the candidates and she backs up them up mentally. "See, Taji. They're just looking." A moments pause. "Ok, yes, they /are/ touching too, but their aren't hurting them. They're just feeling them. It's probably good for the eggs, you know." Tajiath growls in response, unconvinced. She stalks. She prowls. She pouts.

Klari points to Tufted Avian Familiar Egg as Dalas stands back up, "I take it that one's your favorite?" Slowly though, she walks over to Sapphire Rose Egg, carefully bending before running her hands along the egg, smoothing it out slightly. Though she didn't bend down carefully because she's on the Sands, it's just that she's sore and has a hard time bending, and in leather.

Emitted only to Klari:
Like a feather-soft spring breeze, blowing through a field of flowers and brushing your fingertips with the barest movement, Sapphire Rose Egg stirs against your touch. Then again, maybe it was just your imagination?

Shabheh leans down and repeats the action of resting her cheek on a tan streak on the brown surface of the squat egg, running hands down it's squat sides, before straightening up and looking around at the other eggs, most specifically, the Wrinkle in Time Egg. She walks over to it, crouching down next to it's smooth surface and just staring at it for a minute or two, taking in it's smooth shell before running a finger down it's sides lightly.

Emitted only to Shabheh:
Quiet and reflective, Wrinkle in Time Egg seems to be waiting, and then it moved? Or did it. Light plays across the surface, tricking the eye before a cascade of color washes over its side.

Hanneke rewards the Sapphire Rose Egg with attention, allowing her fingers the honour of a light dance upon the hardening shell, a smooth rhythmn, barely percievable. She lifts one of her hands, smoothing it against her cheek, eyebrows furrowing as she considers the egg, its warmth, her hand.

Jestine backs away, letting her hands cool down slightly from the egg's warmth. A whorl of colors catches her eye and she smoothly and slowly changes course. Don't want to upset the very large, beautiful, protective Mum.

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

Saldia stands and glances around, hand still resting on the Stardust egg but looking to see what other eggs she might have a closer look at while she has this opportunity. She smiles as the Wrinkle in Time Egg catches her eye and she smiles at Dominic and then she walks slowly, bowing again at Tajiath, it cannot hurt being this respectful and she places hand on the beautiful creamy white and glances at the wrinkle in it.

Dalas carresses the Spell Book egg looking into it as if he may glean some kind of knowledge that he couldn't glean from anywhere else, this too is a favorite of his, its magical smoothness offering tranquility and comfort, still he must be very gentle with Tajiath about and with a nudge like she has he decides the more the caution the better. See already gaining some knowledge, still he rubs his hands carefully over the egg feeling its warmth.

Emitted only to Dalas:
Pages rustle, knowledge yearning to be released from the Spell Book Egg. Movement stops, though a tinge of dust tickles your nose. Soon, it will be time, life will spill from it.

Kyla lifts a hand in greeting to Zureile. "Be careful of Tajiath. I'd recommend bowing."

Shabheh smiles at Saldia, who approaches the same egg. "Gorgeous, isn't it?" she purrs softly, smoothing her hand down it's surface again. "This, I think, is definately my favourite." She smiles, lightly placing an arm around it's circumference.

Emitted only to Shabheh:
Calm and quiet, the Wrinkle in Time egg waits, then flickers. Did something change? Was that splash of color there or not?

Saldia nods at Shabheh, "It is beautiful, not sure if it is my favourite, none have really spoken out to me." She sighs "And I don't want to get too attached to them anyway." She runs fingers over the rift, enjoying the colour that plays along it and then glances at the mound "Why is she hiding eggs you think?"

Emitted only to Saldia:
Creamy and smooth, yet with a trick of the eye Wrinkle in Time egg seems to shift and change. Colors not there, suddenly are..or where they always there?

Emitted only to Saldia:
A wiggle, a jiggle, a shiver, a shimy... the colors seem to shift beneath your hand as the glowbasket's light flickers off the creamy luminecent shell of the Wrinkle in Time Egg. A tingling sensation crosses your palm.. like something passing in the blink of an eye.

Zureile steps quickly on the sands, for once not even noticing their impressive heat. "Sorry," she gasps out. I had to finish up my chores, and when I got back to the barracks, I found out that everyone was here..." she comes to an abrupt halt, and eyes Tajiath warily. She snaps out an awkward bow, bending low from the waist, before scurrying to join join the rest of the group. "Where do I start?" She looks at Kyla through worried eyes, glancing occassionally at the protective queen. How careful?

Katarra takes advantage of Tajiath's distraction to approach and lay a hand on her withers, drawing the queen's attention for a moment. The golden neck curls downward and a soft croon comes from her throat. "See how polite they are? I told you it'd be alright," she says reassuringly. Still, Taji's ash-swept tail beats against the sands though, a sure sign of her aggitation. Like a low-burning fire, she sits and watches, a vibrancy in the air as if she could explode into a roaring fire at the slightest provocation.

Jestine blinks a couple of times and wonders if her sight is failing. She realises that she has been staring at the eggs so hard that they seem to be hot. Or is that the heat from the sands? She moves through the eggs, back to touch the Mysterious Orb Egg, the Translucent Talisman egg, and the Spell Book Egg once moo (more). Out of all of them, she seems most drawn to these.

Hanneke shifts away from the Sapphire Rose Egg with almost reluctance, running her hand along its edge once more, before traipsing with quiet confidence, lacking her usual bounce, across the sands towards the Wrinkle in Time Egg--hands moving directly towards the violet upon the egg's form. "Purple!"

Dalas sneezes softly then stands up and looks over to Tajiath,"Just dust, a little sneeze from it nothing to worry over really,"He tells her backing away from the Spell Book egg and into the Sapphire Rose Egg, good thing he was moving very carefully. He turns quickly and feels the egg,"Nothing wrong here, all is ok." He says rubbing the egg and looking apologetically at Tajiath. He gives a nervous smile.

Emitted only to Dalas:
Your touch seems to reverberate across the shell of the Sapphire Rose Egg, a gleam shifting across petals. It's almost time, but it must be patient a tad longer.

Saldia grins at Hanneke and at Shabheh "popular egg isn't it?" She sucks in her breath for a moment and glances at the egg again and she raises her hand and looks at it and then places it down on the egg again but the sensation is gone. She smiles happily and caresses the egg and then steps back almost reluctantly but to leave room for the two others to touch it. She glances at the mysterious orb and wanders if Tajiath would mind. She walks slowly and bows deeply this time at Tajiath and Katarra "Do you mind if I touch this one Tajiath? Katarra?" SHe pauses and waits.

Kyla shrugs at the Zureile, "Just wander the sands, but stay away from that mound." Finger points to death tarot egg and the shadows egg. "Try to get the feel of the place and touch some of the eggs."

Wrinkle in Time Egg waits and shivers lightly. Soon soon, it will happen. A small fold appears across it's shell and then is gone with a flash of color. Did that happen?

Jestine gives each egg a gentle and loving pat before she departs. Looking on the Spell Book Egg, she wonders if what lies within could instruct her in everything she wishes to learn. The Translucent Talisman Egg makes her want to gaze into its surface once more, searching for something she can't name. The Mysterious Orb Egg, beconing her to dream and wonder. With a deep sigh, she makes her way toward the exit. She bows low before Tajiath. "THankyou," she says, simply, softly. She would stay if she could, but something in her stride tells you that she has to go somewhere.

"Oh!" Hanneke laughs, half blushing as her reverie is broken, and those others about the egg are noticed. "Guess so!" She grins, burbling a giggle of sorts, her attention consequently straying towards the egg itself, her nose all but wrinkling. "Ooh."

Katarra smiles at Saldia, gently patting the side of Tajiath's neck. "Of course we don't mind. Do we Taji? Taji?" Katarra tilts her head just as Tajiath does the same, but in the opposite direction. If it were a different situation, the effect would almost be humorous. Tajiath stretches her neck toward Saldia and huffs, ruffling the girl's hair a bit before backing off. Katarra nods approvingly - or maybe it's relief.

Saldia smiles back at Katarra, though it wavers a little at the hot breath that ruffles her hair but she makes sure the smile stays there "Thank you." she says and her hand reaches out to touch the egg, softly exploring its sides, tracing the colours that dance among themselves, curious about how they blend together "So pretty, no wonder Tajiath is so protective, they are all so beautiful."

Emitted only to Saldia:
The soft smell of pine drifts toward your senses, teasing them and darting away mysteriously, nearly distracting you from the gentle curve of the Mysterious Orb egg.

Dalas moves from the Sapphire Egg not really finding it as welcoming as the others were, he then goes over to another of his favorites, the Deadly Nightshade Egg. This one he looks deeply at and slowly, cautiously, he places his hand on it, not knowing what to expect of it. Still it intrigues him very much, it has that kind of dangerous quality to it, which kind of reminds him a little of himself.

Saldia pauses mid-stroke on the egg, a silly smile curving on her lips and then she shakes her head and smiles at the egg "Oh so strange" she mutters to herself and then worried that the gold dragon would take offense at this she smiles "Though really so beautiful." She smiles "Thank you Tajiath, Katarra." She decides now that another egg further away from the gold might be better for her nerves as she is starting to imagine things.

Hanneke steps away from the egg she currently stands at, peering at it again, her head shaking. "Sorry, egg, I'm not all that excited about you!" No, this is not depressing. This is Hanneke. This is Hanneke, who now moves back to a previous place--once again stepping in front of the Glittering Dust Egg.

From the galleries, Eve glances toward B'roughs, eyes wide and curious.

From the galleries, Dawn watches the Candidates below them, lifting an eyebrow in question, "I have seen many things.. but this has got to be one of the saddest." She says to her sister, "they're -petting- them?"

Dalas finds this egg to most enjoyable and unexpected as well, though the last egg he wanted to get more comfortable with caused him some trouble. He moves slowly away and gives the mound a cursory glance, now that Tajiath has moved away from it....no best not incure the wrath of the great gold. He steps on over to the Mysterious Orb egg and looks into it as if he were looking into a crystal ball to try to glean knowledge of its future, Oh if only one of em held a lifemate for him, but he isn't going to raise his hopes falsely one never knows if they will meet their highest hopes on the sands at a hatching.

Emitted only to Dalas:
Mysterious Orb Egg dances under your touch, colors diving here, fading there and settling under your hand. What could be inside?

Kyla stands, her rear a tad too toasty for liking. She weaves her way through the eggs and approaches Kat. Knot of string is held out to the goldrider, as she mutters. "You knew about this didn't you?" On closer inspection, one might figure out it's Fiora's old WLM knot.

Saldia glances at the egg that seems to have captivated Hanneke and then glances around the sands, eyes taking in the Translucent Talisman egg and then the Secret Ingredient Egg and she smiles but does not move quite yet, eyes glancing to the mound again, wondering for the nth time what is hidden under there. SHe smiles and her eyes are caught by the flickerings of time and she edges back to the Stardust egg, and slides a hand over its side, trying to find that little fish, and learn what knowledge it has collected over the eons.

Emitted only to Saldia:
Stardust Egg hums quietly, perched on the sands. Small orbs seems to fly over its shell, a fork shape here, perhaps a fish there..ever changing.

From the galleries, Eve nods in agreement, her expression twisting into something like a cynical smile, only more-so. "It's hard to believe this is real, isn't it? These people... Maybe we don't want to be here, after all."

Tajiath stirs from her deceivingly restful pose, trundling over to her sandy couch and blocking a couple of eggs from anyone's approach. It seems those are off limits no matter /how/ assured she is of the others. Curling her wings tightly to her side, she settles and watches.... watches ever closely for just one wrong move. Occasionally a rumble moves the shadows across her withers, as someone stirs a warning. Katarra remains nearby, finally taking advantage of the moment to retrieve a drink from a pitcher kept out for her. As Kyla approaches, she blinks. "Knew about what?"

Hanneke, thankfully, never did have any ambition to touch the nasty buried one--she'd get all sandy. The candidate pauses at her current stop, leaning down to whisper something to the egg, her lips pulling into a brilliant smile once more. "Yes, I know you're oogly googly beautiful! Yes, yes, yes!" No. No. No.

From the galleries, Dawn's eyes fall on Hanneke, the corner of her mouth lifting into a smirk. Yes.. this seems to be the kind of thing the girl would enjoy. Almost as productive as petting her hair.

Saldia crouches down by the stardust egg, fingering the sides and she laughs softly "Oh you changeable thing." She traces out the fish and then smiles as it changes and she traces out the patterns and shakes her head "They are all so different and lovely and wonderful and there are really dargons inside?"

Uh oh. It seems something has indeed stoked the fire. Despite reassurances, Tajiath seems to have reached the limits of her patience. Lifting muzzle to the cavern ceiling, she suddenly roars a rather air-shattering bugle that bounces off the walls and echoes back even louder. Katarra literally jumps, dropping her mug and causing a dark stain to slowly spread on the sand. Quickly, she begins moving about the eggs, urging everyone toward the exit. "Time to go, I'm afraid. Good job. Yes, yes.. bye now..." She continues to reassure and give smiling farewells, even if they are rather urgent.

Hanneke straightens, without even the grace to blush at her disgraceful performance. Whispering to eggs, indeed. A wary glance to Tajiath, her ears belatedly covered, and she makes a dash for it. "Thank you!" Scary gold. "I'm *horribly* glad there's no gold in this clutch." Hopefully no gold. Scary.

You head out towards the main bowl.