[HATCHING] Dust and Gold

[Jabberwoky]

Fates
Weave their threads
Our lives are sewn
Born
To a life
All but our own
We feel it inside
Our bones

In the deep caverns of Semaca Weyr, in one of the lodges, there were five eggs.

For many days and nights they slept, tended to by sire and dam alike, and it seemed the day was drawing ever-closer to the time they split opened. There were many nights like this, just waiting and watching.

That was until tonight, when the Wounded Tapestry started to rattle and shake.

[nineofswords]

It was time. Thornsk had tended her eggs diligently, and so when one of them began to shake during the night, that time when whers were most awake, she knew right away. She'd had several clutches by this point, and so knew how to react.

My eggs hatch, she announced to Semaca Weyr. Hopefuls, please come.

"Couldn't give me five minutes' head start?" Rosethorn grumbled, tidying up the last of her weyr before the potential new handlers arrived. In truth, she'd kept her weyr spotless in anticipation of this, and was mostly just fussing. This was Thornsk's first hatching at Semaca, and she wasn't entirely sure how it was going to go, if people would behave themselves.

Will be fine, darlin', Rosesk assured her. You keep 'em in line, I keep 'em smilin', things go good. The brown had more confidence than Rosethorn did, but then he was cheerful like that. He gave Rosethorn an affectionate bump with his shoulder as he padded outside to greet the guests that would be arriving soon. He didn't want to crowd the weyr too much, but he wanted to be part of this in some way.

If people misbehave, I bite them Thornsk assured Rosethorn ambiably.

"Yeah, that's what I'm worried about..." Rosethorn grumbled back.

[Arcane]

Wherlinghood hadn't exactly been the greatest time in Eleanor's life. No sex. No alcohol. Way too forsking many rules. Willingly doing it again was probably a mistake, for some snot-nosed wherlet, whose guts she might not even be able to stand.

But sometimes Eleanor couldn't help worrying about Elsk. Which was silly. And misguided.

Elsk never seemed anything but happy, being an observer of the world, sitting quietly to themself.

They didn't do wher things because they didn't want to do wher things. Shards, Eleanor didn't like doing a lot of human things half the time. She got it...

Just like she got that sometimes, when some annoying human pushed her into doing an annoying human thing, she was glad she did.

And a part of her wondered if Elsk needed that too.

So Eleanor dragged herself towards some prissy garnethandler's wher, to put herself forward for yet more judgment, possibly followed by months of misery, out of a ridiculous hunch that it would be good for Elsk. This was why she didn't make many friends. Because friends had a way of compromising your judgment.

At least it wasn't the forsking morning. Eleanor hated mornings.

[AtlasHyperion]

It was nothing short of peaceful in Bella's weyr. Bellask was relaxing peacefully on the floor, and Plumbob, as always, had settled on top of the garnet's head. Bella laid on her bed, lounging. Her partner had left with his wher to get food, so it was just her, her bonds, and nothing but quiet, quiet, quiet.

And by Faranth, Bella hated quiet.

That's why she wanted another wher, to fill the quiet spaces. She missed her time working in the creche, where every few seconds was filled with noise. It was like second nature to her, and even with a little flit and a whole wher around, it rarely reached the level of noise that she had spent so much of her life around. So, whether it was the feeling of an 'empty nest' getting to her, or something else entirely, Bella felt that taking care of a little wherlet would be exactly what she needed to bring some noise around the weyr.

So, when the call went out, Bella made herself look presentable and marched herself down to the other garnethandler's room. At the very least, she would stand. Whatever else happened would happen, not much she could do to change it.

[nineofswords]

Rosesk was lying outside of the weyr like an honor guard. He was relaxed, eyes swirling in blues and greens, the brown making himself look as small and unassuming as a brown wher could. Howdy, darlins! he called to the first two wherhandlers that arrived. Best luck!

Rosethorn relaxed slightly when she saw Bella and Eleanor enter. They were established handlers and fully adults. Rosethorn had had visions of a gaggle of children just into their twenties, hot-headed and rowdy, but these two would know better than to start trouble around a brooding clutch mother. Hopefully.

Rosethorn gave the two women polite nods as they entered. "Welcome." She gestured at herself, then the garnet. "Rosethorn, Thornsk. I'm sure you both know this, but I'm warning everyone: Thornsk will not be patient with any roughhousing, so anyone who starts nonsense will be asked to leave immediately for their own safety." Thornsk was a perfectly pleasant wher until she wasn't, and she didn't give the offending individual - human or beast - any warning when that flip switched. Rosethorn would prefer this hatching to conclude without any bloodshed beyond the necessary scratches for a bond.

[Kitarial]

Deng of Green Engsk

Deng hadn’t ever really considered bonding a wher to begin with, let alone two. But Engsk had happened, and he couldn’t even begin to imagine what his life would’ve been like without her. He knew, of course, that there were new wherlets on the way- it wasn’t really a subtle affair. Nonetheless, he was still startled from his thoughts when the voice of an unfamiliar wher sounded, announcing the hatching of the eggs. Glancing over at Engsk, the green seemed rather unimpressed.

Dimglow handler get ready. Go get new friend for us. Engsk proclaimed, before dismissively turning her head.

“Are you certain of that, Engsk?” the young man replied, to be met with a truly withering stare from his wher. Of course Engak certain. Engsk not tell handler to go if she not, the green complained, somewhat irritated. Rather than reply, Deng chose to do as she said. He hadn’t minded the idea of a new wherlet for a while, and if Emgsk agreed he had no reason to complain.

Combing his hair and making his clothes presentable was a quick affair, the young man not needing too much effort to fix up his current look. He didn’t aim for anything particularly nice though, as hatchings weren’t exactly the cleanest of affairs. If there wasn’t blood, there would at least be egg goop.

Making his way down to Rosethorn’s Weyr, he nodded to her brown, who was greeting people as they filed in. He was more polite with Thornsk, though, offering a quiet “Hello,” to both her and her handler as he moved away from the entrance and off to the side. Better not to crowd too close and take up extra space in the Weyr, which was soon to become very cramped.

[Fel]

Tam had been somewhat uncertain about the need for a second wher. Tamsk was already such an ingrained part of her that it didn't feel like they were a wher and a human, but a single being split into two bodies with occasionally contrasting ideas. It didn't feel like anything was missing; the two of them together were whole and there was nothing more they required.

And then the spotties had attacked the Weyr, and the two of them hadn't been enough. They hadn't managed to stop even a single spotty from getting past them toward more vulnerable people. They had barely even managed to slow it down. Their people had been in danger, and they had been all but powerless to stop it. That wouldn't happen again. Tam wouldn't let it.

And we good for wherlet. Keep safe until grown. Unlike some others, Tamsk said as her handler headed for Rosethorn's weyr.

There's no need to think ill of people. Not everyone can be capable. That's why it's up to us to keep them safe.

Tamsk snorted, settling down in their quarters to rest until Tam returned.

Tam didn't have far to go, and she gave Rosethorn a wave as she arrived in time to hear the warning about Thornsk's temperament. "Duly noted. Though I can't imagine who would be foolish enough to do such a thing during a Hatching." Oh wait. Yes she could. She'd seen Candidates at dragon Hatchings. Tam was fairly certain that, on the whole, things would go better if wherhandlers and whers could fly and deal with Thread instead of dragons and their riders. Far more sensible, other than a few exceptions like Maui and Toro, but they were safely sequestered in Lamentoso Squad. Hopefully for good.

[Ezra]

Candidate Anphiel - Open

Anphi had been reading over a few of her notes, getting some extra study time in when she heard the call. Placing her things aside, she stood up, dusting herself off and stretching. Afterwards, she made her way to Rosethorn's weyr and took a spot close to the front of the action as she was able, folding her arms across her chest, her face as emotionless as she could manage. If her future partner was in those eggs, she wanted to be ready and look capable, after all, she knew she was worthy. Why else would she be around here? She payed no mind to anyone else other than the ones that were part of why she was here, there was no room for idle chatter. She had been pretty old hat at this at this point, and whatever happened would happen.

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

Fenrir of Green Fesk - Open

Fenrir heard the call and smiled to himself as he made sure he was looking the best he could, having just finished a snack after evening tasks. As he entered the weyr, he offered a smile and wave to the fellow handler and a bow to the clutch mother before he took a spot where he could fit. He could hear Fesk snort in his head, grumbling about if she was going to have to share her food with a newcomer. Her irritation was not entirely angry, as he knew deep down that she would likely welcome the company. " Good evening, lovely night for a hatching eh?" He replied to the person closest to him, leaning back against the wall.

[nineofswords]

Rosethorn, Thornsk, and Rosesk

Howdy, partner! Rosesk called in greeting to Deng, pleased to be acknowledged by one of the prospective candidates. Tam, Anphiel, and Fenrir all got similar greetings as well, but the sociable wher didn't seem to mind that people overlooked him. After all, the hatching was very exciting, it was totally understandable that people would be more focused on that than the ornamental door guard.

Thornsk gave a nod to those who acknowledged her as she came in. Rosethorn continued to cast silent judgement over everyone who came in. Deng was young, but seemed quiet enough. Tam didn't seem like someone she needed to worry about, mentally lumped in with Eleanor and Bella. The last two were wild cards as far as she was concerned. Anphiel was in her older twenties, but the way she planted herself right near the front meant she might get the worst of it if something went wrong. Fenrir was young, but already an established handler and quiet. Rosethorn rubbed her forehead. Faranth, this was more stressful than just selling the eggs off to a caravan.

Then I decrease stress, Thornsk said helpfully, fussing over the eggs.

Rosethorn started. Already? she asked silently. You only just sent the call out. You don't want to wait for more?

They have time, Thornsk assured her handler. But this one...this one wait long enough. Rosethorn wasn't sure what made the Rite of Spring egg worthy of having 'waited long enough' while the others could sit longer, but far be it from her to question a wher mother. Thornsk nosed the green egg towards Tam.

Need those who will love, who wherlet can rely on, Thornsk told Tam. Worry this one forgive too easily, have a heart too soft. Protect that heart. Thornsk didn't bother to add an 'or else' to the end of that thought, but there was a clear note of warning in her mind's voice.

Congrats! Rosesk called from outside, his mind voice a chipper contrast to Thornsk's. She must like ya, to pick first!

[Arcane]

The egg felt full of youthful energy, vivid and alive, as it shook in Tam's arms, the baby within trying to emerge into the world.

At last, the egg cracked open, a wherlet rolling out with more enthusiasm than grace, looking up at her new handler and out at the rest of the room with wide, curious eyes.

A green! A green whose hide was the color of the living underbrush of her jungle home, with markings resembling the flowers that sometimes bloom in its shadows. She let out a cheerful cheep of greeting as she waited for someone to show her what exactly it was she was meant to do now.

[Dragon]

Cyan was terribly unsure about this. That wasn't particularly common for him, but what was one to do? Most of the hopefuls trying for an egg were already wherhandlers, and Cyan wasn't sure what that meant for their chances compared to his.

Plus it was so soon ... Cyan honestly didn't know if he was ready. But he had to be, didn't he? This was one of those things that if it happened it happened. It wasn't going to happen in his time, but in its own.

Squeezed into a corner of the lodge, he waited to be given an egg ... or not.

[GalaxyMir]

Candidate Kanollan- Anphi , Open
Kanollan had experienced a dragon hatching , tried and failed. He didn’t care much that the little beasts ignored him, he thought of them as snobby but quickly brushed off the thought as he entered the corridor down to the wherhandler lodges. Sure he was late, but he was fashionably late. With a curt smile here and there and a wink, he was sure all would be forgiven.

Arriving at the handler’s room, Kanollan gave Rosesk a little wave hello, he’d met the brown wher a time ago, receiving a flower from him. “Hello you! Good to see you again!” he greeted the brown, entering the room quickly. He smiled at Thornsk then at Rosethorn and took his place next to Anphiel. A mischievous smile played on his lips looking at the serious and stiff candidate. “Whers eh? Riveting aren’t they?” he commented, eyes glued to the little green wher that had just crawled out her shell.

[Ezra]

Candidate Anphiel - Kanollan, wherlet mention

Anphiel watched as the first egg was rolled to some person Anphi didn't know and frankly did not care about knowing either. The wherlet hatched and was a pretty green, but did not seem the type that Anphi felt was worth her time. It didnt really matter, cause she was not the one that had to blood the little one anyway. The markings were pretty though, floral in design. Her thought process was interupted when Kanollan stepped up beside her and she resisted the urge to verbally groan, but the expression in her eyes was telling enough. " Good to see me again? Are you a glutton for punishment or something?" Anphi replied and her eyes narrowed slightly. His comment gave her pause as her gaze drifted to the wherlet again then back over to Kanollan. " Yeah, strong most of the time too. As a sturdy reliable partner should be. But I seriously doubt any of those eggs are for me, but eh, in the event I am chosen, here I am. What about you?" She replied, scoffing slightly. Why did this man think she was worth talking to? Socializing for no real gain was exusasting.

[nineofswords]

Rosethorn, Thornsk, and Rosesk - Cyan, Kanollan

Howdy there! Rosesk called to Cyan. He sat up, delighted when one of the candidates said hello and waved to him. You remember lil ol me? he asked. Flattered! Good luck! Privately to Thornsk, he said He nice. Make sure he get good one.

My decision. I make it, not you, Thornsk gently informed the brown. But she did watch Kanollan as he came in, watched him begin to interact with another candidate. Hmm...now you mention, though...

She carefully pulled Hollow Elysium away from the other eggs and rolled it towards Kanollan. You two different enough, think you might bring out best in each other, she told him. Do not disappoint. This last was not said with warning nor malice, just the sort of firm but gentle tone of warning a mother would use on any of her children before letting them out of her sight to go play.

[Jabberwoky]

The egg was heavier than expected, the wherlet inside a heavy responsibility, and even the cracking shell had a gravity to it.

The small shell broke apart quickly, revealing a faded blue the color of a sea before the storm. There were darker markings around his neck like twisted leaves of a strange plant. He had brighter leaves around his head, from some plant unfamiliar to those in the small space. He did not chirp a greeting like his green sister, but merely rumbled low in his throat.