[Candidates] Egg Watching

[FirebrandPhlox]

Candidate Phelps - Open

Useless, absolutely useless. Petraxen couldn't hold Hamuntep, and now their flit couldn't even go get help. At least it seemed like word had gotten out to the weyr, with dragons and whers descending on the sands to defend the eggs.

"Climb back into the stands, you idiots!" He called to the candidates that were still on the sands. Only Hamun, the chief idiot, and another were still calling for attacking the tunnelsnake, but the others who had backed off were mostly hanging on the edges of the sands instead of properly getting out of the way for the people who were properly paid to deal with problems like this.
___

Candidate Brabbop - Petraxen, Hamuntep

The little guy that Brabbop grabbed was now holding back, staying out of the way of the dragons who were trying to fight the tunnelsnake. Hamuntep was still running for the reptile, knife brandished. More dragons were showing up now, some of them just waiting. Why were they not doing anything? Were they a bunch of cowards?

Brabbop wasn't scared, but he wanted to see the big gold fight the tunnelsnake. He charged after Hamuntep, who was now being chased after the scrawny candidate who was unable to hold him before. Brabbop ran, powerful legs pushing against the sand, unconcerned about slipping. He had spent enough time running from angry holders in his youth that the terrain difference didn't bother him much.

"Outta da way, small fry!" He shouted at Petraxen as he sprinted past, shortening the gap between him and Hamuntep. With one more burst of speed, he kicked off the ground, diving into a tackle to try and take down the deluded candidate that was still wielding a knife.

[Ignys]

Candidate Ephraim - Open, Stab Inc.

The idea of touching unhardened eggs thoroughly squashed, Ephraim thought that would be the end of it. But suddenly there was a gigantic tunnelsnake, and the mass of candidates were in uproar. He went for the handle of his knife much like some of the others, but wasn't quick enough to get to the head of the attack. Hell, he didn't even get the chance to take more than a few hurried steps towards the eggs before Nebulaeth was up, demanding they leave. It was enough to halt any futher attempt to get to the eggs, but it didn't stop some people.

"Stand down!" He snapped towards the stubborn candidates. He could only imagine what was going through their head to think they could handle a tunnelsnake better than a dragon - multiple dragons, as more stormed the hatching grounds. He wasn't the only one calling for it - every rider that had come with their dragon was also trying to get the last two stubborn fools to back off. Ephraim found himself caught between storming up to them himself and trying to drag them off, and obeying the words of his seniors and staying out of the way.

"Are you really so intent on making a fool of yourselves that you'd risk getting caught between angry dragons?! Back off! You'll have more than claw wounds to worry about if you keep this up!" He didn't know if they'd actually be barred from standing for this disobedience, but it was better to assume the worst than hope heroic actions would exempt them from such punishment.

[nineofswords]

Hamun - Malady, Petraxen, Brabbop

Hamun barely spared a glance for Malady, snorting as the other boy ran with him towards the snake. "Sure you won't, kid," he said. The lankier guy was holding his knife in such a way that he would have to get much closer to the snake than Hamun would, but if the boy wanted to get bitten that was his problem. "You couldn't take me in a fight. Now sit down, shut up, and let the adults deal with this," he snapped. Faranth, what was with everyone trying to elbow in on his glory?

Behind him, he heard another candidate trying to stop him, probably that meddlesome Petraxen again. "MIND YOUR OWN SKIN OR I'LL TAKE IT OFF FOR YOU," Hamun roared, loud enough that the dimglow would hear even though he didn't turn around. He couldn't afford to. If Malady got the first strike on this thing, he'd be the one remembered, not Hamun.

Suddenly, Hamun felt something knock into him from behind and he went down hard. "GET OFF OF ME!" he roared, panic edging into his voice as he felt his chance for glory slipping through his fingers. "NOT ME, STOP THAT ONE!" He was going to kill someone.

---

King

And then there was a wher in the stands. In his panic-fueled state, he didn't really get what it was saying to them, but he got enough of the gist that he scuttled out of the caverns. He decided he didn't want to deal with any of that chaos and ran straight for his room, pulling the blankets over his head. Faranth. That had been so much more than he'd signed up for. He just wanted to go to bed and pretend it had never happened. Surely the dragons would save the egg, and nobody would need to talk about it any further.

[Arcane]

Naxen of Blue Anitoth and Francesca- All candidates

Naxen was already in her nightgown, sipping her evening tea, when a familiar voice broke the silence. Francesca, usually one of the calmer of her candidates, sounded breathless, afraid and a little hoarse- screaming of an attack on the hatching sands.

WHY she had been breaking curfew to know this...Naxen could deal with that later.

The hatching sands are under attack! All dragons and whers- stand at the ready, Anitoth projected to the entire weyr- human, dragon and wher alike- his voice carrying farther than any human voice or legs could travel. Narrowing in his focus he ordered, Francesca, return to the barracks. We will discuss this tomorrow.

With a nod, face pale from exertion and terror, Francesca obeyed.

Naxen swung onto her dragon's back, as they took off towards the battle. There was no time for riding straps or leathers, but she was a veteran rider and it was a short flight. She'd be fine- if a bit sore.

Her heart stopped as she saw not one, not two, but over half her candidates, some standing by the entrance. Malady still engaged in a fight with dragons and tunnelsnakes.

ENOUGH! Anitoth ordered all the candidates, as Naxen slid off his back, To Naxen- now.

Nebulaeth and the bronzes could fight the tunnelsnake, while he protected his extremely wayward charges.

Smaller than Saiyath, and willing to be bitten or stabbed if that's what it took, Anitoth somewhat-gently wrapped a paw around Malady, intended to pull him back and gather the vulnerable candidates in one place.

They were all going to be running so many laps in the morning. And every latrine in the weyr was about to be shining.

[Jabberwoky]

With a roar and a strike, Nebulaeth manages to snap off one of the tunnelsnake's legs. It stops trying to eat the egg, and with the assault from other dragons it scurries down the tunnels and vanishes into the Weyr trailing ichor.

There is a monster to hunt.

With attention soon turned to the bitten egg, it oozes egg goop from fine puncture marks.

[Dragon]

Renkestuous - who is kinda freaking out

Positively trembling, Renkestuous stared in horror at the egg that the massive tunnelsnake had tried to eat. There was - there was goop, and there wasn't supposed to be goop, not yet! The goop was supposed to stay inside the egg until hatching day! Oh shards, if the egg was dead - he should have done something faster! Or stayed out of the way. Either way, he was sure that this never would have happened if they hadn't snuck out to look at the eggs.

Climbing the rest of the way off the sands, he dropped into a seat in the stands, staring worriedly out at the poor egg.

V'geta of Bronze Saiyath - Open

It was probably a good thing that the blue had taken care of the particularly stabby little candidate instead of Saiyath; the bronze would have cared a great deal less about whether or not he accidentally damaged the child. Still - V'geta's eyes narrowed and Saiyath roared as the tunnelsnake got away. Certainly it had lost a leg, but that was hardly enough.

The tunnelsnake had to pay ... and it had gone where Saiyath was too large to follow.

[FirebrandPhlox]

Candidate Phelps - Open

Well now the whole plan had been blown wide open. Naxen was here and yelling at the candidates to come to her. Phelps should have slipped away when the ruckus with the snake started, he had spent enough time on the ship to know when a leader yelled like that, punishment was soon to follow. Better to follow directions now and take his licks than get in trouble for not listening to a direct order.

Annoyed that they had been caught, Phelps sulked over to Naxen. He looked out onto the sands where some of the bolder, and in his opinion, more stupid candidates had rushed looking for a fight. We grimaced when he saw the egg that was oozing goo from teeth marks. "I really hope that's not mine," he muttered quietly.
___

Candidate Brabbop - Hamun

Hamnutep was yelling at him to get off, but Brabbop had a feeling that Hamun wouldn't make good choices if he did. Even though the tunnelsnake was now gone, he didn't trust that Hamun wouldn't go running off after it.

"Oh no," he said with a grunt as he wrapped his arms around Hamun's shoulders, putting him into a wrestling hold. "You an' me are goin' to Naxen." With a series of groans, he tried to stand, keeping as firm a grip as he could on Hamun. He would drag the man over to the candidatemaster if he had to.

[Windra]

Candidate Petraxen - @ Naxen

Brabbop nailed Hamuntep with a solid pounce. Good lad! Petraxen exhaled relief, but there was still the matter of Malady. His worries were soothed over when a familiar blue creature with wings swept the thrashing candidate up in his large talons. Ah ... he knew that dragon ... which meant ...

Yup. Petraxen winced when Naxen's command bleated across the sands, commanding attention. There were other dragons now. And a wher! The tunnelsnake was damaged by Nebulaeth and streaked off into the tunnels and out of sight, leaving a crumpled leg behind. Petraxen was not one to completely disobey his elders, let alone his own parent. He sauntered backwards to where Honeysuckle sat frozen in terror with her little paws covering her little eyes, also squinted shut. Hands encircled the little gold with all the tenderness of a father to their newborn babe, cradling her terrified form tightly against his chest and cooing sweet nothing until her breathing slowed and the trembling quelled.

As he joined Naxen and the others, he could not help but stare over his shoulder at the rose-marked egg. It was punctured and leaking. Dread and sorrow clung to his heart. "Oh no, you poor darling," he whispered, sliding in somewhere between his mother and the other candidates. "You don't think it's been poisoned, do you?" he asked Naxen with a low voice. He was subdued now, knowing punishment would be swift but accepting it. At least he could rest easy knowing they were not at fault for the egg being damaged, but the notion that the baby within could be permanently wounded ... perhaps not survive ...

--

Radagast - @ Renkestuous, Naxen
Blue Radask - Broadcasting Dragonhealers

With the tunnelsnake leaving a broken egg in its wake, the mood in the cavern was suddenly very sullen. One of the younger candidates fled, presumably back to the barracks. Another listlessly wandered into the stands in a daze. Radagast directed his attention to him, taking long uneven strides to come stand just below Renketsuous' chosen spot to lurk and decompress.

"S'alright, lad. Come one down and join the rest of your group." He ascended to meet him in the aisle and held out a hand. "You;re all safe now, I assure you." For now. The snake was gone, but not eliminated. With the dragons unable to peruse the halls, it would be up to the handlers to stalk after it where their larger cousins could not reach. "Naxen!" he called to the candidatemaster, eyes sparkling despite recent trials. "Allow Radask and myself to assist you in bringing them back to their quarters, yes? Perhaps I could suggest a brief detour to the dining hall for a midnight snack. I'm certain they could all use a moment to decompress and discuss what just transpired, if that would be acceptable?"

Truthfully, it might be best for them all to be in a well-lit room, huddled together for safety. Who knew where the snake was now? And who would be the next target?

Radask, my good boy. Could you send a message?

The big blue wher's tail thrashed excitedly down on the sand, casting clouds of dust around his butt. Sure yea! Healers! For dragons, ye! Egg hurt! Bit by snakey! Snake gone - scared off! Egg busted though! It's leakin' everywhere!

[DinoInADress]

Candidate Erina

Erina found herself shaking a bit as the adrenaline left her. First the wher came towards the group and then the Candidatemaster’s dragon shouted at them to come towards him. They were definitely in a LOT of trouble, but the egg was safe (hopefully) and no one was seriously injured. Plus they had gotten a chance to see the beautiful eggs! She wasn’t quite sure if it was worth it though as she walked towards the Candidatemaster.

Upon arriving to the now growing group she took a deep breath to try to steady her hands. Her mother would have killed her for doing something so stupid. She should have just gone for help. She hung her head and bowed to Naxen.

[emil]

Candidate Levysc

She bit her lip as her classmates turned on each other -- frozen by the sheer amount of conflicting information as everyone yelled at once, garbling their voices into an unintelligible roar. Enraged dragons and whers flooded the room, conflict reaching a fever pitch as they struggled to engage. The unbearable mass of tension tore open with an unholy screech as Nebulaeth partially dismembered the disgusting creature. It limped into the nearest tight corridor with horrifying speed, leaving a befouled trail in its wake. It seriously stank, she decided, clapping a hand over her nose. "WHOOOOO!!!!!" She couldn't help but cheer nasally, pumping her other fist and hopping ecstatically. The egg was, hopefully, saved.

She wasn't so sure, the longer she looked -- elation morphing to fear as the egg oozed sickly, ichor green. A voice blared into her mind - Anitoth's, she knew. Naxen was very angry. Levysc was incredulous of the complete, surreal thwarting of their ill-fated quest. She ambled sullenly over to the massing knot of whipped Candidates, accepting her fate. They'd been caught red-handed.

"Noooo! I'm going to smell like latrines for months.", she lamented openly, wailing.

Be glad you're not washing-out, you great fool, the voice of guilt hissed in her ear. Yes, indeed, she wondered... if the presence of the Candidates hadn't attracted the attention of that hungry tunnelsnake in the first place. They could not resist the smell of life -- of fresh blood and meat. For it seemed that wherever small hot-blooded creatures lived, the tunnelsnakes without fail followed. They were mere sermurines to such an immense reptile. What if it was all their fault that the egg was hurt? She'd only wanted to break a stupid little rule, but chaos tore at her heels -- like always! Anything truly good and fun, ruined!

[Calingaladha]

Candidate Joffrey @Naxen, Candidates

Joffrey was still recovering from his faint, but as soon as he heard the candidatemaster and dragon's orders, he staggered over to Naxen, scowling. His face was red and abraded from the fall and his subsequent dragging, giving him the appearance of more shame than he was actually capable of possessing.

"The others made me come along! They threatened me! You saw the knives!" He proclaimed, desperate to get himself out of any trouble. "I told them this was a bad idea, but nobody listened!"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Garma of Green Vranath

Despite her attempt to attack the tunnelsnake, Vranath's talons found no purchase in the beast. Garma tried her best to mollify the green, to little avail.

Death! Death haunts the tunnels! After it! The egg may not be the only one bleeding before long!

She screeched the thought, angered at her own failure and with adrenaline still coursing from talons to wingtips, as she and her rider went to confer with others for a pursuit party.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saralia of White Nahangyth

Saralia and Nahangyth had been at the Feeding Grounds when the call came out for dragonhealers. The white's meal was interrupted, but with a damaged egg, more urgent matters were at hand. Saralia always kept some supplies with her on her satchel, luckily enough.

As they came in, Nahangyth dropped her rider on the sands, the scent of her hunt still clinging to her hide, and the evidence still on her maw. The white's eyes whirled red in agitation at the attack on an egg, but she took a perch nearby, knowing the work needed here was vital.

Saralia found a journeyman dragonhealer in sight and got straight to assisting. Running supplies, putting pressure, whatever was needed, she was prepared to offer.

[Arcane]

Arena of Void Oscamith

Arena had been at Fort Weyr when the egg that would hatch blue Seieith was damaged. She had only been an apprentice then, but she remembered the journeymen, discussing best practices.

That egg had only been cracked, not punctured or poisoned. But the basic principles remained the same.

They didn't have much time, if the reports Oscamith had solicited from the witnesses were true and the egg was already leaking its vital fluids, as tunnelsnake venom circulated around the developing hatchling.

But they couldn't be so hasty either that they would do more harm than good.

She mixed the best tunnelsnake antidote she knew, while one of the apprentices packaged generous portions of wax and bandaging gauze, examining each piece for tears or signs of dirt before carefully wrapping it to avoid damage or contamination. Arena packaged the supplies and ordered Oscamith to fly.

Even Oscamith was for once as silent as the grave, as he pushed his wings as fast as he could. When the egg came into sight, dripping and punctured, he hung his head, Poor egg-bro.

Arena gave a brief bow to Nebulaeth and her rider, surveying the scene, "The egg won't survive a loss of too much fluid and tunnelsnakes of that coloration are known to be poisonous. What remedies we have never before been administered to an egg and we can't predict how they may impact a developing hatchling- but there is no way of sealing in the vital fluids without also trapping the poison inside. I propose treating the egg, then sealing the shell, with your permission."

She waited for the queen's nod, before beginning, pushing down her emotions. There would be time for tears and terror later. Right now, Arena was a healer. A healer who needed a calm mind, clear eyes and steady hands.

Naxen of Blue Anitoth - Candidates, Radagast

Naxen pursed her lips and kept count of all the candidates present, which was far too large a portion of her candidate barracks. Clearly, she'd done a poor job of teaching them. One or two candidates was a mistake- this many was a failure of policy.

She would need to reexamine her curriculum and standards of discipline.

But not tonight. The lectures could wait until the morning.

"I do not believe any egg is yours, until it decides to be," Naxen told Phelps, "But, if Faranth willing the egg hatches, and you would be unwilling to accept such a dragon- I advise you to withdraw yourself from this clutch. Draconic whims are beyond human control."

She smiled at Brabbop, looking out for his fellow candidate. Some of her candidates, even in this most unfortunate of candlemarks, showed signs of promise of the riders they could become. Brabbop's sense of responsibility towards his peers said as much about him as his disobedience.

"I am disappointed in you, Petraxen. You know better than this. As a weyrborn candidate, it is your duty to be an example for your fellow candidates," Naxen pursed her lips before continuing, "Arena seems to believe the snake was venomous. We can only hope that she was wrong- or that her tincture proves effective. Those of you in close contact with the tunnelsnake will be examined by a human healer for any bites or nicks before returning to your barrack."

Naxen nodded to Levysc's comment about latrines, "Yes, yes you are."

She glanced at Joffrey and raised an eyebrow, very much doubting his tale, "If you wish to make specific allegations against your fellows, you are free to report the details to me later. There are certainly no shortage of witnesses."

She turned to Radagast, "I appreciate your offer of assistance but please let me gather and take stock of the candidates here for now. As you're the only wherhandler present, perhaps your wher should focus on catching the scent, so you can guide a search party."

[EW-NA]

Diendiatto - Tag: Joffrey (tldr; pee pee and walking over to Authorities)
--

Diendiatto released his hold on Joffrey's ankle when he felt a jerk of movement, signaling that the other candidate was finally coming to. Good. Dien didn't want to be lugging a human shaped feed bag all the way down to the candidate barracks. Assuming the other to be coming to and reasonably... fine, Dien turned his attention back across the hatching cavern. Hopefully the tunnelsnake was getting taken care of-- not that he could pay attention as his seemingly self-appointed babysitting duties were not finished.

The shrilling squeal that escaped Joffrey practically made the short hair on the back of Diendiatto's neck stand fully on end. Immediately, the taller candidate jerked back with an outright scowl on his face.

“Knock it off, you baby!!” Dien snapped back, looming over Joffery as he still skittered in the remnant patches of sand dragged with him. “Keep rolling in the dirt like a dropped newborn; squalling like that, and maybe something will!”

Once again, Dien huffed in frustration but immediately made to offer aid to his fellow candidate. It seemed Joffrey still need some prompting to you know--- come back to reality. He had legs, and it was time to use 'em. Dien was absolutely not going to carry this mess of classmate all the way back to the dorms. Reaching low, Dien went to just snatch at Joffrey's collar to just get him upward, but paused when he noticed.

His face went utterly sour in disgust.

“I take it back,” Dien told him. “-nothin's gonna want to eat you, while covered in piss....So, that's working for you.”

Stepping back, Dien let Joffrey have room to scramble as the Candidate master finally made their appearance. Oh boy... Dien let out another sigh and followed his way behind, perhaps a bit too casual given everything going on. However, no point in running now. It wasn't like they had anywhere to go but to face the music .

[Dragon]

Renkestuous - Radagast, Naxen, Joffrey

When the wherhandler approached him, Renkestuous jumped, eyes wide. He blushed and hurriedly put away his belt knife. Right. Less freaking out, more listening and doing what Naxen said. He swallowed hard and gave the damaged egg another pained look - he was going to have to make sure to give that one attention at the Touching! - he hurried over to the rest of the candidates.

Just in time to hear Joffrey claim he'd been forced to come.

"Oh, sure, you were forced," he said snidely, trying to ignore the fact he'd had a bit of a freakout over the egg being hurt. "What was it you said? That if we got caught, you'd 'go over their heads' and make sure none of us got in trouble?"

[toby-du-coeur]

Candidate Kirin - candidates, open

Kirin stayed on the sands with one foot up on a stand - for the principle of the thing - cheering indiscriminately for the stabbers, the dragons and wher, and those trying to break up whatever Hamuntep and Malady had going on - "the snake is gone? did anyone see where it went?? hunt it down!" - until between Phelps and Radagast and Ephraim, the last stragglers were absolutely herded toward Naxen.

He stood with his arms folded, unable to wipe the smile off his face, letting the general atmosphere of scolding wash over him. Being in trouble with authority was nothing new, and it seemed like a fair price to pay for getting to see the legendary Tunnelsnake vs. Kirin's Future Dragon.

"Do you think the egg is okay?" he whispered to whoever was next to him. "Faranth, it looked JUST like that moth cocoon. Wait. Is a dragon just goop in there?"