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.

20-04-01: Fondling the Eggs
Assistant Weyrlingmaster R'mar escorts Lydiere and Natan onto the sands for another go at touching Ysmalath's eggs.

Natan jogs swiftly into the room, Shiran and Lakia just at his heels. "Sorry I took so long, R'mar. We're ready." he grins with excitement.

Lydiere moves in an easy gait from the barracks; light stride indicating an air of relaxation often seen in balance with her. One hand raises in greeting towards the group as she draws near, stride pulling her into the group of candidates. "I'm here."

R'mar says "Alright, we've done this a bit already, I'm sure you've all heard the cautions. Ysmalath is getting rather edgy, so we have to mind our manners. No yelling, not even if you feel an egg shiver or move a little. They aren't quite brittle enough to hatch yet and Navoth assures me that they aren't hatching at least not today."

Shiran pants and wheezes, looking from Lakia to Natan and then at R'mar. "Shards that guy moves fast!" he glares at Natan.

R'mar says "I figure one last touching can't hurt, just stay relaxed and focus on thinking about what it will be like when they hatch, focus on not being afraid of them... fear is a big confusion for new dragons anyway. Just try to think welcoming, and be open..."

R'mar grinning he motions for the candidates to follow him, sedately, onto the sands.

R'mar walks out to Hatching Sands entrance.

You walk out to Hatching Sands entrance.

You walk out to Hatching Sands.

R'mar walks out of Entrance Cavern.

Natan walks out of Entrance Cavern.

Lydiere nods--"So it's soon, then?" She'd guessed that, but looks appreciative for the official note all the same, as she moves onto the sands. The heat earns an uncomfortable grimace, as she steps forwards, cheerfully moving towards the Messy Mud Pie Egg with a rueful grin. "Back again."

R'mar motions for the candidates to slowly spread out, indicating a semi-circular pattern with his hands, not speaking outloud yet.

Natan glances warily around the sands looking for the golden dam. His eyes widen as he catches a glimpse of the hulking queen's sillouette.

Ysmalath rumbles agitatedly though she does look as if she's half-asleep still. Her semi-baleful gaze fixes on the candidates milling about _her_ round eggs and she whuffles, stirring up a bit of sand.

Lakia nervously steps into the semi-circle, swallowing hard and looking around her nervously.

R'mar pantomimes quiet with a finger to his lips and he slowly walks behind the line of candidates, murmuring words of encouragement, a pat on the shoulder for Natan, and on down the line he moves, as hands are land upon the hot, now very hard but not brittle shells.

Natan raises his eyebrows at Ysmalath's rumbling. A deep bow is offered to the dam, regardless of whether or not she is sleeping. A smile crosses his face as he feels a pat on his shoulder, and he strides toward the eggs, oblivious to a trickle of sweat running down his forehead.

Lydiere's confident enough, although a wary glance to Ysmalath keeps her silent, without comment for once. The woman pauses longer at the edge of the Messy Mud Pie egg, digits smoothing down the egg's solid, rounded side. A smile twists upon her lips, if a small one, as she tosses her hair back behind her, moving into a lower position about the egg's edge.

R'mar says "Evening to you Ysmalath, you know they won't hurt your eggs and I promise we won't stay for over long..."

Ysmalath rumbles again, deep in her throat and scrapes a bit more sand around the egg that resembles a strange child's toy from earth, some odd bear like thing.

Shiran steps toward the Ring a Ring of Roses, barely pausing before running his hand over its surface anxiously.

<< In Lydiere's Mind, Raindrops on Roses drips through your mind again, dripping behind hints of sweetness and playfulness, a cloyingly sweet touch that clings to your thoughts, peering at them almost as if it could keep them for it's very own. >>

Lydiere notes, quietly, "I will never get used to that sensation of something touching my mind." She gives a rueful grimace, running her hands along the edge of the egg again--"Hello, again."

Natan bites his lower lip for only a moment, then releases it, stepping respectfully toward the Flittering Fireflies Egg. Crouching slightly, he raises his fingertips toward the leathery surface of the egg. After a series of short blinks, his fingertips lightly sweep the hardened shell.

Lydiere moves on from the Messy Mud Pie Egg with a rueful grin carefully ingrained upon her face. The candidate steps lightly towards the Warm Cuddling Blanket Egg, running her hand along it's side. "Nice."

Natan blinks at the sudden presence in his mind. "Can you hear me, little one?" he whispers with wide eyes. His second hand lifts to the egg, joining the first in its caressing.

<< In Lydiere's Mind, Whiskers on Kittens tickles at the back of your mind! *squirm* Ooh is that a purr? It's a warm throbbing sensation that rolls around your mind, swatting here, batting there, peering as deep as it can within you. >>

Lydiere shifts visibly, rubbing at her nose, "This one tickles. Faranth, no one ever told us eggs did this." She turns back to glance at R'mar, questioning, "Do the dragons inside know who we are, what we're doing? Do they think yet, or is it just--automatic?"

Natan blinks a bit and steps away from the egg slowly and respectfully.

Lydiere pauses, giving Natan a bright grin, as she steps away from the egg, relinquishing it for him--so that she can move on, quite cheerfully, to the marble egg.

Natan grins broadly, his eyes beginning to sparkle, "Oooh, I like you!" he grins, "I think I'll stay here for a while." he runs his hands softly over the surface.

<< In Lydiere's Mind, Snowflakes That Melt On My Nose And Eyelashes tingle across your mind, shivering along your thoughts, chilling you at the root of your being. Yet somehow, there is a warmth to this touch that is shocking! >>

Lydiere shivers gently, rubbing her hands along her arms with a quick, precise movement, wonder showing within her gaze upon the edge of the egg in ront of her. "I see blue for this one, somehow. Do colours often show themselves, R'mar-sir? I mean, do they speak to one, rightly or wrongly?" That didn't come out right, and she's realised it, nose wrinkling in concernation.

Natan squints his eyes just a bit, cocking his head toward the Motherly Hug Egg, "I'm still here." he smiles at the ovoid, "I'm not going anywhere, yet."

R'mar chuckles, " I've never been able to personally guess the color of the egg's occupant, and I've ridden blue for over a decade now.. so it's not true, that all colors have similar minds, as far as I can tell "

Lydiere nods slowly, agreeing, "I suppose. Still--I don't know, it *feels* blue. I'm probably imagining things." Yes, that'd be right, even if Lyddie's not such a big imaginer. She steps away from the edge of the egg, relinquishing position for another candidate, who gleefully rests his hands upon it's edges. Meanwhile, Lyddie herself moves towards the Flittering Fireflies Egg, hands resting upon it gently.

<< In Lydiere's Mind, Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String rustles around more, shifting to a strange sort of *beat* within your skull.. almost like a steady drum beat, or is that just your heart in your ears? >>