Pern-Laidan - Tuesday, November 07, 2000, 8:19 PM
-------------------------------------------------

2nd Egg Touching and conversation after.

Your location's current time: 20:42 on day 11, month 9, Turn 33, of the Tenth Pass. It is a autumn evening.
Laidan enters briefly to empty her pockets and refill them with other trinkets.
Greylin looks up as she finishes cleaning up the area around her cot. "Hiya, Laidan!" she greets cheerfully.
Laidan nods to Greylin. "Hiya." She double-checks the items she's sticking in her pockets, including a small knob of wood and a knife. "What's new?"
Talisha wanders in with a wave towards Greylin and Laidan. "Evening!" she greets before flopping on the edge of her cot.
Greylin grins lopsidedly. "The opposite of old," she replies to Laidan as she settles her staff back into place.
Laidan shakes her head.
Talisha fluffs the furs up off her cot, giving them a little shake in her lap. "Did either of you get caught out in that rain last night?"
Laidan shakes her head again, this time to Talisha. "Nope."
Greylin whistles off-key, innocently, and pushes her muddy boots under her cot.
Talisha's gaze slips to that whistling, and those boots and her lips form a grin. "Oh I see neither of you did then. Well -I- did. But I had shelter." she winks before grinning to herself.
Greylin lifts her brows curiously. "Oh?" she queries with a grin.
Talisha mm-hmms and nods her head. "Veyath.. K'nan's green was the shelter." she doesn't add anything else to that, just resumes shaking out her furs and sheets.
Greylin queries, "He wasn't sporting his shortshorts, was he?" she asks with a wink.
Talisha quirks a brow up and giggles. "No! Definetly not. Have you seen them yet?" she shakes her head, "He was dressed normally surprise surprise. We were just talking when it started pouring with rain."
Laidan grins. "Was there a lot of shelter, or did you have to huddle together?"
Talisha giggles and starts whispering in a conspiratory tone. "We had to hundle together, Veyath held her wing out though, so it wasn't too bad. And K'nan knows the candidate rules."
Greylin nods with a bit of relief. "That's good. I would hate to hear you got in trouble for misbehaving."
Laidan looks innocent.
Talisha just laughs. "I'm not so silly to be getting myself in trouble like -that-."
Greylin grins lopsidedly. "A good head on your shoulders..."
Talisha grins cheekily. "Good? Beautiful according to K'nan."
Laidan chuckles.
Greylin lifts her brows. "Oh /really/?"
GAME: Saving to disk. Will resume shortly.
GAME: Save complete.  Resuming.
Talisha swings her legs onto the cot and lays back. "Yes really. Is that hard to believe?" but she smiles and adds, "I think he says that to -everyone-."
Greylin snickers. "Oh, well, then it's all good," she says with a wink.
Laidan arches an eyebrow. "Why do you say that?"
Talisha looks between Greylin and Laidan and hmms? "Say what? Why do I think he says that to everyone?"
Laidan nods.
Talisha scoots up a little bit and shrugs. "I just think he does... and I think most of the ladies in the weyr respond to that. He -does- say it sincerely enough.. I think."
Greylin offers the suggestion, "Maybe he sees beauty in everyone, regardless of looks. Not saying you're icky, but maybe he can see more than physical looks."
Laidan giggles. "maybe it's just a line that works."
Talisha giggles and nods. "I agree with you Laidan, it works." not that it worked on her or anything. Much. And then with a grin towards Greylin, "Maybe he goes.. I don't know, I just like being complimented."
goes=does
Greylin nods. "Don't we all?" she asks with a giggle. "I mean, I'd probably fall in the lake of a guy complimented me in a sincere tone."
Laidan grins and nods. "Really. Some people get guys all over them, too."
Talisha giggles and winks at them both. "He hauled me up in his arms and threatened to throw me in the lake cause I called him ahh.. horny."
Laidan giggles.
Greylin blinks! And even blushes at Tali's open comment. "Jays..."
Talisha grins. "Oh you can't tell me you've never thought riders were -that-."
Laidan whistles innocently.
Greylin nods. "Sure... but I never actually /told/ one he was to his /face/!"
Talisha shrugs her shoulders up and grins. "Well I have now.. and he just laughed at me about it. Well, apart from that whole trying to throw me in the lake thing."
Laidan grins. "That's not so bad, anyway. I mean, swimming in the lake's fun."
Greylin says "Unless it's cold..."
Talisha nods. "Which it was, right before it rained. I would have frozen my rear off I think."
Greylin says "So that makes the threat valid..."
Merielan has connected.
Talisha rolls her eyes. "Nothing makes throwing me in the lake valid."
Merielan looks up from the knitting which seems to have occupied her for most of the conversation. "Was the rider flight-addled?"
Talisha smirks. "No.. K'nan just felt like doing it I'm guessing." the furs she was shaking out are spread back over her cot and she slips off the edge to sit on the floor. "Either that or out of his mind."
Laidan grins. "Some people are just silly, like that."
Merielan blinks over at Talisha "-K'nan-?" she repeats, raising an eyebrow "When did he..ah..throw you in the lake?"
Greylin chirps in, "He threatened to when she called him horny!"
Talisha wrinkles her nose. "He didn't actually throw me -in- the lake. But he tried.. and it was mainly my fault." she shrugs again and smiles, "I called him ahh.. horny."
Merielan throws her head back and laughs--laughs really long and hard. Tears stream out of her eyes.."Oh..Talisha.." She wipes her eyes, still chuckling lightly "You hit the wherry on the head.."
Talisha can't help but laugh as she watches Meri's reaction, "Well I really didn't mean for it to come out like that.. I was just trying to be blunt with him." another shrug and she offers over a scrap of cloth for Meri to wipe her eyes. "I was just lucky he didn't toss me in."
Merielan shakes her head slowly--laughing a bit still. "Oh..I wish I could've been there..that is truly..oh my.."
Greylin grins impudently at Tali for her help. "Still, he seems like a nice guy."
Talisha giggles and shakes her head, "No.. because knowing my luck he would have thrown me in just to show off." a wink and she grins. "He seems like a nice guy. A nice guy who'll stay anything to pursued you into.. bed!"
Laidan giggles.
Merielan clears her throat, putting her hands around her belly. "Please..you -are- talking about the father of my baby..let's not give the poor girl the..er..wrong? um..idea about her father?"
Talisha pulls her features into something of a straight face, though still trying to constain a giggle. "Oh, that's right. I forgot. Sorry Meri." she curls her lips into a bright smile, "K'nan will make a wonderful father who will never throw his child in the lake!"
Merielan's open wide "Of course he wouldn't! I just hope..he doesn't..um..woman chase in front of her.."
Laidan nods. "At least he'll be around."
Talisha laughs, "Is he seriously -that- bad? I mean.. I thought he was bad, but not as bad as to go chasing them in front of her. Is it a her?"
Merielan laughs a bit more..wiping at her eyes with Talisha's cloth. "No, no..I don't think he'd chase in front of her..that's not K'nan. "He -is- a nice man..and yes..Alerith says it's a 'green' hatchling..so I'm assuming it's a girl."
Greylin lifts her brows. "I thought dragons referred to girl babies as golds and boys to bronze."
Talisha wriggles around until she lays on her stomach, looking up at the other girls and then back at Meri. "I didn't know they could tell at all. How long do you have left Meri? Can't be too long now."
Merielan shrugs at Greylin "Alerith's rather..obbessed with green's." A nod to Talisha "A week overdo.." Is her rather forlorn answer "Any minute now..and I for one..cannot wait.."
Talisha winces in memory of overdue pregnant women. "Maybe'll they have to give you herbs to bring the labor on. That happened with my Mothers last two. "
Merielan shakes her head slowly "The healers are talking about it..but not for a bit yet.."
Greylin smiles slightly. "Maybe that's why I'sai suggested you bunk with us... closer to the infirmary."
Laidan hmms, looking thoughtful.
Talisha cant help but smirk a touch. "Could be the reason, Meri. Maybe he's not quite so evil afterall."
Merielan shakes her head slowly "No, no..that's not the reason.." On this she looks quite sure.
Laidan bounces a bit on her cot. "So what is the reason?"
Talisha lifts her brows ever so slightly in curiousity. "Well how come he put you in here?"
Greylin frowns a bit as she regards Tali. "If it's not horribly personal. Or embarrassing..."
Merielan blushes and clears her throat, hiding her face behind her knitting. Only for a moment though--then quite serious she looks up. "Alerith..is one of the most important things in my life. Without him, life wouldn't be worth living. I risked him--through my own stupidity..remember that and if you -do- impress..-never- be so stupid as to risk something that dear to you. Whatever it is.."
Laidan grins. "Why not? The guys from Ista told -us- all about their embarrassing moments."
Laidan falls silent at the explanation, though.
Kiran has connected.
Ilexa has connected.
Tarlo has connected.
From afar, to Greylin, Ilexa, Kiran, Laidan, Talisha, and Tarlo, Merielan erps and didn't mean to kill the conversation..
Greylin nods to Meri's serious tone. "Was it something you did directly to him, or did you risk yourself and thus him?" she asks quietly, a sympathetic tone in her voice.
Talisha has disconnected.
Talisha has connected.
Talisha drops the cheerful expression for a more sombre one and leans back against her cot.
Tarlo comes in, expression slightly wide eyed as she looks over at Meri.
Merielan sighs softly "Myself and because of that--him. It was shard it stupid..and I hope..if you all impress..then you'll realize -before- you do something unforgivably stupid..just how profound a bond you have."
Laidan nods.
Greylin seems fairly troubled as she looks down at the blanket under her crossed ankles, picking at it with one hand.
Ilexa has reconnected.
Ilexa has partially disconnected.
GAME: Saving to disk. Will resume shortly.
GAME: Save complete.  Resuming.
Merielan sighs softly--venturing a smile "I'm sorry..I didn't mean to damp the mood.."
Laidan shrugs. "That's alright.. I wanted to know why."
Tarlo has that look on her face of a person who's totally out of the loop, knows she's out of the loop, and hates being out of the loop. So she just sits there and fiddles with her stuffed golden dragon that one of her friends at Weavercraft gave her.
Ilexa wanders in from the lower caverns, heading straight for her cot, where she drops spread eagle with a sigh, only to look up again immediately. "What're you talking about?"
Talisha shuffles her feet around, drawing her knees up to her chest then curling her arms around them. "That's right.. we wanted to know."
Greylin smiles slightly. "I think we all needed to know why. Something like that is important for us to be aware of, I think."
The sounds of conversation evidently are enough to rouse Kiran, and he stirs, rolls over, and cracks an eye open to stare blearily over at his fellow candidates. "Huh?"
Tarlo smirks, and walks over to Kiran's cot. Leaning down, she ruffles his hair messily and says, "Neveryoumind. Go back to sleep, there's a good lad." With a giggle, she starts to walk away.
T'kar emerges from behind the curtain across the entrance.
T'kar has arrived.
Laidan kicks her feet. "Speaking of Impressing.. I wonder if it's safe to go look at the eggs, again."
Talisha perks up a little bit at that and grins. "Maybe.. wanna go find out Laidan?"
Merielan sits--or rather lolls in her cot *click-clacking and knitting away* "I'll stay right here.." she murmurs, frowning over a lost stitch "Alerith will get jealous..'rest of you ought to go though..maybe if Nim's there Daelyth'll let you touch the eggs.."
Laidan nods. "Sure! The worst that can happen is that Daelyth is too grumpy." She gets up. "How about it?" she asks the rest of the room.
T'kar steps into the Barracks, already wearing a skeptical sort of face, though his eyes sparkle with amusement. "I'm looking for a girl who's in trouble. As that probably needs to be more detailed, around here, she's about this big around," he makes his arms as large as possible, "And has a brown about this tall," he gestures vaguely over his head.
Ilexa looks, around, then shrugs as no one answers her question and flops back to her cot, this time managing to stay there relaxed for a whole five seconds before she pops her head up to ask, "Why wouldn't it be safe?"
Tarlo grins. "I'm game if everyone else is."
Greylin rises to her feet, reaching for her staff, this time using it to lean on. "Sure, why not?" she queries.
Talisha shrugs her shoulders up and grabs the coat of the end of her cot. "It'll be safe.. " she mutters and heads out, motioning at Meri for T'kar.
Talisha heads through the entrance to the inner cavern.
Talisha has left.
Kiran climbs out of his cot and follows the others, apparently not quite sure where he's headed.
Kiran heads through the entrance to the inner cavern.
Kiran has left.
Laidan trots out, off to look at the purty eggs.
You head through the entrance to the inner cavern.
Inner Cavern(#1272RJL$)
This huge cavern lies within the bowels of Telgar Weyr. The ceiling above, somewhat darkened, seems to be black in the dim light of the glows. Under this blackness, it's almost a hive. A large part of this cavern is a place where the lower cavern work is done: washing, making, remaking - endless chatter and noise concentrated around islands of bright glowlight. People come and go from several tunnels to the east and west, adding to general movement. There are several more secluded places with a table and few chairs, used by more idle folk for gaming or chat.
In the southwestern part of the cavern, a small opening in the dark seems to be overlooked by everyone, and quite unused.
From here there is a large entrance into the Living Cavern, the center of activity of the Weyr. There are also smaller entrances leading off into the weyrfolk quarters, the tunnel to the steam baths, candidate barracks, and a corridor leading to the Nursery.
Several corridors also lead to quarters for the more permanent members of the Weyr. You may '+view residents', '+view crafters', or '+view staff' to see them.
Contents:
Kiran
Obvious exits:
Living Cavern  Candidate Barracks  INFirmary  Nursery  Steam Baths  Corridor  Weyrfolk Quarters  
Laidan trots on through, certain of where she's going.
Ilexa comes out of the Candidate Barracks.
Ilexa has arrived.
You walk through the large entrance to the Living Cavern.
Telgar Weyr's Living Cavern(#750RDJM$)
This huge cavern is sufficiently roomy to hold a large portion of the Weyr's population without feeling cramped. There's always a bustle of activity here. Fragrant dishes are constantly in prepartion for mealtimes: currently for the late meal. Drudges are always present, either cleaning under Pierron's watchful eye, or helping fetch and carry. A myriad of glowbaskets and many ever-lit hearths make the cavern warm and inviting despite its size. The scents of cooking meats, baking breads and pastries, and the pungent aroma of spices hang mouthwateringly in the air. It is little wonder that those seeking to relax nearly always find their way here to do it. 
A short tunnel jaunts northward out to the bowl and the merry sounds of cooking, chores, and laughter echo from the kitchen at the southeast end of the cavern near the easterly passage to the rest of the lower caverns. Within the lower caverns is an entrance to the infirmary weyr to care for injured dragons and riders.

Contents:
PLAYERS: Adaria Pierron Laidan Talisha 
OTHER: Dragonpoker Table

Obvious Exits:
Inner Caverns  Kitchen  Bowl 

Talisha wanders through at a rather quick pace on her way to the galleries. "Heyla Adaria!" she calls out with a grin then keeps heading through.
Talisha walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
Talisha has left.
You walk down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
Southern Bowl(#396RDJL$)
Towering above, the bowl wall rises in a curving three-pointed arc as it shelters this southernmost point of Telgar Weyr's great caldera. Sloping down to the north to a slight degree, the floor of the bowl has been channeled so that runoff might drain down to the lake beyond. There are several strategically placed evergreens that serve to baffle the biting mountain winds away from the southern entrance into the living Caverns. Scattered leaves have tumbled into corners of the bowl, and are stuck in cracks on the edge of the rock. They have bright colors: orange, gold, and brown. Northward, the center of the bowl spreads hugely, leading to the feeding pens, hatching grounds, weyrling barracks and the Telgar Weyr lake. The ground-level weyrs of the queenriders dot the mountain to the northwest. Use '+view queenriders' to view them. The bowl is quiet in the depth of night.
The evening seems darker than usual behind overcast skies. It is pouring heavily, lightning and thunder coming quickly. A strong wind blows past and the fall air temperature feels comfortable. The ground beneath your feet is wet from the last storm.

Contents:
DRAGONS: Fasolth (Ularrith)
PLAYERS: Laidan Talisha 

Obvious Exits:
Living Cavern  Central Bowl  Outer Infirmary  Guest Weyr  Records Room 

Tarlo comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.
Tarlo has arrived.
Talisha walks north.
Talisha has left.
Ilexa comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.
Ilexa has arrived.
Tarlo walks north.
Tarlo has left.
Laidan trots on through, waving and heading along.
You walk north.
Central Bowl(#298RL$)
A stony field is the center of this great caldera, the size of which is unmatched at any other weyr--for the whole complement of all the wings at Telgar could rest comfortably within its towering cliffs. Shaped in a perfect oval, the rock walls seem perfect for keeping the usual chill winds stirring about. The ground is mostly made of pebbles and rocks, some hued the milky shades of old quartz, though there are patches where softer dirt and even trees sprout up from the ground. Southerly, the bowl opens onto the living caverns and the weyrleaders' quarters; the immense entrance to the hatching grounds lies to the northwest. Heading southwest will lead one back out into the rocky mountain ranges around Telgar's protective walls. Dragons may be seen, relaxing or fresh from feeding, to the north, as well as the soft lapping sounds of Telgar's lake touching the sandy shore. The weyrling barracks, always aflutter with activity, is to the direct west. If you're looking for the 'dutypair' to take you to an outweyr destination, they can be found here. The training grounds and the meadow are both covered with a blanket of pure white snow, though it is trodden down in dragon-wide paths where the dragons move.
The evening seems darker than usual behind overcast skies. It is pouring heavily, lightning and thunder coming quickly. A strong wind blows past and the fall air temperature feels comfortable. The ground beneath your feet is wet from the last storm.
Several smaller weyrs are located a few dragonlengths up the Bowl wall (+view Weyrlings).
Contents:
Tarlo
Xylath(#823JOaemps)
Tierth(#7707JQaempqs$)
Obvious exits:
Weyrling Barracks  Southern Bowl  Lake Shore  Hatching Cavern  Feeding Grounds  Runner Pasture  Weyr Entrance  
Tarlo walks off towards the Galleries.
Tarlo has left.
Ilexa walks here from the south.
Ilexa has arrived.
Laidan trots on through, waving and heading along.
You make your way from the bowl, through the massive entrance to the Hatching Cavern.
Galleries(#382RDJM$)
Stretching along the eastern wall of the hatching cavern, these tiers of seats have enough room for several hundred spectators for Clutchings and Hatchings. To one side, long shallow steps descend to the entrance. There is also a railing separating the lowest tier of seats from the Hatching Sands themselves. Other parts of the galleries are closed off from the sands by a wall to the north and south. From here you can reenter the bowl, or follow the pathway down to the Sands.
The evening seems darker than usual behind overcast skies. It is raining heavily, the water coming down in torrents. A strong wind blows past and the fall air temperature feels comfortable. The ground beneath your feet is wet from the last storm.
Contents:
PLAYERS: Tarlo Laidan Talisha Nimiriel 

Obvious Exits:
Bowl  Sands 

To see something on the sands, 'view sands' or 'view sands <object>'. Type 'clutch help' for help with clutch commands. For the up to the moment hatching report use '+sands'.
Ilexa enters the galleries from the bowl.
Ilexa has arrived.
Laidan trots into the galleries to peer down at the eggs.
Tarlo is herded, along with the rest. Moo.
Talisha trots along just like the rest of the candidates pushing and shoving their way up the stairs. "Hmph.."
Greylin enters the galleries from the bowl.
Greylin has arrived.
Ilexa skips along blithely with the others, pausing at the stairs to let the pushing and shoving candidates go first, then following.
Nimiriel, both hands resting lightly on her rounded stomach, waits by the path that leads down to the sands, looking...less than patient. "Is that everyone? Do be patient," she mutters to one particularly eager young Candidate who's pushing toward the front. "I have a few rules to go over first."
Laidan settles to listen to the rules.
Kiran enters the galleries from the bowl.
Kiran has arrived.
Greylin brings up the rear, leaning on her staff, holding one of her legs off the ground, the toe of her boot gently resting on the ground. She doesn't appear to be in any pain. There is a hoofmark on the calf of her boot.
Nimiriel clears her throat, with one last glance at everyone to make sure they're listening. "Those of you who've done this before, I still expect you to listen. Now. Yes, you are all about to go onto the sands. There are a few things that you should know first. You may *touch* the eggs. You may *not* rap on their shells, push at, poke at, or otherwise disturb the eggs, lest you find yourself with Daelyth and Nraith both breathing down your neck."
Nimiriel continues with, "Please, try not to make any sudden movements. Daelyth is calm, for now, but I can't guarantee how happy she'll be about this a candlemark from now. If I tell you that it's time to come back to the galleries, you will do so--but slowly. No arguments. Understood?"
Laidan nods along to the instructions, rehearing them this second time around.
Kiran is still busy trying to rub sleep out of his eyes, having evidently been herded into the hatching cavern from directly out of his cot. "S'like walkin' around behind a runner," he mutters. "Don't get too comfortable."
Talisha has reconnected.
Talisha has partially disconnected.
Ilexa folds her hands in front of her and cocks her head very slightly to the side, expression one of pure excitement, with a thin overlay of polite attention as Nimeriel mentions rules. Her expression turns just a bit more serious as Nimeriel continues. "D'you think they'd know if we did something bad where they couldn't see?" she murmurs to a candidates standing near her, thne quickly adds, looking virtuous, "Not that I would, but, I mean, dragons can't see through eggs any more than we can, can they? And they're almost big enough to hide behind."
Nimiriel pauses, and waits until all this has had a chance to sink in before she continues. "If I catch any of you breaking these rules, you will be asked first to leave the sands, then to leave the Weyr. That is," she adds, with absolute seriousness, "if Daelyth and Nraith don't get to you first." Again, she pauses, then glances appraisingly at some of the girls. "This time, Daelyth *may* let you near the gold egg. Talk to me first before you approach it. Is that clear?"
Greylin blinks as she hears Nimiriel, and then glances sideways, speculatively, at each girl in the group.
Ilexa draws a breath and forgets speculation. "Ooooh," she breaths.
Laidan shuffles her feet at the 'gold' part.
Talisha rolls her shoulders back a little and smiles at the candidates nearest to her. Seems shes not in the least worried about the gold egg.
Tarlo's brows perk with interest, but not remarkably so.
Nimiriel, apparently satisfied, says, "Remember what I told you." She doesn't offer a recap, however, she merely starts down the path toward the sands, calling over her shoulder, "Come on, then."
Nimiriel steps down from the galleries.
Nimiriel has left.
From the hatching sands, Nimiriel comes down from the galleries.
From the hatching sands, Nimiriel has arrived.
Laidan moves down quietly afterwards, letting some of the most eager rush past her first.
You step down from the galleries onto the hatching sands.
Hatching Sands
This is the immense cavern containing the hatching grounds of Telgar Weyr. It stretches for several hundred feet across, and even farther in length. To the north is the large mound of sands used by the queens for their clutches. Looking up along the high walls of the cavern, the ledges where dragons and their riders observe the hatchings are visible. Much of the eastern wall is dominated by the galleries. Row upon row of tiers are capable of seating hundreds of people.
Contents:
DRAGONS: Daelyth (Nraith)
PLAYERS: Laidan Nimiriel 

Obvious Exits:
Path to Barracks  Galleries 

Laidan steps carefully down, always the eager type, but colored with learned caution. She doesn't want to upset Daelyth.
Talisha comes down from the galleries.
Talisha has arrived.
Kiran comes down from the galleries.
Kiran has arrived.
Ilexa comes down from the galleries.
Ilexa has arrived.
Greylin comes down from the galleries.
Greylin has arrived.
Tarlo comes down from the galleries.
Tarlo has arrived.
Nimiriel pages to Greylin, Ilexa, Kiran, Laidan, Talisha, and Tarlo: Okay. 'view list' will show you the eggs. 'touch egg <#>' and 'hear egg <#>' should give you some candidate-specific touch/hear messages. If it's working right. ;)
Laidan looks around and decides to look at some of the eggs she hasn't been staring at for weeks.. maybe get a new perspective about them, like she did last time. She strays among them, finally settling on the Frostiferous Egg for her first touch out here this time.
As one might expect, the surface of this egg is rough with the patterns that are traced upon it. The shell is quite warm under questing fingers, however, and occasionally, it seems that there's almost a faint vibration to it.
This is another one of those oddly quiet eggs--much like Telgar Hold's fields after a long blizzard. All is quiet, the only sounds those that come from the sands around you.
Though Daelyth doesn't exactly look pleased to see 'her' sands invaded, she rumbles quietly and settles down near Nraith, studying all the various Candidates as amble about.
Talisha isn't quite so wary as she was last time, and with a few light steps, makes her way towards the Islandia egg.
Laidan hmms and moves on to another one quietly, the Thunder Egg.
There's certainly a rumble here. But this rumble is more of a tummy rumble than a volcanic rumble. Perhaps the hatchling inside has indigestion.
The Thunder Egg could be made of the very stone of the Weyr itself. Porus at one time, but rubbed smooth by the Turns of passersby, what were once pits and pockmarks have softened into dimples and lulls in the consistancy of the surface.
Ilexa strides briskly across the sand toward the nearest egg mound, or at least as briskly as she can manage on the shifting sand. "Ouch," she exclaims suddenly, stopping. "It got in my shoe, and it's hot!" she says. She frowns down, then shrugs and steps forward again, toward the Amethyshades Egg, pausing when she gets there, almost as if undecided, then reaching out to give the surface a gentle stroke.
Kiran makes something of a beeline for the Thunder Egg. He's more than happy to stay at a bit of a distance, to afford Laidan first crack at the thing.
Greylin pauses as she steps on the sands to proffer a guard-style salute to Daelyth. The formality over, she heads toward where Nimiriel is, clearly intending to ask a question. "Excuse me," she says in a low voice.
Laidan smiles up at Kiran as she leans down to listen to the egg, then giggles quietly.
Nimiriel casts a glance over at Daelyth and shakes her head, with a wry smile. At Greylin's approach, however, she looks up. "Yes?"
Ilexa draws her hand back quickly, motion only half completed. "Oh, it's not smooth at all," she says, half shocked and entirely disappointed. She looks around to see how the other candidates are doing.
Talisha reaches out a little hesitantly even still, then lets her hands glide over the surface of the Islandia egg. "It feels like it's covered with sand." she notes to anyone close enough to pay her any attention. "And it's so warm."
Laidan gets up, yielding the egg to Kiran and heading over to the Starspangled Egg again.. she liked it so much, last time.
Greylin smiles with the grimace of someone who deserved what they got for their stupidity. "I'm guessing the healer didn't speak to you, but I got kicked today by one of the runners. Only lightly, but the healer recommended I lean on my old stick here for a day or so, until the bruise settles down. Is that going to be a problem? I mean, I can sit up there this time, if it is and everything," she adds with a second grimace.
Nimiriel seems to spend a few moments considering this. Then, with another glance toward the pair of watchful dragons, she says, "You know the rules. Just make sure that it doesn't touch any of the eggs, I doubt that they'd like that much."
Laidan settles by the dark egg to listen to it for a while. It's so quiet, and she follows suit to listen.
Greylin nods abashedly. "Yes, ma'am," she says and then heads off to her fellows once more, getting in line after Talisha for that Islandia egg. The staff is planted into the sand upright as she sinks down next to the egg in question.
Tarlo moves through the eggs, almost immediately checking out her two favorites.
"Sand?" Ilexa asks. "Well, I suppose that's better than knives." She shakes her head abruptly and moves on, toward the Svelteveldt Egg. She stops after only a step, though, to frown at her shoe. "It's got in there again," she complains, though not with much force. She heads intrepidly onward, sand or no sand, reaching out, very carefully, toward the egg she approaches.
Tarlo tends to gravitate to the Aurorabora and Incarnadine eggs, though spends some equal time looking at some of the others. Every now and then she looks at the gold egg curiously, but can't quite seem to bring herself up to Nimiriel to ask permission.
Laidan finally gets up, as the heat forces her. She pats the starry egg carefully, then looks around for a different one that catches her eye. The Boustrephedon Egg does, so she wanders over that way.
Ilexa smiles, and leans in closer to the egg, her touch like a whisper of wind, here, there, and everywhere across the surface of the egg, exploring each arc and curve. She draws a breath and leans in even closer, the flyaway strands of her hair brushing against the shell.
Finally, Kiran crouches down next to the Thunder Egg, and very gentle sets one ear against its rough surface. His eyes narrow slightly and a small smile lights his lips before he rises, and makes his way towards the Laybyrinthine Egg.
Talisha leans down to press her ear against the rough, warm surface of the Islandia egg. Green eyes widen as she listens in.. almost forgetting what the egg sounded like the last time. "Like waves.." she murmurs to herself as her lips curl a smile. Moving along, she looks about for another egg.
With one's ear pressed to the shell, one can hear very little save for the occasional faint scrape from within the Boustrephodon Egg.
Despite having the appearance of ridges, the shell of the Boustrephodon Egg is silky smooth to the touch, sand-warmed and flawless.
Laidan listens to the Boustrephodon Egg quietly, then smiles and shakes her head. "It kind of sounds like it's marking off the time in there.."
Ilexa draws back slightly from the egg. "Oh!" she exclaims in delight. "It's making noise. Like there's something inside." She pauses in confusion, then says, "Well, I mean, I know there's something inside, but, well, you know, it doesn't /look/ like it's alive, really. I mean..." she trails off, and leans in close again for a long moment.
Tarlo grins, her ear pressed momentarily to the Aurorabora egg. "This one's got a kick." she notes delightedly. "Feisty, this one."
Greylin grins as Tali moves away from the Islandia egg and moves in for her own inspection of its shell, keeping a wary eye out for her carved stick. Spotting Tarlo, she lifts one eyebrow in query and jerks her chin toward Nimiriel, as if to say 'g'wan'. After a long moment, she levers herself upright and uses the staff to move toward another egg, leaving it behind again as she sinks down next to another egg, the Ascian one.
Talisha moves over to the Lintitude egg, and as her hands brush over the surface, she leans in to press her egg against it. "It sounds.. hollow!" she exclaims softly. "No wait.. it's almost.. echoeing me!" light fingers dust across the surface, almost as if she's trying to flick away the 'lint' on it's shell.
Ilexa finally pulls herself away, and looks around thoughtfully for her next choice. Her gaze catches on the gold egg, and she hesitates, then starts toward Nimeriel instead of another egg. "Ummm, excuse me, umm, ma'am," she says, for once at a loss for words.
"This one too," Kiran says softly, his ear pressed lightly against the surface of the Labyrinthine Egg. "It's like someone tapping on a wall, it sounds like."
Nimiriel turns her attention to Ilexa next, offering a small, if slightly strained smile. "Yes?"
Laidan gets up from the purplish egg and looks over at the last egg, the Paranoia Egg.
Greylin runs her fingers over the Ascian egg with a smile on her face, her eyes half closed, but still watchful.
The surface of the Paranoia Egg feels... tense. As if it were a hide stretched taughter than a Harper's drum. If you touch it too hard, it could snap, shattering the egg and spilling its contents onto the sand.
What's that? Not a thing. Oh no. Certainly didn't hear anything there, not from the Paranoia Egg. No way. Move along. Move along.
Laidan leans over the Paranoia Egg, brushing her fingers carefully along it. "This one.. feels tense."
Ilexa looks down, then her gaze slides sideways toward the two looming dragons. "Umm, do you think, I mean, I was wondering if, umm--" her gaze shifts, finds anchor: she meets Nimeriel's eyes. "--umm, if I could maybe get closer to the gold egg. I promise I'll be very careful. --" She draws a breath as if to add more, but then exhales without saying more.
Talisha keeps running her hands over the surface of the lintitude egg.. then slowly draws herself away. But.. it's only to move back towards the Islandia egg with a lop-sided grin at Greylin.
Nimiriel looks over at Daelyth, then looks back at Ilexa, with a nod. "Yes, of course. Just remember what I told you, and you'll be fine."
Greylin grins at Tali over the Ascian egg, then makes her slow way over to the Frostiferous egg. She seems to be favoring the same eggs as last time.
Kiran's eyes dart momentarily towards Ilexa; a small smile creeps across the young man's face before he lets his gaze stray back to the other eggs around him. He moves towards the Starspangled Egg, and crouches down next to it.
Laidan looks up and smiles Kiran's way. "That's a wonderful egg.."
Ilexa nods. "Oh, I will!" she says, and raises her chin a bit as she turns away from the weyrwoman. She turns back almost immediately to say, "Thank you!" She approaches the egg with a firm trend, gaze on the egg and only the egg. Her steps slows as she gets closer though, and she comes to a complete stop a step away, breathing deeply as she stares, then steps forward to touch it ever so lightly.
"It is," Kiran agrees, slightly awestruck, as he runs a hand over its surface, and then presses an ear lightly against its side. "Faranth, it is."
Greylin rises to her feet yet again and meanders back toward Nimiriel, her movements slightly stiff. "If I may," she asks, her eyes toward the majority of the clutch. "When Ilexa is done...?" A finger fiddles with the two ends of the leather thong on top of the staff, flicking the Benden Hold emblem around.
Tarlo has been sitting and giggling near the Aurorabora egg, but then does look up. "I'd like to as well, ma'am?" she asks hopefully.
As Greylin and Tarlo approach, Nim glances once more at Daelyth, whose tail is twitching back and forth in the sand, but displaying no other outward signs of agitation. With a nod, the Weyrwoman adds, "One at a time, please."
Tarlo gestures gallantly to Greylin, even offering a little bow.
Ilexa's breath catches in her throat; her hand retreats. She clasps her hands in front of her and stares fixedly at the spot she just touched, tilting her head this way and that, almost as if she expects her touch to have left a mark. Finding none, she sighs a sigh of utmost relief, and reaches out to touch the egg again, a bit less tentatively, then crouches and leans in close enough for her breath to skim the side.
Greylin wrinkles her nose at Tarlo and sticks her tongue out, but a smile appears on her face as she patiently waits her turn.
Talisha doesn't appear to be fussed about the gold egg, though she does spare a glance for it every now and then before moving along to the Vieled Egg.
Laidan looks over at the gold egg and looks down at the sand again for a long moment, then moves over to join Kiran back at the starspangled egg..
"Ooooh," Ilexa breaths, and rocks back on her heels, gaze flitting for the first time away from the egg. She catches sight of Greylin and Tarlo waiting, and, with a last gentle stroke of the shell, straightens and strides away. She pauses near the two waiting. "It's really very... not what I expected at all. It's like--" She shakes her head, bemused by the experience.
Nimiriel looks away from the three women and the gold egg, trusting Daelyth and Nraith, both of whom still watching carefully, to guard it--at least, so it would seem. Turning her attention to the other Candidates who are roaming the sand, she allows herself the faintest of smiles.
When Laidan returns, Kiran rises. "Hope your dragon's in that one," he tells the younger girl softly, favoring her with a faint grin. He turns, then, to face the Cottoncandy Egg. Amusement gathers in his features, and with a shake of his head, he crouches down beside it.
Laidan smiles back at Kiran. "I wonder what sort of dragon would be in it.."
Greylin holds her staff out to Tarlo. "Can you hang onto this for a moment til I get back?" she asks, leaving it planted firmly in the sand if Tarlo declines. Then, with a slower step, slightly off-kilter due to the kick earlier today, she strides toward the gold egg. She stops several feet away and looks up up up and the guarding parents. When in doubt, salute. She does and holds it for a beat, and then completes her journey, sinking to the sand next to the Conflagration egg before letting her fingertips touch the shell ever so lightly.
Tarlo nods and rather comically leans on the staff, watching Greylin with a grin.
Talisha keeps one eye on Greylin while her hands skim over the surface of the Veiled egg. She leans in as she did the others, ear pressed to the shell to listen. "It's..it's snoring." she says with disbelief.
Ilexa watches Greylin for a moment, then grins at Tarlo and moves back toward the rest of the clutch, stopping at the Absatively Egg. Nonchalantly, she puts her hand forward, letting it rest on the surface of the egg.
Laidan shifts around, but seems content to touch the silky smooth surface of the nighttime egg, so orbits it quietly to keep from overheating.
Kiran rises after running his hand across the surface of the Cottoncandy Egg a few times. Still shaking his head, he makes his way towards the Paranoia Egg.
Greylin's eyes widen a bit, and she brings her hand off the shell quickly. Glancing up under her eyebrows at the two dragons, she hesitantly touches the shell with one finger again, pressing just hard enough to ensure that it's not going to shatter in a puff of ash or something. Reassured, she resumes her examination of the shell, leaning in briefly to listen to the egg, but finally, with a hint of reluctance, she pushes herself upright, moving away from the egg. She sketches another stiff salute and returns slowly to Tarlo and Nimiriel, reclaiming her staff without a word, a pensive look on her face.
Tarlo approaches the golden egg with occaisional eyeward darts torward the looming sire and dam. Once she nears it she half crouches, and tilts herself close, laying a hand against the surface. Her head is tilted torward the shell to listen to what's going on inside.
Tarlo lifts her hand away after the briefest second, but remains leaning torward it, a look of intense concentration on her features.
Ilexa dips her head forward, but quickly, almost as if out of form, then moves away, toward the Posalutely Egg, pausing as she see Greylin is done with the gold egg. She takes a step toward the other candidate. "What did you think?" she asks with a breathless curiousity.
Laidan looks up from the Starspangled one at the gold egg, but then looks back at the dark one she's hovering over.
Tarlo lets both hands glide just above the surface of the Gold egg, eyes half lidding and lips curving in a smile of pleasure. "It's like a little bonfire..." she murmurs in a dreamy voice. "All crackling and toasty." She seems reluctant to pull away, but finally does so, stepping back and offering those nearest her a slightly manic grin. She seems oddly energized as she steps away.
Greylin grins toward Tarlo, as she remains, leaning on her staff, not showing any inclination to resume touching the other eggs for several minutes, before she makes her way toward the Amethystshades egg. "It was... well, I think anything I thought would be skewed. For a second, though, I thought it was like an ember about to collapse," she replies to Ilexa.
Talisha pushes up into a standing position again, and as usual, heads back over to the Islandia egg. A gentle touch is all before she moves away.
"That one's not very nice," Ilexa warns Greylin, then nods. "It even sounds like a fire, sort of," she agrees, and stands staring at the gold egg until the heat forces her to move her feet. She moves toward the Posalutely Egg, saying, to herself apparently, "I mean, not really like a fire, but sort of, like a fire if it were really big and really far away, maybe."
Greylin smiles faintly as she rises for the purply egg. "I'd hate to be close to fire that sounded like that far away, to be sure," she comments as she heads toward another blue-ish egg.
Daelyth rumbles darkly at a Candidate who strays to close to she and Nraith, which gets Nimiriel's attention rather quickly. "Okay...I get the feeling that's about all she's going to let us have tonight." This is addressed to all the Candidates who are still milling about. "I think we should have everyone head up to the galleries now."
Laidan nods, giving 'her' egg a last touch before getting up to head out.
Tarlo seems uninclined to touch any more eggs, and heads to the gallery with a cheerful heart.
Kiran rises slowly, as he had been warned, and moves away from the sands carefully after giving Daelyth a pleasant smile.
Tarlo walks over towards the galleries.
Tarlo has left.
Kiran walks over towards the galleries.
Kiran has left.
Talisha traces a finger down the side of her favourite egg one last time, and with a polite nod to Nimiriel, she heads away as well.
Talisha walks over towards the galleries.
Talisha has left.
You walk up the stairway into the galleries.
Galleries(#382RDJM$)
Stretching along the eastern wall of the hatching cavern, these tiers of seats have enough room for several hundred spectators for Clutchings and Hatchings. To one side, long shallow steps descend to the entrance. There is also a railing separating the lowest tier of seats from the Hatching Sands themselves. Other parts of the galleries are closed off from the sands by a wall to the north and south. From here you can reenter the bowl, or follow the pathway down to the Sands.
The night seems darker than usual behind overcast skies. It is raining lightly. A strong wind blows past and the fall air is warm enough, with only a slight chill. The ground beneath your feet is wet from the last storm.
Contents:
PLAYERS: Kiran Tarlo Laidan Talisha 

Obvious Exits:
Bowl  Sands 

To see something on the sands, 'view sands' or 'view sands <object>'. Type 'clutch help' for help with clutch commands. For the up to the moment hatching report use '+sands'.
From the hatching sands, Ilexa turns to stare at Greylin. "But it's the /gold/," she says. "She's going to be really big, you know. I think--" but she breaks off as Nimeriel speaks, and starts obediently toward the galleries.
From the hatching sands, Ilexa walks over towards the galleries.
From the hatching sands, Ilexa has left.
Ilexa walks over from the hatching sands.
Ilexa has arrived.
Laidan leaves the sands and leans out to watch the eggs.
From the hatching sands, Greylin walks over towards the galleries.
From the hatching sands, Greylin has left.
Greylin walks over from the hatching sands.
Greylin has arrived.
Greylin follows the others, late as always. "Yes," she says to Ilexa. "That just means more hide to wash," she adds with a grin, leaning on her staff gratefully again.
From the hatching sands, Nimiriel walks over towards the galleries.
From the hatching sands, Nimiriel has left.
Nimiriel walks over from the hatching sands.
Nimiriel has arrived.
Kiran seats himself high up among the gallery seats, and folds his arms across his chest. "Good way to end a day," he says cheerfully.
Ilexa nods. "And oil," she agrees knowledgably. "But gold is so much prettier than green, or blue. Or brown," she says disparagingly. "Brown is sort of a boring color, really. Though I suppose a brown dragon is prettier than brown dirt."
Laidan blinks. "Well, Alerith's a red brown, you know.. makes him look interesting, so that he has layers. It really depends on the dragon. I've seen some dull-looking blues."
Tarlo says, "I don't know...I think blue and green are kind of pretty. Especially nice, bright ones. Turquoise!"
Talisha snorts softly over at Ilexa. "I don't think any of the colours are boring. And I doubt you would if you happened to impress a brown."
Tarlo nods. "I think a chcolatey sort of brown would be nice."
Ilexa has reconnected.
Ilexa has partially disconnected.
Tarlo has disconnected.
Greylin shrugs a shoulder at Ilexa's comment. "We're all taught that gold is better, bronze is better, that bigger is better, but I personally would be happy if my dragon is down there somewhere, regardless of the color. I have a feeling that if I'm that lucky, whatever color it is will become my favorite color of all."
Laidan nods.. "I'm not sure I could deal with a gold.. or a green, for that matter."
Ilexa nods. "Alerith isn't boring," she agrees. "Alerith is nice. But--" She looks at Talisha in surprise. "Do you think I might impress a brown? I think I'd rather impress the gold. The beautiful gold made of fire and wind... But I guess I'd like a brown if I impressed a brown. Do you think it's possible to impress a dragon you don't like? I mean, what if it's like those people who fall in love with people who hate them."
Laidan blinks.. "I don't know.. I mean, how could you hate a dragon for wanting you?"
Greylin glances at her fingernails as she finds a seat, propping up her hoof-marked boot. "From what I've heard tell from every rider I've asked, they loved their dragon from the instant of impression. They simply /don't/ hate them or dislike them in any way. I think it's about as possible as your idea of every rider, uh, 'timing'? I think you said... to a time without thread."
Talisha wrinkles her nose at Ilexa and rolls her shoulders. "I don't think you'd impress a dragon you didn't like. What a thought. You just fall instantly and deeply in love with your lifemate the moment you lay eyes on them. Least.. that's what K'nan told me."
Nimiriel remarks dryly, "It's not exactly your typical sort of falling in love, either."
Laidan looks up. "If it isn't too personal.. what was it like for you?"
Ilexa shoots an annoyed glance at Greylin. "That was fact, right out of harper ballads," she says stiffly. "This is just a question. I mean, I don't really think it would happen, but I also don't see why it wouldn't. People hate other people all the time, for the strangest of reasons." She looks at Talisha thoughtfully for a moment, then wrinkles her nose. "You mean, like, the dragon reaches into your mind and makes you love it when you impress? That's--" She startles as Nimeriel speaks, having forgotten the weyrwoman's presence.
Nimiriel clears her throat softly, and looks toward Daelyth, who is now repairing the mound of sand around that gold egg. "I don't know if I can describe it, really. It's...well. When I met Daelyth's eyes out there on the Igen sands, there were a lot of thoughts that went through my mind. The first, though, was knowing she was out there, filled with unconditional love for me, no matter what I did. It's a scary thing, really. But it's more than that, too. It's affection and friendship and warmth." She looks back to the Candidates, meeting each and every pair of eyes before continuing. "It's knowing that I will *never* be alone in my life, ever. She's always there, especially when I need her. It's having a mother and siblings and a lover all in one."
Greylin looks over her shoulder toward Nimiriel as she speaks, seemingly unruffled by Ilexa's annoyed look. "I have yet to hear a rider, from her," she says, pointing a thumb at the Weyrwoman, "to the rider of the smallest green, describe /not/ loving their dragon. It seems totally inconceivable. Anyway, Ilexa, I'm not sure I remember... but exactly /where/ did you come from? I would be curious to find out."
Ilexa sighs in satisfaction at Nimeriel's description. "Riders always make it sound so beautiful," she murmurs. "Just like a harper tale. Except /some people/ don't believe in harper tales, so I don't see why they should think I shouldn't ever ask questions about things that don't even have that justifaction for belief." She tosses her head, then adds, "Crystal Spring. More recently weaver hall, as a student. Why is that so interesting?"
I'sai enters the galleries from the bowl.
I'sai has arrived.
Talisha makes another snorting sound towards Ilexa and starts picking at the hem of her sweater. "Then maybe you shouldn't bother standing." she mutters under her breath.
I'sai trudges up the stairs, one hand worked between collars of sweater and jacket to rub at the opposite, offending shoulder.
Greylin smiles lopsidedly. "I was wondering merely where you get such a curious attitude toward life. You're quite unlike anyone else I've ever met. On one hand, you exhibit some of the things we're all taught as children, such that's better to impress gold than bronze or brown or blue or green, yet you have the most curious ideas about harper tales. I mean, my Hold's harper made it clear which ballads were official Teaching Ballads and which were mere entertainment or flights of fancy. Quite fascinating."
Laidan sighs.. "I don't think a rider could not love their dragon, but I suppose there might be one who didn't really care about their dragon.. there's a difference, you know. If you had a rider who didn't care about anyone else, then they might be mean to their dragon."
I'sai squints impartially at the lot of them, "'Love,' who, what?" misses a step, and nears the rest of the way to lean against the rail with a view angled partly to take them in, partly those familiar sands.
Ilexa sighs. "I'm just asking questions. Does no one around here understand the idea of hypothetical situation? /My/ dragons would be perfect, and of course I would love it, but I just wondered..." She shrugs at Greylin. "Okay, I give up. Lessa never existed. Moreta never existed. Nothing exists but the various duties of hold to hall and hall to weyr and weyr to hold." She smiles at Laidan.
"Your dragon," Kiran supplies helpfully, to I'sai.
"Not -all- of you," I'sai - mistakes?
Greylin says helpfully, "Never met 'em," toward Ilexa. "Harper was quite ready to get rid of me after the basic Teaching Ballads were taught. I can't hold a tune with a bucket," she adds with a grin.
Laidan blinks at I'sai. "You know.. you never introduced me to your dragon, did you?"
Nimiriel's brows lift, and she favors Ilexa with a rather odd look. She doesn't say anything, however, she merely shakes her head and goes back to quiet contemplation of the sands.
"But you've seen him, haven't you?" I'sai returns to his cousin, continuing to deadpan, "And of course to know him is to love him. Firestone- and bone-breath and all."
Ilexa says, "Oh! But it's such a good story, even if you don't believe it. You should get a harper to play those ballads for you." She doesn't notice Nimiriel's look, too intent on convincing Greylin. "And there's lots of other good ones too, but to start with Lessa and Moreta are best."
Greylin waves that off languidly. "I've heard them, same as any child. But they're just /stories/. Harper even said so. Those people may have existed, but surely they couldn't have done what was attributed to them. It sounds like a good adjusting of the truth to feed to babes to get them to eat their vegetables or something," she says toward Ilexa, absently prodding the dangling thongs on her staff.
"He does hog the furs, but I blame it on Tierth's setting him that example," I'sai further mock-muses, rubbing his shoulder one more time and then letting that hand fall; he focuses a little more on the discussing two, then, "Which songs? Seems like every female apprentice wrote a verse about one or the other. Mostly doggerel, but what can you do."
"You sure about that?" Nimiriel asks Greylin, brows arched yet again. "How do you know it didn't happen? We've never met any of those people, so there's no way for us to be sure *either* way. Why's it such a foregone conclusion that it didn't happen? Maybe it did."
Talisha for the most part, just stands there listening to everything passing back and forth. "Well I for one think it happened. And I don't care if it is just to get littles to eat their greens." brow arched, she flops onto one of the benchs.
Ilexa hesitates. "Well..." But at mention of babes she sniffs. "It has nothing to do with vegetables, or anything silly like that. They're beautiful stories, and even if they aren't true they're still beautiful. You're so...boring."
Amusement touches Kiran's expression, and for just a moment he makes a noise like a hissing feline.
Greylin smiles toward Ilexa. "No, I'm not boring. I'm Greylin. And I don't dispute that they're beautiful stories. I merely note my emphasis on stories." A smile is directed to the Weyrwoman. "If it did, then you and your fellow riders haven't told us everything about what your lifemates can do."
Nimiriel notes rather dryly, "I'm sure there's quite a bit Daelyth can do that she hasn't admitted to me." With that, she gets to her feet. "Good night."
Nimiriel steps down from the galleries.
Nimiriel has left.
From the hatching sands, Nimiriel comes down from the galleries.
From the hatching sands, Nimiriel has arrived.
I'sai looks after the rider of his dragon's dam, pale eyes hooded in study for long moments before he turns back.
Greylin suddenly face-palms. "I am /so/ dead," she says, hastily rising to her feet. "If Timbril finds out!" she exclaims as she heads toward the exit as quickly as possible with her bruised ankle and staff in hand. "Night all!" is called over her shoulder.
Greylin walks off towards the Central Bowl.
Greylin has left.
Ilexa waves after Greylin, a bit bemused by her sudden exit, and then says, a bit reluctantly, "I suppose it is /possible/ that they're only stories. But I /like/ thinking they're true. It makes the world seem like so much a nicer place."
I'sai scuffs a boot-sole against the stone. "Right now, I'd settle for believing stories without all the -rain-."
Laidan hmms and stares back out at the eggs.
Ilexa giggles. "Not that kind of nicer," she says. "Stories can't do anything about rain."
GAME: Saving to disk. Will resume shortly.
GAME: Save complete.  Resuming.
Talisha swings her legs onto the bench and stretches them right out to the side of her. "What's wrong with the rain? I like rain."
Ilexa wrinkles her nose. "Well, it's wet. Which is nice sometimes, but then there's mud. And it makes everything looks sort of gloomy."
"Drowns Thread -if- there's enough of it," I'sai says judiciously. "Rest of the time, you just get soggy. Looking out at it's not bad either. See, the stories can give hope. Hope that there's an end to rain. Like an end to Fall, only it's rainfall. And ... right, mud's about as bad."
Laidan flashes a grin at Ilexa. "mud is fun! You can play with it like snow, and it stays longer!"
Talisha giggles softly at Laidan, "Mud -is- fun to play in, but not as fun as skating across the ice on your behind."
I'sai grimaces, "Snow is -much- tidier than mud."
Ilexa looks at the mud-lovers as if they are crazy. "But it's dirty!"
I'sai nods. Firmly.
Talisha rolls her eyes. "Obviously it's dirty.. and I'm not saying -I'd- play in it. But I know that the littles love playing in the mud, and Laidan." she spares a wink for Laidan and grins. "Ice is clean though."
Laidan grins turns evil. "I know. Isn't that wonderful? Mud is fun partly 'cause it's dirty. And then you can go take a long bath." she giggles at Talisha, nodding. "But I prefer snow over ice, 'cause you can't do a lot to shape ice unless you can breathe fire like a dragon."
Ilexa nods. "We don't get ice much where I'm from," she says. "I was going to try ice skating when I was here in the winter for the festival thing, but then I was making a sculpture, except that it collapsed, and then I had to go." She yawns, then nods to the others. "I think I'm going to go now."
Maylia has connected.
I'sai catches on a yawn of his own, and slits his eyes at its inspirer. "Good idea."
Kiran has disconnected.
Ilexa nods again, sends one last look skimming over the eggs, and turns and goes, her "Good night," floating back.
Ilexa has left.
I'sai supposes, "Maybe I should go too," but with little energy behind it.
Talisha just flops on her back on the bench. "Tired I'sai?"
Laidan nods.. "I probably ought to go to bed, I guess.."
Laidan yawns and waves, heading to bed.